Terms and Conditions

Important information and terms and conditions

These Terms and Conditions are for the interest of safety, responsibility and welfare for our clients and their dogs. 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. Our Services 

Bookings and payment

Services offered at any time by Dogs Like Yours comprise some or all of the following: dog training and related courses, seminars and small events; canine behaviour consultation and modification to accredited levels; assessment for potential pain and veterinary reports and referrals for diagnosis. These are collectively referred to as our training and behaviour services. Payment for sessions is required in advance unless agreed otherwise in writing by Dogs Like Yours and confirms an individual booking. By booking our services, you acknowledge that you are aware of our terms and conditions at the time of booking. Confirmation of your booking will be provided by email or social media. It is the client’s responsibility to ensure they are at the agreed location at the correct time. Dogs Like Yours reserve the right of attendance for all our training and behaviour services.  

We cannot guarantee a booking unless prior payment has been made via a bank transfer or cash. We are no longer able to take cheques as payment and currently unable to process PayPal payments. If you request a place on a course, seminar or event without paying by 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.

Where a deposit has been paid, the balance of payment is due no later than 48 hours prior to the scheduled date. If full payment is not received at this time, Dogs Like Yoursreserve the right to cancel your booking. If you anticipate a delay in making your final payment, please contact Dogs Like Yours as soon as possible. Bookings made within 5 working days of scheduled start date require full balance to be paid to confirm the booking.

Dog training and behaviour management sessions

Our training and behaviour services are limited to one dog at a time unless agreed otherwise in writing and in advance of the session. More than one family member may be present, at their own risk, but only one person is to handle the dog at any given time. The handler must be aged 18 or over and of an adequate physical and mental state to be in charge of an animal. All other family members present are required to give the dog and their handler adequate space and to avoid being distracting or disruptive. Any family members who cannot be trusted or reasonably expected to comply or be safe around the dog, including all children under the age of 11, must be either removed or supervised by an adult other than the handler. Dogs Like Yours accepts no responsibility or liability for family members present or who may arrive during the training or consultation.   

You must not knowingly book a dog into a session without disclosing aggressive behaviour including a full bite history. If you do not advise us of potential problems and your dog shows aggression in the session or consultation, you will not be entitled to a refund. Contact us if you are not sure whether our services are suitable for your dog. We reserve the right to refer any dog to an alternative canine professional for any reason. 

Online behaviour management sessions

Support may be offered in person or online - depending on location. 

Please note that we accept no responsibility or liability whatsoever (save for any liability which cannot legally be excluded or limited) for any personal injury or death suffered by you, your dog(s), family members or any members of the general public, whether suffered directly or indirectly, as a result of your participation in online one-to-one assessments or sessions that we provide to you. By booking an online assessment or session with Dogs Like Yours, you irrevocably provide your agreement that participation in the online behaviour management process is done entirely at your own risk. 

You are encouraged to take out adequate pet insurance for the lifetime of your dog. Details of Dogs Like Yours’s insurance policy, which includes Public Liability and Professional Indemnity, is available on request. 

Considerations

Training usually takes place in public spaces when not online. Dogs must be kept on a lead or long line at all times. Take care when switching leads or loading and unloading dogs from cars. We strongly prefer dogs to wear a well-fitted harness during training. Any harnesses, collars or equipment that tighten, constrict or knowingly cause the dog pain or fear is unacceptable. If you are using an extendable lead, we may ask you to use one of our long lines instead during training. 

When arriving for and during a training session please avoid meeting unknown dogs on lead. Not all dogs like to be near other dogs when restrained on lead and may react as a consequence. As a general rule, we encourage our clients to give all dogs on lead space. For more information and guidance on how to behave around dogs in public spaces, please go to https://www.yellowdoguk.co.uk/

A toilet break before each the session will ensure your puppy/dog is empty and comfortable. Please be a responsible dog owner and always clean up after your dog. Bin or take home all used poo bags. 

Dogs should not be trained on a completely empty or full stomach. It is the responsibility of the owner to bring their own food for the dog in an adequate quantity for the session. The trainer may provide supplementary food, which is either from a reputable pet food supplier or intended for human consumption (e.g. cheese, hotdogs). It is your responsibility to advise the trainer of any known reasons why your dog may not tolerate the food offered by them. You have the right to refuse the food offered. We cannot accept responsibility for any gastric conditions or problems arising during or after the training. 

Please avoid using your mobile phone in-session unless in an emergency. Dogs Like Yours may record or take photos for training or promotional purposes during your session, however please alert us if you do not wish to appear.

What to wear 

Our training involves practical handling therefore appropriate shoes and clothing is required. Please wear comfortable flat shoes for safety reasons, as you will be moving about. You may be required during training to get down on the floor or to train in inclement weather, therefore suitable attire is recommended.

Welfare and safety

All dogs must be kept under the handler’s control and on a lead, except where specifically instructed by your trainer. You are responsible for the conduct of your dog at all times. All training and behavioural services provided will be by trainers who have been trained and certified by the IMDT, PACT, APDT or an equivalent pet professional body. 

Dogs Like Yours also take all reasonable precautions when providing training and behavioural services to minimise the risk of injury from being bitten. However, our Services are not without risk therefore participation in our training and behaviour services is at the owner’s risk. Dogs Like Yours or any of its individual assistants, or helpers, will not accept responsibility for any loss, injury or damage to any persons, or dogs attending training and behavioural services or to their property howsoever caused during the provision of dog training activities.

Use of information or advice 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 cover that includes third party liability insurance. Dogs Like Yours have public liability and relevant pet business insurance to run training sessions and to provide behavioural consultation and modification, providing adequate cover for our business liabilities.

Dogs Like Yours will not take responsibility for misinterpretation of advice or failure to reasonably comply with the trainer’s verbal instructions. Whilst we hope you find the information and guidance given beneficial, the contents are for your dog and the specified behavioural problems only, as agreed in writing with Dogs Like Yours for modification. We believe the contents to be true and accurate as at the date of the session or consultation but can give no assurances or warranty regarding the accuracy, currency or applicability of any of the contents in relation to other situations and particular circumstances including future behavioural problems. As such, the contents should not be relied upon and either a separation behavioural consultation or alternative professional advice should be taken for other problems. 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 

We encourage family members to attend or observe training and behavioural sessions. Children under 11 years of age must be accompanied by a supervising adult, as stated above. Children are encouraged to behave appropriately in the presence of dogs and are requested not to run in the session or distract dogs from working. For safety reasons it is advisable all children are educated in how to behave around dogs. For more information, please read https://www.dogstrust.org.uk/help-advice/factsheets-downloads/stay%20safe%20around%20dogs.pdf

Cancellations, refunds and postponements

Cancellations for services that have been paid for require at least 24 hours’ notice. Any refund may incur a £10.00 administration fee. Fees for services will not be refunded within 24 hours’ notice of the service starting, including programmes. For welfare reasons, exceptions may be made if either the dog or handler is deemed too unwell to take part. Under these circumstances, any refund is decided on a case-by-case basis by Dogs Like Yours and is not an automatic right.  

Please notify us beforehand if you will miss a one-to-one session. We are unable to make up sessions missed without adequate prior notice. If you have pre-booked sessions, these must be booked and completed within 6 months of payment being received. Thereafter it is at Dogs Like Yours’s discretion whether the sessions are honoured. 

We reserve the right to postpone dates where weather, trainer illness or elements outside of our control cause running of sessions or consultations not to be possible. Under these circumstances you will be notified by email, social media or phone as soon as possible, and postponed date/s will be rescheduled. 

Insufficient numbers booked onto a course, event or seminar may result in postponement or cancellation. In this instance you will be notified of future dates or offered private tuition in lieu. 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 Dogs Like Yours and any decision is made on a case-by-case basis.

Start times

Please arrive in time for each session, be it in person or online. It will not be extended due to lateness. 

2.  Our Way of Working 

Our ethics 

As a member of the APDT and in accordance with their Code of Ethics, we practise force free, science-based techniques. We reject all training methods that knowingly cause pain, fear or distress. Harsh handling of dogs is unacceptable and not permitted in session, including lead jerking, shouting or smacking. We strongly urge all of our clients to reject any such aversive methods outside of training too. 

You may not use any gadget or device in class that we consider aversive, such as slip 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 the session and not return.

Dogs unfit for sessions 

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 session. Do not bring your dog to a session if they have been in contact with an infectious disease, such as kennel cough or conjunctivitis. If you are unsure as to whether your dog is well enough to attend, please refer to your Vet. 

Dogs should be adequately protected by vaccination as advised by your Vet and verification may be requested. Puppies can attend our outdoor training sessions 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 session. 

Bitches in season are not permitted to attend a session outdoors. Refunds are not given, although we may offer alternative arrangements, such as training at home. 

Change of trainer

Dogs Like Yours reserves the right to appoint an alternative appropriate training instructor for any course, seminar or event should Natalie or the advertised trainer be unable to attend, and will not issue refunds or amendments to confirmed participants. We will endeavour to inform all participants of any change at the time of event, seminar or course.

About your consultation

Sessions are usually conducted by Natalie Weller-Cliff (Richards) who is a full member of the IMDT, APDT and accredited in canine behaviour by the OCN (level 5).  Occasionally Natalie will have someone accompany her on a home visit or training session to assist or observe. We will ask your permission beforehand. Clinical behaviour cases will be referred to, or supervised by, an accredited Clinical Animal Behaviourist (CAB). Natalie reserves the right to remain involved. 

Fees

Fees must be paid prior to the agreed one-to-one session start time. Any parking expenditure or congestion charge, if applicable, will be in addition. There is no travel charge for journeys within 10 miles of SK17. Outside this radius there will be an additional charge of 45p per mile including return travel.

If full payment is not received at this time, Dogs Like Yours reserve the right to cancel your appointment. If you anticipate a delay in making your payment, please contact Dogs Like Yoursas soon as possible.

Dogs Like Yours reserves the right to update or alter its fees at any time. Fees will be published on the website and agreed in advance, in writing, with clients. 

Cancellations and refunds

If you need to cancel your appointment, please inform Dogs Like Yours allowing 24 hours’ notice. Cancelled appointments with less than the notice period will incur the full fee.

Refunds after a session has been carried out cannot be given and will only be considered if the dog has been re-homed or is no longer in the owner’s possession and will be at the discretion of Dogs Like Yours. Any decision will be made on a case-by-case basis.

Refusal to comply with written safety or safeguarding measures given to you will result in the immediate termination of your session or assessment. In the event of such termination by Dogs Like Yours, no refund will be offered. 

3. Working as a multi-disciplinary team

Before an assessment for physical discomfort

A Dynamic Dog movement assessment helps to identify ways to help your dog cope well with day to day life. It may assist with determining the underlying motivation for any behaviour that is unwanted by the owner. A plan will be devised or adapted to your needs based on Dogs Like Yours’s analysis plus any input from Veterinary or CAB professionals. The plan is specific to your dog and circumstances to help you manage his / her behaviour as part of a multi-disciplinary team. Behavioural issues are often complex, having taken time to develop, and may require time and training to be modified or medical intervention. Any medical or pharmacological interventions must be discussed and agreed with your Vet. Dogs Like Yours are not licensed to diagnose or recommend specific medications but can explain in outline how certain commonly-used drugs are used in conjunction with behaviour modification, using publicly available information sources. 

Case history: Prior to the assessment you will be required to complete and return a New Client Questionnaire (onboarding form) and / or Zoom Consultation detailing your dog’s day-to-day routines and the behavioural problems you’re encountering. 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 will be asked to provide photo and video footage of your dog’s behaviour on a day-to-day basis as this can aid the consultation process. It is not necessary or requested to provoke your dog into performing the problem behaviour, as we do not need to see the full extent of the behaviour to address it. 

Medical history: It may be that an underlying medical condition or cause of pain is contributing to your dog’s behaviour. Such causes must be ruled out by your Vet. Dogs Like Yours will provide a referral letter for your Vet and request a copy of your dog’s veterinary records. Dogs Like Yours will ask in that letter that the general health of your dog is assessed by your Vet. It may be necessary for your dog to be seen by your Vet before behaviour modification starts or during it. In all cases, the reasons for veterinary referrals will be discussed and executed in conjunction with the owner. 

It is important that the requested documents and referrals are completed and returned to Dogs Like Yoursin a timely manner. Failure to do so may delay the agreed session or programme start, or incur additional costs due to postponement. If you schedule an assessment but do not return all of the prerequisites asked for at two days prior to your appointment, Dogs Like Yours reserve the right to cancel your session.

During an assessment for physical discomfort

The initial part of the assessment will take place online or at your home via a discovery call or visit. Dogs Like Yours may also ask to accompany you on a walk or do a ‘video tour’ of your home. Some practical aspects of the assessment may be demonstrated or explained to you during the discovery call. Please allow 1-1.5 hours for the discovery call. Due to the work and commitment required from Dogs Like Yours to carry out a discovery call, as non-refundable deposit of £55 is required. The remaining balance must be paid prior to a written plan being drawn up for your dog. 

After an assessment for physical discomfort

Dogs Like Yours will provide a written assessment and plan - the detailed content of which is determined by Dogs Like Yours. This will be emailed directly to you within 14 working days of your assessment, unless advised differently at the time. No assessment or individual guidance can or will be given until we have confirmed you as a client in writing, and received payment for the agreed services. This applies even if the agreed fee for services is £0. 

Dogs Like Yours will confirm whether we are willing and able to take you on as a client for any subsequent training or support - in keeping with the UK Dog Charter codes of ethics. In the event that we do not take you on, we will aim to direct you to an CAB or to your Vet and share the report. 

Please note that Natalie Weller-Cliff, founder of Dogs Like Yours, is an accredited Dynamic Dog Practitioner and not a veterinary professional. Under UK law, she can neither diagnose medical conditions nor recommend or prescribe medical treatments. This report is intended solely for the purpose of assisting your dog’s vet by providing observations of your dog’s movement, habits and activities of daily life.

About behaviour first aid sessions

It is often necessary for more complex issues that a referral is required to an appropriately qualified professional. Depending on your and your dog’s prior learning and abilities, it may also be possible to put management strategies in place or work on training foundations, such as lead skills, recall or responsiveness to specific cues, while awaiting a referral or in parallel to the other professional’s support. Any follow-up training or behaviour management sessions, should they be required, will be charged accordingly and you will be advised in advance to the cost. Dogs Like Yours may recommend select equipment, websites or Facebook groups, videos or books to support your dog’s programme. Dogs Like Yours do not receive any financial reward or incentives for these recommendations. Use of links or their content is at your own risk. Dogs Like Yours is happy to link to other websites however, please contact us first before linking to this website.

Additional or new behavioural problems will be treated as separate and will require a new consultation and / or training sessions. 

4. General 

Disclaimer

Dog aggression and out-of-control behaviour can cause injury, including fatal injury, to other animals and people. Managing or modifying behaviour does not assure that the problem will be successfully controlled, nor does it mean it may not reoccur in future. We know from scientific studies that old learning and its associated behaviour can resurface (e.g. spontaneous recovery, extinction bursts). It remains the responsibility of the owner to comply with English Law relating to the control and welfare of dogs. Precautions may involve, but are not limited to, keeping a dog on lead, the use of a 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 remain responsible for their dogs at all times 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.

Website and Social Media 

The Dogs Like Yours website and its original content, including the logo design and text, are protected by design rights and other intellectual property rights and legislation. None of the website content may be distributed without the prior written consent of the author, Dogs Like Yours. For downloadable handouts and factsheets, permission is granted for one copy to be printed per owner for personal use unless made available via social media. 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 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 shared by others on the Dogs Like Yours social media sites may not reflect Dogs Like Yours's opinion or ethics and do not constitute advice or recommendations from Dogs Like Yours.