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Privacy Policy

PRIVACY POLICY

The Dog Behaviourist
Last updated: 24 August 2026

1. About This Privacy Policy

The Dog Behaviourist ("we", "us", "our" or "The Dog Behaviourist") respects your privacy and is committed to protecting the personal information you provide to us.

This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, store, disclose and protect personal information when you:

  • Visit or use our website;

  • Contact us by phone, email, text message or social media;

  • Make an appointment or booking;

  • Purchase dog behaviour, training or rehabilitation services;

  • Attend a behaviour assessment or training session; or

  • Otherwise interact with The Dog Behaviourist.

We operate in Australia and primarily provide services in New South Wales.

This Privacy Policy is intended to operate consistently with applicable Australian privacy laws, including the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth) and the Australian Privacy Principles (APPs), where those laws apply to our business.

The NSW Privacy and Personal Information Protection Act 1998 primarily regulates NSW public-sector agencies and generally does not apply to ordinary private-sector businesses. Other NSW laws may apply depending on the nature of a business and the information it handles.

Nothing in this Privacy Policy excludes, restricts or modifies any privacy right or obligation that cannot lawfully be excluded, restricted or modified.

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2. Who We Are

The entity responsible for handling your personal information is:

Business name: The Dog Behaviourist
Email: thedogbehaviouristaus@gmail.com
Phone: 04 7259 9585

For privacy enquiries, please contact us using the details above.

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3. What Is Personal Information?

Personal information is information or an opinion about an identified individual, or an individual who can reasonably be identified from that information.

Depending on how you interact with us, the personal information we collect may include:

  • Your name;

  • Residential or service address;

  • Email address;

  • Telephone or mobile number;

  • Booking and appointment information;

  • Payment and transaction information;

  • Information contained in correspondence with us;

  • Information you provide through website enquiry or booking forms;

  • Your preferences and service requirements;

  • Information about your dog or dogs;

  • Behavioural information about your dog;

  • Information about previous incidents involving your dog;

  • Training history and progress;

  • Photographs or videos you provide to us;

  • Information required to safely provide behaviour or training services; and

  • Any other information you voluntarily provide to us.

We may also collect technical information relating to your use of our website, such as your IP address, browser type, device information and website usage information.

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4. Information About Your Dog

Our services involve collecting information about your dog because this information is necessary to assess behaviour and provide appropriate training and behaviour services.

This may include:

  • Your dog's name, age, breed and sex;

  • Veterinary or behavioural history that you voluntarily provide;

  • Training history;

  • Known behavioural problems;

  • Aggression or biting history;

  • Reactivity;

  • Anxiety or fear;

  • Triggers;

  • Resource guarding;

  • Escape behaviour;

  • Previous incidents;

  • Medication information where relevant to behaviour or safety;

  • Information about your dog's environment and household; and

  • Training goals and progress.

Information about an animal is not generally "personal information" simply because it relates to the animal. However, information about your dog may become personal information where it is connected to or identifies you.

Please only provide information that is reasonably necessary for us to provide the service safely and effectively.

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5. How We Collect Personal Information

We may collect personal information directly from you when you:

  • Complete a booking or enquiry form;

  • Contact us by telephone;

  • Send us an email or message;

  • Book a consultation or training session;

  • Purchase a service;

  • Attend a training session;

  • Provide information during a behaviour assessment;

  • Communicate with us through social media;

  • Provide photographs or videos;

  • Subscribe to communications from us; or

  • Otherwise communicate with us.

We may also receive information from third parties where reasonably necessary to provide our services, such as a person making a booking on your behalf or another professional involved in your dog's care, where appropriate and lawful.

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6. Website Information

When you visit our website, certain technical information may be collected automatically.

This may include:

  • IP address;

  • Browser type;

  • Device type;

  • Operating system;

  • Pages visited;

  • Date and time of visits;

  • Referring websites;

  • General website usage information; and

  • Other information collected through cookies or similar technologies.

We use this information to operate, maintain, secure and improve our website and understand how visitors use it.

Where required by law, we will obtain consent before using cookies or similar technologies for purposes that require consent.

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7. Cookies

Our website may use cookies and similar technologies.

Cookies are small files stored on your device that can help a website remember information about your visit.

We may use cookies for purposes such as:

  • Website functionality;

  • Security;

  • Remembering preferences;

  • Understanding website traffic;

  • Website analytics;

  • Improving website performance; and

  • Marketing, where applicable.

You can generally control or disable cookies through your browser settings. Disabling cookies may affect some website functionality.

If our website uses third-party analytics, advertising or tracking technologies, those services may collect information in accordance with their own privacy policies.

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8. Why We Collect Your Personal Information

We collect personal information for purposes including:

  • Responding to enquiries;

  • Processing bookings;

  • Providing dog behaviour and training services;

  • Conducting behavioural assessments;

  • Developing individual training programs;

  • Communicating with you about appointments;

  • Managing payments and transactions;

  • Keeping appropriate business records;

  • Understanding your dog's behavioural history;

  • Managing safety risks;

  • Providing follow-up support;

  • Improving our services;

  • Managing complaints or disputes;

  • Sending service-related communications;

  • Sending marketing communications where permitted and where you have provided consent where required;

  • Maintaining website security;

  • Preventing fraud or misuse;

  • Meeting legal and regulatory obligations; and

  • Protecting our rights and the safety of clients, dogs, staff and members of the public.

 

9. Behavioural and Safety Information

Some information you provide may be particularly important because it relates to safety.

For example, we may ask whether your dog has previously:

  • Bitten or attempted to bite a person or animal;

  • Displayed aggression;

  • Attacked another dog;

  • Escaped from a property;

  • Displayed severe reactivity;

  • Guarded food, toys or other resources; or

  • Displayed other behaviour that could present a safety risk.

We collect this information to help us assess the appropriate training approach and take reasonable safety precautions.

You should provide accurate and complete information about known behavioural and safety concerns.

 

10. How We Use Personal Information

We will use personal information for the purposes for which it was collected and for related purposes that you would reasonably expect.

For example, information provided during a behaviour assessment may be used to:

  • Understand your dog's behaviour;

  • Identify potential triggers;

  • Develop training strategies;

  • Monitor progress;

  • Provide recommendations;

  • Communicate with you about your dog's program; and

  • Maintain appropriate client records.

We will not use your personal information for an unrelated purpose unless permitted or required by law, or where you have provided appropriate consent.

 

11. Disclosure of Personal Information

We do not sell your personal information.

We may disclose personal information where reasonably necessary to operate our business and provide our services.

Depending on the circumstances, this may include disclosure to:

  • Payment processors;

  • Booking and appointment platforms;

  • Website hosting providers;

  • IT and technology providers;

  • Email and communication providers;

  • Cloud storage providers;

  • Accounting or bookkeeping providers;

  • Professional advisers;

  • Legal advisers;

  • Insurers;

  • Government authorities where required or authorised by law; and

  • Other service providers where reasonably necessary to provide our services.

We will take reasonable steps to ensure that third-party service providers handle information appropriately.

 

12. Overseas Disclosure

Some technology, booking, payment, cloud storage, email, website hosting, analytics or other service providers we use may store or process information outside Australia.

Where this occurs, your personal information may be disclosed to or accessible by overseas recipients.

Depending on the services used by The Dog Behaviourist, these recipients may be located in countries including the United States, Australia or other countries in which our technology providers operate.

Because our third-party providers may change over time, the specific countries may also change.

Where the Australian Privacy Principles apply to us, we will take the steps required by applicable privacy law when disclosing personal information overseas.

 

13. Payment Information

Where you make a payment for our services, payment information may be processed by a third-party payment provider.

We generally do not need to store your complete credit or debit card details ourselves.

Payment providers may collect and process payment information according to their own privacy policies and terms.

You should review the privacy policy of the payment provider used for your transaction if you require further information about how your payment information is handled.

 

14. Direct Marketing

We may occasionally send you information about The Dog Behaviourist's services, promotions, training programs or other business updates.

Where required by law, we will only send direct marketing communications with your consent.

You can unsubscribe from marketing communications at any time by using the unsubscribe option provided in the communication or by contacting us.

Even if you opt out of marketing communications, we may continue to send essential service-related communications, such as appointment confirmations, cancellations, invoices or important information about an existing booking.

 

15. Photographs and Videos

We may take or receive photographs or videos during training sessions where appropriate.

We will only use photographs or videos for purposes such as training records, behaviour assessment, client education or promotional purposes where permitted and appropriate.

We will not use identifiable photographs or videos of you for promotional purposes without your permission where consent is required.

If you provide us with a photograph or video, you confirm that you have the right to provide it to us.

You may contact us if you have questions about the use of photographs or videos.

 

16. Keeping Personal Information Secure

We take reasonable steps to protect personal information against:

  • Misuse;

  • Interference;

  • Loss;

  • Unauthorised access;

  • Unauthorised modification; and

  • Unauthorised disclosure.

Security measures may include appropriate passwords, access controls, secure systems, device security, restricted access and secure storage.

However, no method of electronic transmission or storage can be guaranteed to be completely secure.

You should avoid sending highly sensitive information through unsecured communication channels unless specifically requested by us.

 

17. Data Breaches

If we become aware of a data breach involving personal information, we will assess the incident and take appropriate steps in accordance with applicable law.

Where the Notifiable Data Breaches scheme applies and an eligible data breach occurs, we will comply with our obligations under the Privacy Act 1988, including notifying affected individuals and the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner where required.

 

18. How Long We Keep Your Information

We retain personal information only for as long as reasonably necessary for the purposes for which it was collected, including providing services, maintaining business records, resolving disputes, complying with legal obligations and protecting our legitimate interests.

When information is no longer required, we will take reasonable steps to securely destroy, delete or de-identify it, unless we are required or permitted by law to retain it.

The appropriate retention period may vary depending on the type of information and the reason it was collected.

 

19. Accessing Your Personal Information

Where applicable under privacy law, you may request access to personal information we hold about you.

You may contact us using the details provided in this Privacy Policy.

We may need to verify your identity before providing access.

In certain circumstances, we may be permitted or required to refuse access, including where an exception under applicable privacy law applies.

If we refuse access, we will explain the reason where we are legally permitted to do so.

 

20. Correcting Your Personal Information

We take reasonable steps to ensure that personal information we hold is accurate, complete and up to date.

If you believe information we hold about you is incorrect, incomplete or out of date, please contact us and request a correction.

We will consider your request and take reasonable steps to correct information where appropriate.

 

21. Anonymity and Pseudonyms

Where permitted by law and reasonably practicable, you may choose not to identify yourself or may use a pseudonym when dealing with us.

However, in some circumstances we may need identifying information to:

  • Make and manage a booking;

  • Process payment;

  • Provide behaviour or training services;

  • Maintain appropriate client records;

  • Manage safety;

  • Comply with legal obligations; or

  • Deal with a complaint or dispute.

If you do not provide information that is reasonably necessary for us to provide the service, we may be unable to provide that service.

 

22. Third-Party Websites

Our website may contain links to third-party websites, including social media platforms, payment services, booking systems or other websites.

Once you leave our website, the privacy practices of the third party will apply.

We are not responsible for the privacy practices, content or security of third-party websites.

We recommend reviewing the privacy policy of any third-party website before providing personal information.

 

23. Social Media

We may operate social media accounts or use social media platforms to communicate with clients and promote our services.

If you interact with The Dog Behaviourist through social media, the social media platform may collect and process your information according to its own privacy policy.

We recommend reviewing the privacy policy of the relevant platform.

 

24. Children's Privacy

Our services are generally provided to adults.

We do not knowingly collect personal information from children unless it is reasonably necessary for providing our services and is provided by or with the involvement of a parent or guardian.

If you believe a child has provided personal information to us without appropriate permission, please contact us.

 

25. Complaints

If you believe we have mishandled your personal information or breached applicable privacy obligations, please contact us first.

Please provide:

  • Your name;

  • Your contact details;

  • Details of your concern;

  • Relevant dates or information; and

  • The outcome you are seeking.

We will review your complaint and respond within a reasonable period.

We may ask you for additional information to investigate your complaint.

 

26. External Privacy Complaints

If your complaint cannot be resolved directly with us, and the Privacy Act 1988applies to our business, you may be able to make a complaint to the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC).

The OAIC is Australia's federal privacy regulator and oversees the Australian Privacy Principles.

You can find information about making a privacy complaint through the OAIC's website.

You may also have rights under other applicable Australian or NSW laws depending on the circumstances.

 

27. Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect:

  • Changes to our business;

  • Changes to the information we collect;

  • Changes to technology or service providers;

  • Changes to applicable laws; or

  • Changes to our privacy practices.

The updated Privacy Policy will be published on this website with an updated "Last updated" date.

We recommend checking this page periodically.

 

28. Contact Us

If you have questions about this Privacy Policy, wish to access or correct your personal information, or want to make a privacy complaint, please contact us:

Business: The Dog Behaviourist
Email: thedogbehaviouristaus@gmail.com
Phone: 04 7259 9585

We will make reasonable efforts to respond to privacy enquiries and complaints within a reasonable period.

 

29. Your Privacy Matters

The Dog Behaviourist is committed to handling your personal information responsibly, securely and transparently.

By using our website or engaging The Dog Behaviourist for behaviour, trainingor rehabilitation services, you acknowledge that you have had an opportunity to read this Privacy Policy.

Last updated: 24 August 2026

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