TERMS AND CONDITIONS

Dog Training & Behaviour Services

These Terms & Conditions apply to all dog training, behaviour assessment, behaviour modification, rehabilitation and related services provided by the Dog Behaviourist.

By making a booking, paying for a service or participating in a training session, you acknowledge that you have read, understood and agreed to these Terms & Conditions.
 

1. Booking Your Appointment

Appointments are booked in advance and reserved specifically for you and your dog.

When you make a booking, the appointment time is allocated exclusively to you and your dog's training or behaviour needs.

Your appointment is considered confirmed once payment has been received, unless another arrangement has been agreed in writing.

By completing a booking, you agree to comply with these Terms & Conditions.
 

2. Payment

Full payment is required at the time of booking unless an alternative payment arrangement has been agreed in writing.

Payment secures your appointment time and allows the Dog Behaviourist to allocate the necessary time and resources to your dog's assessment, training and behaviour program.

For multi-session programs, payment terms will be confirmed at the time of booking.
 

3. Cancellation Policy

Because appointments are reserved specifically for you and may prevent another client from booking that time, cancellations may result in the appointment fee being retained.

If you cancel an appointment, the payment made may be retained as a cancellation fee, subject to any rights you may have under the Australian Consumer Law.

This policy applies to cancellations made at any time, including cancellations made with significant notice.

Where appropriate, the Dog Behaviourist may offer the option to reschedule instead of cancelling the appointment.
 

4. Rescheduling

Where possible, clients may request to reschedule an appointment rather than cancel.

Rescheduling is subject to availability and must be agreed with the Dog Behaviourist in advance.

The Dog Behaviourist will make reasonable efforts to accommodate a suitable alternative appointment time; however, a particular date or time cannot be guaranteed.

A rescheduled appointment must be attended within the timeframe agreed with the Dog Behaviourist.

Failure to attend a rescheduled appointment may result in the appointment fee being forfeited and a new booking requiring a new payment.
 

5. No-Shows

If you do not attend your scheduled appointment and have not contacted the Dog Behaviourist beforehand, the appointment will be considered a no-show.

The appointment fee may be retained, subject to any rights you may have under applicable consumer law.

A new appointment may require a new payment.
 

6. Late Arrival

Please arrive on time for your scheduled appointment.

If you arrive late, the session may need to be shortened so that the Dog Behaviourist can maintain the scheduled appointment times of other clients.

The full appointment fee remains payable, and no reduction will normally be provided for time lost due to late arrival.

If your delay is significant, the Dog Behaviourist may determine that the appointment cannot safely or effectively proceed and may treat the appointment as a cancellation or no-show.
 

7. Cancellation by the Dog Behaviourist

The Dog Behaviourist reserves the right to cancel or reschedule an appointment where necessary, including due to illness, emergency, severe weather, unsafe conditions or other circumstances outside reasonable control.

Where the Dog Behaviourist cancels an appointment, you will be offered the opportunity to reschedule.

If a suitable alternative appointment cannot be arranged, any payment relating to the cancelled service will be refunded, subject to applicable law.
 

8. Emergencies and Exceptional Circumstances

Genuine emergencies and exceptional circumstances may be considered on a case-by-case basis.

Any decision to waive or reduce a cancellation fee is at the discretion of the Dog Behaviourist and does not create an obligation to do so in future circumstances.

Nothing in this section limits any rights or remedies that cannot legally be excluded under the Australian Consumer Law.
 

9. Dog Safety & Client Responsibility

The safety of the dog, the client, the Dog Behaviourist and members of the public is a priority.

Clients must provide accurate and complete information about their dog's behaviour, including any known history of:

• Aggression towards people or dogs

• Biting or attempted biting

• Lunging or severe reactivity

• Resource guarding

• Escape behaviour

• Fear or anxiety

• Previous incidents involving people or animals

• Any other behaviour that may present a safety risk

Clients must not intentionally withhold information about known behavioural or safety concerns.

The Dog Behaviourist may modify, pause or discontinue a session if they believe the circumstances present an unacceptable safety risk.
 

10. Equipment & Training Requirements

Clients are responsible for bringing appropriate equipment required for their dog's session.

Unless otherwise advised, please bring your dog on a secure leash or harness.

For dogs with known aggression, severe reactivity or biting behaviour, a properly fitted muzzle may be required.

Clients should follow any equipment or safety recommendations provided by the Dog Behaviourist.

The Dog Behaviourist may refuse to proceed with a session if the dog is not safely restrained or if required safety equipment has not been provided.
 

11. Training Environment

Training may take place at the client's home, property, public location or another agreed location.

Clients are responsible for ensuring that the training environment is reasonably safe and suitable for the agreed session.

Where training takes place at the client's property, the client must ensure that gates, fences and other containment measures are secure.

The Dog Behaviourist may change the location or structure of a session where necessary for safety or training effectiveness.
 

12. Behaviour, Aggression & Red Zone Cases

Dog behaviour can be unpredictable, particularly where aggression, severe reactivity, anxiety, fear or "red zone" behaviour is involved.

Training and behaviour modification can assist in improving behaviour and management, but specific behavioural outcomes cannot be guaranteed.

The Dog Behaviourist will provide professional guidance, training strategies and practical recommendations based on the information available and the dog's behaviour during sessions.

Clients are responsible for consistently applying training and management strategies between sessions.
 

13. No Guaranteed Results

Every dog is an individual and behaviour can be influenced by genetics, environment, learning history, health, stress, age and other factors.

While the Dog Behaviourist will use reasonable professional care and skill to provide appropriate training and behaviour support, no specific result, timeframe or behavioural outcome can be guaranteed.

Progress may vary between dogs and may depend significantly on the client's consistency and participation outside of scheduled sessions.
 

14. Veterinary & Specialist Care

Dog training and behaviour services are not a substitute for veterinary diagnosis or treatment.

Where a dog's behaviour may be influenced by pain, illness, medication, neurological issues or another underlying medical condition, the Dog Behaviourist may recommend that the client seek veterinary advice.

Where appropriate, the Dog Behaviourist may also recommend referral to another qualified animal behaviour or veterinary professional.
 

15. Client Responsibilities

Clients agree to:

• Provide accurate information about their dog and its behavioural history.

• Follow reasonable safety instructions provided during training.

• Maintain appropriate control and restraint of their dog.

• Inform the Dog Behaviourist of any change in the dog's behaviour or circumstances.

• Follow agreed training and management strategies between sessions.

• Immediately disclose any new incident involving aggression, biting or other serious behaviour.

• Take reasonable steps to prevent foreseeable incidents outside training sessions.
   

16. Children & Other People Present During Training

Children and other household members may be present during training where appropriate.

However, the Dog Behaviourist may request that certain people, children or animals be removed from the training environment where their presence may create a safety risk or interfere with the session.

The client remains responsible for supervising children and other people present during a session.
 

17. Multi-Session Training Programs

Where a client purchases a multi-session training program, sessions are intended to be completed within the timeframe agreed at the time of purchase.

Sessions are subject to availability and must be scheduled with the Dog Behaviourist.

Missed sessions, cancellations and rescheduling are subject to the Booking, Payment & Cancellation Policy.

Unless otherwise agreed in writing, unused sessions may not be transferred to another person or another dog.
 

18. Communication & Appointment Information

Clients are responsible for providing accurate contact information when making a booking.

Appointment confirmations, reminders and other important information may be provided by email, phone or text message.

The client is responsible for checking their booking information and notifying the Dog Behaviourist if any details are incorrect.
 

19. Privacy

Personal information provided during the booking process or during training will be handled in accordance with applicable privacy laws and the Dog Behaviourist's Privacy Policy, where applicable.

Information about your dog may be recorded to assist with assessment, training and ongoing behaviour management.
 

20. Limitation of Liability

To the extent permitted by law, the Dog Behaviourist will not be responsible for loss, damage or injury arising from a client's failure to follow reasonable safety instructions or disclose relevant information about their dog.

Clients remain responsible for the supervision, control and management of their dog outside scheduled training sessions.

Nothing in these Terms & Conditions excludes, restricts or modifies any consumer guarantee, right or remedy that cannot legally be excluded, restricted or modified under the Australian Consumer Law or other applicable legislation. Australian Consumer Law guarantees apply automatically to qualifying services.

Reference
https://www.accc.gov.au/business/selling-products-and-services/consumer-rights-and-guarantees
"https://www.accc.gov.au/business/selling-products-and-services/warranties
 

21. Australian Consumer Law

Our services come with guarantees that cannot be excluded under the Australian Consumer Law.

For major failures with the service, you are entitled:

• to cancel your service contract with us; and

• to a refund for the unused portion, or compensation for its reduced value.

You are also entitled to compensation for any other reasonably foreseeable loss or damage.

If a failure does not amount to a major failure, you are entitled to have the problem rectified within a reasonable time. If the problem cannot be rectified within a reasonable time, you may have further rights under the Australian Consumer Law.

Nothing in these Terms & Conditions is intended to remove or limit these rights.
https://www.accc.gov.au/consumers/buying-products-and-services/warranties
 

22. Changes to These Terms & Conditions

The Dog Behaviourist may update these Terms & Conditions from time to time.

The Terms & Conditions that apply to a booking will generally be those available at the time the booking is made, unless otherwise required by law.
 

23. Acceptance of Terms

By booking an appointment, making payment or participating in a training or behaviour session, you acknowledge that you have read, understood and agreed to these Terms & Conditions.

If you do not agree with these Terms & Conditions, please do not make a booking.

Training Session Reminder

Before attending your session, please remember:

• Bring your dog on a secure leash or harness.

• Avoid feeding your dog immediately before the session where possible, unless your dog has specific dietary or medical requirements.

• Bring high-value training treats if recommended.

• Bring a properly fitted muzzle if your dog's behaviour requires one for safety.

• Please advise The Dog Behaviourist before the session of any recent aggression, biting, escape attempts or significant behavioural changes.

• Ensure your dog is safely secured before entering the training environment.

Your dog's safety, your safety and the safety of others are our priority.