Terms and Conditions of Service
Behaviour & Training
Terms & Information
To ensure the safety of you, your dog and The Dog Psychologist team, all dogs and owners must adhere to the following terms and conditions:
1. “The Dog Psychologist”, “TDP”, “our” and “we” are used interchangeably throughout these terms and conditions.
2. “The Client”, “you” and “your” are used interchangeably throughout these terms and conditions.
3. By a) registering on our online booking system (Acuity Scheduling) b) enrolling a dog with The Dog Psychologist training or behaviour services, you confirm that you have read and agreed to the following terms and conditions, including the payment and cancellation policy.
4. TDP may discuss your case under supervision as part of ongoing learning and development. All personal information will be anonymised.
5. TDP will share information relating to your case with your referring veterinary surgeon.
Client Responsibilities
6. All dogs must first be registered with TDP prior to a booking being made.
7. You, The Client, will indemnify TDP against any claims for loss or injury caused to either TDP staff, property or other dogs which are caused by your pet or as a result of breach of these terms and conditions, negligence or otherwise.
8. It is a legal requirement that all dogs are microchipped and wear an identification tag when in a public space. We recommend your dog wears a tag with your contact details at all times.
9. Pet behaviour therapy can help identify maintenance factors with problem behaviour and methods to improve this. Treatment plans may produce desired results quickly, although it is often the case that time, commitment and consistency are required. The amount of progress made over time can vary according to the individual pet and owner. Implementing the treatment plan remains the owner’s responsibility at all times, alongside responsibility for the pet’s welfare and behaviour.
10. Dogs will remain on lead during Day Training Walks. Consent is required if you would like your dog to be walked off lead.
11. Dogs with a known bite history whether causing injuring or other distress to dogs, humans or other animals must be muzzled for the duration of the session. TDP takes no responsibility for dogs who are not muzzled or kept under control during our session or outside of our session. Failure to wear a muzzle when asked may result in termination of the TDP programme.
12. Dogs must be kept under control when TDP enter your premises. Failure to do so and any injury caused by your dog being out of control will be your full responsibility.
13. TDP uses only positive reward based methods and you agree to use only these methods for the duration of the training programme. TDP may terminate the service agreement immediately if you are found to be using aversive training methods (including, but not limited to, shock/prong/spray collars, harsh corrections, intimidation).
14. You will be liable if your pet injures a third party or any of TDP’s staff.
Vaccinations and Health
15. Emergency contact details for both The Client and the Vet must be provided. In the event of an emergency, appropriate action will be taken to contact The Client, in the event of The Client being unavailable; appropriate action will be taken by TDP with the assistance of a veterinarian. We will always try to take pets to their own Vet if this is not possible TDP will take all dogs to the closest Emergency Vet.
16. Female dogs in season will not be able to attend training sessions or Day Training Walks for the duration of their season (2-3 weeks). TDP will not be held responsible for females impregnated whilst in training or on Day Training Walks.
17. The Client has sole responsibility to ensure that TDP is fully aware of any health issues the pet is experiencing, or has suffered in the past, TDP cannot be held liable for any actions or omissions which result in problems or complications for anything not disclosed. In the event of a pet having a contagious illness or disease which has not been disclosed, The Client may be liable for the costs of treatment given to other animals which become infected.
Photography & Videography
18. Your dog may be photographed or videoed and these images may be used on TDP’s website, social media outlets and printed literature.
19. All photo and video taken remains the property of TDP.
Booking and Payment Terms
20. Please book via the online booking service ‘Acuity Scheduling’ at least one week in advance.
21. Payment is due at time of booking.
22. When booked as part of a package, sessions should be taken over a period not exceeding 6 months from the date of purchase, unless written agreement is given by TDP to extend the period. Where sessions are not taken within the 6 month period, they will be considered forfeit, and not eligible for a refund or transfer.
Cancellation Policy
23. Making sure we’re a good fit to work together is important to me and will greatly benefit us both, which is why I offer a free consultation call. After this free consultation, one-time sessions are non-refundable. If you purchase a package, refunds are available to you only after the first session, should you decide you do not want to continue with the program. To request a package refund, you must notify me in writing within 24 hours after the first full session. Failure to do so will forfeit your opportunity for a refund. Your refund will exclude the value of the first session. This policy only applies to the first purchased package. For subsequent packages, refunds are only available up to 48 hours before the first scheduled session of the new package.
24. Please give 48 hours’ notice for booking amendments. Bookings changed within 48hours of the service start time will incur the full fee.
25. No payment will be required for bookings amended more than 48 hours before the start time.
26. The trainer will apply personal judgment in cases of extreme weather conditions; including, but not limited to: excessive heat, torrential rain, thunder storms and snow/ice. In such circumstances a session may be cut short, or the client offered an indoor or online session during the same booked timeslot. The decision to do so lays with the trainer, for the safety of themselves, members of the public, other animals and that of the client.
27. Where you have purchased training sessions as part of a package; if you fail to contact TDP, or fail to respond to attempts by TDP to make contact with you by email/telephone/text/mail or other methods within the package period (6 months from the date of purchase), TDP reserves the right to cancel any outstanding training sessions without offering a refund.
28. Where you have purchased training sessions as part of a package; unused sessions will be void and forfeit after the package period expiry (6 months from date of purchase).
29. Once the service period has begun (first session is complete), fees are non-refundable.
30. TCD uses Stripe to process online payments. Refunds will exclude the card processing fee which can be found here https://stripe.com/gb/pricing#pricing-details
General conditions
31. TDP is insured through Protectivity; however, accident or injury during training sessions may not be covered if you have failed to use the proper equipment or you fail to follow instructions given by TDP.