Hey pet pros,
The holiday rush is finally done! Let’s take a second to talk about something important.
A solid intake process is your best friend for the new year’s new clients. One piece that makes a big difference is asking every dog owner for a quick bite history. We know, awkward, but it helps you plan ahead to keep everyone safe.
With a recent update to our policy, this is a perfect time to walk through it together.
So, What Changed?
We added a known aggressive dog exclusion to PCI policies. You can find it on our Exclusions page. Here’s the short version:
- We can’t cover incidents involving individual dogs with a documented history of biting people or other pets. (We’re talking about violent or defensive behavior that causes injury, not an accidental nip.)
- We also can’t cover dogs with a “dangerous dog” designation from local authorities.
Here’s what didn’t change. PCI still doesn’t have breed restrictions. We care about behavior, not stereotypes. We love shepherds, pitbulls, and all your favorite blocky-headed goofballs. Many of us at PCI have those dogs, too, and we’d want a pet pro to give them a chance.
Looks scary…is a cinnamon roll. PCI dogs Ned, Moose, Bale, and Karma
That means your bite history questions matter more than ever. Pet parents don’t always volunteer past incidents unless you ask, setting you and their dog up for trouble. Let’s fix that.
How to Bring Up Bite History (Without Feeling Awkward)
Here’s a simple way to ask for bite history in an intake chat, minus the blame:
You say:
“To make sure I keep everyone safe, I ask about past behavior. Has your dog ever bitten or injured a person or another pet?”
If the owner says yes:
“Thanks for being honest. That helps me figure out the safest way to care for your dog.”
If you need to decline after hearing some context:
“Based on what you shared, I might not be the best fit right now. I want your dog to have care that’s safe and comfortable for everyone.”
Keep it calm and kind. Many pet parents appreciate the transparency.
Sample Bite History Checklist
⚠️ Continue cautiously. Prep separate play/feeding zones, extra handlers, or proper gear.
🛑 Coverage stops. This won’t be covered. It’s part of the known aggressive dog exclusion.
Ask about:
- Snapping, growling, or lunging ⚠️
- Any bites to people or other animals 🛑
- Triggers like grooming, handling, toys, or food ⚠️
- Past issues with other pet care providers ⚠️
- Any local “dangerous dog” or aggressive behavior designations 🛑
Bite histories support good decisions about which pets to accept, safe handling plans, and protecting the other animals in your care.
You can’t control what an owner tells you, but proof that you asked strengthens your case if something goes wrong. As your friendly bridge to the liability world, we want you as safe and supported as possible.
Digging Deeper
- Check out our glossary entries explaining bite history and breed restrictions for more info.
- Looking for something lighter? We just dropped How to Start a Dog Grooming Business on the PCI blog.
Until next time,
