Group Walks, Social Sessions & Workshops Participation Waiver & Risk Acknowledgement.
PARTICIPATION WAIVER & RISK ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
This waiver applies to all Kent Canine Behaviour / Adventures with Tilley Neutral Walks, Social Foundations, Social Walks and Workshops.
By booking and participating in one of these activities, you acknowledge and agree to the following.
INHERENT RISK
I understand that activities involving dogs carry inherent and unpredictable risks. Dogs are animals and their behaviour cannot be predicted with absolute certainty, regardless of breed, training, previous behaviour or temperament.
Risks may include, but are not limited to:
Bites, scratches, snapping, lunging and dog fights.
Dogs jumping, pulling, running into or knocking over people or other dogs.
Injury caused by another participating dog or a dog belonging to a member of the public.
Escape or loss of a dog.
Failure or breakage of leads, long lines, collars, harnesses, muzzles or other equipment.
Slips, trips, falls and collisions.
Mud, uneven or slippery ground, steep terrain, holes, roots and other natural hazards.
Roads, vehicles, cyclists, runners, horses and other users of public spaces.
Rivers, ponds, ditches and other bodies of water.
Livestock, wildlife, insects, plants, fungi and other environmental hazards.
Falling branches, fallen trees and woodland hazards.
Heat, cold, rain, wind, storms, snow, ice, flooding and rapidly changing weather.
Exposure to infectious or contagious illness.
Accidental ingestion of food, plants, animal waste, contaminated water or other substances.
Injury, illness or veterinary emergency.
Serious injury or, in exceptional circumstances, death of a dog.
Kent Canine Behaviour will take reasonable precautions to manage foreseeable risks, but cannot eliminate all risks associated with dogs, group activities or outdoor environments.
By choosing to participate, I acknowledge and voluntarily accept these inherent risks.
RESPONSIBILITY FOR YOUR DOG
You remain responsible for the supervision, handling and control of your dog throughout the session unless Kent Canine Behaviour specifically takes physical control of your dog.
You must follow reasonable instructions given by Kent Canine Behaviour regarding safety, distance, equipment, interaction or management of your dog.
The presence of a canine behaviour practitioner, trainer or walk leader does not transfer responsibility for your dog to Kent Canine Behaviour.
You must not knowingly place another dog, participant, member of the public or your own dog at unnecessary risk.
BEHAVIOUR & DISCLOSURE
You must provide accurate information regarding any behaviour or medical condition that could reasonably affect the safety or welfare of your dog, another dog, another participant or a member of the public.
This includes known reactivity, fixation, lunging, snapping, biting or attempted biting, dog fights, resource guarding, guarding of people or dogs, handling sensitivity, fear, predatory behaviour, escape behaviour or significant anxiety.
Reactive dogs and dogs with previous incidents are not automatically excluded from participating.
However, relevant behavioural history must be disclosed so that appropriate safety measures can be considered.
You must inform Kent Canine Behaviour of any significant change in your dog's behaviour or health before attending.
MUZZLES
Kent Canine Behaviour reserves the right to require any dog to wear a suitable muzzle where this is considered appropriate for safety, regardless of whether the dog has previously bitten.
This may include dogs displaying or having a history of lunging, snapping, attempted biting, biting, significant fixation or escalating behaviour.
A muzzle may also be required where circumstances on the day make its use an appropriate safety precaution.
Where required, the muzzle must be appropriately fitted and allow sufficient room for the dog to pant.
A muzzle is a safety and management tool and does not mean that a dog is aggressive or unsuitable for participation.
Refusal to use a muzzle when required by Kent Canine Behaviour may result in participation being refused or the session being ended.
LEADS, LONG LINES & OFF-LEAD ACTIVITY
Neutral Walks will ordinarily remain on lead.
Social Foundations may include lead, long-line and, where appropriate, controlled off-lead activity.
Social Walks may include appropriate social interaction and greater freedom where considered suitable.
Permission for off-lead activity is determined on an individual and session-by-session basis.
Previous permission does not guarantee that a dog will be allowed off lead at another session.
Kent Canine Behaviour may require a dog to return to a lead or long line at any time.
Owners remain responsible for their dog's behaviour and recall when participating off lead.
DOG-TO-DOG INTERACTION
Social Foundations, Social Walks and some Workshops may involve controlled interaction between dogs.
Canine social interaction may involve running, chasing, physical contact, vocalisation and communication between dogs.
Kent Canine Behaviour will supervise and intervene where considered appropriate; however, interaction between animals can never be guaranteed to be entirely risk-free.
Kent Canine Behaviour may prevent or stop an interaction at any time.
HEALTH
Dogs attending must be sufficiently fit and healthy to participate.
Dogs must not attend where they are known to have a contagious illness or where participation would reasonably compromise their welfare.
Relevant medical conditions, injuries or physical limitations must be disclosed.
The owner/handler remains responsible for deciding whether veterinary advice is required before participation.
WEATHER & ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS
Sessions take place outdoors and may continue during rain, cold, wind, mud and other normal British weather conditions.
Kent Canine Behaviour reserves the right to change the location, route, format, start time or duration of a session, or postpone or cancel it, where weather or environmental conditions create an unacceptable safety or welfare concern.
This may include, but is not limited to, extreme heat, storms, high winds, lightning, snow, ice, flooding, fallen trees, dangerous ground conditions or official weather warnings.
The safety and welfare of dogs and participants will take priority over completing a planned activity.
Participants are responsible for suitable clothing, footwear and dog equipment appropriate to the conditions.
PUBLIC SPACES & THIRD PARTIES
Many sessions take place in public spaces.
Kent Canine Behaviour cannot control the actions of members of the public, children, other dog walkers, uncontrolled or off-lead dogs, cyclists, runners, horses, vehicles, livestock or wildlife encountered during a session.
It cannot be guaranteed that another person or dog will respect the space requested for your dog.
You remain responsible for maintaining appropriate control of your dog during unexpected encounters.
INJURY, DAMAGE & VETERINARY EMERGENCIES
You remain responsible for taking reasonable steps to prevent your dog causing injury or damage to another dog, person or property.
You are responsible for veterinary treatment and associated costs relating to your own dog.
Where an emergency occurs, Kent Canine Behaviour may assist with contacting a veterinary practice or emergency service where reasonably necessary.
Participation in these activities is undertaken with acknowledgement of the inherent risks described within this waiver.
Nothing within this waiver excludes or restricts liability where doing so would be unlawful.
CHILDREN & ADDITIONAL ATTENDEES
The primary dog handler must be aged 18 or over, unless expressly agreed otherwise by Kent Canine Behaviour.
Children and additional attendees remain the responsibility of the accompanying adult.
Children must not approach or touch another participant's dog without permission.
Kent Canine Behaviour reserves the right to restrict attendance where an additional person's presence may compromise the safety or welfare of dogs or participants.
RIGHT TO REFUSE OR END PARTICIPATION
Kent Canine Behaviour reserves the right to refuse, restrict, modify or terminate a dog's or person's participation where reasonably considered necessary for safety, welfare or appropriate management of the group.
This may include requiring:
Additional distance from the group.
A dog to remain on lead.
Use of a long line.
Use of a suitable muzzle.
No greetings or direct interaction.
No off-lead activity.
A change to the planned activity.
A dog and handler to leave the session.
A dog's participation will be considered according to their presentation and the circumstances on that particular day.
Previous attendance or participation does not guarantee acceptance into a particular activity or future session.
Where a group environment is considered unsuitable for a dog at that time, Kent Canine Behaviour may recommend alternative support.
NO GUARANTEE OF OUTCOME
No particular behavioural, training or social outcome is guaranteed through participation in Neutral Walks, Social Foundations, Social Walks or Workshops.
Dogs are individuals and progress may be affected by health, genetics, learning history, environment, previous experiences, owner implementation and circumstances outside the control of Kent Canine Behaviour.
YOUR AGREEMENT
By ticking the box below and completing your booking, I confirm that I have read and understood this Participation Waiver & Risk Acknowledgement and agree to its terms.
I confirm that the information I have provided about my dog is accurate to the best of my knowledge and that I will disclose any relevant behavioural or medical information or changes before attending.
I understand and voluntarily accept the inherent risks associated with participating in activities involving dogs, including the possibility of injury, serious injury and, in exceptional circumstances, death.
I understand that I remain responsible for the appropriate supervision and control of my dog and agree to follow reasonable safety instructions provided by Kent Canine Behaviour.
I understand that Kent Canine Behaviour may require safety measures including increased distance, lead or long-line use, muzzle use, restriction of interaction or removal from a session where reasonably considered necessary for safety or welfare.