Terms & Conditions

​

Important information and terms and conditions

 These T&Cs are for the interest of safety, responsibility, and welfare for our clients. We reserve the right to change these terms and conditions at any time. Any changes will take immediate effect and it is the responsibility of our clients to read these.

1. Training Classes and 1-2-1 Training

Bookings:

Payment is required in full before attendance to a class. To ensure you are guaranteed a place on a course, it is advisable to pay by pay pal or BACS or book online.

By completing a booking form, you have acknowledged that you are aware of our terms and conditions.

 Confirmation of your booking will be forwarded by email. It is the client’s responsibility to ensure they arrive at the right venue and at the correct time. SW Dog Training & Behaviour reserve the right of attendance for all courses and training services.

We cannot guarantee a place on a course unless prior payment has been made via our online booking, a bank transfer, PayPal card, or cash. We are no longer able to take cheques as payment.

If you request a place on a course without paying by the return of a booking form, there is no assurance a space will be available on commencement of the course. We will endeavour to contact you when places are limited.

Classes:

We limit the number of dogs in our classes to provide the appropriate trainer-to-dog ratio. Booking in advance guarantees a place on our courses.

You must not knowingly book a dog that shows aggression or nervousness onto a training course, unless it is specific course that is intended to address these issues.

 We reserve the right to excuse dogs that are aggressive in class unless we have assessed your dog for a re-socialisation class. If you do not advise us of potential problems and your dog shows aggression in class, you will not be entitled to a refund.

Contact us if you are not sure whether a class is suitable for your dog. If you are unsure about the suitability of your dog in class and have not asked us to assess your dog before your attendance, you will not be refunded if your dog is unsuitable for the class you have booked. If we have agreed to your dog attending but the dog is not suited to the class environment, we will offer you alternative arrangements, such as working with you on a one-to-one basis.

It is very important that when you book your classes that you know you are available for the four weeks as we are unable to refund course fees once the course has commenced and partial refunds for missed classes are not given. Please notify us beforehand if you will miss a class.

Unfortunately, we are unable to provide make up sessions unless previously agreed, however we will endeavour to ensure you are able to catch up at your next attendance.

Puppies must complete the Puppy foundation Classes by the age of 24 weeks. Non-attendance to classes after 24 weeks is taken as the Puppy Life Skills Classes as being delivered.

Considerations:

When arriving at class please avoid meeting the other dogs on lead. Not all dogs like to be near other dogs when restrained on lead and may react.

Do not allow dogs to play together outside the venue before a class, as this can cause excitement and a lack of attention during the session.

A toilet break before each class will ensure your puppy is empty and comfortable. Please be a responsible dog owner and always clean up after your dog. Take home all used poo bags and do not leave these on the premises or outside in the car park.

For livelier, excitable dogs it can be beneficial to exercise your dog before class with a game or a short walk. Do not over-exercise your dog before a class otherwise they will be too weary.

Please consider others in class and switch off your mobile phone. We ask that you do not hold conversations on your phone during a class. Photography or video recording is not permitted in class. We may occasionally record for promotional purposes, however please alert us if you do not wish to appear.

What to wear:

Our training involves practical handling and outside conditions, therefore appropriate shoes and clothing is recommended. Please wear comfortable flat shoes for safety reasons, as you will be moving about. You will be required during training to get down on the ground therefore suitable attire is recommended.

Welfare and safety:

Please keep to areas of the building designated only for our training purposes. All dogs must be kept under the owner’s control and on a lead, except where specifically instructed by our instructors. You are responsible for the conduct of your dog at all times. Dogs in class must not lunge or bark at another dog’s present.

We provide a safe and secure environment as practicably reasonable and endeavour to apply good practices with all our training services. We endeavour to run all classes in as safe and professional manner as possible.

 

SW Dog Training & Behaviour also takes all reasonable precautions when providing behavioural services to minimise the risk of injury from being bitten. However remote, dog training is not without risk therefore participation in training and behaviour services is at the owner’s risk.

SW Dog Training & Behaviour or any of its individual assistants, or helpers, will not accept responsibility for any loss, injury or damage to any persons, or dogs attending a course, or to their property howsoever caused during the provision of dog training activities.

All training provided will be by instructors who have been trained by IMDT (Institute of Modern Dog trainers) and trained only in positive reinforcement to the highest degree)

Use of information or advice is given in connection with the above sessions including but not limited to any liability for errors, inaccuracies, omissions or misleading or defamatory statements.

Owners are advised to have appropriate pet insurance coverage that includes third-party liability insurance.

SW Dog Training & Behaviour,  has public liability and relevant business insurance to run classes and provide behavioural counselling, providing adequate cover for our business liabilities.

We will not take responsibility for misinterpretation of advice. Whilst we hope you find the information and guidance given interesting and informative; the contents are for general information only. We believe the contents to be true and accurate as at the date of the session but can give no assurances or warranty regarding the accuracy, currency, or applicability of any of the contents in relation to specific situations and particular circumstances. As such, the contents should not be relied upon, and professional advice should be taken in specific cases. In addition, none of the content of the session will form any part of any contract between us or constitutes an offer by us. Specific disclaimers may apply in addition to certain content or parts of the session.

Children in class:

We encourage family members to attend classes. Children are welcome and when encouraged to participate often make competent handlers. Children under 16 years of age must be accompanied by an adult. Children are encouraged to behave appropriately in the presence of unfamiliar dogs and are requested not to run in class or distract other dogs from working. For safety reasons it is advisable all children are educated in how to approach an unfamiliar dog. We do provide instruction in how to interact with an unfamiliar dog.

Young children may not find training classes exciting. It can be challenging to supervise young children while training a dog.

 Young children can become bored and may need another adult to supervise them. If you provide your children with entertainment during a class, please ensure it is quiet and will not distract the class.

Cancellations:

Cancellations for a course that has been paid for requires at least 48 hours’ notice. Course fees will not be refunded within 48 hours’ notice of the course starting. We are unable to refund course fees once the course has commenced. Any refund will incur a £20.00 administration fee. No refunds are given for non-attendance to a course.

The venue may at short notice cancel classes or one 2 one sessions. Should this occur, or that the venue is cancelled for any unforeseen circumstances, such as COVID-19 restrictions, you will be notified by email as soon as possible. In such instances, we will move classes to an online format or defer the course to a later date.

Insufficient numbers booked onto a course may result in the course being postponed or cancelled. In this instance you will be notified of future course dates or offered private tuition. If this is not acceptable a full refund will be given.

Requests for a refund and any cancellations, including for one-to-ones are made at the discretion of SW Dog Training and Behaviour, and is based on how much information and training you have already had, and any decision is made on a case-by-case basis.

The instructor for whatever reason may decide that is not appropriate to train your dog or that you are not a suitable candidate to help train, and if that is the case a full refund will be given.

Start times:

Please arrive in time for each class as latecomers can be disruptive to the other dogs in class. Dogs arriving late can experience stress if barked at by the other dogs. If you are late and we are working dogs off lead, for safety reasons the doors will be locked. Please wait for a convenient moment and we will open the door for you.

Our methods:

As a member of reputable organisations including the IMDT & Pet Professional Network and in accordance with membership Code of Practice, we practise kind, fair and effective techniques avoiding the need to use physical correction of any type. Harsh handling of dogs is wholeheartedly discouraged and the use of check chains and other coercive or punitive methods, including lead jerking, shouting, or smacking, is not permitted.

You may not use any gadget or device in class that we consider aversive, such as slips leads, pinch collars, spray collars, compressed air canisters, rattle cans or water squirters, or any other device, or method, that has potential to cause injury, pain, or fear. Any owner who continues to use harsh methods when asked not to, will be asked to leave our classes, and not return.

Dogs unfit for class:

Welfare and safety of all dogs is paramount to us. Dogs in an unfit state of health due to illness, disease or injury cannot be brought to class. Do not bring your dog to class if they have been in contact with an infectious disease, such as kennel cough or conjunctivitis. If you unsure as to whether your dog is well enough to attend, please refer to your Vet. If your dog is unable to attend, you are encouraged to attend the class without your dog so you can maintain continuity of training, we will provide you with a dog so you can work with them.

Dogs should be adequately protected by vaccination as advised by your vet and verification may be requested. Puppies can attend our classes from one week after their first vaccination has been administered by a Vet. For all puppies’ wellbeing verification of vaccination status must be provided. Failure to provide confirmation will result in puppies not being able to participate in a class. Puppies not having completed their vaccination programme must not walk on the ground outside of the venue and are to be carried into and out of the hall to and from vehicles.

Bitches in season are not permitted to attend a class. Please notify us if you consider your bitch may come into season during a course. Refunds are not given though we may offer alternative arrangements, such as deferring to another course.

1-2-1 Training sessions:

The training session will take place at the venue confirmed at the time or at your home on a day suitable to both of us, and it is all depending on the nature of the training. An assessment will take place before training starts as it gives the dog time to relax around the instructor, but also so we can see whether there are issues in a relaxed environment, cost of the assessment is £80 per dog.

A package will be shown to you and once you have agreed to that, fees must be paid at least 24 hours prior to the training session. If booking a 'package' of sessions, the total fee must be paid prior to the first appointment and all sessions in a pre-paid package must be taken within 6 months of that date. Any parking expenditure or congestion charge, if applicable, will be in addition. There is a surcharge of £40.00 for appointments scheduled for after 5.00 pm on weekdays or on weekends. If you need to cancel your appointment please inform me, allowing 48 hours’ notice. Cancelled appointments with less than the notice period will incur a cancellation charge of £40.00.

Due to the nature of the business, it may occur that SW Dog Training & Behaviour will have to cancel appointments at short notice but we will rearrange at the most convenient time that suits us both, and within a reasonable timescale.

2. Behavioural consultations

About your consultation

Behaviour consultations are conducted by Sharon West. Trained to a level five, 2nd year foundation degree behavioural level.

Before:

A behavioural consultation helps to identify the underlying motivation for any unwanted behaviour. A program will be devised for your needs based on my behavioural diagnosis and specific to your requirements to help you manage and modify this behaviour. Behavioural issues are often complex having taken time to develop. Therefore, before proceeding it is necessary that any potential underlying medical condition or potential cause of pain that could be contributing to your pet’s behaviour is ruled out. Prior to your appointment you will be required to complete and forward the following:

Vet Referral Form: To comply with the guidelines of the professional organisations to which I belong and to rule out any potential underlying medical causes, you are requested to have your Vet complete and sign a Referral Form which we can provide you with.

Pre-Visit Questionnaire: This helps build a case history and you should complete this as fully and as honestly as possible, citing examples where necessary

Video footage: You may be asked to provide video footage of your pet’s behaviour on a day-to-day basis as this can aid the consultation process, as it is possible your pet will not perform certain behaviours during my visit. It is not necessary to provoke your pet into performing the problem behaviour, as I do not need to see the full extent of the behaviour to treat it

 It is important that the above is completed and returned to me prior to the consultation. Failure to do so may delay the consultation or incur additional costs due to postponement of the appointment. If you schedule an appointment but do not return all the requisites for a consultation at three days prior to your appointment, I reserve the right to cancel your appointment.

During:

The consultation will take place at your home however I may ask to accompany you on a walk. If your dog shows any aggression, I will ask you to put the dog away, as it will cause the dog more stress me being there, If there has been a bite or the dog has an anxious history, I will do the first consult via telephone or facetime.

Practical aspects of the program are included and will be demonstrated to you. Please allow up to at least 2 hours for the consultation, depending on the option.

Fees must be paid at least 24 hours prior to the consultation and include all pre-visit correspondence and contact, the initial consultation, and an assessment. Any parking expenditure or congestion charge, if applicable, will be in addition. There is no travel charge for journeys within 10 miles of Enniskillen, outside this radius there will be an additional charge of 45p per mile including return travel.

There is a surcharge of £35.00 for appointments scheduled for after 5.00 pm on weekdays or on weekends. If you need to cancel your appointment please inform me, allowing 48 hours’ notice. Cancelled appointments with less than the notice period will incur a cancellation charge of £30.00. Any refund will incur a £20.00 administration fee.

After:

You will receive a specifically devised modification program included within a report explaining what is maintaining the behaviour and how to change it. This will be forwarded to you within 10 - 14 days along with any help sheets that you may require. Aftercare support is provided for 8 weeks regarding the specific problem either by telephone or email. You are encouraged to liaise with me after the visit for ongoing support.

It may be necessary for the more complex issues, such as aggression, multiple behaviour problems or for where there are multi-dog households, that follow-up visits are required. Any follow-up visits, should they be required, will be charged accordingly and you will be advised in advance to the cost.

Disclaimer:

Animal aggression can cause injury, including fatal injury, to other animals and people. Treatment for aggression is not a guarantee of success and modifying behaviour does not assure that the aggression will be successfully controlled. It is the responsibility of the owner to ensure that their pet does not harm in the future. Precautions may involve, but are not limited to, keeping a dog on lead, the use of muzzle, informing others of the dog’s aggressive tendencies, not mixing with certain types of people or other dogs, or confinement behind fencing and doors. Owners always remain responsible for their dogs and are advised they have adequate pet or household insurance cover for liability in the unlikely event of damage or injury caused by their dog to property or to a third party. It is strongly recommended that your dog is insured for third party liability with or without vet cover.

Refunds:We understand that dog behaviour can be complex and that your pet's response to our services may vary. Therefore, we operate under a strict "No Refund Policy" once services have begun, as its a process and not a quick fix, and behaviour will only be changed in the dogs time and the clients commitment.

 3. Website

Intellectual property rights:

SW Dog Training & Behaviour website and its content, including without limitation the design, text, graphics and all software and source codes connected with the website and its services, are protected by copyright and other intellectual property rights and legislation. In accessing the Website, you agree that you will access the contents solely for your personal, non-commercial use. None of the content may be downloaded, copied, reproduced, transmitted, or distributed without the prior written consent of the copyright holder. For downloadable handouts and factsheets, permission is granted for one copy to be printed per owner for personal use. Handouts and factsheets cannot be altered, modified, or reworded for further distribution. Photographs, video, or any graphics cannot be used without the accompanying text or without obtaining the permission of the copyright holder. Material from this website is for personal use only and is not to be redistributed. To our knowledge the books, DVDs, training devices or equipment sold or promoted via this website are to promote only kind, fair and effective methods. We do not intend to endorse any material that advocates the use of punishment or harsh methods. Opinions and advice given through this website via these materials may not reflect those of Home from Home.

 External links:

Any external link via this website is provided for convenience. Use of links or their content is at your own risk. I am happy to link to other websites however please contact us first before linking to this website.

Confidentiality:

Privacy Notice:

(Why we collect your personal data and what we do with it)

When you supply your personal details to us, they are stored and processed for 2 reasons:

1. We need to collect personal information to provide our services safely and effectively and as such have a ‘Legitimate Interest’.

2. Provided we have your consent, on occasion we may email you news, updates from us, announcements about and offers for our training courses. You may withdraw this consent at any time by emailing us. sharon@sharonwestdogtrainer.com

We have a legal obligation to retain our records about you for 7 years after your most recent appointment. After this period, you can ask us to delete our records about you. Otherwise, we may retain our records about you indefinitely in order that we can provide the best possible service should you contact us again in the future.

Your records are stored on paper at our premises (which are always locked when unoccupied) and on our email systems (which is hosted by a third party and secured by password) and Dropbox 

Certainly, here's a sample GDPR statement for Sharon West Dog Training and Behaviour:

---

**GDPR Statement - Sharon West Dog Training and Behaviour**

At Sharon West Dog Training and Behaviour, we are committed to safeguarding your privacy and protecting your personal data. We understand the importance of your personal information and strive to ensure its security and lawful processing in compliance with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).

**1. Data Collection:**

We may collect and process the following types of personal data from you:

- Names and contact information (email, phone)
- Information about your dog(s), including their names and characteristics
- Any other data you voluntarily provide in your communications with us

**2. Purpose of Data Processing:**

Your personal data is collected and processed for the following purposes:

- To provide dog training and behaviour services tailored to your needs
- To communicate with you regarding appointments, training sessions, and updates
- To improve our services and respond to your inquiries

**3. Legal Basis for Processing:**

We process your data based on the following legal grounds:

- Contractual necessity: To fulfill our obligations under any contract with you.
- Legitimate interests: To serve our legitimate business interests while respecting your rights and interests.

**4. Consent and Right to Withdraw:**

When required, we will obtain your consent for specific data processing activities. You have the right to withdraw your consent at any time. To do so, please contact us.

**5. Data Retention:**

We will retain your data only for as long as it is necessary for the purposes for which it was collected and in compliance with legal requirements.

**6. Data Security:**

We have implemented security measures to protect your data from unauthorized access, disclosure, alteration, and destruction.

**7. Data Sharing and Transfers:**

We may share your data with trusted third parties when necessary for the provision of our services. International transfers of data, if any, will be conducted in accordance with GDPR requirements.

**8. User Rights:**

Under GDPR, you have the following rights:

- Right to access your data
- Right to rectify inaccurate data
- Right to erasure (the right to be forgotten)
- Right to restrict processing
- Right to data portability

You may exercise these rights by contacting us using the provided contact details.

**9. Data Breach Notification:**

In the unlikely event of a data breach that poses a risk to your rights and freedoms, we will notify the relevant authorities and affected individuals as required by law.

**10. Changes to the Statement:**

This GDPR statement may be updated from time to time to reflect changes in our practices. We will provide notice of any significant changes.

**11. Complaints:**

If you have concerns or complaints regarding our data handling practices, please contact us, and we will do our best to address your concerns. You also have the right to file a complaint with your data protection authority.

This GDPR statement was last updated on 01/09/2022. For any inquiries or to exercise your data protection rights, please contact:

Sharon West Dog Training and Behaviour
sharon@sharonwestdogtrainer.com

07368 972 913

Thank you for choosing Sharon West Dog Training and Behaviour. We value your trust and are committed to protecting your privacy and personal data.

--- We will never share your data with anyone who does not need access without your written consent. Only the following people will have routine access to your data:

• Sharon West

• Our administrative support team and accountants.

We will never pass your details on to other parties.

You have the right to see what personal data of yours we hold, and you can ask us to correct any factual errors. Provided the legal minimum period has elapsed, you can also ask us to erase your records by emailing us.

​

​

​