The dog’s owner hereby retains Barks and Recreation to train said dog under the following terms & conditions:
1. Evaluation & Goals:
The trainer will evaluate the dog’s current skill level and touch base with the owner about any unsatisfactory areas that may need improvement before the training process is to begin. The owner will notify the trainer of any aggressive behaviors in the dog’s history, even if they are not being displayed at the time of evaluation/drop off. The owner will also notify the trainer of any health issues that the dog may have.
These include allergies, previous pregnancy and heat cycles, food aggression, resource guarding, etc. The trainer reserves the right to not complete a training program for lack of discolsure in regards to a dogs human reactivity or other aggressive behaviors. If there is a change in behavior or medical status during training, the owner will be notified and may be asked to pick up their dog until the medical issue is resolved. If it cannot be resolved or training ends, refund options will be discussed at that time.
2. Location/Overall Care:
The trainer will take reasonable steps to keep the dog(s) safe, comfortable, and appropriately cared for during their time with us. The trainer may, if necessary, take the dog to other locations for training field trips. If veterinary care is needed the owner will be financially responsible for payment in case care is necessary. Every attempt shall be made to reach the owner should such an emergency occur, before care is given. Please also be aware that in the event of a medical non-emergency, Barks and Rec may administer basic first aid (scrapes, loose stool, irritation/redness/allergy to the e-collar, etc) and may not necessarily inform the owners until turnover unless medical attention is required.
- Please let us know if your dog is not spayed/neutered so we may take necessary precautions. B&R will not board bitches during active heat cycle.
- If your dog is a breed that requires regular grooming, we ask that you do so before their stay so they maintain a comfortable coat. We do not have the time to thoroughly brush dogs daily and dogs will be allowed to play and run during their stay.
3. Training:
For programs, the trainers will work with the dog multiple times daily with breaks in between sessions. The dog may interact with other animals in the facility or in public as long as they are deemed safe to do so. If the dog is deemed unsafe to interact with other animals, the trainers will take the necessary precaustions to ensure animal saftey. The length of training and level of training will depend on the dog’s ability to learn within the chosen time period. Basic obedience generally requires many repetitions and the owner will be given “homework” at the end of the training period. Other periods of time may be purchased if the owner chooses, with the understanding that a dog’s training is always ongoing.
For private lessons, the trainers may use the first several minutes to re-visit goals with the owners. If you are late to your private lesson, you may lose that time and the lesson will still finish during the appointed time frame.
We make NO guarantees about any training, as each dog is an individual with specific strengths and weaknesses, however, we will work to the best of our ability with the time we have to train your dog to meet your goals. Please be aware that your dog will still need to be worked on a regular basis to maintain the skills he/she learned with any lesson or program they complete with us. Please also be aware that if your dog has serious behavioral issues and has spent many years practicing unwanted behavior, it will take more time and consistency to produce reliably good behavior.
4. Expectations:
It may not be possible in some cases to achieve all training goals. For example: if your dog is uncomfortable around strangers or has any human reactivity, we cannot guarantee that your dog will be people friendly at the end of a program. If this is the case, the trainer will notify the owner of these areas of concern. In most cases however, most goals are achievable given appropriate time and the owner’s dedication to continue training at home, as well as utilization of follow up lessons.
5. Maintenance of Goals:
The owner recognizes that this training may result in the dog responding better to the trainer, and that this will not result in the dog automatically obeying the owner directly upon turnover. In order for the dog to respond well to the owner, the following must occur:
- The owner must apply the basic principles of training taught to them by trainer.
- The owner must not interact with the dog in a way that rewards negative behavior and/or punishes positive behavior (ie: praise or petting for jumping, getting a treat or praise if the dog doesn’t comply with a direct command, etc).
- The owner must regularly train the dog to maintain/improve the level of training achieved. This should be ongoing throughout the dog’s daily life.
- The owner must not give commands that they are not prepared to reinforce if the dog does not respond. Dogs are very smart… they know when and what they can get away with!
- Owner commits to consistancy with training.
6. Owner Training:
At the conclusion of training the trainer will instruct the owner of the basics of training and instruction will consist of the following:
- 2 lessons during their program showing a demonstration of the dog’s new skills and instruction to the owner on how to give proper commands, and how to appropriately reward and correct the dog for its’ performance.
- Entrance into the private Facebook group for clients only and email/message/text/or phone support for the life of your dog.
- 3 free follow up private lessons to be used at any time (We suggest using these lessons sooner, rather than later)
- Lifetime support may be in the form of texts, calls, emails, social media, or in person lessons.
- Entrance into our Pack Walk program
7. Equipment & Methods Used:
Barks and Rec is proficient in motivational training techniques and reward based training as well as using corrections in areas that are needed. We take a balanced approach to dog training and uses all 4 quadrants of behavior. Motivation is what keeps a dog’s desire to work. Rewards and markers demonstrate that they did the work correctly.
Corrections can be anything from a verbal marker such as “ahh ahh”, or “no” to a leash correction or E-collar correction. Tools may be used ranging from a flat collar, nylon martingale, slip lead, slip collar, prong collar, and electronic collars (including bark collars), and an appropriately sized crate.
For rewards Barks and Rec will use food, toys, praise, attention, play time, or whatever seems to motivate the dog to do the work or to help teach calmness to an over excited dog.
8. E-Collar Training: Your remote collar will be from Dogtra and has a warranty for one year after the date of purchase. It is by far, in our opinion, one of the best e-collars in the industry. Please make sure you get online or call the company after go-home to register your equipment. If you have any issues with it please let us know. We will not use outside e-collar brands (other than E-Collar Technologies) as we cannot guarantee their reliability. Please be aware that most of the time children should never have access to the e-collar equipment, nor should anyone who has not learned how to use it properly. Use of tools by children is at parent's discression, however we do encourage child involvement in training lessons. Please use the equipment only as it will be shown to you. Improperly fitting or use of the e-collar may result in lack of appropriate stimulus to the dog (too loose, improper placement, etc), or harm to your dog (leaving it on too long causing sores, not rotating the collar between use, using too high of a level, etc). Barks and Rec does NOT approve of the use of any training tool without proper training to the owner, cruelty due to the lack of proper training, or to be used as excessive punishment. Used correctly, this tool will allow you and your dog freedom and fun! It helps create trust in your dog and provides confidence that your dog will be safe off and on leash. Please always be aware of the leash laws in your area. The remote collar IS NOT A LEASH and will not legally suffice as one in many areas. Check your local statutes and those of areas you may visit.