Dog Owner Licence

The basic course for anyone getting a dog. Pass 8 short modules, get a stamp for each and show your Dog Owner Licence to breeders.
Start the Course
Free · about 1 hour · 8 modules
Dog Owner Licence
  • 1. Is a Dog Right for You Now?
  • 2. What a Dog Costs
  • 3. Laws and Responsibility
  • 4. A Puppy's First Weeks
  • 5. Dog Body Language
  • 6. Socialisation and Training
  • 7. Health and Care
  • 8. Buying a Dog the Right Way

What the Course Covers

Each module has 8 short illustrated lessons and 10 questions. Get 8 right and you earn the module's stamp.
Is a Dog Right for You Now?
A dog's lifespan, time and time alone, choosing breed and size, allergies, travel, and alternatives such as an adult dog or a foster home.
What a Dog Costs
Purchase price, running costs, vet care, insurance excess and age limits, and a buffer for the unexpected.
Laws and Responsibility
ID marking and registration, strict liability, supervision and leashes, and animal welfare rules for walks, time alone, crates and cars.
A Puppy's First Weeks
Pick-up day, the first nights, house training, training to be alone, sleep and puppy biting.
Dog Body Language
How a dog shows discomfort, fear, stress and wanting to play, when it needs to be left alone, and how children and dogs can be together safely.
Socialisation and Training
The socialisation period, new places and meeting dogs at the puppy's pace, reward-based training with good timing, and a reliable recall.
Health and Care
Vaccination schedule, deworming when needed, food and body condition, toxic food, heatstroke, and care of coat, claws and teeth.
Buying a Dog the Right Way
Responsible breeders, SKK registration and health programmes, the puppy's age and papers, purchase agreements, warning signs and safe payment with PetPay.

How the Dog Owner Licence Works

1
Read Short Lessons
Each module starts with 8 short illustrated lessons. Each lesson takes under a minute to read.
2
Answer Correctly and Get a Stamp
After each question you see the right answer and why. Get 8 of 10 right to earn the stamp.
3
Show Your Licence to Breeders
Once you have all 8 stamps, the licence shows on your buyer profile when you contact a breeder.
Start the Course

What You Learn in the Dog Owner Licence

The Dog Owner Licence is Get a Pet's free course for anyone thinking about getting a dog. It has 8 modules and takes about an hour. Each module has 8 short illustrated lessons and 10 questions about what you just read.

Why the Course Exists

Many problems with a new dog can be avoided if you know what to expect. A puppy needs company for much of the day, costs money every month and is covered by rules on ID marking, registration and supervision. The course takes you through it in order, from whether a dog suits you right now to how to buy a puppy the right way.

How to Pass a Module

You need 8 out of 10 correct answers to get the module's stamp. If you answer wrong, you see the right answer and why straight away. You can retake a module as many times as you like and pick up where you left off. If you have had a dog before, the modules go quickly.

What the Breeder Sees

The Dog Owner Licence is not an official certificate or a legal requirement. Once all 8 stamps are collected, breeders you contact on Get a Pet can see that you have passed the course. They cannot see your answers.

The Facts Behind the Questions

The lessons are based on the Swedish Board of Agriculture's rules, the Swedish act on the supervision of dogs and cats, advice from the Swedish Kennel Club and research on dog behaviour. Costs and insurance terms come from the Swedish Kennel Club and the insurers' own terms.

More Tools for Future Dog Owners

Sources