Board & Train Terms

They should be read together with:

• your Residential Training Proposal;
• your dog’s Training Blueprint;
• any veterinary, behavioural or medical information supplied by you;
• any consent forms completed in connection with the programme; and
• any written amendments subsequently agreed between us.

Where there is any inconsistency between these Terms and a personalised Residential Training Proposal, the Proposal will take priority in relation to the programme dates, duration, price and expressly agreed training objectives.

By accepting the Proposal, signing these Terms or paying the Reservation Payment, you confirm that you have read and agree to these Terms.

1. The service

1.1 Residential Training

Residential Training is an individually planned dog-training service under which your dog stays in our care for an agreed period while receiving structured training.

Programmes will normally run for 3, 4 or 5 weeks, although another duration may be agreed where appropriate.

Programme duration is recommended following assessment and is based on factors including:

• your dog’s existing training;
• behavioural history;
• the objectives you want to achieve;
• the complexity of the work required;
• the time reasonably required for development and proofing; and
• the suitability of Residential Training for the individual dog.

A longer programme is not a higher tier of service. It provides additional training time where the dog’s circumstances and agreed objectives require it.

1.2 Individual programme

Every dog’s programme is individual. Your Proposal and/or Training Blueprint will identify the principal objectives we intend to work towards. These are training objectives rather than guaranteed outcomes.

We may reasonably adjust the order, emphasis, exercises, environments or training plan during the programme where doing so is appropriate for the dog’s welfare, learning or progress.

1.3 Assessment and acceptance

Submission of an application or attendance at an assessment does not guarantee acceptance onto Residential Training. We may decline a booking where we reasonably believe:

• Residential Training is unsuitable for the dog;
• the dog’s medical or behavioural circumstances cannot safely be accommodated;
• the requested objectives are unrealistic;
• required information has not been supplied;
• our facilities, licence or insurance do not permit us to accept the dog;
• there would be an unacceptable risk to the dog, another animal, a person or property; or
• another form of training or professional intervention would be more appropriate.

2. Programme fees

Your total programme fee will be stated in your Residential Training Proposal. Unless otherwise stated in writing, current programme pricing is:

• 3 weeks — £2,500
• 4 weeks — £3,500
• 5 weeks — £4,500

The applicable price is the price stated in the Proposal accepted by you.

3. Reservation Payment

3.1 Securing a place

A £500 Reservation Payment is required to reserve the agreed Residential Training dates. The Reservation Payment forms part of, and is credited against, the total programme fee. It is not an additional charge.

No programme dates are guaranteed until:

1. we have confirmed acceptance of the dog;
2. these Terms have been accepted;
3. any required information and consent has been provided; and
4. the Reservation Payment has cleared.

3.2 Nature of the Reservation Payment

The Reservation Payment reserves capacity that may otherwise have been offered to another client. If you subsequently cancel, we may retain all or part of the Reservation Payment where it reasonably reflects losses or costs caused by the cancellation.

We will not retain more than is reasonably justified by our actual or reasonably anticipated loss, taking into account costs saved and our ability to rebook the reserved place. Nothing in these Terms affects any statutory rights that cannot lawfully be excluded.

4. Balance payment

The remaining programme balance must be paid no later than 14 calendar days before your dog’s agreed arrival date, unless different written payment terms appear in your Proposal.

If the balance is not received by the due date, we may contact you and require payment within a reasonable further period. If payment remains outstanding, we may treat the booking as cancelled by you. Any cancellation charge will then be determined under clause 5.

A dog cannot normally be admitted for Residential Training while any programme balance remains unpaid.

5. Cancellation by the Owner

Residential places require significant advance capacity to be reserved. If you cancel after a programme has been confirmed, the following will be used as the maximum cancellation charge, subject always to our obligation to act fairly and to take account of costs saved and any ability to refill the place:

• More than 28 days before arrival — Up to the £500 Reservation Payment may be retained.
• 15–28 days before arrival — Up to 50% of the total programme fee may be payable.
• 14 days or less before arrival — Up to 100% of the total programme fee may be payable.
• No-show or cancellation on/after the programme start date — Up to 100% of the total programme fee may be payable.

These percentages are not automatic penalties. Where our actual loss is lower, for example because the place is successfully rebooked or material costs are avoided, the cancellation charge will be reduced accordingly. Any amount paid above the applicable reasonable cancellation charge will be refunded.

6. Changing programme dates

If you need to change your programme dates, tell us as soon as possible. A request to move dates does not automatically entitle you to alternative dates and is subject to availability.

Where reasonable and sufficient notice is given, we may agree to transfer the Reservation Payment to another available programme date. Where a late date change prevents us from filling the original residential place, it may be treated as a cancellation under clause 5.

We will act reasonably in considering:

• the amount of notice provided;
• why the date needs to change;
• whether the original place can be refilled;
• whether costs have already been incurred; and
• availability of alternative dates.

7. Cancellation or changes by us

We may need to change or cancel a programme because of illness, emergency, premises issues, licensing requirements, circumstances affecting animal welfare or another event that reasonably prevents us from providing the programme safely.

Where we cancel and cannot provide a reasonable alternative, you will receive a refund of payments made for services that have not been supplied. We will not retain a cancellation charge where cancellation is our responsibility. Where appropriate, we may instead offer alternative programme dates for you to accept or decline.

8. Owner’s duty of full disclosure

You must provide complete and accurate information about your dog. This includes, where relevant:

• previous bites or attempted bites;
• aggression towards people;
• aggression or reactivity towards dogs or other animals;
• resource guarding;
• escape behaviour;
• predatory behaviour;
• separation-related behaviour;
• handling sensitivity;
• previous training;
• previous use of training equipment;
• known triggers;
• medical conditions;
• injuries;
• allergies;
• medication;
• previous surgery;
• dietary requirements;
• veterinary advice;
• infectious disease;
• vaccination history; and
• any other information that could reasonably affect training, handling, accommodation, health or safety.

You must tell us if any relevant information changes between assessment and arrival.

8.1 Material non-disclosure

Failure to disclose relevant information may place your dog, other animals, staff or members of the public at risk. Where material information was withheld or was materially inaccurate, we may:

• modify the programme;
• suspend particular activities;
• require veterinary or behavioural assessment;
• require early collection; or
• terminate the programme where continuing would not be safe or appropriate.

Any financial adjustment following termination will take account of the reason for termination, services already supplied, reasonable costs incurred, costs saved and any applicable consumer rights.

9. Health and fitness for boarding

Your dog must be reasonably fit to participate in the agreed programme. Before arrival you must provide any health information and records reasonably requested by us. This may include evidence of:

• vaccinations;
• flea treatment;
• worming;
• veterinary history;
• prescribed medication; and
• any relevant medical diagnosis.

You must tell us immediately if, before arrival, your dog:

• becomes unwell;
• suffers vomiting or diarrhoea;
• develops symptoms of infectious disease;
• experiences an injury;
• begins medication;
• has contact with an infectious animal; or
• experiences another material change in health.

We may postpone or refuse admission where accepting the dog would create an unreasonable health or welfare risk.

10. Food

Unless otherwise agreed in writing, you are responsible for supplying sufficient quantities of your dog’s normal food for the duration of the programme. This reduces unnecessary dietary change during the residential stay.

Food must be clearly identified and accompanied by appropriate feeding instructions. If additional food reasonably needs to be purchased during the programme, you agree to reimburse the reasonable cost unless the need arose because of our failure to exercise reasonable care.

11. Medication

We will only administer medication where we have agreed to do so. Medication must:

• be clearly identified;
• be supplied in sufficient quantity;
• include accurate dosage instructions; and
• where appropriate, correspond with veterinary directions.

You authorise us to administer agreed medication in accordance with the instructions supplied. We may seek veterinary advice where we reasonably believe medication instructions are unclear or the dog’s condition requires it.

12. Veterinary care and emergencies

You must provide:

• your normal veterinary practice details;
• an emergency contact who can make decisions if you are unavailable; and
• any relevant insurance information.

If your dog becomes ill or injured, we will make reasonable efforts to contact you. If you cannot be contacted and we reasonably believe veterinary treatment is necessary, you authorise us to obtain appropriate veterinary assessment or treatment in the interests of your dog’s welfare.

Except where costs arise because we failed to exercise reasonable care and skill, you are responsible for reasonable veterinary fees relating to illness, injury, pre-existing conditions or other veterinary treatment required during the programme. Where immediate treatment is required to protect the dog’s welfare, obtaining prior permission may not always be practicable.

Nothing in these Terms authorises anyone other than a veterinary surgeon, or another person lawfully authorised by a veterinary surgeon, to euthanise your dog. Except where immediate action is essential for animal welfare, you or your nominated emergency contact will be consulted before euthanasia is considered.

13. Training methods

Residential Training is individually designed. Training may incorporate, as appropriate to the dog:

• food and other rewards;
• play;
• engagement;
• marker training;
• structured routines;
• lead communication;
• long-line work;
• environmental exposure;
• impulse-control exercises;
• place training;
• recall training;
• obedience;
• pressure and release where lawful and appropriate;
• management equipment; and
• other training techniques or equipment agreed for the individual dog.

We will exercise professional judgement when selecting training methods and equipment. Nothing will be intentionally used in a manner designed to cause unnecessary pain, suffering or injury. All training remains subject to applicable animal-welfare law, licence conditions and insurance requirements.

14. Electronic collar / e-collar training

14.1 E-collars form part of our available training system

Where appropriate for the individual dog and agreed programme, Residential Training may include the introduction, conditioning and use of a remote electronic training collar (“e-collar”). The use of an e-collar is not automatically appropriate for every dog. Its use will depend upon factors including:

• the dog’s temperament and behaviour;
• existing training;
• programme objectives;
• welfare considerations;
• the dog’s response to training;
• applicable law;
• applicable licence conditions; and
• insurance requirements.

14.2 Owner consent

Where e-collar training forms part of the proposed programme, this will be discussed with you. By separately consenting to e-collar training, you authorise us to:

• fit an appropriate e-collar to your dog;
• condition the dog to the equipment;
• use the equipment as part of the agreed training programme; and
• teach you how to use the equipment during the owner handover.

Consent may be recorded within your Proposal, Training Blueprint or a separate E-Collar Consent Form.

14.3 Appropriate use

Where an e-collar is used, it will be used according to the individual dog’s training and response rather than according to a universal predetermined setting or protocol. E-collar use will remain subject to our professional judgement and the dog’s welfare throughout the programme. We may discontinue or change its use if we believe continued use is inappropriate.

14.4 Compliance

E-collar training will only be provided where and to the extent that its use is lawful and compatible with any applicable boarding or animal-activity licence, regulatory requirement and insurance condition. If the regulatory position changes, or a relevant licence or insurer prevents a particular use, we may modify the training programme accordingly. Such modification will not automatically amount to breach of contract where we can still reasonably provide the substantive training service agreed.

14.5 Equipment supplied

Where an e-collar is included as part of the agreed programme and stated as included in the Proposal, the agreed equipment will be provided for your continued use after the programme. You will receive instruction in:

• fitting;
• operation;
• charging and maintenance;
• the dog’s conditioning;
• appropriate timing;
• how the equipment relates to commands already taught;
• appropriate and inappropriate use; and
• how the equipment should be incorporated into the dog’s ongoing training.

You must not use equipment contrary to the instructions provided or in a manner that compromises your dog’s welfare.

14.6 No mandatory use after collection

Where an e-collar has been incorporated into training, we will explain our recommended continuation plan. You remain responsible for decisions concerning your dog after the dog has returned to your care, subject to applicable law.

15. Equipment

Where stated as included in your Proposal, appropriate training equipment may be supplied as part of the programme. Depending upon the individual dog this may include:

• training lead;
• long line;
• training collar;
• tab;
• place-training equipment; and/or
• electronic collar equipment.

The exact equipment supplied will depend upon the individual programme. We do not guarantee that every item listed above will be appropriate for or supplied to every dog.

16. Transport and training away from the premises

Residential Training may require the dog to be transported to suitable training environments. Subject to your consent, you authorise us to transport the dog for purposes reasonably connected with:

• training;
• exercise;
• veterinary care;
• environmental exposure;
• owner handover; and
• other agreed programme activities.

Dogs will be transported using appropriate restraint and reasonable measures to protect their welfare.

17. Off-lead training

Where appropriate to the dog’s programme, off-lead or long-line work may form part of recall, obedience or proofing. We will only carry out off-lead training where:

• we consider it reasonably safe;
• it is lawful;
• the training environment is appropriate;
• applicable licensing conditions permit it; and
• you have provided any written consent required.

No training can remove all risk associated with a dog being off lead.

18. Interaction with other dogs

We do not guarantee that your dog will interact directly with other dogs during Residential Training. Where controlled exposure to other dogs is relevant, the form and distance of that exposure will be determined according to:

• the training objective;
• safety;
• welfare;
• behaviour;
• applicable licence conditions; and
• the suitability of the dogs involved.

Dogs will not simply be placed together for the purpose of “socialisation”. Where applicable licensing rules require specific owner consent or familiarisation before dogs from different households are boarded or exercised together, those requirements will be followed.

19. Dangerous dogs and legal restrictions

You must tell us if your dog:

• is a prohibited type;
• is subject to a Certificate of Exemption;
• is subject to any court order;
• has been made subject to a control requirement;
• is required by law to be muzzled, insured or handled in a particular way; or
• is otherwise subject to a legal restriction.

We may request supporting documentation. We will not knowingly provide services in a manner that would place either party in breach of applicable law, licence conditions or insurance requirements.

20. Progress updates

Residential Training includes reasonable progress communication during the dog’s stay. The frequency and format may vary according to the programme. Updates may include:

• video;
• photographs;
• written progress notes; and
• information concerning significant developments.

Progress updates are intended to keep you informed. They do not create an entitlement to continuous messaging, live access to the trainer or daily bespoke reporting unless this is specifically stated in your Proposal.

21. Photography and video

21.1 Training records

We may record photographs or video of your dog where reasonably required for:

• documenting training;
• monitoring progress;
• preparing your handover;
• providing private feedback to you; or
• maintaining appropriate business records.

21.2 Marketing permission

Use of identifiable photographs, video or testimonial material for advertising, social media, websites, case studies or other public marketing purposes requires separate permission. Marketing consent is optional. Refusing marketing consent will not affect your dog’s eligibility for Residential Training. Where consent is given, it can be dealt with through a separate Media Consent Form.

22. Transfer Day

Owner education is an essential part of Residential Training. You agree to attend the agreed Transfer Day / owner handover unless alternative arrangements are expressly agreed. The handover may cover:

• commands;
• markers;
• lead handling;
• reward mechanics;
• training equipment;
• e-collar use where applicable;
• recall;
• obedience;
• boundaries;
• management;
• known triggers;
• real-world handling; and
• the dog’s transition home.

Where appropriate, you will be expected to handle and train your own dog under instruction. The success of the transition home depends substantially upon the owner’s understanding and continued implementation of the training.

23. Aftercare

Unless the Proposal states otherwise, the programme includes the following planned transition support:

• Approximately 48 hours after collection — Initial check-in.
• Approximately 7 days after collection — Progress review.
• Approximately 14 days after collection — Training/video review where appropriate.
• Approximately 30 days after collection — One private follow-up session.

Dates may be reasonably adjusted by agreement. Aftercare does not constitute unlimited or indefinite access to Scott by telephone, WhatsApp, email or other messaging service. Further private training outside the included support may be chargeable.

24. Training Club

Where your Proposal includes 90 days’ Training Club membership, the included period will begin on or around the date your dog returns home unless otherwise agreed.

The included period does not automatically convert into a paid subscription unless you separately and expressly choose to continue on a paid basis. Any subsequent Training Club membership will be subject to the Training Club terms applicable at that time.

25. Training results

Dogs are living animals and behavioural outcomes cannot be guaranteed. Progress can be affected by many factors outside our control, including:

• genetics;
• health;
• age;
• learning history;
• environment;
• previous experience;
• owner behaviour;
• consistency;
• changes after the residential programme; and
• continued implementation of training.

We do not warrant that any behaviour will be permanently eliminated or that a particular outcome will be maintained indefinitely. We will, however, provide the service with the reasonable care and skill required by law. Nothing in this clause removes any statutory right relating to services that have not been provided with reasonable care and skill.

26. Owner responsibility after handover

Once your dog has returned to you, you resume responsibility for:

• supervision;
• handling;
• welfare;
• legal compliance;
• equipment use;
• management;
• continued training; and
• decisions concerning where and how the dog is exercised.

You agree to make reasonable efforts to follow the handover plan and instructions provided. Departing materially from the programme may affect training outcomes. This clause does not exclude liability for anything that was caused by our failure to exercise reasonable care and skill while the dog was in our care.

27. Early collection

We may require your dog to be collected before the scheduled end of the programme where continuing to board or train the dog would reasonably create an unacceptable:

• welfare risk;
• health risk;
• safety risk;
• legal risk; or
• material operational problem that could not reasonably have been anticipated or managed.

Where possible, we will first discuss the problem with you and consider whether the programme can reasonably be modified.

If early collection results from circumstances for which neither party is at fault, any financial adjustment will be calculated fairly having regard to services already provided, reasonable costs already incurred and costs saved. If early collection results primarily from our breach of contract, your statutory rights remain unaffected. If it results from material information that you failed to disclose, we may recover reasonable losses caused by that failure, subject to applicable consumer law.

28. Owner-elected early collection

You may collect your dog before the agreed completion date. However, choosing to end the programme early does not automatically entitle you to a full refund of the unused period. Any amount retained will be limited to what is reasonable having regard to:

• services already supplied;
• committed costs;
• capacity reserved;
• costs saved;
• why the programme was ended; and
• whether the unused capacity can reasonably be resold.

29. Failure to collect

You must collect your dog at the agreed time unless another arrangement has been confirmed. If you are delayed, contact us immediately. Where additional care is required beyond the agreed collection date, reasonable additional boarding/care charges may apply.

If you fail to collect the dog and cannot be contacted, we will:

1. make reasonable attempts to contact you and the nominated emergency contact;
2. continue to take reasonable steps to protect the dog’s welfare; and
3. take any further steps available to us under applicable law.

You will be responsible for reasonable additional costs resulting from an unjustified failure to collect, except to the extent those costs arise from our own breach.

30. Loss, escape, injury or death

We will take reasonable precautions to protect dogs in our care. We do not exclude or limit liability where it would be unlawful to do so. Nothing in these Terms excludes liability for:

• death or personal injury caused by negligence where liability cannot lawfully be excluded;
• fraud or fraudulent misrepresentation;
• breach of statutory consumer rights; or
• another liability that cannot lawfully be limited.

We are not automatically responsible for an adverse event merely because it occurred during the residential period. Liability will depend upon the circumstances and applicable law, including whether reasonable care and skill were exercised.

31. Owner’s property

Any equipment, bedding, food, medication or other property supplied with the dog should be clearly identified. We will take reasonable care of property supplied to us. We are not responsible for ordinary wear, damage caused by the dog itself or unavoidable deterioration unless the loss arose because we failed to exercise reasonable care.

32. Insurance

We maintain business insurance appropriate to the activities we provide, subject to policy terms and exclusions. You remain responsible for any pet, veterinary or third-party insurance you choose or are legally required to maintain for your dog. Where a dog is legally required to be insured, evidence must be provided before the programme begins.

33. Complaints

If you are unhappy with any aspect of the service, please contact Scott McKay Dog Training by email at [email protected]. Please explain:

• what has happened;
• when it occurred;
• the outcome you are seeking; and
• any relevant supporting information.

We will acknowledge substantive complaints within a reasonable period and aim to investigate and respond fairly. Nothing in this complaints procedure restricts your statutory rights.

34. Personal information

We will process personal information in accordance with applicable data-protection law and our Privacy Policy. Information concerning your dog’s health and behaviour may be shared with veterinary professionals, emergency service providers, insurers or authorities where reasonably necessary or legally required. Marketing communications and public use of training footage will be dealt with separately where consent is required.

35. Events outside reasonable control

Neither party will be treated as automatically in breach because performance is prevented or materially affected by circumstances genuinely outside reasonable control. Examples may include:

• serious illness;
• veterinary emergency;
• fire;
• flood;
• extreme weather;
• failure of essential utilities;
• government restrictions;
• infectious disease controls;
• loss or suspension of premises for reasons outside reasonable control; or
• other comparable emergencies.

Where this occurs, we will communicate with you and seek a fair solution, which may include rescheduling, modifying or cancelling affected services. Any payment retained or refunded will take account of services supplied, costs reasonably incurred, costs saved and applicable consumer rights.

36. Changes to the agreement

Any material change to your individual programme, dates or price must be agreed in writing. We may make minor operational changes where they do not materially reduce the service purchased and are reasonably necessary for:

• safety;
• animal welfare;
• legal compliance;
• licence compliance; or
• effective delivery of the programme.

37. Statutory rights

Nothing in these Terms is intended to exclude, restrict or replace rights that you have under consumer law. Where the law gives you rights that conflict with a term in this Agreement, the statutory right will prevail.

38. Severability

If any provision of these Terms is found to be unlawful or unenforceable, the remaining provisions will continue to apply so far as legally possible.

39. Entire agreement

These Terms, together with your accepted Proposal, Training Blueprint and expressly incorporated consent documents, form the agreement between us concerning the Residential Training programme. Nothing in this clause excludes liability for fraud or prevents information about the service that is legally binding from having effect.

40. Governing law

This Agreement is governed by the law of England and Wales. Nothing in this clause deprives a consumer of any mandatory right they have concerning where proceedings may be brought.

Acceptance of terms

I confirm that:

• I am authorised to place the dog named below into Residential Training;
• I have read and understood these Terms;
• the information I have provided about my dog is complete and accurate to the best of my knowledge;
• I understand that behavioural outcomes cannot be guaranteed;
• I understand my responsibilities during the owner handover and after my dog returns home;
• I agree to the payment terms set out above; and
• I agree that the programme is subject to the terms of my accepted Residential Training Proposal.

Separate consents

The following should be presented as separate, explicit selections rather than assumed from acceptance of the general Terms.

E-collar training

I consent to the introduction, conditioning and use of a remote electronic training collar as part of my dog’s programme where Scott McKay considers it appropriate and where its use is lawful and permitted under applicable licensing and insurance requirements. I understand that I will receive instruction in its use before my dog returns home.

Transport

I consent to my dog being transported in an appropriate vehicle for training, exercise, veterinary care and other activities reasonably connected with the programme.

Off-lead training

I consent to appropriate off-lead training where Scott considers it safe, lawful and suitable for my dog’s programme.

Controlled interaction with other dogs

I consent to my dog participating in appropriate controlled training or exercise involving other suitable dogs where Scott considers this beneficial and safe and where applicable licensing requirements are satisfied.

Emergency veterinary treatment

If I or my emergency contact cannot be reached, I authorise Scott McKay Dog Training to obtain veterinary treatment reasonably considered necessary to protect my dog’s health or welfare.

Public marketing / social media

• Yes — I give permission for photographs/video of my dog to be used publicly for marketing, educational content, website case studies and social media.
• No — I do not give permission for public marketing use.

Refusal of marketing consent has no effect on acceptance onto Residential Training.