General Puppy Steps Terms and Conditions
Thank you for choosing Puppy Steps Dog Training and Walking. Please ensure you have read and understood these Terms and Conditions before accepting a place on the Puppy Steps, Foundation Steps, Club sessions, or Introduction to Hoopers, one to one coaching, or agreeing to book a Behaviour Consultation. Accepting a place on the course or a Consult deems that you have accepted the terms and conditions and forms your contract with Puppy Steps Dog Training and Walking.

Safety

Family members are always welcome at classes. It is recommended that only one person trains your dogs at a time to avoid confusion. Children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult.
Please keep dogs on leads at all times unless otherwise directed. If you are unsure whether the exercise is on or off lead, please ask.
You are responsible for the behaviour of your dog while attending training. Classes can be exciting at times, so please keep hold of your lead.
Please respect the personal space of other dogs and ensure you stand at an appropriate distance until you are sure whether the dogs will get along
Please pick up after your dog and try not to allow your dogs to pee on any equipment. Please let me know if they do, and the equipment can be rinsed down.
Any equipment used is meant for dogs and not people. Please do not climb or jump over equipment. Children must be supervised around equipment.
Please ensure your dog is fit and healthy to attend training and is not suffering from any infectious disease that could be transmitted to other dogs. If in doubt, please see your vet.
We use reward-based training, therefore harsh handling will not be tolerated. Harsh handling includes jerking or tugging on your dog’s lead, physical manipulation such as pushing on your dog, shouting and hitting. We will be please to show you a different way. Prong, choke chain collars, slip leads, extendable leads, and tightening no-pull leads are not permitted. I can help you select the appropriate equipment.
Please let me know about any accidents, incidents, or issues regarding any person or dog.
Feel free to ask questions, and have fun!

Booking, payment and cancellations

The course fee is due in full at the start of the course. Payment is accepted by cash, cheque payable to “Puppy Steps”, PAYPAL or BACS (please contact for bank details). Your place on the course is confirmed once payment is received.
Under the Consumer Protection (Distance Selling) Regulations 2000 you may cancel your purchase within a period of 7 working days beginning on the day after we send your booking confirmation. However, there is no right of cancellation where the course begins within this seven-day period.
Classes with Rolling Starts - once your booking is received we will confirm with you your exact start date and which weeks you will be attending which will then be fixed. We would prefer, but it is not essential, that you book in for consecutive weeks. However, if you know you need to miss a week because you are away, for example, on holiday, let us know when you book and we can make allowances for that when we schedule your weeks. Once these weeks are set, they can only be changed at the discretion of Puppy Steps Training.
Cancellations must be made in writing by post or email. Cancellations will be subject to the following fees:
- Cancellation of a booking must be at least 7 days in advance of the workshop date otherwise your booking will be forfeited and you may be charged the full fee.
- Cancellations within 8 to 28 days of the start date payment will be refunded minus a £10 administration charge (£20 if you have already been given access to the online sessions)
- Cancellations over 28 days before the start date payment will be refunded.
- If the participant fails to attend the course the full course fees are payable.
A substitute delegate may be named at any time before the class or workshop at no additional cost.
Requests to transfer to an alternative class, workshop, or date must be made in writing by post or email. Transfers may be made up to 7 days before the start date and will incur no additional fee. However, transfers are subject to availability, and Puppy Steps Training is not obliged to ensure suitable alternatives are available.

COURSE CONTENT AND MATERIALS

Puppy Steps Training reserves the right to change the content, timing, or dates. We try to avoid this as much as possible, but sometimes this is unavoidable, particularly with changes in the weather meaning we have to postpone a session. If we know in advance that the weather will not be suitable we will let you know, however, often the weather can be very changeable from hour to hour. If a booking is canceled due to the weather, we will let everyone know who has booked in by text as soon as we can at least an hour before the start of your class. We will then reschedule all the bookings for an alternative week or course date. Puppy Steps Training will not be liable for any losses or expenses arising from amendments to the course or cancellations.
Course materials, where relevant, are usually supplied after your course has been completed. Follow-up emails and course materials are supplied for your personal use and must not be copied or forwarded without permission.

DATA PROTECTION

The information on your booking form will only be used as a record of you and your dog, and to contact you in relation to dog training activities and will not be passed on to any third parties. We send out an occasional email newsletter which we would encourage you to opt-in to receive to find out about future training. If you do not wish to receive this please either unsubscribe from the newsletter or send an email to [email protected]

Dog Walking & Small Animal Visits (SAV)

Dog-walking services are limited and your requirements will be discussed beforehand. I will take every care to look after your dog as if it were my own. Off-leash walks are at my discretion and in consultation with the customer.
I do not do large group walks. Dog walks are usually solo with a training component, but I may be able to match dogs and allow a shared walk depending on the dog, the scheduling, location, and compatibility.
Dog-walking and SAV canceled within 24 hours will be charged at the full rate.
Dog-walking and SAV on Bank Holidays will be charged at 50% extra and on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and Boxing Day will be charged at 100% extra.

Your Feedback

We are very pleased to recommend Lindsay as a highly professional and competent trainer who has shown us how to give Tyke the life he needs to live as a dog, but at the same time, within our domestic environment. Tyke is growing into a well behaved, gentle and friendly dog who is loved by all; as Lindsay usefully pointed out at our first meeting, Tyke doesn’t speak English, but we guess he too would recommend Lindsay very highly if he could: his wagging tail says it all.

Nick & “Tyke” Working Cocker Spaniel

Cannot recommend highly enough. We learn just as much as our Labrador Bess does it seems. We attended the puppy class and have now moved on to obedience classes. Cannot believe how much of a difference it makes each week.

Rob & Aeyesha & “Bess” Labrador

Puppy Steps has been a perfect learning journey for our labradoodle Agnes. Lindsay has been; clear, understanding and patient with both Agnes and us. We always feel like no question is a silly question and always look forward to going each week, as it always has such a friendly, calm atmosphere. Highly recommend for both puppies and junior dogs.

Jessica & Sam, & “Agnes” Labradoodle

Really enjoyed Puppy Steps puppy classes with our mini schnauzer puppy. Lindsay is very friendly and knowledgable, and the class was small and inclusive. She did a really good job of including my primary-aged children in the sessions and they learnt a lot too!

Della & “Tazzie” Mini Schnauzer