Policies and Procedures
DYB K9 Terms of Service
Please read these terms before booking any service. These terms explain how services are delivered, client responsibilities, payments, cancellations, assessments, consultancy services and training provided by DYB K9.
Email: dybk9@outlook.com
Telephone: 07565 858678
Effective date: 25 August 2026
1. Introduction
These Terms of Service set out the basis on which DYB K9 provides dog training, behaviour support, consultations, group sessions, one-to-one sessions, workshops, assessments, reports and related services. By booking, paying for, attending or taking part in any DYB K9 service, the client confirms that they have read, understood and agree to these terms.
2. Definitions
DYB K9, we, us or our means the dog training business providing the service. Client, you or your means the person booking or receiving the service. Dog means the dog or dogs named during booking or assessment. Service means any training, consultation, class, workshop, assessment, written guidance, online support or related activity provided by DYB K9. Session means an individual appointment, class, consultation or training event.
3. Scope of Services
DYB K9 provides practical dog training, behaviour support, dangerous dog assessments, high-risk dog handling support, written reports, consultancy, specialist search training, workshops, organisational training and related professional services. Services may be provided to private clients, handlers, solicitors, local authorities, police forces, public bodies, charities, companies, dog units and other organisations where agreed in writing.
4. Professional Status and Scope of Advice
DYB K9 provides professional dog training, behaviour, assessment, reporting and consultancy services within the limits of its experience, qualifications, instructions and available information. DYB K9 does not provide veterinary, legal, medical, insurance, policing command, prosecution or regulatory advice. Clients and organisations should obtain specialist advice from the appropriate professional where required.
5. Insurance and Legal Compliance
Clients and organisations are responsible for ensuring that the dog, handler, premises, vehicle, activity and intended use of DYB K9’s services comply with all applicable laws, permissions, licences, insurance requirements, court orders, control orders, tenancy rules, workplace policies and organisational procedures. DYB K9 may request evidence of insurance, permissions, legal status, exemption status or authority to instruct before providing services. DYB K9 maintains business insurance for its services, subject to the applicable policy wording, limits, exclusions, conditions, period of insurance, declared activities and jurisdiction.
6. Bookings and Contract Formation
A booking is only confirmed when DYB K9 has accepted the booking and any required payment, deposit, written instruction, purchase order or booking information has been received. DYB K9 may refuse, postpone, suspend or cancel a booking where the work is unsuitable, unsafe, outside DYB K9’s expertise, outside agreed terms, not properly funded or not appropriate for the dog, handler, organisation, location or service requested. Clients must provide accurate and complete information about the dog’s health, history, behaviour, training needs, bite history, legal status, seizure status, risk history, medication and handling requirements before work begins.
7. Fees, Payments and Packages
Fees will be confirmed before booking. Payment must be made by the date stated on the invoice, booking confirmation or payment request. DYB K9 may withhold services, cancel a booking or refuse attendance where payment has not been received. Package sessions must be used within the period stated at booking unless DYB K9 agrees otherwise in writing.
8. Cancellations, Rescheduling and Refunds
Clients should give at least 48 hours’ notice to cancel or reschedule a standard session. Sessions cancelled with less than 48 hours’ notice may be charged in full, unless DYB K9 agrees otherwise. Specialist assessments, legal reports, consultancy days, organisational training, search training, high-risk work and services requiring travel, preparation, evidence review or third-party coordination may have different cancellation terms confirmed at booking. Fees may remain payable for work already completed, time reserved, travel booked, preparation, evidence review, report drafting or costs incurred. Where applicable, statutory consumer cancellation rights may apply.
9. Dog Health, Welfare and Suitability
DYB K9’s approach is based on animal welfare, safety, proportionate risk management and responsible handling. The client is responsible for ensuring their dog is fit, healthy, legally compliant and suitable to attend or take part. Dogs must not attend if unwell, injured, suffering from a contagious condition or likely to pose an unmanaged risk. DYB K9 may decline, pause, adapt or stop a session if there are welfare, safety, legal, suitability or risk concerns.
10. Client Responsibilities
- Keep the dog under appropriate control.
- Use safe, suitable and well-fitted equipment.
- Follow all safety instructions and site rules.
- Clean up after the dog and respect training areas, venues, staff, clients and the public.
- Inform DYB K9 immediately of changes in health, behaviour, medication, ownership or risk profile.
- Ensure children are supervised by a responsible adult.
11. Eligibility and Attendance
DYB K9 may require clients, handlers, representatives or attendees to be over a suitable age, physically capable of safely handling the dog and able to follow instructions. DYB K9 may refuse attendance where a person appears unsafe, abusive, under the influence of alcohol or drugs, unwilling to follow safety instructions or unsuitable for the planned work.
12. Training Methods and Behaviour Outcomes
DYB K9 aims to use fair, humane and welfare-conscious training methods. Dogs are living animals and behaviour can be affected by genetics, learning history, health, environment, handling, consistency and other factors. DYB K9 cannot guarantee a specific outcome, result, timescale or permanent behavioural change.
13. Online, Remote and Written Advice
Where advice is provided remotely, by telephone, video call, email or written material, DYB K9 relies on the accuracy and completeness of information supplied. Remote advice may be limited because DYB K9 may not directly observe the dog, handler, environment, equipment or risks. Clients must use their judgement, stop if unsafe and seek in-person or veterinary support where appropriate.
14. Safety, Risk and Behavioural Incidents
Dog training, assessments, high-risk behaviour work, dangerous dog handling, search training and operational-style exercises involve inherent risks, including injury, escape, bites, conflict, hazards, property damage and unpredictable behaviour. The client or commissioning organisation remains responsible for the dog, handler, site, equipment, permissions, legal compliance, insurance and risk controls unless otherwise agreed in writing. DYB K9 may require leads, long lines, muzzles, secure harnesses, exclusion zones, controlled access, additional handlers, secure venues or personal protective equipment. Incidents, near misses, bites, injury, escape, equipment failure or damage must be reported immediately.
15. Equipment and Training Environments
Clients and organisations must ensure collars, leads, long lines, harnesses, muzzles, crates, vehicles, barriers, training aids and other equipment are safe, lawful, suitable, maintained and correctly fitted. DYB K9 may recommend equipment changes or refuse to proceed where equipment or the environment creates unnecessary risk.
16. High-Risk Dog Training and Dangerous Dog Work
Work with dogs presenting heightened risk, including dogs with a bite history, alleged dangerous behaviour, legal restrictions, police involvement or public safety concerns, will be planned case by case. DYB K9 may require a pre-assessment, written history, veterinary information, incident records, insurance confirmation, muzzle conditioning, secure transport, controlled premises or additional handlers. DYB K9 may refuse or terminate work if risk cannot be managed safely or lawfully.
17. Dangerous Dog Assessments and Written Reports
DYB K9 may provide behaviour assessments, risk assessments, handling assessments, dangerous dog assessments, professional opinions and written reports where agreed. Reports are based on the information, observations, documents, videos, interviews and circumstances available at the time. DYB K9 does not guarantee any legal, court, police, local authority, insurance, housing, employment, operational or organisational outcome.
18. Use, Reliance and Independence of Reports
Reports, recommendations and professional opinions are provided for the stated purpose and intended recipient only unless DYB K9 gives written permission for wider use. Clients must not edit, selectively quote, misrepresent, publish or use a report for a different purpose without written consent. The client remains responsible for obtaining legal advice where a matter involves legal proceedings, enforcement action, dog control law, public safety orders, insurance disputes or regulatory decisions.
19. Organisational Consultancy
Organisational consultancy must be agreed in writing and may be subject to a proposal, statement of work, purchase order, contract or written instruction. The commissioning organisation remains responsible for its legal compliance, operational decisions, staff supervision, handler selection, insurance, policies, safeguarding, data protection, welfare, venue permissions, public safety and risk assessments unless otherwise agreed. DYB K9’s advice does not replace the organisation’s command structure, statutory duties, governance or professional judgement.
20. Specialist Search Training
Specialist search training may include detection, tracking, trailing, area search, building search, property search, evidence search, article search or environmental search where agreed. Training is tailored to the handler, dog, organisation, objective, environment and risk profile. DYB K9 does not guarantee operational, deployment, accreditation, licensing, policing, security or organisational acceptance unless expressly agreed and independently assessed.
21. Confidentiality and Sensitive Information
Clients and organisations may provide sensitive information including incident details, legal documents, police information, operational procedures, training methods, site information, personal data, video footage, photographs, veterinary records, witness accounts and organisational materials. DYB K9 will handle such information responsibly and use it only for the agreed service, subject to legal duties, safeguarding concerns, insurance requirements, court directions or lawful requests.
22. Liability
Nothing in these terms limits or excludes liability where unlawful to do so. Subject to this, the client or commissioning organisation is responsible for loss, injury, claim, cost, damage, enforcement action, operational consequence or expense caused by their dog, handler, staff, premises, equipment, actions, omissions, failure to follow instructions, failure to disclose information or inaccurate information. DYB K9 will not be responsible for indirect losses, loss of profit, loss of opportunity, failed operational outcomes, failed legal outcomes or matters outside its reasonable control.
23. Veterinary Care and Emergencies
If a dog appears unwell, injured, distressed or in need of urgent care, DYB K9 may pause or stop the session and advise the client to seek veterinary advice. Where emergency veterinary treatment is necessary and the client cannot be contacted, DYB K9 may take reasonable steps in the dog’s best interests. The client remains responsible for veterinary fees unless otherwise agreed.
24. Travel, Venues, Access and Delays
The client or organisation must ensure safe access, parking where reasonably required, permission to use the location and disclosure of hazards. Additional travel, waiting time, parking, congestion charges, accommodation or access costs may be charged where agreed or reasonably incurred. DYB K9 may leave, postpone or charge for reserved time if access is unsafe, unavailable, delayed or materially different from what was agreed.
25. Photography, Video and Marketing
DYB K9 may request permission to take photographs or videos for training review, progress tracking, social media, website content, marketing or education. Consent will be sought where required. Clients may withdraw consent for future use by contacting DYB K9, although this may not affect material already published where removal is not reasonably practical.
26. Client Conduct, Safeguarding and Respectful Working
Abusive, threatening, discriminatory, unsafe, obstructive or inappropriate behaviour will not be accepted. DYB K9 may end a session, refuse future bookings or report concerns where conduct creates a safety, welfare, safeguarding, legal or professional concern. Any child or vulnerable person attending must be appropriately supervised.
27. Data Protection and Privacy
DYB K9 will handle client and dog information responsibly and only for legitimate business purposes, including managing bookings, providing services, keeping safety records, communicating with clients, processing payments and complying with legal obligations. A separate Privacy Policy should explain how personal data is collected, used, stored, shared and protected.
28. Records, Evidence and Document Retention
DYB K9 may keep records relating to bookings, assessments, incidents, reports, correspondence, payment history, risk information, dog behaviour history, training plans, photographs, videos and organisational instructions where reasonably necessary for service delivery, safety, insurance, legal, regulatory, dispute or professional record-keeping purposes.
29. Complaints and Disputes
If a client is unhappy with a service, they should contact DYB K9 as soon as possible so the matter can be reviewed. DYB K9 will aim to respond fairly, professionally and within a reasonable timeframe.
30. Changes to These Terms
DYB K9 may update these Terms of Service from time to time. The terms in force at the time of booking will usually apply to that booking unless a change is required by law, safety, welfare, insurance or operational need.
31. Force Majeure
DYB K9 will not be liable for delay, cancellation, non-performance or reduced performance caused by events outside its reasonable control, including illness, injury, severe weather, transport disruption, venue closure, public disorder, emergency service activity, disease outbreak, animal welfare emergency, legal restriction, safety concern, power or technology failure or third-party actions.
32. Severability, Waiver and Entire Agreement
If any part of these terms is invalid, unlawful or unenforceable, the remaining terms continue to apply as far as legally possible. These terms, together with any booking confirmation, proposal, statement of work, invoice, written instruction, privacy policy and service-specific agreement, form the agreement for the relevant service.
33. Governing Law
These terms are governed by the laws of England and Wales. The courts of England and Wales will have jurisdiction in relation to disputes, subject to mandatory consumer rights that apply.