Dog-Training Policies
Free Phone Call Policy
I offer potential new clients one free half-hour phone conversation. During this time, We have the opportunity to ask each other questions and assess whether we are a good match.
Because I am not always available, and I have appointments scattered throughout the day, I will only offer two opportunities for this free call. If after two efforts at scheduling an appointment we are not able to connect, we will more than likely have to try a different approach.
One option is to have potential clients place a deposit ($40) down for the time slot. If the meeting happens as scheduled, the deposit will be returned. If it is canceled by the potential client, the deposit will be forfeit.
The second option will be to have an initial in-home (paid) appointment to have our conversation face to face. This half-hour meeting is an opportunity for me to get to know you, your dog, and your situation. It is also to assess whether we are a good fit. It will not be a training session and no training advice should be expected. The fee for this face-to-face consultation is $50, plus possible travel time. It is non-refundable (unlike the phone appointment, it will not be refunded after the meeting, since it is the fee for my time and travel). It will need to be paid in advance.
Conditions of Payment, Assumption of Liability and Waiver, and Promotional Materials
Whenever a client signs up for my classes, by offering payment they accept the following.
(Please note the shift to 1st person language in this section since it applies to the client.)
Statement of Enrollment
I have enrolled in one or more private lessons or group classes with Puppy Tutor, which may take place within and/or outside of a partner host facility (the “Services”).
Conditions of Payment
I agree that I am obligated to make full payment to Puppy Tutor for the Services. I am aware that the deposit or full payment for the Services is non refundable. If I cancel an order after paying, I am not entitled to a refund.
Assumption of Liability and Waiver
I am aware that there are inherent and potential risks, dangers and hazards associated with the Services and that I am voluntarily participant in the Services. Specifically, I understand that dogs are unpredictable animals and may cause injury or damage to persons or property. I am aware that any dog, regardless of training, handling or environmental circumstances, is capable of biting and causing other personal and property damage and I expressly acknowledge the risks therein. I acknowledge that attendance and/or participation in the Services may pose risk to me and other people who I may invite to participate in or observe the Services (“My Guests”) as well as my personal property, and the personal property of My Guests. I acknowledge that Puppy Tutor has placed in safeguards for health and wellbeing related to the COVID-19 pandemic. In preparation for participating in Services, I acknowledge that I have been fully informed of the attendant risks, dangers, and hazards, and agree to assume all risks related to any such occurrence.
Therefore, I hereby waive any and all claims against, and agree to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless Puppy Tutor and its trainers, as well as any host facility used and its staff, from and against all claims or actions that I, my guardians or representatives may have, for any and all illness or personal injury to myself, my dog, my family members, children in my charge, or any of My Guests, or harm to property or persons whether caused directly or indirectly, through action or inaction of myself or others, arising for the presence or performance of the Services. I expressly assume the risk of any such damage or injury or illness during training or while on the training grounds or the surrounding area thereto. I additionally accept full and sole legal responsibility for my own dog(s), and for any damage my dog(s) may cause to Puppy Tutor, its trainers, the host facility and its staff, other individuals, animals, or property.
Dog and Human Vaccinaions
For any face-to-face sessions, I accept that I am required to provide proof up front of complete vaccinations for any dogs on the premises, as well as human vaccination for COVID-19. If adults do not offer proof of vaccination, I understand that Puppy Tutor has no choice but to assume the household is not fully vaccinated.
Promotional Materials
I grant full permission to Puppy Tutor to use any photographs or videos of the Services for any purpose, to include promotional purposes.
Booking, Cancellation, Make-up Policy, and Last-Minute Sign Ups
I only have so much time in the day, and every time slot is valuable to me. Therefore, I need to make sure that clients are committed to working with me when they schedule appointments. I believe this is fair, since I am committing my time to them. This has led me to institute the following policies for my business.
Booking Policy
If you are interested in working with me for private lessons, we will need to set up an appointment. On our call, I will give you a quote. That quote will be good for 72 hours after the start time of the call. If you agree to services within that time frame, I will invoice for the quoted amount. After that time, if prices go up, your services will be billed according to the new pricing.
Once we’ve agreed on a time slot, I will place a temporary hold on that slot for you until you confirm the appointment by paying for it. The temporary hold will last until 6:00 pm on the next calendar day. The payment for a class is non-refundable. I will send an invoice through email for the price of the session. Once the payment is made, the time slot is yours. If no confirmation is forthcoming in the allotted time, the appointment will be canceled.
Cancellation and Make-Up Policy
I understand that certain circumstances may require a cancellation. Whenever a client cancels a class, we need to schedule a make-up class. Since I sell time slots, every cancellation costs my business income. Therefore, I have the following cancellation and make-up policy to accommodate client needs and protect my business.
Make-Up Sessions
If a client is unable to meet at the assigned time for a session, they have the option to cancel and reschedule with a make-up class. A client is allowed a limited number of make-up sessions that is determined by how many classes are purchased at once.
- Single sessions are allowed 1 make-up session before becoming automatically completed.
- 4-sessions packages are allowed 2 make-up sessions before becoming automatically completed.
- 6-session packages are allowed 3 make-up sessions before becoming automatically completed.
- 7-session packages are allowed 3 make-up sessions before becoming automatically completed.
As long as the cancellation happens more than 48-hours before the start time, no late-cancellation fee will be applied.
Late-Cancellations
A late-cancellation is any cancellation that happens within 48-hours of the start time. Furthermore, if the class is in-person, a late-cancellation within 2 hours of start time automatically “completes” the class.
Late-Cancellation Fee: $50 for in-home session; $30 for Google Meet session.
Exceptions: I will always ask for the reason for the cancellation. If I deem it appropriate, I will waive the late-cancellation fee. If I do not receive a reason within 2 days, I will automatically consider the session “completed” unless arrangements are made for a make-up session with a late-cancellation fee.
No Calls/No Shows
Any cancellations that happen after class starts are automatically “completed” regardless of the reason. If the client wants to reschedule, the make-up will be the price of a regular class.
In-Home: If I arrive at a residence and no one is there, I will wait 10 minutes before “completing” the session. If I do not receive notice before I depart to the class, the class is considered to be “started”.
Google Meet: I will wait 15 minutes before “completing” the session.
If I have two no calls/no shows back to back, I will assume that the client has cancelled all remaining sessions (unless I receive contact with an explanation), and the course will be considered “complete”.
Change of Class Format
If you sign up for online virtual classes and decided to shift to in-home classes, the price of the package goes up. To make the switch, the difference for the entire package (including the classes used) needs to be paid.
If you sign up for in-person classes and decide virtual online classes will be better, then the total agreed-upon price for the service remains the same (including tolls and drive time). We will simply shift formats. (So, no refunds.)
Last-Minute Sign Up
The prices listed are for sign-ups that occur more than 48 hours in advance. “Last-minute” sign-ups that require services within 48-hours of the time-slot offering can require an additional fee of $20.
Client Selection
Part of what makes training work is a good rapport between the trainer and the clients. Sometimes, the pairing is simply not a good match. This could be a matter of conflicting expectations, personalities not resonating, differing desires when it comes to the use of aggressive punishment, ghosting on me, or continually signing up and canceling services. I will certainly try to work with people as much as possible. However, sometimes I have reason to believe that the training relationship is simply not going to work out. Therefore, I reserve the right to refuse service to a client for any reason.
One of the requirements for working with me is that clients need to abandon the use of aversive tools and techniques in the lives of their dogs. If I discover that clients have not been truthful in their commitment and intentionally decided to use aversives, I have the option to terminate the rest of our sessions without refund.