Client Agreements
TRAINING TOOLS
The K-9 Academy practices balanced dog training and uses both positive (reward) and negative (correction) reinforcement in training.
To view the training collars used by The K-9 Academy, visit our website here: https://www.thek9academyva.com/training-tools
Private Lessons: You must bring both training collars to each private lesson. Your dog should arrive with the appropriate collars on ready to train.
COMMUNICATION
The K-9 Academy primarily uses email to communicate booking matters with clients.
- Emails may come from TheK9AcademyVA@gmail.com, info@TheK9AcademyVA.com, or thek9academy@propetware.com
If on the Intake Form the client selects they would like to receive text messages, those text messages will direct the client to their email for details.
Once the client has agreed to training dates, a ProPet account is created for them. ProPet is the software use by The K-9 Academy to manage bookings and recordkeeping.
If clients are having difficulties receiving emails from The K-9 Academy, they should add the 3 email addresses listed above to their email contact list/”safe senders” list.
SESSION ETIQUETTE
The K-9 Academy highly encourages all of the dog owners who live in the home and need to be able to work with/handle the dog to attend every session.
- Training is hard work for dog owners. All owners should be ready and willing to put in the work to maintain and advance their dogs training.
- Private Lessons: New information is covered at every session; therefore, all owners should plan to attend every session. “Swapping” owners at each session will only create more work for the family at home (and typically more confusion).
Children are permitted to attend. Older children may participate in the training with parental consent.
- If younger children and/or children who cannot remain attentive during the session are present, the client should bring something to keep them quietly entertained. Headphones are required with electronic devices.
As private lessons are often scheduled back-to-back, the client should not arrive more than 10 minutes early for each lesson.
LATE POLICY
Each lesson will end at the scheduled end time. If a client arrives late to their scheduled lesson, they will forfeit the missed time and their lesson will still end at the scheduled time.
- If the client is running late, they should call or text their trainer as a courtesy.
If the client is still absent 15-minutes after the session was scheduled to begin, it will be considered a cancelation.
CANCELLATION POLICY
ON & OFF-LEASH PRIVATE LESSONS:
A minimum of 48-hour notice is required for all private lesson cancellations or reschedule requests.
- If the client is cancelling an entire package (all 5 lessons), any payments made over the $200.00 non-refundable deposit will be refunded to the client.
- If the client is cancelling one session out of the 5 session package, The K-9 Academy will work to find an alternative date and time for the lesson.
If either of the above instances occur within 48-hours of the scheduled start time, no payments made to The K-9 Academy will be refunded, and the session(s) will be forfeited by the client.
BOARD & TRAIN PACKAGES:
A minimum of 1-week notice is required for all board & train cancellations.
- Any payments made over the $200.00 non-refundable deposit will be refunded to the client.
If the board & train is cancelled less than 1-week prior to the scheduled drop-off date, no payments will be refunded.
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When you agree to the training date(s), we expect you to stay fully committed to the dates. Please do not schedule something else for yourself during that time and attempt to reschedule with us. We appreciate you respecting our time, as well as the time of others on the waiting list awaiting their time to train.
Emergency cancellations will be handled on a case-by-case basis.
PET HEALTH POLICY
All dogs must be up to date on all regular vaccines and boosters, including, Distemper/Parvo, Rabies, and Bordetella. Proof of current vaccines must be obtained from the vet before your session begins. You may email a copy of your vet records in advance to TheK9AcademyVA@gmail.com, or upload the records directly into your ProPet account.
In addition to proof of vaccination, all dogs must be up to date on monthly flea & tick prevention. A topical or ingestible flea & tick prevention is preferred. Please only send a flea & tick collar as a last resort. Note: The K-9 Academy is not responsible for lost or damaged flea & tick collars.
Although not required, we recommend your pup be up to date on monthly heartworm medication. If your dog is not currently on monthly heartworm medication, we encourage you to speak to your vet about this.