South London Dog Training – Service Agreement & Terms and Conditions
1. Booking, Cancellations & Package Expiry
Advance Planning: Advance planning is essential because slots fill up quickly and travel routes are organised exclusively around confirmed bookings.
72-Hour Notice Period: You must provide at least 72 hours' notice via WhatsApp or email to cancel or reschedule any 1-1 session, block booking, or Walk & Train collection. If you provide less than 72 hours' notice, that session is strictly forfeited.
Late Arrivals: If you arrive late, your session will still end at the originally scheduled time. Making up lost time is entirely at the trainer's discretion and depends on travel schedules and subsequent bookings.
Package Validity: All multi-session packages and block bookings must be fully completed within 3 months of your first session. It is entirely the responsibility of the owner to schedule and book these slots; reminders for outstanding sessions will not be issued.
Rescheduling Window: Individual sessions cancelled with more than 72 hours' notice must be rescheduled and taken within the same overarching 3-month package window. This 3-month expiry is strict and will not be extended due to repeated cancellations or rescheduling requests by the client. Any sessions not utilised within this timeframe will automatically expire, and remaining hours and fees will be forfeited.
Weekday vs. Weekend Slots: Weekday package sessions can only be rescheduled into Monday–Friday daytime slots. To reschedule a weekday session into a premium weekend or evening slot, a £10 per hour rate difference must be paid before the session.
2. Training Outcomes & Refund Policy
No Guarantees on Behaviour: Dog training and behaviour modification depend entirely on animal behaviour, genetics, and the owner’s consistent implementation of protocols outside of sessions. Because animal behaviour is inherently unpredictable, South London Dog Training cannot offer any guarantees that any training or behavioural issue will be completely resolved, modified, or cured.
All Fees Non-Refundable: Fees are billed strictly for the trainer’s professional time, customised guidance, and delivered sessions. Refunds will not be issued under any circumstances based on a client's dissatisfaction with their dog's behavioural progress or training results. Once any session or multi-session package has commenced, all payments are completely non-refundable on this basis.
3. Weather & Service Logistics
Weather Policy: Training proceeds as normal in standard rain and wind. If weather becomes unsafe (e.g., extreme summer heat, severe thunderstorms, or sheet ice), you will be contacted as early as possible. In these rare cases, the session will either move indoors to your home or be rescheduled without penalty. For Brockwell Park clients, severe weather sessions will either be rescheduled or moved online.
Walk & Train Collections: You must be present for the initial Walk & Train sessions to build a safe, reliable handover routine so your dog is completely comfortable. Once a routine is organised, if you are not home for collections, a secure key-holding agreement must be in place. Keys will be kept secure and unlabelled with personal details.
Property Liability: The trainer is not liable for any household faults, property damage, or incidents occurring inside the home, provided reasonable care has been taken.
4. Equipment & Training Methodology
Slip Lead Assessment: While alternative walking equipment (such as harnesses) is respected, a brief assessment and demonstration using the Traditional Slip Lead System is a mandatory part of the first session. Because alternative equipment can heavily mask communication, optimal results cannot be confidently guaranteed if a harness is used.
Puppy Training: For puppies aged 3–6 months, the Traditional Slip Lead System is used strictly as a lightweight, passive guidance tool to safely introduce gentle communication, ensuring no heavy pressure or corrections are placed on developing necks. Clients are advised not to purchase a lead prior to the session, as the correct equipment will be supplied and fitted directly during the meeting.
5. Comprehensive Release of Liability & Indemnification
Limitation of Liability: To the maximum extent permitted by UK law, the Trainer shall not be liable for any behavioural regression, emotional distress of the dog, physical injuries to the dog, or damage to the Owner's property arising out of or connected to the training sessions, unless caused by the Trainer’s gross negligence or wilful misconduct. Nothing in this agreement excludes or limits liability for death or personal injury caused by negligence.
Indemnification (Hold Harmless): The Owner agrees to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless the Trainer against any and all claims, losses, damages, liabilities, costs, and expenses (including reasonable legal fees and court costs) resulting from any third-party claims. This includes, but is not limited to, situations where the Owner's dog bites, injures, or causes damage to another person, animal, or property during or as a result of the training sessions. This agreement applies to all training locations, including private homes, commercial facilities, and public spaces.
6. Dangerous Dogs, Health & Safety
Health and Vaccinations: The Owner warrants that the dog is in good health, free of contagious diseases, and up to date on all core vaccinations required by UK veterinary standards (including Distemper, Hepatitis, Parvovirus, and Leptospirosis).
Behavioural Disclosure: The Owner warrants that they have fully disclosed all history of aggression, human or animal bites, resource guarding, or severe anxieties. Under UK law, the owner/handler retains full legal and financial responsibility for their dog’s behaviour at all times. The Owner agrees to muzzle the dog immediately if requested by the Trainer, and dogs must be kept on a lead during sessions unless specifically instructed otherwise.
Banned Breeds & Insurance Compliance: For professional insurance compliance purposes, the Trainer is strictly prohibited from working with any dog breeds, types, or cross-breeds currently banned under UK legislation (including, but not limited to, the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991). The Owner warrants that their dog is not a banned type. If the Trainer reasonably suspects a dog belongs to a banned breed list, the Trainer reserves the right to terminate the session immediately, and any fees paid will be strictly forfeited.
Emergency Veterinary Authorisation: In the event of a medical emergency during a session where the Owner is unavailable or incapacitated, the Owner hereby grants the Trainer full authority to seek immediate veterinary attention for the dog. The Owner agrees to assume full financial responsibility for all veterinary costs, treatments, and fees incurred.
7. Mandatory Safety Recording & Media
Safety and Liability Recording: The Owner acknowledges and agrees that the Trainer may utilise video and audio recording devices during training sessions. These recordings serve as an objective record to ensure the physical safety of the Trainer, the Owner, and the dog, and to provide definitive evidence in the event of an accident, injury, or allegation. This recording is a strict condition of service.