The Paw-sitive Experience – Terms of Service

Last updated: 22nd February 2026

Please read carefully:

These Terms and Conditions apply to all services provided by The Paw-sitive Experience, including Training Classes, Private 1:1 Training, Kids Around Dogs (KAD), Junior Handler Sessions, Therapy Dog Training UK preparation and assessments, Assistance Dog preparation, and Dog Walking Services.

Each service has specific terms set out below. Please scroll to the section relevant to the service you are booking, as different terms apply to different services.

By booking any service, you confirm that you have read, understood, and agreed to the relevant terms set out on this page.

For information on how your personal data is collected, used, and stored, please see our Privacy Policy.

1. General Terms (All Services)

• All services are led by qualified dog trainer Nikki Wilcox (“the Trainer”). From time to time, sessions may also be observed or assisted by work experience students, college placements, school students, or trainee dog trainers for learning and development purposes. The Trainer remains fully responsible for the delivery of services, safety, and supervision at all times.

• Bookings are subject to availability and are only confirmed once full payment has been received unless otherwise agreed in writing.

• Places are limited and allocated on a first-come, first-served basis.

• You must provide accurate and complete information regarding your dog’s health, behaviour, history, and any previous incidents. Failure to disclose relevant information may result in refusal or termination of services without refund.

• The Trainer reserves the right to refuse or remove any dog deemed unsuitable for the service, including dogs displaying aggressive behaviour, overly anxious behaviour, illness, or behaviour that compromises safety or welfare.

• Participation in any dog-related activity carries inherent risk, including the possibility of illness, injury, or bites. By booking, you acknowledge and accept these risks.

• Training outcomes vary and cannot be guaranteed.

• To the fullest extent permitted by law, The Paw-sitive Experience, the Trainer, and any associated individuals accept no liability for loss, damage, or injury arising during or after services, except where caused by proven negligence.

2. Booking, Cancellations & Refunds (All Classes & Courses)

This section applies to all group classes and courses, including Training Classes, Kids Around Dogs (KAD), Junior Handler Sessions, and Therapy Dog/Assistance Dog classes or courses.

• Full payment is required at the time of booking to secure a place.

• Bookings are non-refundable once a course or class series has commenced.

• Cancellations made with less than 7 days’ notice prior to the course start date are chargeable in full.

• No refunds or transfers are provided for missed sessions.

• Where the Trainer cancels a class or course due to unforeseen circumstances (e.g. illness, severe weather, venue issues), clients will be offered a rescheduled session or a refund at the Trainer’s discretion.

3. Training Classes (Group Dog Training)

Service Overview

Group classes are held at Wollaston Village Hall and may include Puppy Classes (up to 6 months) and Adolescence, Loose Lead Walking, Recall, Obedience, and Gundog-Inspired Courses. Courses run for a set number of weeks with limited spaces (maximum 6 dogs per class). Full details are published on the website and may vary.

Eligibility Requirements

To attend group classes, all dogs must:

• Be in good health with no contagious illnesses in the past 30 days.

• Be fully vaccinated, with proof provided prior to the first session.

• Be non-aggressive and safe to work in a group environment.
  The Trainer reserves the right to refuse or remove any dog deemed unsuitable for a group setting.

Bitches in Season:

Bitches in season will be excluded from all classes for a period of four (4) weeks, covering the duration of the season and a short period afterwards. Missed sessions during this time are not refundable or transferable.

Health & Safety

By attending classes, the owner confirms that their dog is in good health, fully vaccinated, and free of contagious conditions. Owners must supervise their dog at all times and follow safety instructions from the Trainer.

Training Commitment & Expectations

Results depend on owner consistency, effort, and practice outside class. Techniques are science-backed and reward-based but require time and repetition. The Trainer provides guidance and support but cannot guarantee results.

Liability

The owner accepts full responsibility for their dog’s behaviour, interactions, and safety during and after classes. The Paw-sitive Experience and the Trainer are not liable for incidents, injuries, or damages arising during or after training, including pre-existing behaviour issues not disclosed prior to class.

4. Private 1:1 Dog Training

Service Overview

Sessions typically last 60 minutes but may be shorter if the dog is struggling. The number of sessions required will be discussed and adjusted based on progress.

Eligibility Requirements

Dogs must be in good health, up to date on vaccinations or titre tested (proof may be requested), and safe for the Trainer to handle and assess. Full disclosure of behavioural issues is required. The Trainer may decline or discontinue services if a dog is deemed unsafe or unsuitable.

Booking, Cancellations & Refunds

• Full payment is required at the time of booking.

• Payments are non-transferable between dogs or owners unless agreed in advance.

• A minimum of 48 hours’ notice is required to cancel or reschedule. Late cancellations are charged in full.

• Refunds are not available once sessions have commenced. No refund is given for unused sessions in pre-paid blocks, except in exceptional circumstances at the Trainer’s discretion.

• If the Trainer cancels due to unforeseen circumstances, the session will be rescheduled at no additional cost.

Health & Safety

The Trainer may terminate sessions immediately if safety concerns arise. Owners remain responsible for managing their dog at all times.

Liability

The owner assumes full responsibility for their dog’s behaviour during and after sessions. The Paw-sitive Experience accepts no liability for loss, damage, or injury caused by the owner’s dog. It is the owner’s responsibility to maintain appropriate pet or public liability insurance where required.

5 . Behaviour Support Services

Service Overview

Behaviour support is designed for dogs displaying more complex behavioural challenges, including but not limited to reactivity, fear, anxiety, over-arousal, frustration, handling concerns, barking, and household behaviour issues.

Support may include:

• an initial behaviour consultation

• practical training and management advice

• follow-up in-person sessions

• written plans and recommendations

Behaviour work is tailored to the individual dog and household.

Behaviour Intake Form / Full Disclosure

Owners must complete the Behaviour Intake Form in full before the initial consultation.

Owners must disclose:

• bite history

• aggression / snapping

• resource guarding

• handling issues

• medical issues / pain concerns

• previous training / behaviour history

Failure to disclose relevant information may result in refusal, postponement, or termination of services without refund.

Session Timeframes / Package Use

Behaviour support packages should ideally be used within 10 weeks of the initial consultation unless otherwise agreed.

This helps maintain consistency and gives the best chance of progress.

Unused sessions outside this timeframe may be forfeited at the Trainer’s discretion.

Follow-Up / Owner Responsibility

Behaviour change requires consistency, management, and owner follow-through outside of sessions.

The Trainer provides guidance, support and practical plans, but cannot guarantee outcomes.

Owners remain fully responsible for:

• implementing management advice

• supervising their dog

• maintaining safety at home and in public

Safety / Right to Refuse

The Trainer reserves the right to:

• stop a session

• change the training plan

• refuse services

if:

• the dog is too distressed

• safety is compromised

• information has not been disclosed

Cancellations / Behaviour Sessions

Behaviour sessions follow the same cancellation policy as Private 1:1 Training:

• minimum 48 hours’ notice required

• late cancellations charged in full

6. Kids Around Dogs (KAD)

Application of Training Terms:

Where applicable, the general principles set out under Training Classes and Private 1:1 Training (including health & safety, suitability, behaviour disclosure, training expectations, and liability) also apply to KAD sessions.

• KAD sessions teach children safe, respectful interaction with dogs in a structured, supervised environment.

• A suitable, responsible adult must be present for the full duration of each session.

• Trainer-Provided Dogs: Some sessions may involve interaction with dogs provided by The Paw-sitive Experience. These dogs are trained and assessed for suitability to work around children.

• Children will only interact with dogs when instructed by the Trainer.

• The Trainer holds an Enhanced DBS check and safeguarding and child welfare are prioritised at all times.

• The Trainer may exclude any participant or dog where safety or welfare concerns arise.

• Attendance constitutes acceptance of the inherent risks involved in working with dogs.

7. Junior Handler Sessions (Children with Their Own Dogs)

Application of Training Terms:

All relevant terms set out under Training Classes and Private 1:1 Training (including booking, cancellations, refunds, health & safety, suitability, training expectations, and liability) apply equally to Junior Handler sessions unless explicitly stated otherwise below.

• Suitable for children aged 8–16 years.

• A responsible adult must be present for the full duration of each session and remains legally responsible for both the child and the dog.

• Children must be able to physically and emotionally handle their own dog safely, with appropriate support from the supervising adult where required.

• Behavioural concerns (including reactivity, fearfulness, or anxiety) must be disclosed prior to attending.

• The Trainer reserves the right to refuse or remove any participant or dog where handling ability, behaviour, or safety concerns arise.

• The Trainer holds an Enhanced DBS check and safeguarding and child welfare are prioritised.

8. Therapy Dog Training UK & Assistance Dog Preparation

Application of Training Terms:

The general training, suitability, health & safety, booking, cancellations, refunds, and liability terms set out under Private 1:1 Training apply to Therapy Dog Training UK and Assistance Dog preparation sessions, in addition to the service-specific requirements below.

• Dogs must complete the Therapy Dog Training UK online course before any formal behaviour assessment can take place.

• Temperament assessments may take place at any age; where conducted before 18 months of age, a further temperament assessment will be required once the dog reaches 18 months.

• Booking for behaviour support towards becoming a therapy or assistance dog may begin at any age and at any stage (before, during, or after completion of online courses).

• Final assessment outcomes are determined by the assessing organisation and are not guaranteed.

• The welfare of the dog is paramount. The Trainer reserves the right to withdraw support where stress, fear, or welfare concerns are identified.

9. Dog Walking Services

Application of General Terms:

The General Terms set out at the top of this page apply to Dog Walking Services in addition to the service-specific terms below.

• Dog walking services are subject to suitability and full behavioural disclosure.

• Off-lead walking is permitted only with explicit owner consent and where safe to do so.

• Dogs must be legally identified and microchipped.

• The Trainer may seek emergency veterinary treatment for a dog, with all costs borne by the owner.

• Services may be refused or discontinued where a dog’s behaviour poses a risk to people, animals, or livestock.

Cancellations & Payments (Dog Walking):

• Less than 48 hours’ notice – 100% charge

• 48 hours to 7 days’ notice – 50% charge

• More than 7 days’ notice – no charge

10. Photography & Media

Photographs or videos may be taken during sessions for training records, progress tracking, accreditation case studies, or promotional purposes, but only with prior client consent. Clients may opt out at any time. Parental consent will always be obtained for children.

11. Changes to Services & Governing Law

These Terms may be updated from time to time. The latest version will always be available on the website.

These Terms are governed by the laws of England and Wales, and any disputes will be subject to the jurisdiction of the English courts.