Do Dog Trainers Need a DBS Check in the UK?

If you're thinking about becoming a dog trainer in the UK, you might be wondering whether you need a DBS check before you can start working with clients.

The short answer is:

No. Dog trainers do not automatically need a DBS check simply because they are dog trainers.

There is no general legal requirement for every dog trainer in the UK to have a DBS check before working with dogs or running a dog training business.

However, there are circumstances where having a DBS check may be appropriate, particularly if your work involves children, and there are some good reasons why a dog trainer might choose to have a Basic DBS check even when one isn't legally required.

Let's explain…

What Is a DBS Check?

A DBS check is a criminal record check carried out by the Disclosure and Barring Service.

There are different levels of DBS check, including:

• Basic DBS checks

• Standard DBS checks

• Enhanced DBS checks

• Enhanced DBS checks with a check of the relevant Barred List

The type of DBS check someone is eligible for depends on the work they actually carry out.

Importantly, you can't simply choose to have an Enhanced DBS check because you would like one. The role itself needs to meet the eligibility requirements for that level of check.

Anyone can, however, apply for their own Basic DBS check.

Does a Self-Employed Dog Trainer Need a DBS Check?

For most self-employed dog trainers working with adult clients and their dogs, there is no general requirement to have a DBS check.

You don't suddenly need one because you:

• run puppy classes

• offer one-to-one dog training

• run group training classes

• operate your own dog training business

In these circumstances, a DBS check isn't ordinarily a legal requirement of becoming a dog trainer.

That said, an individual business, organisation or venue you work with may have its own safeguarding or contractual requirements.

What If I Go Into Clients' Homes?

This is an important consideration for dog trainers because a significant amount of dog training happens inside people's homes.

You may be invited into somebody's house for a puppy consultation, behaviour assessment or one-to-one training session.

Sometimes that client may also be elderly, disabled or otherwise considered vulnerable.

So does that mean a dog trainer needs a DBS check?

Not automatically (and probably not!)

Simply entering somebody's home to provide dog training does not, by itself, mean that you are carrying out regulated activity with adults or that you are eligible for an Enhanced DBS check.

Importantly, DBS eligibility isn't determined simply by describing somebody as a "vulnerable adult". It depends on the type of work you are actually carrying out, who you are providing it to and, in some circumstances, how frequently you do it.

Regulated activity with adults includes specific activities such as providing healthcare or personal care, certain forms of assistance with household finances or a person's affairs, and some forms of transporting adults to health or care services.

Ordinary dog training wouldn't normally fall into those categories.

However, this doesn't mean safeguarding should be ignored.

Dog trainers can find themselves working alone inside people's homes and occasionally working with clients who may be particularly vulnerable.

Even where a higher-level DBS check isn't required or available for your role, you can still choose to obtain a Basic DBS check.

For some self-employed dog trainers, particularly those regularly entering clients' homes, having a Basic DBS check may therefore be a sensible professional choice and provide an additional level of reassurance to clients. Albeit not a legal requirement.

What If I Teach Children to Train Dogs?

This is where things can become different.

Some dog trainers specifically provide activities involving children, perhaps teaching children how to train their dogs, running regular junior dog-training sessions or delivering programmes where the trainer is directly teaching or supervising children.

Depending on exactly what you do and how frequently you do it, your role may be eligible for an Enhanced DBS check, potentially including a Children's Barred List check.

Current DBS guidance includes teaching, training or instructing children within activities that can constitute regulated activity with children when the relevant conditions are met.

So it isn't really the fact that you're a dog trainer that determines which DBS check might apply.

It's who you're working with and what you're doing with them.

My advice, if you are working with children in any capacity then a Basic DBS check makes personal and professional sense.

Can Self-Employed Dog Trainers Get an Enhanced DBS Check?

This changed recently.

From 21 January 2026, eligible self-employed people became able to apply for Enhanced DBS checks… including Enhanced checks with the relevant Barred List where appropriate… through a registered DBS Umbrella Body.

Previously, self-employed people generally couldn't simply apply for their own Enhanced DBS check.

The important word here, however, is eligible.

Being self-employed doesn't automatically make you eligible for an Enhanced DBS check, and neither does being a dog trainer.

Your actual role and responsibilities have to meet the DBS eligibility criteria.

It's also worth understanding that being eligible for a particular DBS check and being legally required to have one aren't necessarily the same thing.

Should Dog Trainers Get a Basic DBS Check Anyway?

This is ultimately a business decision.

Because anyone can apply for a Basic DBS check, some dog trainers may decide to obtain one even where their work doesn't require a higher-level check.

For example, you might feel that having one provides additional reassurance to clients if you're regularly entering people's homes.

It could also become another small trust signal alongside appropriate insurance, qualifications, professional education, reviews and other evidence that you take your responsibilities seriously.

But it's important to distinguish between something that you choose to have as good professional practice and something that you legally need in order to become a dog trainer.

They aren't the same thing.

So, Do Dog Trainers Need a DBS Check?

For most dog trainers working with adult clients and their dogs:

No… you don't need a DBS check simply to become a dog trainer.

Going into a client's home doesn't automatically change that, and neither does working with somebody simply because they may be considered vulnerable.

However, because dog trainers frequently enter clients' homes and may sometimes work with children or vulnerable people, it's worth understanding the different levels of DBS check and when you may be eligible for one.

If you regularly work with children, your role may potentially be eligible for a higher level of DBS check.

And even where no DBS check is legally required, some dog trainers may choose to obtain a Basic DBS check as an additional professional safeguard and source of reassurance for their clients.

If you're unsure which level of DBS check applies to the work you're doing, check the current official DBS eligibility guidance on GOV.UK.

Becoming a Dog Trainer in the UK

A DBS check is only one of the questions people have when they're considering becoming a professional dog trainer.

You might also be wondering:

Do dog trainers need a licence?

Do dog trainers need insurance?

Do dog trainers need a degree?

The dog training industry can be surprisingly confusing when you're first starting out, particularly when trying to separate what is legally required from what is simply good professional practice.

At the School of Canine Science, we've taught more than 25,000 people about dog training and behaviour, from people taking their first steps into canine science through to experienced professional trainers. Our online courses are designed to help trainers understand the science of learning, behaviour and training, and turn that knowledge into better practical training.

This article provides general information and isn't legal advice. DBS Rules can change and vary depending on specific use cases according to exactly how a business operates. If you're unsure whether your services require a DBS Check, contact your gov.uk before starting them.