Adventure Canine Dog Training Terms & Conditions

Welcome to Adventure Canine! These Terms and Conditions help us work together to provide the best possible training experience for you and your dog. They outline what you can expect from us and what we need from you to ensure safe, effective, and enjoyable training sessions.

1. About This Agreement

Who’s Who: These Terms and Conditions form the agreement between Claire Sharp trading as Adventure Canine (referred to as “we”, “us”, or “the Trainer”) and you (referred to as “you” or “the Owner”).

When This Applies: By accepting an invitation to training and booking a service, you confirm that you’ve read, understood, and agreed to these Terms and Conditions, which form a legally binding contract.

Age Requirements: All clients must be 18 years or over. If the dog owner is under 18, a parent or guardian over 18 must be present throughout all training sessions and be responsible for this contract.

Legal Framework: This contract is governed by the laws of England and Wales.

Your Responsibility: You remain responsible for your dog(s) at all times, including their behaviour and actions. We strongly recommend ensuring you have adequate insurance, including Third Party Liability cover for your dog.

Limitation of Liability:: Adventure Canine accepts no liability for any loss, injury, illness, damage, or harm of any kind to you, your dog, or any other person or animal during training sessions or related activities, regardless of how such incidents occur. This includes but is not limited to:

•⁠ ⁠Dog-to-dog incidents (bites, injuries, fights)

•⁠ ⁠Dog-to-human incidents (bites, knocks, scratches)

•⁠ ⁠Human injuries from any cause

•⁠ ⁠Illness contracted by dogs or humans

•⁠ ⁠Property damage of any kind

•⁠ ⁠Any other incidents or accidents

You participate entirely at your own risk and accept that dogs and their owners can be unpredictable. We provide guidance only – we do not guarantee the safety of any participant. You acknowledge that training environments involve inherent risks that cannot be eliminated, and you assume all such risks by participating.

2. Our Training Approach

Positive Methods Only: We only use positive reinforcement and force-free training methods. The use of aversive equipment (such as choke chains, prong collars, e-collars) or harsh handling is strictly forbidden and will result in immediate termination of the session or course without refund. For safety, retractable (flexi) leads are not permitted.

Individual Needs: We tailor our approach to suit each dog’s unique personality, needs, and learning style.

3. How We Work – Invitation-Only Service

Getting Started: Adventure Canine operates on an invitation-only basis. Training places are offered by invitation only following initial contact and assessment of suitability. Expressing interest in our services does not guarantee a place or immediate availability.

Our Right to Choose: Course and class availability is limited for safety and effectiveness. We reserve the right to:

Decline requests if capacity is reached
Assess whether group training is the most suitable option for each dog and owner
Recommend 1-2-1 sessions or specialised programmes when these would be more beneficial
Make decisions about class composition to create the best learning environment for everyone
Decline or postpone bookings if we feel additional preparation or assessment would be helpful

4. Training Locations

Where We Train: Adventure Canine provides training at various locations including rented halls, hired fields, public spaces, and client homes or gardens.

Venue Responsibilities:

Adventure Canine is not responsible for injuries or property damage related to the training venue itself
For public spaces: You acknowledge that other dogs, people, and activities may be present, and you assume associated risks
For rented facilities: You agree to comply with all venue rules and regulations

Home Visits:

Training at your home or garden is subject to our assessment of safety and suitability
You’re responsible for ensuring the training environment is safe and secure
You must secure any valuable or fragile items before the session
We reserve the right to end a session if the environment is deemed unsafe
You’re responsible for any damage to your property caused by your dog during training

Location Changes: We reserve the right to decline or change the service if:

The proposed location is deemed unsafe or unsuitable (for example, due to weather conditions or building works)
You change your address to a location we consider too remote or inaccessible
The venue becomes unavailable, and no suitable alternative exists

5. Cancellations and Refunds

Our Policy: No refunds are given once payment has been made. This is because we commit to costs in advance including venue bookings, additional trainers, and course planning. Cancellations can also affect the viability of group sessions for other participants.

If We Cancel: Should we need to cancel due to circumstances within our control, we’ll work with you to reschedule at a mutually convenient time or provide a full refund if rescheduling isn’t possible.

6. Your Dog’s Health and Safety

Helping Us Help Your Dog

Every dog is unique, and you must let us know about any health considerations, medications, or physical needs that might affect how we approach your dog’s training. Sharing this information helps us:

Choose the most suitable training methods
Ensure your dog’s comfort and safety
Adapt activities to your dog’s abilities
Work effectively with any veterinary recommendations

Please tell us about these things when you book, and don’t hesitate to update us if anything changes – we’re here to support both you and your dog.

Dog Types and Safety Considerations

We understand that every dog is an individual, regardless of their appearance or heritage. However, we must work within current UK legislation and insurance requirements to ensure we can continue providing our services safely and legally.

Dangerous Dogs Act Restrictions: Under the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991, certain dog types are subject to specific legal restrictions, including Pit Bull Terriers, Japanese Tosa, Dogo Argentino, Fila Brasileiro, and XL Bully types. Unfortunately, our insurance does not permit us to provide training services for dogs classified under Section 1 of the Dangerous Dogs Act, even if they hold a valid Certificate of Exemption.

Why This Policy Exists: This restriction is due to our professional insurance requirements rather than any reflection on individual dogs or their behaviour. We recognise that many dogs affected by this legislation are well-behaved family pets with responsible owners.

Assessment Considerations: Please note that classification under the Act is based on physical characteristics rather than breeding or DNA. This means dogs can sometimes be unexpectedly identified as a prohibited type, even when their heritage was previously unknown.

Honest Disclosure: We know that sometimes dog heritage isn’t entirely clear, especially with rescue dogs or mixed breeds. Please share whatever information you have about your dog’s background when you contact us. If there’s any uncertainty about your dog’s type, we’re happy to discuss this with you before any booking is made.

Alternative Support: If your dog falls under these restrictions, we’d be pleased to recommend other qualified trainers who may be able to assist you, or suggest resources that could help with your training needs.

Health Requirements

Vaccinations: All dogs attending training must be up-to-date with current vaccinations (or supported by a clear titre test). Proof must be supplied upon request.

Contagious Illness: Dogs with, or suspected of having, a contagious illness (such as kennel cough, giardia, sickness, or diarrhoea) must not attend any training.

Minimum exclusion period: 48 hours clear from the last bout of sickness or diarrhoea; 21 days from the last cough for kennel cough (as per Kennel Club advice)
You must inform us immediately if your dog is unwell

Bitches in Season: Bitches in season must not attend group classes. For group classes, no refund is given for missed sessions, but you’re encouraged to attend without your dog to observe. They may be permitted to attend 1-2-1 sessions by prior arrangement.

Behaviour and Safety

Aggression and Reactivity:

You must fully disclose any history of dog-to-dog or dog-to-human aggression or reactivity prior to booking
We reserve the right to refuse a group class booking and may instead offer a referral for 1-2-1 behavioural consultation if your dog’s behaviour is deemed unsuitable or unsafe for the group environment
Failure to disclose your dog’s aggressive history prior to a group class may result in immediate dismissal from the course without refund

Ongoing Assessment: We reserve the right to assess your dog’s suitability for group training at any time and may recommend alternative arrangements if necessary.

7. During Training Sessions

Control and Equipment: You must maintain control of your dog at all times. Dogs must be kept on a lead unless otherwise instructed. We recommend a flat collar or comfortable harness and a fixed-length lead.

Dog Waste: You’re responsible for immediately picking up and responsibly disposing of all dog waste.

Children: Children are welcome but must be supervised by an adult at all times. Please ensure children do not disturb the rest of the class and children must not touch or approach other dogs in the class.

Home Sessions: For training at your property, you must:

Ensure adequate lighting and safe surfaces
Provide reasonable access to training areas
Inform household members of the training session in advance
Ensure a responsible adult is present throughout the session

Venue Rules: For training at rented halls, hired fields, or public spaces, all site-specific rules including parking restrictions, access points, and facility regulations must be strictly followed.

8. When Things Are Beyond Our Control

While we plan carefully for all our training sessions, sometimes events completely outside our control can affect our ability to deliver training as scheduled. This includes:

Severe weather conditions
Venue closures or issues
Government restrictions
Health and safety requirements
Emergency situations

Should any of these rare situations arise, we’ll be in touch quickly to discuss rescheduling options or, where necessary, refund arrangements.

9. What We Can Promise

Dog training involves working with living creatures, and every dog learns at their own pace. The success of any training programme largely depends on your commitment to consistently implementing the guidance and practice we provide between sessions. We’ll provide expert guidance and support, but we cannot guarantee specific outcomes or timescales for training results.

10. Your Privacy and Photos

Data Protection: Personal data collected by Adventure Canine is processed and stored in accordance with UK GDPR and the Data Protection Act 2018. Full details are available in our Privacy Policy.

Photos and Videos: We may take photos or videos of you and your dog during training for use in educational, social media, or marketing materials. By booking, you grant permission for this use unless you notify us in writing (via email) before the first session that you refuse this consent.

11. Resolving Any Issues

If you have any concerns or complaints about our service, please contact us directly so we can work together to resolve the issue promptly and amicably. We’re committed to providing excellent customer service and will make every effort to address your concerns satisfactorily.

We hope any issues can be resolved through direct discussion, but both parties submit to the non-exclusive jurisdiction of the English courts should formal resolution be necessary.

12. Legal Bits

Changes to These Terms: We reserve the right to amend these Terms and Conditions at any time. Any changes will be communicated to existing clients and will apply to future bookings.

If Part of This Agreement Doesn’t Work: If any provision of these Terms is found to be unenforceable, the remaining provisions shall continue in full force and effect.

Contact Information: Claire Sharp trading as Adventure Canine – Contact form

Last Updated: 28 September 2025

By accepting our training invitation and making a booking, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agree to be bound by these Terms and Conditions.