By registering for a group class or an individual training session, you (referred to as ‘the handler’ or ‘the client’) agree to the following policies, terms and conditions.

Definitions

‘The instructor/s’, ‘trainer/s’, ‘us’, ‘we’, refer to CANINE HOOPERS (ABN: 53553617556).

Payments & Refunds

Payment for group classes is to be paid in full prior to the date of the first class. Handlers and their dogs will not be permitted to attend if the course fee has not been paid. Registrations sent without payment may not be held if payment is not received within 48 hours.

A refund minus $20 handling fee is only available 48 hours before the first group class. Clients who are ‘no-shows’ forfeit their group class – no refunds will be given if you miss a class.

Individual training sessions are to be paid in full at the end of the training sessions.

Payments can be made via electronic funds transfer (EFT). No cash payment is accepted.

Cancellations or alterations to bookings

In the unlikely event of a class or training session being cancelled, then:

• a rescheduled day/time will be offered; or

• a refund will be made for that class or training session only.

Weather

Training will go ahead in all safe weather conditions, including in light rain.

Training will not go ahead under the following circumstances:

• heavy rainfall or slippery conditions

• a storm is likely or a storm warning has been issued by the Bureau of Meteorology

• there is a danger of fire or a fire danger warning has been issues by emergency services

• the ‘feels like’ temperature at the time of training is greater than 32 degrees Celsius

• a snake has been seen in the training space and there is a risk to handler and dog safety.

In such cases, instructors will make every reasonable effort to contact handlers and reschedule training.

Website

CANINEHOOPERS.COM.AU is owned and maintained by CANINE HOOPERS of PO Box 225, Dickson, ACT, 2602.

If you access or use this website, you agree to accept and be bound by the terms and conditions stated below. CANINE HOOPERS reserves the right to add or amend these terms and conditions of usage of its website at any time without prior notice. You may not use this website for any purpose that is contrary to law or to facilitate the violation of any law or regulation.

Dogs

Do not bring your dog to class if they appear unwell or are sick. You are encouraged to attend class without your dog to learn what is covered in that class.

If your dog becomes sick or injured during class or the training session, you must cease training immediately and seek veterinary treatment.

Bitches in heat are not to attend group classes or individual training sessions held at a location where other dog activities are held. Contact the instructor prior to class to discuss options for training or rescheduling.

The instructor reserves the right to remove from the class dogs who show aggression towards people or other dogs. Please disclose any aggressive behaviours or tendencies that your dog may have before registering for any training options so that we might work with you on the appropriate type of training session that meets you and your dogs’ needs.

We do not work with declared dangerous dogs or restricted breed dogs. This information must be disclosed if your dog falls into either category. Failure to disclose this information is an offence, and we reserve the right to report as such to the appropriate authorities.

If your dog has a bite history, this must be disclosed before registration.

Dogs must always remain on a standard lead (leash) unless instructed by an instructor. A standard lead is a single length of material up to 2 meters, has a clip at one end and a hand hold element at the other end. No slip leads or retractable leads are to be used in classes or individual training.

Dogs must have a flat collar or martingale collar for sight hounds and/or a harness for attaching the lead to. Car harnesses and aversive style collars, such as prong collars, are not permitted in classes or training sessions. For advice on collars and harnesses please contact info@caninehoopers.com.au

You must pick up after your dog. Failure to do so may incur a clean-up fee.

Dogs must remain at a safe distance apart (as determined by the instructor) at all times unless otherwise instructed by the trainer.

Only one dog per handler can be registered for classes or individual training unless otherwise agreed with the instructor.

Training methods

Training at CANINE HOOPERS is force-free based training, using positive reinforcement training methods.

Equipment

Most training equipment for classes and individual sessions will be provided by the instructor.

Handlers are welcome to bring their own training equipment to classes or individual sessions if the equipment is in good order.

We do not allow any aversive training equipment in our training spaces, including but not limited to choke chains, shock collars or prong collars.

Handlers

Handlers are expected to provide suitable food-based treats and/or ‘reward’ toys for each training session or class. Please refer to the orientation notes, provided after registration and payment, for the types, sizes and volume of food-based treats, as well as food delivery toys and other rewards-based toys. Handlers are also encouraged to use a treat pouch during training.

Handlers of dogs must be wearing closed-toed shoes. Instructors reserve the right to ask handlers to change their footwear if it is deemed inappropriate for safety reasons. Examples of unsafe footwear for training are open-toed sandals or thongs.

Only one handler per dog at any given time during training. Secondary handlers or family members are welcome to attend training, however they are expected to stay to the side and must not disrupt the class. Instructors reserve the right to ask additional handlers or family members to leave the training area if they become a distraction.

Canine vaccinations status and parasite control

Handlers must provide proof of up-to-date C5 vaccinations and other preventative treatments as per their veterinary-approved vaccination schedule for their dog prior to the start of the first class or training session.

Handlers are encouraged to be up to date with flea, tick and worm preventative treatments prior to attending training.

Without proper documentation, dogs will not be allowed in class. No refund will be offered if you fail to provide proper documentation.

Conduct

We reserve the right to refuse or discontinue training where handlers or their human companions are aggressive, rude, disrespectful, display undue force towards any dog(s) or otherwise display inappropriate behaviour.

Welfare

We reserve the right to refuse or discontinue training where there are clear animal welfare concerns, including, but not limited to, failure to provide veterinary treatment, cases of neglect, use of undue force or any other violation of relevant legislation. We reserve the right to report such cases to the appropriate authorities.

Children

Children under 16 years of age must have an additional parent or guardian to supervise them during training sessions. i.e. one adult with the dog and the other with the young person(s).

We reserve the right to ask that children be removed from the training area if they become a distraction.

Fitness for training

Handlers are expected to take reasonable measures if they are unwell, such as missing a class or session, wearing a mask to protect instructors and other handlers or arranging for another handler to attend in their place prior to class starting.

Do not bring your dog to class if they appear unwell or are sick. You are encouraged to attend class without your dog to learn what is covered in that class.

Photography and video

Handlers, and any friends or family viewing the training, are asked not to photograph or film any training without the consent of all people present, in particular if any image is to be posted online or used in any way other than personal use for training purposes.

CANINE HOOPERS may occasionally take photographs or videos of dogs and handlers during training. Unless otherwise disclosed, you give permission for any resulting photographs or videos containing images of you and your dog to be used for advertising, educational material or promotional purposes.

We will not post images of people under 18 years old without the guardian’s permission.

Please contact info@caninehoopers.com.au if you would like your photography or video permissions altered.

Disputes and previous agreements

The handler and the instructor hereby agree to mediate any misunderstanding or dispute that may arise pursuant to the terms contained herein. This Contract for Training Services supersedes all other agreements, written or verbal, between the handler and CANINE HOOPERS.

Liability and responsibility

The handler acknowledges that training behaviour modification is an activity that carries inherent risk. You further acknowledge that your dog may be exposed to various environmental conditions, including but not limited to, vehicular travel, interaction with people and other animals, unfamiliar training equipment, all of which may pose a risk to you and your dog. You understand that there may be an activity in which damage or injury to you, your dog, or other person or animal, may occur.

CANINE HOOPERS accepts no responsibility or liability for any loss, damage, accident injury or illness to the handler, dog, other animals, people accompanying the handler, spectators or any other persons or property whatsoever. We make every effort to ensure the safety of both handlers and dogs during training.

Handlers agree to indemnify CANINE HOOPERS for all personal injury and damage to your property while participating in training.