CONTACT US

07827 294788
 info@schoolforhounds.co.uk

OUR POLICIES

Booking & Payment Policy

Booking & Payment

All classes and 1:1 sessions, including behaviour consultations, must be booked and paid for in advance.

Leaps & Bounds are unfortunately unable to reserve or hold spaces in classes or time slots for 1:1 sessions. A booking is only secured once payment has been received in full and we have confirmed receipt of payment via email, text or WhatsApp.

At the time of booking, you will receive an invoice confirming the agreed date and time of your session. Payment must be made within 2 working days of the invoice being issued.

If payment is not received within this timeframe, we reserve the right to release the booking and make the space or appointment available to another client.

Payment

We accept payment via bank transfer, with our bank details provided on your booking invoice.

Once payment has been made, we ask that you send us a screenshot of the transaction and/or confirmation that payment has been made. This allows us to keep our payment records up to date and identify payments promptly.

Once we have received and verified your payment, we will confirm receipt and your booking will be officially secured.

Booking Enquiries

We aim to respond to all booking enquiries as promptly as possible, usually within 24–48 hours during our normal office hours.

Our current office opening hours can be found on the “Contact Us” page of our website.

Please note that enquiries received outside of our usual office hours may be responded to on the next working day.

Block Booking Discounts

We offer discounts on selected block bookings:

  • 6-session block booking: £15 discount off the total fee
  • 4-session block booking: £10 discount off the total fee

Please note that these discounts do not apply to classes, Hoopers 1:1 sessions or Agility 1:1 sessions.

All discounts are offered at management discretion and cannot be assumed or applied retrospectively unless agreed by Leaps & Bounds.

 

Cancellation & Attendance Policy

1:1 Sessions

We require a minimum of 48 hours’ notice for any cancellation or request to transfer a 1:1 session.

Please note that we do not offer refunds for cancellations. If you are unable to attend your scheduled session, we are happy to offer one of the following options:

  • Transfer your booking to the next available date; or
  • Receive a credit for the amount paid, which must be used within 2 months of the original booking date.

Cancellations or transfer requests made with less than 48 hours’ notice will result in the loss of the full booking fee.

If the cancellation policy is not followed, a £25 cancellation or transfer fee may be charged. Where a client repeatedly cancels and/or reschedules their booking, we reserve the right to charge the full consultation fee in addition to any applicable cancellation or transfer fee. Management discretion applies in all circumstances.

Class Attendance

If you are unable to attend a scheduled class session, please notify us via the class WhatsApp group so that our trainers are aware of your absence.

Please note that we do not offer refunds for missed classes.

Due to class sizes and availability, missed sessions cannot be transferred to another class date and cannot be carried forward as credit towards the next block of classes.

Behaviour & Conduct

Leaps & Bounds reserves the right to ask any disruptive dog and/or handler to leave a class at any time.

We are committed to maintaining a safe, respectful and positive environment for everyone. Rude, abusive, threatening or inappropriate behaviour towards any member of staff will not be tolerated.

If you or your dog are asked to leave a class due to disruptive or inappropriate behaviour, no refund will be provided.

 

Photography, Video & Social Media Policy

Photography & Video Recording

Leaps & Bounds may occasionally take photographs or video recordings during classes and 1:1 sessions. This may be used to demonstrate training techniques and to showcase and promote our classes, activities and services through our advertising, website and social media channels.

By signing our booking and/or behaviour forms, you are providing consent for Leaps & Bounds to photograph or record you while attending a session.

However, we will always verbally check with you before any photography or filming takes place to confirm that you are still happy to be recorded.

Withdrawing Consent

You have the right to withdraw your consent at any time. If you no longer wish to appear in photographs or video recordings, please notify us in writing, and we will respect your request for any future photography or filming.

We will not share photographs or video footage on our website, social media or WhatsApp without the appropriate client consent.

Clients Taking Photographs or Videos

We understand that clients may wish to take their own photographs or videos during sessions.

If your photograph or video is likely to include other clients, handlers or dogs, please speak to the trainer conducting the session beforehand. The trainer will then ensure that the appropriate consent has been obtained from everyone who may appear in the footage.

Please do not photograph or record other clients, handlers or their dogs without their consent.

Training Videos Shared via WhatsApp

From time to time, Leaps & Bounds may send clients videos of our own dogs completing training tasks via WhatsApp, for training, demonstration or educational purposes.

These videos are provided for the intended recipient’s personal use only and must not be:

  • Forwarded or shared with third parties;
  • Posted or uploaded to social media;
  • Published on websites or other online platforms; or
  • Otherwise distributed without prior permission from Leaps & Bounds.

By accepting or receiving these videos, you agree to respect these restrictions.

 

Season Policy

Female Dogs in Season

For the comfort, safety and wellbeing of all dogs and handlers attending our sessions, female dogs who are in season must not attend classes or 1:1 sessions.

A female dog in season can affect the behaviour and concentration of other dogs attending a class or 1:1 session. Some dogs may become highly distracted, excited or frustrated by her presence, which can impact the safety, comfort and effectiveness of the session for everyone.

For this reason, dogs must not attend while they are in season, even if season pants, nappies or other protective garments are being worn.

If your dog comes into season, we ask that you notify the Leaps & Bounds office as soon as possible so that we can discuss the available options for your booking.

If your dog comes into season unexpectedly on the day of a session, please contact us as soon as possible and do not bring your dog to the session.

Class Sessions

If your dog comes into season and is unable to attend a class, we encourage the handler to attend the class without their dog wherever possible. This allows you to take part in the lesson, learn the exercises being taught and continue practising them at home with your dog.

Please note that we do not offer refunds for missed classes.

Due to class sizes and availability, missed class sessions cannot be transferred to another class date and cannot be carried forward as credit towards the next block of classes.

1:1 Sessions

Our usual 48-hour cancellation policy applies if your dog comes into season and is unable to attend a scheduled 1:1 session.

We require a minimum of 48 hours’ notice for any cancellation or request to transfer a 1:1 session.

We do not offer refunds for cancellations. Where sufficient notice is provided, we are happy to offer either:

  • A transfer of your original booking to the next available date; or
  • A credit for the booking amount paid, which must be used within 2 months of the original booking date.

Cancellations or transfer requests made with less than 48 hours’ notice will result in the loss of the full booking fee.

If the cancellation policy is not followed, a £25 cancellation or transfer fee may be charged. If a client repeatedly cancels and/or reschedules their booking, we reserve the right to charge the full consultation fee in addition to any applicable cancellation or transfer fee. Management discretion applies in all circumstances.

If your dog remains in season for an extended period and this affects a future booking, please contact us as soon as possible so that we can discuss the available options.

We appreciate your cooperation in following this policy. It helps us to maintain a safe, comfortable and positive learning environment for all dogs and handlers attending Leaps & Bounds.

 

 

Kennel Cough Policy

Kennel Cough Vaccination

The Kennel Cough vaccine is not mandatory for dogs attending Leaps & Bounds. The decision of whether or not to vaccinate against Kennel Cough remains entirely at the owner’s discretion.

However, if you choose to have your dog vaccinated against Kennel Cough, we ask that your dog does not attend any classes or 1:1 sessions with Leaps & Bounds for 2 weeks following vaccination.

This applies to all Leaps & Bounds classes and 1:1 sessions, including behaviour consultations.

Why do we have this policy?

Some Kennel Cough vaccines are live vaccines, meaning they contain a weakened form of the bacteria associated with Kennel Cough, such as Bordetella bronchiseptica.

Following vaccination, a vaccinated dog may shed the vaccine strain for a period of time. As Leaps & Bounds has multiple dogs attending classes and 1:1 sessions, we ask owners to observe the 2-week exclusion period following vaccination as a precautionary measure.

This policy helps us to reduce the potential risk of transmission between dogs and maintain a safe and healthy environment for all dogs attending Leaps & Bounds.

If Your Dog Develops Kennel Cough Symptoms

If your dog develops symptoms associated with Kennel Cough, including coughing, gagging or retching, please do not bring your dog to any Leaps & Bounds class or 1:1 session.

We ask that you:

  • Keep your dog isolated from other dogs to help reduce the risk of spreading infection.
  • Notify Leaps & Bounds as soon as possible if your dog has developed symptoms and is due to attend a session.
  • Keep your dog away from Leaps & Bounds sessions for a minimum of 3 weeks from the date of their last cough, even if they appear to have recovered sooner.

If your dog has been diagnosed with Kennel Cough or you are concerned about their symptoms, we recommend seeking advice from your veterinary practice.

The 3-week exclusion period is intended as a precaution to help protect other dogs attending Leaps & Bounds and minimise the potential spread of respiratory infection.

We appreciate your cooperation in following this policy and helping us to protect the health and wellbeing of all dogs attending Leaps & Bounds.