What is Pet Training?
Animals often crave praise and approval, which makes training a rewarding experience for both of you. Your pet receives rewards for good behavior, and you have peace of mind that your best friend is on good behavior.
One of the most common training methods is positive reinforcement. Your pet associates certain actions with rewards such as verbal praise, affection or a treat. Various types of pet training involve positive reinforcement, but according to certified pet trainer Teena Patel of Doglando, most training falls into one of two categories: behavioral training or obedience training. We’ve detailed the differences between the two below.
Behavioral Training
Often done by trained specialists, behavioral training focuses on teaching your pet how to react to certain situations and can address things such as anxiety and phobias. For example, a dog afraid of getting its annual vaccinations may be aggressive toward the vet. Behavioral training can help it form a more positive association.
While behavioral training can improve unwanted behaviors, some issues may be the result of chronic conditions or an underlying health issue. It’s important to get your pet’s health assessed before beginning a training program. For example, your cat may be peeing in the wrong place because of a urinary tract infection, or your dog may have an injury that’s causing it to be aggressive. Try to figure out any health problems before moving forward with behavioral training to get the best results.
Obedience Training
Obedience training teaches your pet the fundamentals: basic commands such as sit and stay, social skills and how to handle some grooming tasks. Obedience training can often be done without a professional and generally only requires basic knowledge and skill.
Most importantly, obedience training requires consistency. Many dogs have short attention spans and can get bored easily. Multiple short sessions can help keep your dog engaged.
How Does Training Coverage Work?
Many pet insurance companies cover behavioral modification and issues. This includes prescription medication but doesn’t always include training.
If your pet insurance provider does cover training for behavioral issues, you can’t usually go to a regular trainer. You’ll often need to visit a certified veterinarian or specialist.
Check your policy before hiring a trainer to ensure the cost is eligible for reimbursement. Then, submit a claim. Once approved, your provider will reimburse you at the rate you selected during enrollment.
Which Companies Cover Training?
Most providers don’t cover basic obedience training, but some cover training for behavioral issues. We’ve researched the top pet insurance providers that cover training and outlined their coverage below.
*Lemonade may offer shorter waiting periods depending on where you live.
Spot Training Coverage
Spot’s accident-and-illness plan covers behavioral issues, including training for anxiety, aggression and other compulsive behaviors. You must see an approved animal behaviorist for claims to be reimbursed.
Spot offers some of the most customizable coverage of the providers on this list. It has two base plans plus two preventive care add-ons. It also has numerous deductible and reimbursement rate options, plus annual limits ranging from $2,500 to unlimited.
To learn more: Spot Pet Insurance review
Embrace Training Coverage
Embrace offers one accident-and-illness plan that covers a range of services, from allergy treatment to hospitalization. The policy also covers behavioral treatment for excessive barking, excessive licking, and aggression.
All costs associated with behavioral treatment are covered, including prescription medications. However, any treatments or training must be administered by a veterinarian.
Embrace stands out for its savings opportunities. The company offers multiple discounts plus flexible coverage, including a range of annual limits, deductibles and reimbursement rates to fit your budget.
To learn more: Embrace Pet Insurance review
Fetch Training Coverage
Fetch is known for its extensive therapy coverage. In addition to treatment for behavioral issues, it covers holistic care such as acupuncture, homeotherapy and stem-cell therapy.
Fetch’s standard accident-and-illness plan covers up to $1,000 in treatment for changes in temperament, including aggression, anxiety and phobias. It also covers some items typically not covered by competitors, such as pet boarding if you’re hospitalized, advertising fees for lost pets, and cancellation fees if you have to cancel a vacation due to a pet health emergency.
To learn more: Fetch Pet Insurance review
Trupanion Training Coverage
Trupanion offers a comprehensive accident-and-illness plan. However, to receive coverage for your pet’s behavioral issues, you’ll need to enroll in its Recovery and Complementary Care add-on. The add-on reimburses 90% of the costs for acupuncture, chiropractic treatment, hydrotherapy, rehabilitative therapy, naturopathy, and behavioral modification. Treatments must be given by a licensed veterinarian to qualify for reimbursement.
Though Trupanion has higher deductibles than some competitors, it offers flexible deductibles between $0 and $1,000. Selecting a $0 deductible means you won’t have to pay anything for covered care.
To learn more: Trupanion Pet Insurance review
ASPCA Pet Training Coverage
ASPCA offers an accident-only and accident-and-illness plan. Its accident-and-illness plan, called the Complete Coverage plan, includes coverage for behavioral issues such as excessive licking, hair pulling and destruction of the home. The company will cover behavioral training if it’s recommended by a vet and completed by an approved professional.
ASPCA stands out for its experience. The company has been around for more than 15 years and its policies are serviced by Crum and Forster Pet Insurance Group, which has an A+ rating and accreditation from the Better Business Bureau (BBB).
To learn more: ASPCA Pet Health Insurance review
Annual Cost of Training Coverage
*Prices reflect a sample quote we obtained for a 4-year-old, medium-sized, mixed-breed male dog in Seattle, Wash.
Does Pet Insurance Cover Training?
Most pet insurance companies don’t cover obedience training, but some will cover training for behavioral issues. We recommend any of the companies included on this list. However, we suggest getting quotes from at least three providers to compare coverage and pricing. If training coverage is a priority for you, review sample contracts and talk to customer service representatives to ensure you’ll receive the coverage you want.
Frequently Asked Questions About Pet Training
Obedience training involves training your dog to reply to a certain command, such as sit or stay. Behavioral training focuses on teaching your dog how to react to certain situations and doesn’t necessarily involve a command. It can be used to address anxiety or aggression or to stop certain behaviors, such as barking or excessive licking.
Yes, your dog can get behavioral training from a vet. It can also receive training from a certified animal behaviorist or trainer. Check with your local vet to see if they offer behavioral training.
Pet insurance covers a variety of health care services depending on your selected plan and provider. Accident-only policies cover costs related to accidents and emergencies, such as swallowed objects, broken bones and animal bite wounds. Accident-and-illness policies cover costs related to both accidents and illnesses, such as allergies, cancer, and chronic, congenital or hereditary conditions. Some providers also offer add-ons for routine vet care at an additional monthly fee.
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