Do I Need a Licence to Be a Dog Trainer?

If you're thinking about becoming a dog trainer, one of the obvious questions is…

Do I need a licence to be a dog trainer in the UK?

The short answer is… somewhat surprisingly… No!

There isn't a general dog-training licence that you need simply to start offering dog training services. In fact one of the challanges with industry can be just how unregulated it is.

But (and this is important), some of the extra services dog trainers offer can absolutely require a licence.

So the questions isn’t really, “Do dog trainers need a licence?” more like “Does the way I run my dog training business include any activities that are licensable?”

Lets cover off the easy one first.

Do I need a licence to offer one-to-one dog training?

No.

If you travel to clients homes, meet them outdoors or run training sessions where the owner remains ultimately responsible for their dog, there isn't a standard UK licence specifically required just because you're providing dog training.

The same is true for group training classes and indeed behaviour consults.

That doesn't mean there are no rules around running a business but there isn't a universal “dog trainer licence” you apply for before you start.

When might a dog trainer need a licence?

In England, certain commercial activities involving dogs are regulated under animal activity licensing rules.

That includes businesses providing:

• dog day care,

• home boarding,

• kennel boarding,

• or arranging boarding for other people's dogs

So it's perfectly possible to start as an unlicensed dog trainer…

…and then accidentally turn your business into one that does require a licence.

Day training can be the grey area

Imagine you offer: “Drop your dog off with me at 9am, I'll train them during the day, then you collect them at 4pm.” You're not simply providing a one-hour lesson anymore.

You may now be providing daytime housing and care for somebody else's dog as part of a commercial business.

In England, commercial dog day care IS a licensable activity. Government guidance says businesses providing daytime housing for other people's dogs can fall within dog day care licensing rules.

So if you're thinking about offering day training, speak to your local authority before launching it.

Don't rely on what somebody else on Facebook says their council allowed as different councils have different rules and even different dog control orders that cover a wide spectrum of dog related rules to be aware of.

What about residential dog training?

This is much clearer. If dogs stay with you overnight as part of a paid training service, you will fall most likely within the rules for home or kennel boarding.

Commercial dog boarding businesses in England DO require a licence from their local council, including businesses looking after dogs in their own home.

So a residential board-and-train service is very different legally from visiting someone's house for a training session.

What if the dog stays in the owner's home?

That's different again. Government guidance specifically excludes businesses looking after dogs within the dog's normal home from dog day care licensing, so not required in that specific case.

Going into a client's home to train their dog for a longer period of time isn't the same as bringing that dog back to your own premises for the entire day.

What about online dog training?

If you provide…

• Zoom consultations

• online coaching

• video feedback

• written training plans

• or online courses

There isn't a special dog-training licence required simply because you're teaching dog training online.

You still need to operate as a legitimate business, but you aren't housing or boarding dogs or bringing them under your direct care, so no licence is required.

What if I work with aggressive dogs?

Working with aggression doesn't suddenly create a standard dog-training licence requirement at all (I know… I thought the same… mental really when you think about it).

But as with all the other examples, that doesn't mean there are no legal considerations. Depending on the dogs and circumstances involved, you may need to think about:

• insurance exclusions;

• control and safety arrangements;

• relevant dangerous-dog legislation;

• where sessions take place;

• and whether your venue allows the work.

This is another good example of why “I'm a dog trainer” isn't detailed enough when speaking to insurers, venues or local authorities. (Do checkout the recent blog on insurance)

Does running classes from a premises change things?

No! Running the training activity itself doesn't require an animal activity licence, but your premises may bring other considerations.

Including…

• planning permission

• change of use

• noise

• parking

• lease restrictions

• health and safety

• fire safety

• public liability insurance.

But, renting or buying a building and putting DOG TRAINING CENTRE above the door doesn't automatically mean you need any kind of animal activity licence.

What should I do before starting?

If your business is straightforward one-to-one dog training or owner-attended classes, licensing is usually pretty simple. There isnt one.

But if you're planning anything involving dogs being left in your care, ask your local council before you start taking any risks. Especially if you want to offer:

• day training

• dog day care

• residential training

• home boarding

• kennel boarding.

In England, local authorities are responsible for administering animal activity licences so this is the best place to start. A five-minute conversation before you launch a service is considerably easier than discovering afterwards that you've been operating a licensable activity without the correct licence.

Thinking about becoming a dog trainer?

Hopefully this blog has cleared up the licencing question for you.

But, I know you’ll have a ton more questions (or you should have) including

• Do I need qualifications to be a dog trainer?

• Do I need insurance to be a dog trainer?

• What equipment do I need to become a dog trainer?

• Do I need a degree to be a dog trainer?

• How much do dog trainers earn?

We’ve tacked these separately in other blogs so have a read. But if you’re serious about becoming a trainer, the paperwork is only the beginning.

At the School of Canine Science, 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. Licensing rules can vary across the UK and according to exactly how a business operates. If you're unsure whether your services require a licence, contact your local authority before starting them.