Terms and Conditions
Terms and Conditions – Puppy Pathways
Effective Date: 20/09/2025
Welcome to Puppy Pathways, a franchisee of Puppy School UK. By booking and attending our puppy training classes, you agree to the following Terms and Conditions. Please read them carefully.
1. Booking and Payment
Course Structure: Our courses consist of six weekly classes. Consistent attendance is strongly recommended to achieve optimal results. Classes will start at the scheduled time regardless of late arrivals. Clients are expected to arrive on time. Missed classes do not entitle clients to make-up sessions.
Booking Discretion: Puppy Pathways reserves the right to accept or decline bookings at our discretion.
Payment:
For Puppy School UK courses, full payment must be made to Puppy School UK at the time of booking to secure your place.
For Puppy Pathways consultations or services, full payment must be made directly to Puppy Pathways at the time of booking.
Failure to make payment within 24 hours of booking may result in the cancellation of your place.
Owner Requirement: Each puppy must have its own registered owner present at all classes. If booking for two puppies, two owners must be present.
2. Class Numbers
Maximum Class Size: Classes are typically capped at 6 puppies to ensure individual attention and optimal learning.
Minimum Class Size: In rare circumstances, there may be a low number of bookings. Where appropriate, Puppy Pathways reserves the right to postpone the start date to allow additional registrations or offer alternative solutions, such as 1-to-1 sessions. Any such decision will be discussed with the client, and alternatives will be mutually agreed where possible. This ensures each puppy receives a suitable learning environment.
3. Cancellations and Refunds
Client Cancellations:
Cancellations made 7 days or more before the course start date may be eligible for a full refund minus a £2 booking fee. Refunds are issued at the discretion of Puppy Pathways and only in circumstances deemed reasonable.
Cancellations made within 7 days of the course start date are normally non-refundable; however, in exceptional circumstances, a refund may be considered at the discretion of Puppy Pathways, particularly if your place can be filled by another client.
Once the course has commenced, no refunds will be issued for missed classes or early termination.
Puppy Pathways Cancellations:
In the unlikely event that we need to cancel or reschedule a class due to unforeseen circumstances (e.g., tutor illness, venue issues, or severe weather), we will notify you as soon as possible and offer alternative dates.
Weather Considerations:
Classes may be postponed due to extreme weather conditions for the safety of puppies, clients, and tutors.
Cold or severe weather, including ice, snow, or storms, may result in postponed classes.
High temperatures over 26°C are likely to result in a delay or rescheduling to prevent overheating and ensure safety.
If a red weather alert is issued for our area, classes will not go ahead.
Decisions regarding postponement due to weather will be made as close as possible to the class start time to minimize disruption while ensuring safety.
Changes to Classes:
We reserve the right to change the content, timing, dates, venue, or instructor of classes. We strive to minimize such changes and will communicate any adjustments promptly.
Contact Information & Communication:
It is the owner’s responsibility to ensure that Puppy Pathways has their correct email address and phone number.
An attempt will be made to notify clients of cancellations via email and text message.
Clients are responsible for acknowledging receipt of communications regarding class changes or cancellations. Failure to respond does not absolve clients of their obligations under these Terms and Conditions.
4. Attendance and Missed Classes
Missed Classes: Missed classes cannot usually be taken by joining another group run by the tutor, as there may not be spare places and it is disruptive to the other group to have an unfamiliar puppy join part-way through the course.
Transferring Classes: Requests to transfer to an alternative class can only be made up to 14 days prior to the start of your first class. Transfers are subject to availability and are not guaranteed.
Children: Children under the age of 16 must be accompanied by a responsible adult at all times during classes and events.
Right of Refusal: Puppy Pathways reserves the right to refuse entry to a class if we feel that these Terms and Conditions have been breached.
5. Health and Safety
Vaccinations: Your puppy must be fully vaccinated before attending classes. It is your responsibility to ensure your puppy is up to date with vaccinations. We cannot accept homeopathic nosodes as an alternative to conventional vaccines.
Health Status: If your puppy is unwell or showing signs of illness, please refrain from attending class to prevent the spread of disease.
Injuries: All injuries to humans or puppies must be reported to the tutor immediately, regardless of severity.
In Season Puppies: Female puppies in season are not permitted to attend class. You may observe the class, but your puppy cannot participate until after the season has ended.
Class Environment Suitability: In some circumstances, the class environment may prove unsuitable for a particular puppy. In these cases, a discussion will be held with the client, and an alternative such as a 1-to-1 session may be considered. The tutor has the final decision regarding this. Clients are not entitled to refunds or partial refunds as a result.
6. Behaviour and Equipment
Behaviour Expectations: All participants are expected to behave respectfully towards the tutor, other clients, and their puppies. Disruptive or aggressive behaviour may result in removal from the class without refund.
Permitted Equipment: Only reward-based training tools are allowed. The following items are NOT permitted:
Choker chains, check chains, prong or pinch collars
Electronic training collars, including citronella
Any device that causes discomfort, pain, or fear to the puppy
Flexi leads or head collars
7. Social Media and Media Consent
Opting Out: Clients who do not wish to appear in social media content or marketing emails must contact Puppy Pathways via email. Details for opting out will be provided in the course information email.
Media Usage: From time to time, Puppy Pathways may take photographs or videos of puppies and their owners during training sessions or events for promotional purposes, including on social media, websites, and marketing materials. We will only use images or videos in which you or your puppy appear if you have provided your consent. You have the right to withdraw your consent at any time by contacting us at [Insert email]. If you do not consent, we will ensure your or your puppy’s images are not used.
8. Liability and Indemnity
Participation at Own Risk: By attending our classes, you acknowledge that participating in activities with puppies, children, and adults poses a risk of injury to yourself and your puppy. You agree to indemnify Puppy Pathways for all personal injury and damage to property owned by you while attending the training classes.
Responsibility: You remain responsible for the behaviour and actions of your dog during classes. Please ensure your dog is under control at all times.
9. Puppy School UK Terms
Puppy Pathways is a franchise of Puppy School UK. Please note that Puppy School UK has its own Terms and Conditions which may apply in certain circumstances. Clients are advised to also review Puppy School UK’s Terms and Conditions, available on their official website, to fully understand the policies of the wider franchise network.
10. Governing Law
These Terms and Conditions are governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of England and Wales. Any disputes arising under or in connection with these Terms and Conditions shall be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of England and Wales