Better behavior, fewer surprises.
General and professional liability, animal care custody and workers' comp for private, group class, in-home and board-and-train dog trainers.
By Sam Alishahi · CA Insurance License #4348151 · Reviewed October 2026 · How this page is researched
You work with dogs other people own
California holds a dog's owner strictly liable for bites, but trainers often get named too: a dog in class bites another dog or a person, or a client says your method caused an injury or made a behavior worse. Many trainers take reactive dogs, which is where a lot of claims start.
General liability can cover injuries to clients and the public, professional liability can respond to claims about your training advice, and animal bailee coverage can protect dogs in your care, subject to the policy terms. Board-and-train programs also need coverage for dogs kept overnight.
- General liabilityBites and injuries to people at sessions.
- Professional liabilityClaims about your training methods.
- Animal baileeDogs injured or lost in your care.
- Workers' compBites and injuries to your staff.
What underwriters will ask
Having these ready means I can go to market on the first call. The quote form asks for the same things, and anything you don’t know yet can wait.
- Training: private, group, board-and-train or online.
- Dogs: whether you take aggressive or reactive dogs.
- Location: clients' homes, parks or your own facility.
- Staff: employees and assistant trainers.
- Revenue: annual figures.
- History: current policies and any bite claims.
Dog trainer insurance, answered
If a client's dog bites someone in my class, am I covered?
General liability often responds to claims against you, subject to the policy. The owner's own homeowners or renters policy may also be involved.
Can I get coverage for protection or guard dog training?
Many trainer policies exclude attack, guard or protection work. Tell me if you do it so I place it with a market that will write it.
Does my homeowners policy cover training at home?
Usually not. Business activity and dogs kept for business are commonly excluded.
Do parks or facilities require insurance?
Cities and facilities that rent space often require liability coverage and additional insured status.
Do you offer dog trainer insurance outside California?
Yes. Clients across the country send the same quote form. Sam Alishahi is licensed in 48 states and Washington, DC and places policies there directly. In Florida and Washington, where Sam's licenses are still being issued, a partner agency in your state helps in the meantime. The shopping across carriers works the same way. Rules, minimums and markets differ by state — see insurance requirements by state.
Tell me how you train. I'll shop it.
Your training type, location and revenue are enough to start.
Alishahi Insurance · Saman Alishahi, independent insurance broker, California License #4348151. General information, not a quote or a promise of coverage; coverage depends on underwriting and the terms, conditions and exclusions of the policy actually issued.
Tell me how to reach you. I’ll take it from there.
Takes about 30 seconds. Your application link comes by email right away, and you get an update at every step until your quotes are ready.
(877) 711-4545Answered 24/7 · CA License #4348151
Get a reminder before your renewal.
Tell me when your policy renews and I’ll email you about six weeks before, when it’s worth comparing. One email, no calls.