Key Facts:  Puppy Classes

Overview:  Our puppy training classes are designed to give your puppy the best possible start in life. Over 6 weeks, you and your puppy will learn foundation skills in a safe, supportive group environment using modern, reward-based training methods. Classes are kept small (maximum 6 dogs) so that every puppy gets the attention they need. All bookings are subject to a screening questionnaire to ensure the class is right for your puppy.

When:  A 6-week course (six weekly sessions, with the final week hopefully incorporating a supervised social walk near the venue). Each session lasts approximately 1 hour. Course dates, times, and venues will be advertised in advance.

Where:  At a community venue in the Staffordshire area (confirmed on booking).

Who can attend:

• Your puppy must be no older than 20 weeks of age at the start of week 1.
• Your puppy must be fully vaccinated (you may be asked to show your vaccination card at any session).
• Your puppy must be up to date with flea and worm treatment.
• The person handling the dog must be at least 18 years old and must be the legal owner or primary caregiver.
• A maximum of two people per puppy may attend. Any children attending must be at least 8 years of age.
• Children aged 8–17 must be accompanied and supervised by a responsible adult at all times. They must not approach other dogs or disrupt the learning environment. The instructor reserves the right to ask that disruptive children do not attend future classes.

What you need to do to prepare:

□    Complete the screening questionnaire (provided at booking);

□    Ensure your puppy is fully vaccinated, flea-treated, and wormed;

□    Bring your puppy in a well-fitting harness and/or flat collar with a standard fixed-length lead (not a flexi lead);

□    Bring plenty of small, high-value treats;

□    Ensure you have provided a current mobile telephone number so we can contact you if needed;

□    Read the safety and equipment information below.

What we will do:

• Each week we will teach a new foundation skill such as settle on a mat, response to name, recall, loose lead walking, handling, stay, play, self-control, and socialisation.
• You will receive homework handouts each week to practise at home between sessions.
• In the final week, we will take the class on a supervised social walk near the training venue to put skills into practice in the real world, but this is dependent on how all puppies in the class are doing.
• If your puppy is not settling into the group environment by week 2, we will discuss this with you. At the instructor’s discretion, you may be transitioned to 2 one-to-one training sessions instead, with the remaining balance of your course fee credited toward the cost of those sessions.

Equipment:

Permitted: Well-fitting harnesses and/or flat collars. Muzzles are welcome and encouraged if your dog needs one (must be well-fitting with adequate panting room).

Not permitted: Choke chains, check chains, prong collars, shock collars, anti-bark collars, electronic training collars, citronella collars, slip leads, or any other device the instructor reasonably considers aversive. Flexi (retractable) leads are not permitted to avoid injury to others. Head collars are not permitted to avoid injury and distraction during training — if you feel your dog requires a head collar, please discuss this with your instructor beforehand. If you currently use any of the above, please let us know and we can help you transition to appropriate alternatives. We reserve the right to refuse entry if you arrive with prohibited equipment and decline to use an alternative; no refund will be offered.

 Training methods:  Second Nature Behaviour uses only modern, evidence-based, reward-based and ethical training techniques. The use of physical force, shouting, rough handling, intimidation, or any other form of punishment-based training is strictly prohibited. Any participant using such methods will be asked to stop immediately and may be asked to leave the class without refund.

Safety for you and your pet:  Please note that if the following precautions are not followed, we reserve the right to ask you to leave the class and retain the fees.

• Keep your dog on a lead at all times unless directed otherwise by the instructor.
• Please keep your dog at least 2 metres (approximately 6 feet) away from other dogs at all times unless instructed otherwise. The other dogs may be nervous or over-excited and need space.
• Follow the instructor’s directions at all times. The instructor reserves the right to ask any participant to leave the class if, in their reasonable judgement, continuing would compromise the safety or welfare of any person, dog, or the learning environment.
• Any information regarding your pet’s health and/or existing medical conditions or treatment must be disclosed prior to any session. Where relevant, any health issues regarding you, the handler, should also be disclosed.
• Any information regarding behaviour issues in relation to your pet MUST be freely disclosed — for example, fear, anxiety, reactivity, aggression, or your pet’s previous behaviour history. Failure to do so could cause serious harm to your pet, you, the instructor, or other participants.
• If your pet is showing signs of ill health (such as vomiting, diarrhoea, coughing, lethargy), please do not attend. Contact us and we will discuss options with you.
• Bitches in season are welcome but you must inform the instructor before arriving at the class. The instructor will make reasonable adjustments; however, bringing a bitch in season to class is at your own risk.
• You are responsible for cleaning up after your dog should they toilet during the class.
• Second Nature Behaviour does not endorse the use of physical punitive correction. For more information, please see our Animal Welfare Policy at bio/animal-welfare-policy.pdf
• In emergency situations for your animal, please call your normal practice vet straightaway.

 Suitability:  Our puppy training classes are not suitable for puppies or dogs with behaviour problems, such as reactivity on walks, separation anxiety, or fearful behaviour around people or other dogs. If you need support with your dog or puppy’s behaviour concerns, please book a behaviour consultation with us instead. If you’re unsure whether our classes are right for you, please get in touch. Occasionally, we may also find during the course that a class environment does not suit a particular puppy or handler. In such cases, a full discussion will be undertaken with you, and alternative arrangements may be offered (for example, one-to-one training or a referral for behaviour support). Our priority is always the welfare and progress of your dog.

Recording and photography:  By attending, you consent to Second Nature Behaviour taking photos, videos, or audio recordings during training sessions for use on our company website, social media, and for the creation of demonstration videos, tutorials, or other educational material. If you do not wish to be photographed or recorded, please inform the instructor before the class begins and reasonable steps will be taken to accommodate your request. Participants must not photograph, record, or film other participants, their dogs, or the instructor without express permission.

How to get the best results:  Puppies learn best with short, frequent practice sessions at home between classes. Please work through your homework handouts each week. Consistency is key — everyone in the household should follow the same approach. Be patient; every puppy develops at their own pace. If you are struggling with anything between classes, please get in touch and we will help.

Cost and payment terms:  All fees quoted include VAT.

Basic fee for the 6-week puppy class: £150, payable in full at the time of booking. If payment has not been received via the booking system or bank transfer, your place will not be held. The price advertised at the time of booking will apply.

Other costs: You may need to incur expenses such as leads, harnesses, treat pouches, or other training equipment. Second Nature Behaviour Ltd does not receive any benefits or commission by recommending particular equipment.

Refunds and cancellations:

Your 14-day cooling-off right: As this is a distance contract, you have 14 calendar days from the date of booking to cancel for a full refund by emailing info@secondnature.bio. If the course begins within the cooling-off period and you have requested that services commence, you will pay for any classes already delivered. If the full course has been delivered within the cooling-off period, your cancellation rights are lost. Refunds will be processed within 14 days of receiving your cancellation notice.

 Cancellation by you: If you cancel with at least 14 days’ notice before the start of the course, you may transfer your place to a future course (subject to availability) or receive a credit note. No cash refund will be issued outside of the cooling-off period. If you fail to attend without giving at least 14 days’ notice, the full fee is retained. No refund, transfer, or credit will be offered. There will be no refunds for cancellation due to a lack of vaccination or absence of vaccination card, unless we are notified at least 14 days before the course commences.

 Cancellation by us: If a class cannot go ahead due to circumstances outside the instructor’s control (including but not limited to illness, extreme weather, flooding, vehicle breakdown, traffic incidents, road closures, or other unforeseen events), you will be contacted as soon as reasonably possible. Alternative arrangements may include running the class online or postponing to a different date. If the rescheduled date or alternative format is not suitable for you, a credit note or transfer to a future course will be offered. If Second Nature Behaviour cancels and is unable to offer any reasonable alternative, a full refund will be issued. Please ensure you have provided a current mobile telephone number so that any cancellations can be communicated promptly.

 Transition to one-to-one: If, at the instructor’s discretion, your puppy is transitioned from the group class to one-to-one training sessions, the remaining balance of your course fee will be credited toward the cost of those sessions. No refund will be made for classes already attended.