Key Facts: Calm in Company Support

Overview: 
Calm in Company group behaviour sessions are designed to practice techniques learnt through your behaviour modification programme in a safe and controlled environment.  They are suitable for dogs with dog reactivity and some human reactivity concerns. The sessions are by invitation only once a Second Nature Behaviour Clinician assesses your dog as suitable. 

When:  takes place approximately monthly (all three sessions taken within six months of first session) on pre-arranged dates

Where:  At a secure field venue in the TF10 postcode area

What you need to do to prepare:

□          Continue working on the behaviour modification plan set by your clinician – if in doubt ask our staff now;

□          Please bring your dog in their normal walking equipment (collar/harness etc) and a fixed length          lead (approximately 2 meters in length) and plenty of their favourite treats;

□          Ensure you have appropriate clothing and footwear for the outside environment;

□          Read the safety precautions below.

What we will do:

• We will review information provided from your lead clinician (if different from the behaviourist/s running the session).
• During our session, we will practice working on your agreed goals from your Behaviour Modification Plan and coach you through some of the steps of how to get there.
• The Calm in Company session will last a minimum of one hour (please see extreme weather exception).
• The Calm in Company sessions include remote support through WhatsApp text messages and email in between your sessions with us. Please note this is subject to our fair use policy. If we feel that you are contacting us too frequently (e.g. more than once a week) or correspondence takes longer than 30 minutes, then we may suggest a face-to-face follow-up session, or we may have to charge for our time.  Our normal office hours are Monday to Friday 9am-5pm.  We aim to return your messages within five working days.  Please bear in mind that support across our current caseload will be prioritised according to the relative risks and animal welfare factors involved in each case, rather than when different correspondence is received, so you may need to wait for longer than five working days to receive a response.  Alternatively, you can book in an extra telephone call with your lead clinician by contacting the office for an extra fee.  We reserve the right to block your telephone number or email address if you disregard these terms.  If urgent advice is required, please contact your normal vet practice immediately.

Animal Welfare:  If, during the session, we establish that your animal is unable to cope with the environment with all reasonable adaptations undertaken, we may ask to cut your session short to prevent distress and rehearsal of inappropriate behaviours. We will then provide feedback to your lead clinician to review your behaviour modification plan accordingly.

Recording and students:  With your permission, the Calm in Company sessions may be recorded for education and training purposes.  Pet behaviour students may quietly join the session in person.

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 Calm in Company session and retain the fees for the sessions.

• Please keep your dog secure in the car until instructed by the Clinician to get your dog out. Ensure your dog is tethered or safely restricted so they are unable to escape on the opening of the door/boot. Dogs and people will exit vehicles at different times due to individual needs and training.
• Any information regarding the pet’s health and/or existing medical conditions/treatment must be disclosed prior to any session, or training, or supply of equipment. Where relevant any health issues regarding you, the handler, should also be disclosed to avoid injury and other issues pertaining to the services/equipment supplied.
• Any information regarding behaviour issues in relation to your pet MUST be freely disclosed for example, fear, aggression, pet’s previous behaviour history etc. Failure to do so could cause serious harm to your pet, you the owner, your trainer, or other members of the public.
• If your pet is showing signs of ill health (such as vomiting, diarrhoea, coughing), or if you have a bitch in season, please advise your trainer as soon as possible in order to rearrange your appointment. This also applies to post-operative recovery periods. Your cancellation clause arrangement will, of course, apply in this case.
• All pets must be free from disease and up-to-date with worming, flea and tick treatment prior to session.
• Due to the nature of the dogs involved in the group sessions, attendees should not approach, interact with, or engage with other dogs in attendance.
• Children over 12 years of age, friends, and family members are welcome to attend Calm in Company sessions — this is at your own discretion. Children must be supervised on a 1-to-1 basis during the sessions. We requested that groups attending are a maximum of 4 people, including any children. All involved must also comply with the Health and Safety recommendations advised herein and take proper, reasonable care during and after the session. We accept no liability for the health and safety of those you choose to involve.
• Children must always be supervised when around animals, and you should take proper care to ensure that they do NOT attempt to replicate any training or behavioural modification recommendations on your pet without proper, adult supervision. This applies in all cases, even if the children have been actively involved with behavioural consultations or training sessions with Second Nature Behaviour.
• It is your responsibility to ensure that your pet does not harm in the future. You may wish to consider taking out third-party insurance for your pet.
• Second Nature Behaviour does not endorse the use of physical punitive correction. For more information, please see our Animal Welfare Policy at secondnature.bio/animal-welfare-policy.pdf
• In emergency situations for your animal, please call your normal practice vet straightaway.

How to get the best results:
It is important for you to follow the behaviour modification advice provided if any improvement is to be seen. Each animal is different, and it may take a long time to work through the behaviour modification plan, depending upon the individual needs of the animal and your own circumstances. Your animal may need additional ongoing support. Therefore, whilst we will do our very best to assess the animal’s needs and make recommendations, success is not guaranteed, and we cannot be held responsible if the animal’s behaviour does not improve or change.

Cost and payment terms:
All fees quoted include VAT.

Basic fee for Calm in Company group sessions:  This type of booking is normally secured by a full payment in advance, which can be paid over the phone or online.  Sessions are booked in bundles of three at a total of £240. Your first session is the date you attend your first Calm in Company class, the remaining two sessions must be taken within six calendar months of this date.

Other costs:  You may need to incur expenses which are related to your pet’s behaviour treatment plan, but not due to Second Nature Behaviour Ltd, such as to your vet or other animal care professionals, or in terms of equipment that may be helpful, such as leads or harnesses.  Second Nature Behaviour Ltd does not receive any benefits or commission by recommending particular equipment or professionals providing related services.

Refunds and cancellations:  
Regrettably, we only provide refunds in exceptional circumstances, which unfortunately excludes an animal no longer being in your possession or having passed away.  The full fees are required even if you choose not to go ahead with all aspects of the service or disagree with our advice.  Cancellations of Calm in Company sessions with less than 7 days to the appointment will result in the retention of the full fee for the session.  Calm in Company sessions can be rescheduled a maximum of two times (within your 6-month booking period).

If our clinician, during a Calm in Company session, determines that 1-2-1 follow-up sessions would be more appropriate, any future appointments you have booked will be cancelled and refunded, or transferred as part payment toward a 1-2-1 follow-up, but no refunds will be made for the first Calm in Company session.