Generals Dogs Bodies - Deborah Smith
Booking Terms and Conditions
 

1. Payment Terms and Attendance:

Payment is to be made in full at the time of booking, it is your responsibility to ensure that you are available on the dates, time and place (if relevant) for the service that you require, there will be no refunds issued if you are unable to attend or wish to cancel.
 
It is your responsibility that you understand what service you have booked, there will be no refunds issued, if you have changed your mind and wish to cancel.
 
There will be no roll-ons for non-attendance or refunds issued for classes missed by the Client. It is your responsibility to ensure that you are available on the dates, times that you have booked for.

2. Health & Safety

There is always a risk when working with animals, it is your responsibility to ensure that you have made full and frank disclosure of any characteristic, trait or behavioural history that might make your dog unsuitable for training sessions or classes.
Behaviour/ Training Consultations and Practical Sessions:
It is your responsibility to disclose all behaviour problems, any bite history and potential safety concerns which I need to be aware of.
It is your responsibility to ensure that you follow the safety measures which will be sent to you prior to the consultation. These safety measures are in place to ensure the safety and risks to myself and others are minimised, it is to protect the safety and wellbeing of your dog and any other animals living in your home, you and your family, myself and members of the public.
If the safety measures have not been followed, I am within my right to cancel the consultation, and I will terminate our contract and agreement with immediate effect. No refund will be offered.
It is your responsibility to ensure that you are aware of the Dog Laws.
APBC-Legal-responsibilities-of-all-dog-owners.pdf
If an emergency situation arises, it is your responsibility to ensure that you listen and follow my instructions and guidance, this will help to ensure that risks are minimised and to keep everyone safe.
 
 
Training Classes:
If you have knowingly booked a dog that shows aggression or nervousness towards people or dogs onto training classes, I reserve the right to cancel the booking indefinitely and with immediate effect and no refunds will be offered.
If I feel that the class is not suitable for your dog, 1:1 session can be taken as an alternative.
The training classes are held in a public field. It is your responsibility to ensure that your follow the safety measures which will be sent to you prior to the sessions. These safety measures are there to protect members of the public, the other dogs and people in the class, you and your dog and myself.
I ensure that the classes are arranged and set up in an area where risks are managed and kept to a minimum. The classes are in an area, where there is enough space to avoid disruption to other field users.
All dogs in the classes are to be kept on lead, harness at all times. It is your responsibility to ensure that you and your dog remain in the area provided and do not enter the other dog’s allocated area in class, unless instructed to do so.
Females in season are unable to attend classes for at least 4 weeks. You will have access to the class notes during this period to avoid disruption to your training, you will be offered alternative rescheduled sessions.
It is your responsibility to ensure that your dog is fully up to date with vaccinations, worming/flea treatment.
In any situation where dogs are in close contact with each other, there is some risk of the transferal of infectious diseases, including kennel cough. Vaccinations reduce, but do not eliminate the risk of infection. Therefore, it is your responsibility and choice by attending classes that you understand these risks. In the event that your dog does become ill, you are aware that I ‘Deborah Smith – Generals Dogs Bodies’ will not be liable.
If an emergency situation arises, it is your responsibility to ensure that you listen and follow my instructions and guidance, this will help to ensure that risks are minimised and to keep everyone safe.
Deborah Smith – Generals Dogs Bodies cannot be held liable for accident, death or injury to your dog during training sessions.
Insurance
I am insured as a Dog Trainer and Pet Behaviourist with Pet Business Insurance, which includes Public Liability, Professional Indemnity and Employers Liability.
 

3. Training Techniques and Equipment

 
I am a Provisional Clinical Animal Behaviourist Member with APBC, working towards Full Clinical Animal Behaviourist Membership. I am an Accredited Animal Training Instructor with PACT and listed as an Animal Training Instructor on the ABTC website. ABTC sets and maintains the standards of knowledge and practical skills needed to promote the welfare of animals, using kind and ethical methods. I will not use any methods which cause any animal pain or discomfort in order to motivate them to carry out desired behaviours.https://abtc.org.uk/
 
I use reward-based methods to train and modify behaviour, these methods are science-led proven training techniques. I will ensure that my methods are ethical, kind and suitable for your dog. I will not put your dog into environments or create situations which will cause your dog to feel frightened, worried, panicked or unsafe.
I will not use any equipment which will cause harm or pain, my approach will always be humane and ethical, ensuring that your animals wellbeing and emotional needs and welfare are promoted.
 
It is your responsibility to ensure that you are not using aversive equipment whilst working with me. If I find that you have not disclosed that the use of aversive equipment has or is still being used, I will be within my right to cancel the agreement/contract, with no refund offered.
If you have disclosed that you have been using aversive equipment, I will only continue to work with you, if you agree to learn and begin using a kinder ethical method of equipment, such as a harness which is suitable and comfortable for your dog.
Aversive Equipment Prohibited:
Prong, shock, choke or slip leads including nose halties, shouting or yanking or any other types of punishment used to control your dog.
Equipment Recommended:
Comfortably fitting Y shape Harnesses, suitable for your dog with a ring on back and the front.
Collar
Double ended lead
Muzzle movement Muzzles or Baskerville 
 
 
 

4. Behaviour Modification and Training

 
There are often no guarantees in terms of gaining results. It is often difficult to know how a dog is feeling, especially when your dog’s history is unknown. Long term management may be needed to ensure that your dog and others are kept safe and risks are minimised.
 
It is your responsibility to understand and what to expect, this information will also be sent in your booking confirmation. If any safety or management suggestions are not adhered to, I have the right to leave the agreement and no refund will be issued.
 
While no guarantee can be made regarding individual results achieved by attending Training Classes, Behaviour/Training Consultations.It is your responsibility to follow the suggestions and advice provided. The results depend upon many factors, including (but not limited to); the dog’s behaviour, breed or characteristics, the dog’s previous history, effective management, your expectations and commitment and ability.  
 
When working with dogs, management and prevention is often required as the first stage.I first need to understand why your dog is doing the behaviour, and reduce them from practicing the behaviour. This will help your dog to feel calmer and will help promote better emotional wellbeing. Your dog needs to be at stage where they are happy to learn and to make better choices. This is what I call your ‘dog’s base line’ – how your dog is normally feeling. This will help with training and progression.It will help reduce and prevent any potential risks which may occur, which could be avoiding certain places or environments in the first stage. It is your responsibility to ensure that you are aware of this and adhere to this, this is the most important stage of the plan.
 
Your dog’s emotional wellbeing and welfare will be at the centre of my approach to helping your dog. I will help you to understand why your dog is doing what they are doing, and the different ways in which you can progress, to create realistic expectations and goals, each dog is individual and unique and I will support you the best I can.

5. Client Disclosure & Honesty

By engaging the services of Deborah Smith – Generals Dogs Bodies, you agree that all information provided regarding your animal’s behaviour, history, and any relevant circumstances is truthful, accurate, and complete to the best of your knowledge. 
 
You acknowledge that withholding, misrepresenting, or failing to disclose pertinent details, such as previous aggression, medical conditions, or behavioural concerns, may pose a significant risk to the safety of the myself, you and your family, the animal, and others.
 
Under the Animal Welfare Act 2006, all animal owners and keepers have a legal duty of care to ensure the welfare of their animals and to prevent harm to others. In the case of dogs, the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 and related legislation impose additional responsibilities to prevent a dog from being dangerously out of control. Failure to provide full and honest disclosure may result in the immediate termination of services without refund, and Deborah Smith – Generals Dogs Bodies shall not be held liable for any consequences arising from such omissions. You will accept full responsibility for any legal repercussions that may arise from undisclosed behavioural issues or other relevant factors.
 

6. Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

As a member of the ABTC and I am committed to ensuring that I promote diversity, equity and inclusion. Diversity, Equity, Inclusion
It is my responsibility to ensure that I represent different identities, characteristics, experiences, backgrounds and perspectives which make us all unique.
It is my responsibility to ensure that I offer choices to ensure that access, resources and opportunities are available to everyone.
It is my responsibility to ensure that everyone is valued, respected and able to reach their full potential, irrespective of their identity, characteristics, experiences, background and perspectives.
This may be: accessible venues which have ramp/slope and wide enough to access, with blue badge parking areas, toilet facilities, audio or translation, verbal presentation such as a video rather than a report or larger font or noise or light sensitivities.

7. Refunds & Cancellations

Behaviour/ Training Consultations and Practical Follow Ups
Full payment is made at the time of the booking, if you need to cancel this booking, a full refund will only be issued if 5+ days notice has been received.  If there is an unavoidable reason for postponing, this payment can be carried over to the next appointment, but if a need for postponing arises again then full payment will be required and no refunds will be offered.
If I need to cancel at short notice due to illness, you will be given the option of re-booking or full refund will be given.
Training Classes
Full payment is made at the time of booking, the training classes are rolling classes and are designed to create flexibility. You are able to book and choose the weeks which suit you. If you need to reschedule a class, I will only do this if 5+ days notice have been received, but if a need to reschedule arises again, then no reschedule or refunds will be offered, if cancellation is required within 5+ days of your training class there will be no reschedule or refund offered.
If I need to cancel at short notice due to illness, you will be given the option of re-booking or full refund will be given.

8. Photography & Videos

I may photograph and/or video you or your dog for research, training progress, and for upload onto Generals Dogs Bodies website, Facebook and Instagram feeds. Please advise me if you DO NOT agree to this material being used for this purpose, please note any under 18s will not be photographed or videoed.

9. Remote Consultations

The remote consultations should provide you with the same level of support and behaviour advice as you would gain from an in-person consultation.
Although I will try to aim to do my best, it is often more difficult as I will not be able to see or meet your dog, observe them in their natural environment, see their body language and communication. I may require additional information to support this, such as additional videos or more detailed monitoring to ensure that I am providing you with the best approach.
 

10. Follow up support

Follow up support will be available for 3 months following the consultation.
Emails will be replied to within 2 working days.
Additional costs apply to follow up practical support if required
T&Cs will apply to all follow up sessions

11. GDPR and Data Protection

It is my responsibility to ensure that the security and protection of personal information is kept safe and secured.
All personal information held is secured and password protected. The information which I hold is only used for intended purposes and will not be used or shared with any other parties. The personal information which I do hold will not be kept for no longer than is necessary and will be destroyed.
The only time that your information may be required to be shared with a third party, will be in terms of the law and will be shared with the police, veterinary practice or RSPCA, where I feel there are high risks and welfare concerns in regards to the animals in your care or immediate risks or concerns to you, your family or the public. You will be notified of this course of action, if deemed safe to do so.

12. Dispute Resolution

If you are not happy with any of my services, in the first instance please can you email me: [email protected] and/or if you believe there has been a breach of code of conduct of my membership organisation and the complaint has not been resolved by me, please can you raise your concerns with APBC & PACT-DOGS
APBC CODE OF CONDUCT