Ethics
Coaching Canines adheres to the Association of Pet Behaviour Counsellors Code of Conduct which means I use scientifically based, modern training methods. Harsh handling is discouraged, with positive reinforcement encouraged instead. All training between trainer and client is confidential. Coaching Canines does not allow the use of any piece of equipment that can cause pain and discomfort for a dog. This includes slip leads, choke chains, pinch collars, shock collars, citronella collars, rattle cans, spray bottles, compressed air canisters, or any other device or method, that could cause harm, pain, suffering or fear for a dog. Any clients who continue to use harsh handling methods will have any sessions cancelled, with no refund given. Coaching Canines reserves the right not to work with any client if the trainer does not wish to, and no reason has to be given. Working with clients is at the discretion of Coaching Canines.
Payments
All bookings must be paid for via BANK transfer or CASH. However, 50% of the fee is required at the time of booking as a deposit, and the remaining 50% by the start of the session, either via BANK transfer or CASH, if in person. The booking cannot be confirmed until the deposit has been paid and the session will not go ahead until full payment has been received. By placing a booking, you are deemed to have read and understood these terms. Confirmation of your booking will be sent via email. Clients must ensure they arrive at the correct location, at the agreed time and date. Non-attendance will result in the loss of the payment. Any session paid for must be taken within 6 months of that date. Cancelling a scheduled appointment will result in the loss of the payment unless 48 hours notice is given prior to the session, allowing the session to be rearranged.
The appointment is for a set time period, which depends on whether a one-to-one session or behaviour consultation has been booked. If the client is late for the session, there is no guarantee that the trainer will be able to extend the session past the agreed time, and the session may have to still finish at this agreed time. If the trainer arrives to an appointment and the client is not there, every effort will be made to make contact with the client. If the client cannot be reached, the trainer will wait for fifteen minutes before leaving. In this circumstance, the client will not receive a refund for the session. Coaching Canines reserve the right to change the timing, date or location of a training sessions in order to best support training, or where reasons beyond our control make it necessary. Sessions will take place at the clients home or preferred training location, as agreed prior to the session.
Any parking fees or other charges, such as congestion fees, or hiring a secure area, will be paid for by the client. Sessions further than 15 miles from Coaching Canines address will incur a fee of 30p per mile, including the return journey. No refund of the deposit (50% of the total amount) will be given if any session is cancelled, but, at the discretion of Coaching Canines, sessions may be re-scheduled with at least 48 hours notice.
Health and Wellbeing
Your dog's health and wellbeing is paramount to Coaching Canines. Any dogs who are unable to partake in training sessions due to injury or illness should not be involved in any training. Any dogs with infectious disease, such as kennel cough, should not be placed into an environment where this is able to spread to other dogs. If you are unsure of the cause of your dogs symptoms, a vet must be consulted. Dogs should be vaccinated or have a titre test as evidence of immunity. It is advised that puppies who haven't finished their vaccination course should not walk on the floor outside the training venue, and should be carried to and from the car.
Equipment and Clothing
Dog training is practical and requires appropriate shoes and clothing. Flat, comfortable shoes are recommended for safety reasons and, as some training requires clients to get down on the ground, suitable and comfortable clothing is recommended.
Insurance
Coaching Canines has the necessary business insurance to support the services it provides. We advise our clients adequately insure their dogs, including third party liability insurance.
Disclaimer
Animals can act unpredictably, and may cause injury to people and other animals. Despite engaging in training for reactive or aggressive behaviour, successful control of these behaviours is not guaranteed. Precautions should therefore be taken that may include, keeping your dog on a lead, muzzling, not mixing with other dogs or people, exercising the animal in secure, private areas and making other aware of a dogs behaviour tendencies. Owners are responsible for their animal's behaviour at all times and must ensure they have the correct insurance to cover their pet for liability in the event damage or injury towards a third party.
Photographs and Recordings
Photographs and/or recordings may be taken by Coaching Canines during training classes or one-to-one sessions for educational and promotional purposes; however, this will always be discussed with clients. Additional photographs and/or recordings may not be taken without prior permission from Coaching Canines.
Health and Safety
Dog training can be a physical activity and handlers are reminded to take due care and attention to their safety, and the safety of others. Handlers are responsible for their dog’s actions and behaviour at all times. Coaching Canines will make every effort to provide a safe and secure environment for training you dog in. However, as we all know, dogs are animals and there can be risks associated with training. Any client who participates in training, therefore does so at their own risk. Coaching Canines will not take responsibility for loss, damage or injury to any animals or persons who attend training classes, or any other services provided by Coaching Canines. Coaching Canines does not take responsibility for any loss or damage to a client's property whilst participating in training or any service.
Intellectual Property
Coaching Canines website and content is protected by copyright and intellectual property rights, this includes, but is not limited to: design, text, pictures and images, videos and graphics. None of the described can be copied, replicated or redistributed. Coaching Canines may provide clients with handouts and written instructions as part of training provision. Each client will be provided with a single copy of this material for their personal use only and cannot be altered and/or redistributed.
Privacy Policy
Coaching Canines is dedicated to safeguarding your privacy online. Personal data means any information relating to an identified or identifiable natural person. This can include name, email address, address, and much more. We will only collect, store and use personal data for specific purposes, as outlined below, and in accordance with GDPR. We collect and use some personal information to support and develop our connection with you. However, your data is always protected and we will never share your personal data with any 3rd parties, unless required to do so by law. You may contact Coaching Canines at any time with any privacy questions or concerns, to see the personal data you have given us, or to request modification to any of your information.
Your Information
When you register on the Coaching Canines website to access services, we ask for some personal information, such as your name, e-mail address, billing address, and contact details. Coaching Canines keeps a record of this information for tax purposes and to ensure we can fulfil our contract with you. The only personal information we hold is that which clients provide to us in writing or over the telephone; this is stored on relevant systems including our website, the cloud and accounting systems, which are GDPR compliant. If we are required, by law, to share any personal information with another party, we will first contact each party concerned to ensure they are fully informed. An example of this may be if HMRC request an audit. Any information required for tax and legal requirements are held for 7 years, as required by law.
Coaching Canines will keep a record of all e-mail correspondence with clients to enable us to get to know you, build and inform your training plan, and to track any problems or concerns you've had. Coaching Canines requests that you do not supply any personal data of other individuals to us, unless required by law or you have their explicit consent to do so.
How we Protect Data
The Internet is not a completely secure platform for communication and, accordingly, Coaching Canines cannot guarantee the security of any data you send to us (or that we send to you) using the Internet. We are not responsible for any damages which you, or others, may suffer as a result of the loss of confidentiality of such information. We take every precaution to safeguard your information. All personal data stored by Coaching Canines is kept securely and accessed via a password-protected computer in a secure environment. Physical data is held in locked storage within secure premises. The risks of a breach are minimal due to the above precautions, close monitoring and ensuring security systems are up-to-date.
Changes to our Privacy Policy
Coaching Canines reserves the right to amend this privacy policy, whilst continuing to comply with all appropriate legislation and guidelines. We will notify you of such changes by uploading the revised privacy policy on the Coaching Canines website, ensuring that these pages always show the most up-to-date information.
