Terms and Conditions

These Terms and Conditions apply to all services provided by Tracey Jones-Hughes trading as Shaping Dogs. By booking any service, including canine massage, fitness training, therapeutic exercise, home visits, or dog training (individual sessions, group classes or workshops), you confirm that you have read, understood, and agree to these terms.

1. General Information

Shaping Dogs provides services to support canine health, fitness, and wellbeing using kind, evidence-based techniques. Services are designed to complement veterinary care where appropriate and to promote positive, ethical training and handling practices.

2. Scope of Services

All massage, fitness, and therapeutic exercise sessions are non-diagnostic and intended to support strength, mobility, body awareness, and general wellbeing. These services do not replace veterinary care, diagnosis, or treatment.

Dog training services focus on teaching owners to train their dogs using kind, ethical methods, with an emphasis on positive reinforcement and building a strong working relationship between dog and owner.

3. Veterinary Consent and Disclosure

For massage, fitness, and therapeutic exercise programs, owners must confirm that their dog has been seen by a vet if the service relates to a specific condition or injury. For dogs receiving a maintenance service, a courtesy email will be sent to your vet to keep them informed. All relevant medical history must be disclosed, and owners are responsible for keeping Shaping Dogs updated on any changes in their dog’s health.

Owners must disclose any aggression, fear issues, or other behavioural concerns before booking.

4. Owner Responsibilities

You are responsible for:

Ensuring your dog is fit and healthy to participate in any service.
Disclosing all relevant medical and behavioural history.
Following aftercare advice, home exercises, or training homework provided.
Ensuring your dog is clean, dry, and comfortable for home visits and hands-on sessions.
Providing a suitable, safe space for home visits, training, or exercise sessions.
Ensuring your dog is wearing suitable equipment for training (no aversive tools such as prong collars, choke chains, or electric collars).

5. Training Services

Shaping Dogs is committed to providing you with the best possible training experience using only kind, ethical methods. However, the success of any training program depends on your commitment, consistency, and cooperation. For this reason, no guarantees can be made regarding the exact results of training, even with the instructor’s best efforts.

Shaping Dogs reserves the right to refuse or discontinue services at any time if there are concerns about:

The safety or welfare of the dog.
Aggression or behaviour issues that have not been fully disclosed.
The use of aversive tools or methods contrary to Shaping Dogs’ ethics and policies.

Code of Practice

Shaping Dogs always acts in the best interests of the dog and their owner, with animal welfare and safeguarding at the heart of our practice.

We only work using positive training techniques, and we will not work with clients who wish to use or continue using aversive methods or equipment, including but not limited to:

Shock collars, prong collars, choke chains, slip leads used as correction, anti-bark devices, physical punishment, fear, or intimidation.

6. Payment, Refunds, and Cancellations

Payment is required in advance unless otherwise agreed.
Cancellations with less than 24 hours’ notice may incur a full charge.
Missed training sessions, group classes, or workshops are non-refundable unless there is a serious illness or bereavement.
If Shaping Dogs cancels a session due to unforeseen circumstances, the session will be rescheduled or credited.

7. Home Visit Requirements

For home visits, please ensure:

Your dog is safely secured upon arrival (if needed).
There is sufficient space for exercises, massage, or training.
Other pets are managed appropriately to avoid disruption.
There is convenient parking nearby.

If your dog displays aggressive or unsafe behaviour during a session, Shaping Dogs reserves the right to end the session early for safety reasons. In such cases, the full session fee may still apply.

8. pEMF Therapy

pEMF (Pulsed Electromagnetic Field) therapy is offered as part of a holistic program where appropriate. Veterinary consent may be required if your dog has a relevant medical history. This is a non-invasive, evidence-supported therapy, but responses vary, and no specific outcomes can be guaranteed.

9. Session Duration and Follow-Up

Initial sessions may take up to 90 minutes for discussion, assessment, and planning.
Follow-ups are typically 45-60 minutes, depending on your dog’s needs.
Written summaries and home exercise plans (where relevant) will be provided after sessions.

10. Risk Acknowledgement

Attending any training session, group class, home visit, or hands-on service involves some risk of injury to yourself, your family, guests, or your dog. While Shaping Dogs takes every precaution to ensure safety, dogs are living beings and behaviour can be unpredictable. By booking, you acknowledge this inherent risk.

11. Photography and Case Studies

With your consent, Shaping Dogs may take photographs or videos during sessions for educational, promotional, or case study purposes. You can opt out of this at any time.

12. Limitations of Liability

Shaping Dogs exercises reasonable skill and care in all services provided. However, Shaping Dogs cannot be held liable for:

Injury, illness, or behavioural incidents arising during or after sessions, unless directly caused by negligence.
Damage caused by your dog to property, people, or other animals.

You remain responsible for your dog’s health, behaviour, and safety at all times.

13. Data Protection

All personal data provided (including medical or behavioural history) is handled in accordance with GDPR. Information is stored securely and used solely for the purpose of providing services. Data will not be shared with third parties without consent.

14. Governing Law

These terms are governed by the laws of England and Wales. Any disputes shall be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of England and Wales.

By booking any service, you confirm that you have read, understood, and agree to these Terms and Conditions.

Shaping Dogs

18 Greenhill Road, Plymouth. PL9 9FD

Email Address: hello@shapingdogs.com

Effective from February 2025