TERMS AND CONDITIONS

Sussex K9 Academy

Training & Behaviour Terms and Conditions

By booking with Sussex K9 Academy (“SK9A”) and making payment, you confirm full acceptance of these Terms and Conditions.

We reserve the right to work only with clients who are open to learning, committed to their dog’s progress, and supportive of balanced training methods.

1. Bookings & Payments

• Bookings will be confirmed via email or text.
• Full payment is required within 24 hours of booking to secure your place. If payment is not received, the booking will be cancelled.
• Payments are accepted via bank transfer, cash, or Stripe payment link (sent via email at the time of booking).
• Travel costs may apply for sessions outside a 10-mile radius of TN21, agreed at time of booking.

2. Cancellations, Refunds & Cooling-Off Period

• For 121 training, group sessions, and pack walks:
   
  • Cancellations made within 14 days of the booked session will be charged in full.
  • Cancellations made with more than 14 days’ notice will receive a 50% refund (50% cancellation fee retained).
• For residential training bookings:
   
  • Cancellations must be made with at least 8 weeks’ notice.
  • Cancellations made within 8 weeks of the start date will be charged in full.
  • Cancellations with more than 8 weeks’ notice will receive a 50% refund (50% cancellation fee retained).
• Clients arriving more than 20 minutes late for a session will forfeit the session with no refund.
• Cooling-Off Rights (Online Bookings):
   
  • Under UK law, clients booking online may be entitled to a 14-day cooling-off period.
  • If you cancel within this time before any services begin, a refund will be given minus a 15% administration fee to cover non-recoverable transaction costs and admin time.
  • If you have requested that training or services start within the 14-day period, you acknowledge that you waive your right to a full refund once the service has commenced. This includes any training advice via online services or online tutorials provided as part of a training package.
• All cancellations must be made via email: info@sussexk9academy.co.uk

3. Owner Responsibilities

• Owners remain fully responsible for their dog(s) during training sessions, group classes, and pack walks.
• Dogs must be fully vaccinated, wormed, and healthy, and all relevant medical or behavioural history must be disclosed prior to booking.
• Full disclosure is required for any bite history or aggression. SK9A reserves the right to refuse service or apply additional charges.
• Owners must clean up after their dog(s) when in public.
• Children may attend only if agreed in advance. They must remain supervised, seated, and not interact with other dogs.

4. Training Methods & Tools

• At Sussex K9 Academy we use a balanced training approach, tailored to each dog.
• Clients must be open to the use of a variety of tools, which may include: flat collars, slip leads, harnesses, prong collars, and e-collars.
• All training tools will be used fairly, safely, and responsibly, with the dog’s welfare as the priority.

5. Health, Safety & Emergencies

• Training and dog-related activities carry inherent risks. By booking, you accept these risks and agree that you are responsible for your dog(s) at all times.
• SK9A cannot accept liability for incidents, injury, or damage caused by your dog.
• Nothing in these terms excludes liability for SK9A’s own negligence or any liability which cannot be excluded under UK law.
• In case of illness or injury, the dog’s health will always take priority. Every effort will be made to contact the owner, but if unreachable, SK9A will seek emergency veterinary care.
• All veterinary costs, including transport or related expenses, remain the responsibility of the owner.

6. Residential Training & Kennels

• Residential training and kickstarter days held in partnership with Bell Reed Kennels & Cattery are also subject to their Terms and Conditions, available at www.bellreedkennelsandcattery.co.uk.
• By booking, you agree to Bell Reed Kennels’ relevant terms (including but not limited to clauses 7, 9–27).
• Failure to uphold any relevant SK9A or Bell Reed Kennels conditions may result in refusal of service, cancellation, and no refund.

7. Group Classes & Pack Walks

• All dogs must have completed an assessment, 121, or board & train prior to attending.
• Dogs must remain on lead at all times unless instructed otherwise by the trainer.
• Owners are responsible for the control and behaviour of their dog(s) throughout.

8. Media & Marketing

• SK9A may take photos and videos of training sessions that include owners or dogs. These may be used for marketing, social media, educational content, or repurposed into training materials, including online courses.
• Media sent to SK9A via WhatsApp, Messenger, email, or social media may also be used unless the owner opts out in writing at the time of booking.
• Media shared by SK9A is for personal use only and must not be copied, shared, or used commercially without written permission.

8. Media & Marketing

• SK9A may take photos and videos of training sessions that include owners or dogs. These may be used for marketing, social media, educational content, or repurposed into training materials, including online courses.
• Media sent to SK9A via WhatsApp, Messenger, email, or social media may also be used unless the owner opts out in writing at the time of booking.
• Media shared by SK9A is for personal use only and must not be copied, shared, or used commercially without written permission.

9. Results Disclaimer

• While we work to achieve the best possible outcomes, no guarantees can be made regarding training or behaviour modification.
• Results depend on the dog’s temperament, past experiences, and—critically—owner consistency and commitment to continuing training outside of sessions.

10. Money Back Guarantee (Signature Programs Only)

• SK9A offers a Money Back Guarantee exclusively on SK9A Signature Programs. These are clearly advertised as eligible for the guarantee.
• The guarantee applies only if, in SK9A’s professional opinion, no measurable improvement has been made during the program. Improvement will be assessed throughout the course, and SK9A’s decision is final.
• To qualify for the Money Back Guarantee, the following conditions must be met in full:
   
  1. Full payment for the program must be made before the start date.
  2. All course materials (videos, guides, written resources) must be watched and read.
  3. All assigned homework must be filmed and submitted to SK9A for review within the required timeframes.
  4. The client must attend all scheduled sessions included within the program.

• Failure to meet any of these conditions will void eligibility for a refund under the Money Back Guarantee.

11. Sports Clubs & Dog Sports

• Any sport clubs run by SK9A (including but not limited to GRC Dogsports Sussex Club) involve the use of equipment and activities that carry inherent risk.
• Participation is entirely at your own risk, and you accept full responsibility for the safety and wellbeing of yourself and your dog.
• SK9A cannot accept liability for any injury, accident, or damage arising from participation in dog sports.
• We strongly recommend consulting with your veterinarian before starting any dog sport to ensure your dog is fit and healthy for participation.

12. Workshops & Seminars

• SK9A and Bell Reed Kennels may host workshops, seminars, and events, including those delivered by external guest speakers or organisations.
• SK9A and Bell Reed Kennels accept no responsibility or liability for the content, safety, or outcomes of events delivered by external guests.
• Attendees are responsible for requesting and reviewing the Terms & Conditions of the guest speaker or company directly.
• Guest speakers or outside organisations hosting workshops/seminars at SK9A grounds accept full responsibility for the event, including the welfare and safety of participants and dogs.
• Any breakages, damages, or misuse of facilities must be paid for in full by the guest speaker or organising party.
• The training field and immediate areas must be left in the same condition as found. Failure to do so may result in fines of £500 per offence.

13. Data Protection & Communications

• SK9A complies with the UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR) and the Data Protection Act 2018.
• By booking, you consent to SK9A storing your information for training, safety, and communication purposes.
• You agree to receive updates, offers, and communications via phone, email, social media, or messaging platforms.
• For details on how your information is used, stored, and protected, please see our Privacy Policy.

14. Amendments

• SK9A reserves the right to amend these Terms and Conditions at any time without prior notice.