INSTINCT DOGS — PRIVACY POLICY
Last updated: 25 August 2026
INSTINCT Dogs respects your privacy and is committed to protecting your personal information. This Privacy Policy explains what information we collect, why we collect it, how it is used and stored, and the rights you have over your personal information.
This policy applies when you visit our website, contact INSTINCT Dogs, make a booking, complete a client or behavioural assessment form, attend training or otherwise use our services.
2. Who controls the data
Then:
1. Who We Are
INSTINCT Dogs provides dog training and behaviour services across Lincolnshire and online throughout the UK.
For the purposes of UK data protection law, INSTINCT Dogs is the data controller for personal information collected directly in connection with our services.
If you have questions about how your personal information is handled or wish to exercise your data protection rights, you can contact INSTINCT Dogs using the contact details provided on this website.
2. Information We Collect
Depending on how you interact with INSTINCT Dogs, we may collect:
Your name, email address, telephone number and contact details.
Booking, appointment and payment information.
Information you provide through enquiry and intake forms.
Information about your dog, including breed, age, training history, behaviour, bite or aggression history and relevant health information.
Records and notes relating to training sessions and your dog's progress.
Communications between you and INSTINCT Dogs.
Photographs or video where appropriate and where the necessary permission has been obtained.
Technical information generated when you use our website, such as device, browser and website usage information, where applicable.
One distinction here: information about the dog's health isn't your human medical data, but we're still going to handle it responsibly.
3. How We Use Your Information
We may use your information to:
Respond to enquiries.
Manage appointments and bookings.
Assess your dog's training and behavioural needs.
Provide safe and appropriate training and behaviour services.
Maintain records of training and client communication.
Process payments and administer cancellations or refunds.
Contact you regarding your booking or ongoing training.
Meet legal, insurance, accounting or regulatory requirements.
Improve our services and website.
Send marketing communications where you have consented to receive them or where otherwise permitted by law.
4. Our Legal Basis for Processing
Under UK data protection law, we must have a lawful basis for processing personal information. Depending on the circumstances, we may process your information because:
it is necessary to take steps at your request before entering into a contract or to provide services you have contracted with us to provide;
it is necessary for our legitimate interests in operating and protecting the business and providing safe and effective services;
we are required to process information to comply with a legal obligation; or
you have provided consent, where consent is the appropriate lawful basis.
Where processing is based on consent, you may withdraw that consent at any time.
5. Who We Share Information With
We do not sell your personal information.
Personal information may be shared with trusted service providers where necessary to operate INSTINCT Dogs, including website hosting, appointment scheduling, payment processing, accounting, email and other business administration services.
This currently includes Squarespace and Acuity Scheduling, which are used to operate the website and manage online appointments.
Information may also be disclosed where required by law, to establish or defend legal claims, or where reasonably necessary to protect the safety or rights of a person or animal.
6. How Long We Keep Your Information
Personal information will only be retained for as long as reasonably necessary for the purpose for which it was collected, including providing services, maintaining appropriate training records and meeting legal, tax, insurance or accounting requirements.
Different categories of information may therefore be retained for different periods. Information that is no longer required will be securely deleted or anonymised where appropriate.
7. Your Rights
Under UK data protection law, you may have rights including the right to:
Request access to personal information held about you.
Ask for inaccurate information to be corrected.
Request deletion of your personal information in certain circumstances.
Request restriction of processing in certain circumstances.
Object to certain uses of your information.
Request transfer of certain information in a portable format.
Withdraw consent where processing relies upon consent.
You also have the right to raise a concern with the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) if you believe your personal information has not been handled appropriately.
8. Website & Cookies
The INSTINCT Dogs website may use cookies and similar technologies required for the website to function and, where enabled, to understand website usage or support other features.
Where required by law, non-essential cookies will not be used without the appropriate consent.
Further information about cookies used by the website may be provided through the website's cookie settings or cookie notice.
9. Changes to This Privacy Policy
This Privacy Policy may be updated periodically to reflect changes to our services, technology or legal obligations. The latest version will be published on this website with the date it was last updated.
10. Contact
For questions about this Privacy Policy or requests relating to your personal information, please contact INSTINCT Dogs using the contact details provided on this website.