Terms & Conditions
These Terms & Conditions are in place to protect the safety, welfare, and interests of all clients, their dogs, and Walkies Dog Behaviour & Training. By engaging my services, you agree to comply with the following terms. These Terms & Conditions may be updated from time to time. The Terms & Conditions in effect at the time of booking will apply to that booking, unless a change is required by law or is otherwise agreed with you.
Accreditations & Professional Conduct
I am an Accredited Canine Behaviourist (ACB-KSA) and Certified Canine Trainer (PCT-A), holding professional memberships with the Association of INTODogs, the International Companion Animal Network (ICAN), and the Pet Professional Guild (PPG). I operate under the ethical codes of these organisations and am proud to display the UK Dog Behaviour & Training Charter symbol.
UK Dog Behaviour & Training Charter, INTODogs, ICAN, PPG BI, Pet Advocacy International
Training Philosophy and Handling Policy
I use only evidence-based training methods grounded in modern behavioural science. My approach prioritises the emotional wellbeing of the dog, using positive reinforcement exclusively. The following are strictly prohibited during any session:
Aversive tools (e.g., choke chains, prong collars, e-collars)
Physical punishment or intimidation
Correction-based or dominance-based techniques
Any handling or equipment deemed aversive or inappropriate
Dogs must attend sessions wearing a secure, comfortable harness or flat collar with a standard lead. Flexi leads (extending leads) are not permitted due to safety risks.
1:1 Behaviour & Training Sessions
Sessions are conducted outdoors unless otherwise agreed. Please dress appropriately for weather and terrain. You are responsible for bringing fresh water for your dog and cleaning up after them.
Video or audio recordings may be made for educational or promotional use. Please notify me if you prefer not to be included.
Suitability for In-Person Work
Dogs known to display aggression, reactivity, or severe fear-based behaviours must not be booked onto general training sessions. A tailored behaviour consultation may be required. If previously undisclosed behavioural concerns become apparent during a session, I may end or adapt the session where necessary for safety and welfare. The session will normally be treated as used. Alternative support may be recommended where appropriate.
Group Sessions & Workshops
Dogs must arrive on lead and remain so unless instructed otherwise. Please do not allow dogs to greet others on lead. Dogs displaying signs of aggression or high stress may be asked to leave where necessary for safety or welfare. Where this relates to behavioural information that was not disclosed before booking, the session will normally be treated as used and alternative support may be recommended.
Veterinary Assessment, Welfare and Continuation of Services
Your dog's physical and emotional welfare is central to all training and behaviour services provided by Walkies Dog Behaviour & Training. If I observe signs that may indicate pain, physical discomfort or an underlying medical condition, I may require a veterinary assessment before training or behaviour modification can continue. Where I consider a veterinary assessment necessary, I reserve the right to suspend practical training sessions until appropriate veterinary input has been obtained. This decision will be based on my professional judgement and the dog's welfare, and does not depend on the owner's agreement with my observations. During this period, I may offer online sessions focused on management, environmental adjustments and practical support, where I consider this appropriate and the alternative arrangements are agreed.
If recommended veterinary assessment is declined or not pursued, I reserve the right to decline further practical sessions where I believe continuing could compromise the dog's welfare. Where sessions are suspended, arrangements for resuming the programme, extending its validity or addressing unused sessions will be confirmed in writing, with statutory consumer rights unaffected.
Programme Commitment
Multi-session programmes are purchased as a complete package of professional support and are not a series of individual pay-as-you-go appointments. By booking a programme, you are committing to the complete programme.
Depending on the programme selected, this may include an initial consultation or assessment, programme planning, individual sessions, personalised guidance, written and online resources, third-party resources such as the Zigzag puppy training app, and support between sessions. Some programme elements are provided or made available from the beginning of the programme.
Programme sessions cannot be transferred to another person, exchanged for other services or converted into credit.
Your statutory consumer rights are not affected.
If new, significantly changed or more complex training or behavioural concerns arise during a programme, these may fall outside the scope of the service originally booked. Where appropriate, I may recommend a different type of consultation, veterinary assessment, referral or other professional support.
Client Participation and Commitment
Behaviour modification and training are collaborative processes. Clients are responsible for implementing the agreed management and training recommendations between sessions, including providing appropriate opportunities for practice and making necessary adjustments to their dog's everyday routine and environment.
Progress depends on a range of factors, including the dog's individual needs, health, environment and the consistency with which recommendations are followed. Specific behavioural outcomes cannot be guaranteed. If clients experience difficulties implementing recommendations, they are encouraged to discuss these during the programme so that the approach can be reviewed where appropriate.
Between-Session Support & Communication
Where a programme includes support between sessions, this is intended to provide reasonable supplementary support with the training or behaviour plan already discussed. This may include brief progress updates, clarification of recommendations made during a session, and review of information or short videos I have asked you to provide.
Between-session support is not a substitute for a training or behaviour consultation. New concerns, significant changes in behaviour, multiple or complex questions, requests for detailed assessment or advice, or matters requiring substantial review may need to be discussed during a booked session. I will advise you where I consider this to be the most appropriate way to provide professional support.
Messages and emails are not monitored continuously. I aim to respond to routine communication within 2–3 working days. Messages received during evenings or weekends will normally be dealt with during my usual working hours.
Urgent health or welfare concerns should be directed to your veterinary practice or emergency veterinary provider.
Payment & Cancellation
Full payment is required at the time of booking.
Once an appointment has been booked, that time is reserved specifically for you. Client cancellations and requests to reschedule are not accepted. If you cancel, are unable to attend, or do not attend a booked appointment, the session will normally be treated as used.
If I need to cancel or reschedule an appointment, an alternative appointment will be offered at no additional cost and the session will not be treated as used.
Your statutory consumer rights are not affected.
Programme & Package Expiry
Sessions included within programmes and packages must be used within the applicable validity period. It is the client's responsibility to book appointments in sufficient time for all sessions to be completed before the programme or package expires.
Behaviour Consultation Packages
Where a Behaviour Consultation includes a follow-up session, this should normally take place 2–4 weeks after the initial consultation. The follow-up session must be completed within 6 weeks of the initial consultation.
Where I recommend delaying a follow-up for behavioural, veterinary or welfare reasons, I may extend this period.
Other multi-session programmes and packages must be completed within the validity period stated at the time of booking. It is the client’s responsibility to book and attend sessions within that period.
Sessions remaining after the applicable validity period will expire and cannot be carried forward or converted into credit.
Home Visits
To ensure safety during home visits, please secure your dog in a separate room before I arrive. We will discuss appropriate introductions based on your dog’s needs.
In some cases, online sessions may be recommended as a more appropriate alternative.
TRAVEL CHARGES
Travel within a 10 mile radius of Necton (PE37 8ET) is included in all consultations. For clients further afield, a travel fee is applied to cover both fuel and the additional travel time. These charges are based on return journeys, not per mile each way.
0-10 miles - Included
11-15 miles - £15
16-20 miles - £25
21-25 miles - £35
26-30 miles - £45
30 + miles - Quoted individually.
Travel charges are invoiced separately and must be paid at the time of booking.
Online Behaviour & Training Consultations
Online support is available for both training and behaviour cases, including puppy training before vaccinations are complete. These sessions are delivered with the same professional standards and include additional resources where relevant.
All training materials and recordings shared with you are for your personal use only and may not be distributed or reproduced.
Health, Vaccination & Safety
All dogs attending in-person sessions must be fully vaccinated and appropriately protected against parasites. Proof of current vaccination must be provided in advance. Dogs showing signs of illness (e.g., vomiting, coughing, diarrhoea) must not attend. Inform me immediately if your dog has been exposed to infectious disease.
You accept full responsibility for your dog’s health and behaviour throughout our work together.
If your dog has allergies or dietary restrictions, please notify me and bring suitable alternatives for rewards.
Children at Sessions
Children may attend by prior agreement. An adult must accompany anyone under 18. Children must remain under your supervision and not approach other dogs. For safety, no food should be eaten or carried on the training field.
Accidents & Liability
You are responsible for your dog’s behaviour and safety at all times. Any damage or injury caused by your dog to a person, animal, property, or vehicle remains your liability.
Clients are strongly advised to hold suitable pet insurance, including third-party liability cover.
Marketing & Privacy
Photos/videos may be taken during sessions for marketing or educational purposes. Please inform me if you do not wish to be included. You may not record any part of a session.
Feedback provided may be used for testimonials unless you request otherwise.
Privacy Notice
Walkies Dog Behaviour & Training collects and processes personal information where necessary to provide dog behaviour and training services, manage bookings and payments, communicate with clients, maintain appropriate business records and meet legal, insurance and professional obligations.
Information I may collect
This may include your name and contact details, booking and payment information, information you provide about your dog and household, correspondence, consultation and training records, photographs or videos where applicable, and relevant veterinary or referral information provided by you or, with appropriate authority, by your veterinary practice or another professional.
How your information is used
Personal information may be processed where necessary:
to provide and administer the services you have requested and fulfil our contract;
for the legitimate interests of operating and protecting the business, maintaining appropriate client and professional records, communicating with clients and managing services safely;
to comply with legal, tax, insurance or professional obligations; and
for marketing communications where you have provided consent or where otherwise permitted by law. You can opt out of marketing communications at any time.
Sharing and processing of information
Your information is not sold.
Information may be processed or shared where reasonably necessary with trusted service providers used to operate the business, such as website, booking, payment, email and digital-resource providers.
Where relevant to the services being provided, information may also be shared with veterinary professionals, insurers or other relevant professionals with your authority, or where disclosure is required or permitted by law.
Some service providers may process information outside the UK. Where this occurs, appropriate data-protection safeguards will be relied upon as required by law.
How long information is kept
Client and service records are generally retained securely for up to seven years after your last service, where this is necessary for legal, tax, insurance or professional record-keeping purposes. Information that is no longer required will be securely deleted or disposed of.
Your rights
Depending on the circumstances and the lawful basis on which your information is processed, you may have rights including access to your personal information, correction of inaccurate information, restriction or objection to certain processing, and deletion of information where there is no lawful reason for it to continue to be retained.
Where processing is based on your consent, you may withdraw that consent at any time. This does not affect processing that took place before consent was withdrawn.
You have the right to object to the use of your personal information for direct marketing at any time.
If you have a question about how your personal information is used or wish to exercise your data-protection rights, please contact Walkies Dog Behaviour & Training using the contact details provided on this website.
You also have the right to raise a concern with the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO), the UK's data-protection regulator.
Disclaimer
Working with dogs carries inherent risks. You remain responsible for the care, supervision, control and management of your dog at all times, and for taking reasonable precautions to prevent your dog causing injury, damage or loss to people, animals or property.
You must follow any safety and management instructions provided and must inform me of any known history of aggression, biting, snapping, threatening behaviour or other relevant behavioural or health concerns before attending a session. You are also responsible for ensuring that anyone attending or participating on your behalf is aware of and follows these requirements.
I will provide services with reasonable care and skill and in accordance with my professional training. Nothing in these Terms & Conditions excludes or restricts liability where it would be unlawful to do so.
Behaviour and training outcomes cannot be guaranteed. Advice and recommendations are based on the information you provide, my observations of your dog and the circumstances known at the time. You are responsible for implementing the management and safety advice provided and for informing me of relevant changes to your dog's health, behaviour or circumstances.
Final Notes
These Terms & Conditions apply to all services, whether delivered in person or remotely, and regardless of whether the owner is present.
Payment for services, in full or part, constitutes acceptance of these Terms & Conditions.
Statutory Cancellation Rights
Any statutory cancellation rights that apply to online or distance bookings will be dealt with in accordance with the Consumer Contracts (Information, Cancellation and Additional Charges) Regulations 2013. Where you request that services commence, or digital content is supplied, during a statutory cancellation period, the appropriate consent and acknowledgement will be obtained before supply begins. Your statutory rights are not affected.