Terms & Conditions

Group classes:

Canine Education limits the number of dogs to a maximum of four per class to ensure the perfect balance of trainer to dog ratio. Advance booking improves chances of obtaining a spot in our courses.  A non-refundable deposit of $50 is required upon booking a class, with the balance due at the first class.  Payments can be made either debit, credit or cash.

Clients are prohibited from booking a class is their dogs exhibit aggressive or nervous behavior.   Canine Education reserves the right to remove dogs that are aggressive in class unless we have assessed your dog for a re-socialisation class. Unless a client has warned in advance, Canine Education requires that a dog be removed from a class, the client will not be entitled to a refund.

Please contact us if you are not sure whether a class is suitable for your dog. If Canine Education agrees to allow your dog in the class, and then is required to remove the dog, Canine Education will provide alternate arrangements, such as working with you on a one-in-one basis. Canine Education is unable to refund course fees ones a course has begun.  Clients are required to give advance notice if they are unable to attend a class.

Puppies must be fully vaccinated prior to attending our class.

Considerations:

When arriving at class please avoid meeting the other dogs on lead. Not all dogs like to be near other dogs when on a leash and may react negatively. Keep passageways clear and allow plenty of room for a dog to enter and exit the hall. Keep dogs separate and prevent them from playing outside the venue before a class, as this can cause excitement and a lack of attention during the session.

A toilet break before each class will ensure your puppy is empty and comfortable. Please be a responsible dog parent and always clean up after your dog. Please put poo bags in the trash bins.

For livelier, excitable dogs it can be beneficial to exercise your dog before class with a game or a short walk. Do not over-exercise your dog before a class otherwise they will be too weary.

Please consider others in class and switch off your mobile phone. We ask that you do not hold conversations on your phone during a class. Photography or video recording is not permitted in class. We may occasionally record for promotional purposes, however please alert us if you do not wish to appear.

Welfare and safety:

All dogs must be kept under the parent’s control and on a lead, except where specifically instructed by our trainers.  You are responsible for the conduct of your dog at all times. Dogs in class must not lunge or bark at other dogs present.

We provide a safe and secure environment as practicably reasonable and endeavour to apply good practices with all our training services. We endeavour to run all classes in as safe and professional manner as possible. Canine Education also takes all reasonable precautions when providing behavioural services to minimise the risk of injury from being bitten. However remote, dog training is not without risk therefore participation in training and behaviour services is at the client’s risk. Canine Education or any of its individual assistants, or helpers, will not accept responsibility for any loss, injury or damage to any persons, or dogs attending a course, or to their property howsoever caused during the provision of dog training activities.

Flexi leads (extending leads) are not permitted in training sessions in order to avoid injury. If you feel that this arrangement is not suitable for your dog for any reason, please just get in touch and we can discuss the best option for you and your dog.

All training provided will be by instructors who have been trained by Canine Education! And have been deemed by Canine Education to have the necessary experience and skills.

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.

Canine Education has public liability and relevant business insurance to run classes and provide behavioural counselling, providing adequate cover for our business liabilities.

Will not take responsibility for misinterpretation of advice. While we hope you find the information and guidance given interesting and informative, the contents are for general information only. We believe the contents to be true and accurate as at the date of the session but can give no assurances or warranty regarding the accuracy, currency or applicability of any of the contents in relation to specific situations and particular circumstances. As such, the contents should not be relied upon and professional advice should be taken in specific cases. 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 in class:

We encourage family members to attend classes. Children are welcome and when encouraged to participate often make competent handlers. Children under 16 years of age must be accompanied by an adult. Children are encouraged to behave appropriately in the presence of unfamiliar dogs and are requested not to run in class, or distract other dogs from working. For safety reasons it is advisable all children are educated in how to approach an unfamiliar dog.

Young children may not find training classes exciting. It can be challenging to supervise young children while training a dog. Very young children can become bored and may need another adult to supervise them. If you provide your children with entertainment during a class, please ensure it is quiet and will not distract the class.

Cancellations:

We may at short notice cancel our classes. Should this occur for any unforeseen circumstances, such as COVID-19 restrictions, you will be notified by email as soon as possible. In such instances, we will move classes to an online format or defer the course to a later date.

Insufficient numbers booked onto a course may result in the course being postponed or cancelled. In this instance you will be notified of future course dates or offered private tuition. If this is not acceptable a full refund will be given.

In the event that your dog does not do well in a group class setting due to, but not limited to, excessive barking, extreme shyness, etc., Canine Education will apply amount paid to private session(s).

Requests for a refund and any cancellations for one-to-ones are made at the discretion of Canine Education and any decision is made on a case-by-case basis.

Start times:

Please arrive in time for each class as latecomers can be disruptive to the other dogs in class. Dogs arriving late can experience stress if barked at by the other dogs.

Our methods:

We practice positive reinforcement, kind, fair and effective techniques avoiding the need to use physical correction of any type. Harsh handling of dogs is wholeheartedly discouraged and the use of choke chains and other coercive or punitive methods, including lead jerking, shouting or smacking, is not permitted.

You may not use any gadget or device in class that we consider aversive, such as slips 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 client who continues to use harsh methods when asked not to, will be asked to leave our classes and not return.

Dogs unfit for class:

Welfare and safety of all dogs is paramount to us.  Do not bring your dog to class if they have been in contact with an infectious disease, such as kennel cough or conjunctivitis. If you unsure as to whether your dog is well enough to attend, please refer to your Vet. 

Bitches in season are not permitted to attend a class. Please notify us if you consider your bitch may come into season during a course. Refunds are not given though we may offer alternative arrangements, such as deferring to another course.

Disclaimer

We make every effort to ensure the safety of both clients and dogs during sessions. However, by making a booking with us, you are accepting that participating in an activity with dogs, children and adults poses a risk of injury to yourself and your dog, and you agree to indemnify Canine Education for all personal injury and damage to property while attending training sessions. You agree to assume full responsibility for any risks, injuries or damages, known or unknown, which might occur as a result of your dog attending such sessions. You also agree to make any person who accompanies you to the session(s), or takes your place, aware that they are also there at their own risk. You understand and accept that your dog (and its behaviour) remains entirely your responsibility at all times, whether or not in the presence of the trainer/ behaviourist.