Dog Walking Terms and Conditions
Your dog should be presented in a clean and groomed condition and with up to date vaccinations, flea and worming treatments. No dog will be accepted without proof of current vaccination or a microchip number. Ensure your dog’s microchip details are up to date with your current information. A copy of your dog’s vaccination record will be taken for our records.
Dogs must wear a suitable and well fitting collar or harness whilst in our care. For dogs who pull excessively, it is mandatory they wear a harness. Geopaw Premium is not responsible for loss or damage of any accessories such as dog tags, collars, harnesses, coats, tracking devices that you attach to your dog whilst in our care.
A consultation must take place prior to your dog joining our walks. This allows us to meet your dog, discuss terms and conditions and any additional requirements your dog may have. Any dog joining Geopaw Premium group walks will have a trial introduction period. This will include being on a lead or long training line. This allows us to assess your dog and how they respond to us as well as other dogs within a group. We may at any time terminate the contract if we feel your dog is unsuitable for group walks.
You must fully disclose any quality or characteristic which might make your dog unsuitable for dog walking, including, but not limited to: behavioural or health problems, incontinence or excessive loud barking/whining or anxiety. Failure on your part to disclose any matter which might render the dog unsuitable for walking will be deemed a material omission amounting to a fundamental breach of this agreement. You will also be liable for additional costs if Geopaw Premium experiences difficulties due to failure to disclose in the booking form any matter that would be accepted as reasonably unsuitable for walking.
We are unable to accept any dog subject to the terms of the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 or any other dogs with aggression problems towards other dogs and/or people. In the event that your dog attacks a person or a dog or in the event that he/she is involved in a fight with another dog/person causing any damage or injury you agree to be responsible for any losses incurred including payment of veterinary fees or any medical treatment required. We may also terminate the contract in this instant.
You agree that if you instruct Geopaw Premium to exercise your dog off the lead you accept full liability for any loss or damage caused as a result of your dog being off the lead. We also require your dog, if given off lead permission, to have a reasonable reliable recall. Geopaw Premium accepts no liability for your dog going missing due to poor recall. We may at any time walk your dog on a lead or long training line if we are not confident in your dog recalling.
You must inform us if your unneutered bitch is in season or due to come into season. We may have to cancel or offer an alternative service such as solo walk or pop-in visit, subject to availability. Geopaw Premium will not be liable for any accidental pregnancies if you fail to disclose this information. You must also inform us if your dog is pregnant so we can adjust walks accordingly.
In the event that weather conditions are deemed too dangerous, we may adjust the walk time or length or cancel walks. In the event we have to cancel walks a pop-in visit may be offered instead, you will be informed in advance of any change due to extreme weather conditions.
Reasonable effort will be made to contact you in the event of an emergency. However, Geopaw Premium reserves the right to make decisions regarding your dog’s health provided it is at all times acting in the best interests of the dog and on the advice of a veterinary surgeon. If your dog becomes unwell, has an accident or injures him/herself or seems to be in any type of pain, we might need to take him/her to a veterinary surgeon. Where possible, Geopaw Premium’s insurance will cover costs to any of the above eventualities in our care, any additional costs that our insurance does not cover however, must be paid by the owner. Geopaw Premium will attempt to take your dog to your own vets, however if this is not possible, our primary local vets will be used. (Geopaw Cowdenbeath – Inglis Veterinary Hospital, 120 Halbeath Road, Dunfermline, KY11 4LA) (Geopaw Glenrothes – St Clair Veterinary Group, 2 Pottery Street, Kirkcaldy, KY1 3ET).
In the unlikely event of your dog’s death in our care, we will inform you as soon as possible and deal with the matter in a sensitive and empathetic manner. We will take your dog to yours or our registered vet if you are unable to collect your dog.
Kennel cough is highly contagious and recognisable by a distinctive ‘hacking, choking’ cough. You must inform us if you suspect your dog has kennel cough and we advise contacting your veterinarian in the first instance. Dogs with kennel cough are not permitted in our vehicles or on group walks until the vet confirms your dog is no longer contagious (normally two weeks after the last cough). Solo walks or pop ins will be offered subject to availability.
Payment for using our services will be discussed and agreed at the consultation visit. Cancellations within 48 hours may be charged at the full rate. Full payment must be made within 30 days of the service used. Geopaw Premium will take legal action if payment is not made within the 30 day time period, you will be liable for all further legal costs. Failure to pay will result in your dog not being walked.
If you do not require Geopaw Premium to walk your dog for any reason for more than 2 consecutive weeks you must let us know as soon as possible. We may ask you to pay a retainer fee otherwise we cannot guarantee to keep your dog’s walking space. This will be 50% of your average weekly walking fee.
In the event Geopaw Premium is unable to walk your dog due to illness or injury we will inform you as soon as possible. We will offer to find cover if needed however it may not always be possible for us to find a suitable alternative walker. We will give ample notice of any holidays/ days off we may have, in as much advance as possible. It is your responsibility to arrange cover if needed in our absence, although we will assist as much as we can but cannot guarantee another professional dog walker will be available.
Geopaw Premium promotes and practices modern force free training methods using positive reinforcement. We will never in any case use or recommend the use of any aversive methods or tools such as e-collars, prong collars, choke chains, slip leads etc. With your permission we will use appropriate and safe treats to reinforce positive behaviours such as recall. You must inform us of any allergies and intolerances your dog may have and update us of any changes.
Your dog will be transported in our adapted vehicles. In the event of a breakdown or accident we will inform you and mutually make arrangements to return your dog safely.
I confirm that I am the owner of the dog and I have understood and agree to the above terms and conditions. I confirm that the information supplied is correct and up to date and that any changes or additional information that Geopaw Premium should be made aware of will also be provided.
I grant Geopaw Premium permission to carry out any emergency first aid procedures as deemed necessary for the safety & welfare of my dog prior to immediate consultation by a veterinary professional in order that they receive the best and most appropriate care as soon as possible. I also give my permission for my dog to be given any drug prescribed by my vet as required in my absence, & agree that I have confirmed with them that Piriton antihistamine may be administered safely for the treatment of allergic reactions.
I release my house key(s) to Geopaw Premium for the duration of the contract. I may revoke this release at any time and expect my keys to be returned to me upon such revocation. Whilst my key(s) are in possession of Geopaw Premium, they will be kept safe, labelled with the name of my pet, so no address can be tracked.
I grant Geopaw Premium permission to let my dog off the lead
I grant Geopaw Premium permission to bath my dog using an appropriate dog shampoo and apply a fragrance spray as necessary.
I grant Geopaw Premium permission to give my dog treats and have made them aware of any allergies or intolerances that my dog may have.
I grant Geopaw Premium the right to take, edit, alter, copy, exhibit, publish, distribute, and make use of any and all pictures and video taken of my dog. To be potentially used in and/or for any lawful promotional materials including, by not limited to: flyers, posters, social networking sites, website and other print and digital communications without payment or any other consideration.