INSTINCT DOGS — TERMS & CONDITIONS
Last updated: 25 August 2026
These Terms & Conditions apply to dog training and behaviour services provided by INSTINCT Dogs, including one-to-one training, behaviour consultations, group training, virtual consultations and residential/Board & Train services.
By booking or purchasing a service from INSTINCT Dogs, you confirm that you have read, understood and agreed to these Terms & Conditions.
1. Bookings and Payment
Bookings are not confirmed until the booking process has been completed and any payment required at the time of booking has been received.
Prices are those displayed at the time of booking. INSTINCT Dogs reserves the right to change prices for future bookings, but this will not affect services that have already been booked and paid for.
2. Cancellations and Rescheduling
Clients must provide at least 48 hours' notice if they wish to cancel or reschedule an appointment.
Appointments cancelled with less than 48 hours' notice may be non-refundable and the full session fee may be payable, except where otherwise required by law or where INSTINCT Dogs agrees otherwise.
If INSTINCT Dogs needs to cancel or reschedule a session, you will be offered an alternative appointment or an appropriate refund.
3. Client Responsibilities
Clients are responsible for providing complete and accurate information about their dog before and throughout training.
You must disclose any known behavioural concerns that could affect the safety or delivery of training, including previous aggression, bites or attempted bites, resource guarding, reactivity, fear-related behaviour, escape behaviour or incidents involving people or other animals.
You must also inform INSTINCT Dogs of any relevant changes in your dog's behaviour, health or circumstances during the training programme.
Dogs must remain under the control of their owner or handler unless specifically instructed otherwise by the trainer.
4. Aggression, Reactivity & Bite History
INSTINCT Dogs works with dogs displaying a range of behavioural challenges, including reactivity and aggression.
Working with behavioural problems carries an inherent degree of risk. Behaviour can be unpredictable, particularly where fear, frustration, aggression or a previous bite history is involved.
Clients must disclose all known incidents of biting, attempted biting or aggressive behaviour before training begins. Failure to disclose relevant behavioural history may result in a session or training programme being suspended or terminated where necessary for safety.
Where appropriate, additional safety measures may be required before or during training, including the use of leads, long lines, barriers, muzzles or other suitable equipment.
5. Health & Veterinary Care
Clients are responsible for ensuring their dog is physically fit to participate in training and for informing INSTINCT Dogs of any injury, illness, medication or other health issue that could reasonably affect training.
INSTINCT Dogs may recommend that veterinary advice is sought where pain, illness or another medical issue could be contributing to a dog's behaviour.
Training is not a substitute for veterinary diagnosis or treatment.
6. Training Methods & Equipment
INSTINCT Dogs uses an individual, evidence-led approach to training. Methods are selected according to the dog, behaviour, environment and training objective rather than following a single prescribed training methodology.
Training may involve reinforcement, management, clear boundaries, appropriate consequences and the use of suitable training equipment.
Where equipment or a particular technique is recommended, its appropriate use will be explained or demonstrated. Clients are responsible for following the guidance provided and using equipment safely and appropriately between sessions.
7. Attendance at Training Sessions
For safety reasons, persons under the age of 18 are not permitted to attend training sessions.
A maximum of two adult owners or handlers per dog may attend a session unless otherwise agreed in advance.
Anyone attending a training session must follow the trainer's instructions, particularly where dogs displaying reactive, fearful or aggressive behaviour are present.
Clients must not approach, handle, interact with or allow their dog to approach another client's dog unless specifically instructed to do so.
INSTINCT Dogs reserves the right to ask any attendee to leave a session where their actions create a safety risk, significantly disrupt training or prevent the session from being conducted appropriately.
8. Group Classes
Dogs attending group training must be suitable for the class in which they are enrolled. Clients must disclose any known reactivity, aggression, bite history or other behaviour that may affect the safety or welfare of other dogs or people before attending the first class.
Admission to a group class does not guarantee that the class environment will remain appropriate for an individual dog. Where INSTINCT Dogs considers that a dog would be better supported through individual training, the client may be asked to discontinue group attendance and discuss alternative training options.
Dogs must remain on lead unless instructed otherwise and owners must maintain appropriate control of their dog throughout the class.
Clients should maintain reasonable space between dogs and must not allow dogs to greet or interact unless directed by the trainer.
One handler should be nominated as the primary handler during exercises where two owners attend, to ensure instructions and communication with the dog remain clear.
Missed group sessions are generally not transferable or refundable, as a place has been reserved for that dog for the duration of the course. This does not affect any statutory rights the client may have.
9. Virtual Training
Virtual consultations are delivered remotely and rely on the client providing accurate information and, where appropriate, suitable video footage of the dog's behaviour.
Clients are responsible for ensuring that any exercises recommended during a virtual consultation are carried out in a safe and suitable environment.
Clients must not deliberately provoke, recreate or escalate aggressive, reactive or otherwise unsafe behaviour for the purpose of demonstrating it on camera.
Where a behavioural concern cannot reasonably or safely be assessed remotely, INSTINCT Dogs may recommend an in-person assessment or another appropriate professional service.
10. Safety During Training
Safety takes priority over completion of any particular exercise or training plan.
Clients must follow reasonable safety instructions given by INSTINCT Dogs and use any agreed management measures where necessary.
INSTINCT Dogs may modify, pause or discontinue an exercise or session where continuing would present an unreasonable risk to the dog, client, trainer, another person or another animal.
Where a dog presents a level or type of risk that cannot reasonably be managed within the service being provided, INSTINCT Dogs reserves the right to decline or discontinue that service and, where appropriate, recommend alternative professional support.
11. Board & Train Services
Dogs accepted for Board & Train must undergo any assessment or pre-programme consultation required by INSTINCT Dogs before their stay.
Clients must provide complete and accurate information regarding their dog's behaviour, health, medical history, dietary requirements, medication, allergies, previous aggression, bite history, escape behaviour and any other information relevant to the dog's safe care and training.
INSTINCT Dogs reserves the right to refuse or terminate a Board & Train placement where information provided before admission was materially incomplete or inaccurate, or where the dog's behaviour presents a level of risk that could not reasonably have been anticipated or safely managed.
Health & Medication
Dogs must be in suitable health to participate in a Board & Train programme. Clients must provide clear written instructions for any medication, dietary requirements or ongoing veterinary care.
Medication will be administered in accordance with the instructions provided by the client or prescribing veterinary surgeon.
Clients must provide details of their dog's usual veterinary practice and an emergency contact who can make decisions on their behalf if they cannot be reached.
Emergency Veterinary Treatment
If a dog becomes ill or injured during their stay, INSTINCT Dogs will make reasonable efforts to contact the owner or nominated emergency contact.
Where urgent veterinary treatment is reasonably considered necessary and the owner cannot be contacted in time, the client authorises INSTINCT Dogs to obtain appropriate veterinary treatment in the dog's best interests.
The client remains responsible for veterinary costs arising during the stay except where those costs result from negligence or another legal responsibility of INSTINCT Dogs.
Food & Personal Items
Clients must provide sufficient food for the duration of the stay unless otherwise agreed.
Any dietary restrictions, allergies or feeding requirements must be disclosed before the programme begins.
Personal items may accompany the dog where agreed, but clients should avoid supplying valuable or irreplaceable items. Reasonable care will be taken, but ordinary wear or damage caused by the dog cannot be guaranteed against.
Training & Daily Management
During Board & Train, dogs may participate in structured training sessions, walks, environmental exposure, travel and other activities considered appropriate to their individual programme.
The nature, intensity and progression of training will be determined according to the individual dog's behaviour, welfare, capabilities and training objectives.
Appropriate leads, long lines, muzzles, crates, barriers and other training or management equipment may be used where reasonably required.
Dogs will not be intentionally placed into situations considered unnecessarily unsafe solely for the purpose of provoking or demonstrating unwanted behaviour.
Collection
Dogs must be collected at the agreed date and time unless alternative arrangements have been made in advance.
If an owner is unexpectedly unable to collect their dog, they must contact INSTINCT Dogs as soon as possible. Additional boarding or care charges may apply where a dog's stay has to be extended.
Dogs will only be released to the owner or another adult specifically authorised by the owner.
12. Training Outcomes
Dog behaviour is influenced by numerous factors including genetics, previous learning, environment, health, owner behaviour and consistency of training.
For this reason, INSTINCT Dogs does not guarantee a particular behavioural outcome or permanent resolution of any behavioural problem.
Training provides owners with professional assessment, instruction, strategies and practical skills intended to improve behaviour and communication.
Progress following training depends substantially upon owners consistently applying the guidance provided.
13. Risk & Liability
Working with dogs carries an inherent degree of risk. Dogs are animals whose behaviour can change according to their environment, emotional state, health, previous learning and the actions of people or animals around them.
Clients remain responsible for their dog and for taking reasonable precautions to prevent injury, escape, damage or unwanted interactions, except while responsibility for the dog has expressly been transferred to INSTINCT Dogs as part of an agreed service such as Board & Train.
Clients must follow reasonable safety and management instructions provided during training.
INSTINCT Dogs cannot accept responsibility for injury, loss or damage arising from a client's failure to disclose relevant information, failure to follow reasonable safety instructions, inappropriate use of training equipment or actions taken contrary to the guidance provided.
Nothing in these Terms & Conditions excludes or limits liability where it would be unlawful to do so, including liability that cannot legally be excluded under UK consumer law.
14. Photography & Video
Photography and video may be useful for reviewing training, monitoring progress and supporting client education.
Where INSTINCT Dogs wishes to use identifiable photographs or video of a client for marketing, social media, website or promotional purposes, appropriate consent will be obtained.
Consent to marketing photography or video is not a condition of receiving training services and may be declined.
Clients must not photograph, film or publish images of other clients, their dogs or private training sessions without permission.
15. Privacy & Personal Information
INSTINCT Dogs collects and processes personal information necessary to administer bookings, communicate with clients, provide training services, maintain appropriate records and meet legal or regulatory obligations.
Information concerning a dog's health and behavioural history may also be recorded where relevant to the safe and effective provision of services.
Personal information will be handled in accordance with the INSTINCT Dogs Privacy Policy and applicable UK data protection legislation.
16. Refusal or Termination of Services
INSTINCT Dogs reserves the right to decline, suspend or discontinue training where reasonably necessary, including where:
relevant behavioural or safety information has not been disclosed;
a client repeatedly fails to follow reasonable safety instructions;
the welfare of a dog may be compromised;
a person behaves in a threatening, abusive or inappropriate manner;
the training environment becomes unsafe;
the service being provided is no longer considered suitable for the dog or circumstances; or
payment obligations have not been met.
Where services are terminated, any refund due will be considered according to the circumstances, services already provided, these Terms & Conditions and the client's statutory rights.
17. Consumer Rights
Nothing in these Terms & Conditions affects rights provided to consumers by applicable UK law.
Where services are purchased online or at a distance, clients may have statutory cancellation rights. Where a client asks for a service to begin during an applicable statutory cancellation period, additional consent or acknowledgement may be required in accordance with consumer law.
Any cancellation rights, refunds or deductions for services already supplied will be dealt with in accordance with applicable legislation.
18. Changes to Bookings & Services
INSTINCT Dogs may make reasonable changes to session locations, timings or arrangements where circumstances require it.
Where a material change affects a client's booking, reasonable efforts will be made to notify the client and provide an appropriate alternative where possible.
19. Governing Law
These Terms & Conditions are governed by the laws of England and Wales.
Any dispute will be subject to the jurisdiction applicable under UK consumer law.
20. Contact
Questions regarding these Terms & Conditions or a booking should be directed to INSTINCT Dogs using the contact details provided on this website.