Every Dog Can, Inc.
Liability Waiver and Policies

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Attendance and Suitable Attire
Behavioral Suitability for Classes
Cancellations and Refunds
Children
Class Make-Up Sessions
Health and Vaccine Requirements
Liability Waiver
Multiple Dogs
Payment
Privacy
Scoop the Poop!
Shelter/Rescue Adoption Discount
Training Method and Tools
Unaltered Dogs


Liability Waiver - Top

I have read and agree to abide by the rules and policies of Every Dog Can, Inc. (“EDC, Inc.”), and acknowledge that I am voluntarily choosing to enroll my dog(s) for dog training and/or dog behavior services (“Dog Training”) with EDC, Inc. EDC, Inc. will endeavor to create as safe an environment as possible for the training of my dog(s) and will endeavor to offer only sound, safe, and responsible training, training instructions, and dog behavior counseling. However, I recognize that EDC, Inc. is not responsible for any unintentional errors, omissions, or incorrect assertions. Further, I am and will remain responsible for the past, present and future behavior and actions of my dog(s) at all times.

I understand that attendance of, and/or participation in, Dog Training is not without risk to myself, members of my family or guests who may attend, or to my dog(s), because some of the dogs to which I will be exposed may be difficult to control and may be the cause of injury even when handled with the greatest amount of care.

In consideration of and as inducement to the acceptance of my application for Dog Training with EDC, Inc., I hereby agree to indemnify, release and hold harmless EDC, Inc., its officers, directors, instructors, agents, employees and/or representatives from any and all liability and claims of any nature, including but not limited to injury, expense, costs or damages which I, members of my family or guests who may attend, or my dog(s) may suffer, including specifically, but without limitation, any injury or damage resulting from the action of any dog; and I expressly assume the risk of such damage or injury while attending any Dog Training or other function of EDC, Inc., or while on the training premises or the area surrounding thereto.

In addition, I agree to hold harmless, indemnify, and defend EDC, Inc., its officers, directors, instructors, agents, employees and/or representatives from any and all claims brought by third parties, including but not limited to any dog handlers or dogs, whether sponsored by me or not, arising out of my own actions or the actions of my dog(s).

I have read and understand the above-stated provisions, and agree to accept those responsibilities.

Policies - Top

Attendance and Suitable Attire:

Please be on time. It is very difficult and disruptive for the dogs when latecomers enter the training center.

“People-only” Orientation classes: This is a very important class that is crucial to preparing you and your dog for a successful first-time training experience. Please don’t miss it! If something unexpected happens and you are unable to attend, please call us and we’ll see if there is another orientation that you can attend before your dog’s first attendance at class. If this is not possible, then our normal Class Make-up Sessions policy will apply.

Suitable Attire: We recommend that everyone attending and participating in our training classes, doggie socials, workshops, and other events that include dogs, wear comfortable, casual attire (you may be sitting on the floor with your dog occasionally) and safe, comfortable, closed-toe footwear with good traction. Untrained puppies and dogs love to jump up on people, and their sharp little toenails can sometimes scratch bare skin and damage clothing.


Behavioral Suitability for Classes and Doggie Socials: - Top

Our goal at Every Dog Can is for each dog to receive the training and behavior help he or she deserves in order to maximize his/her full potential. We offer an extensive range of training and behavior programs to help you and your dog advance toward that goal.

Group settings are not always the most effective way for a dog to learn. Dogs that tend to flourish in our regular group classes and Doggie Socials typically are friendly and sociable to most people and dogs. At the very least they are only shy from lack of exposure to the big wide world, but improve rapidly when taught with our gentle, positive methods.

Dogs that show overly fearful or anxious behavior, or that react to everyday situations with aggression, should not be enrolled in our regular group classes or Doggie Socials. These dogs have very special needs, and are more effectively helped through individual, specialized training programs designed by our Certified Dog Behavior Consultant. Many dogs are able to successfully participate in group training and social activities after completing private training with us.

In order to ensure the safety of all participants in our regular training classes, Doggie Socials, or other group activities, Every Dog Can reserves the right to decline entry to or withdraw any dog that exhibits behavior that we determine to be excessively disruptive, dangerous, or that we feel may be worsened by participation in a group activity. Should this occur, you will be given the choice of a refund (either full or pro-rated, depending on how many classes your dog has completed at the time of withdrawal); or you may apply your remaining class fee toward the cost of private training designed to address your dog’s specific problems.

If you have any doubts about your dog’s behavior and suitability for a group activity, please call us to schedule an evaluation (a reasonable fee may apply) so we can determine together which training program will most effectively help your dog thrive and grow in confidence.


Cancellations and Refunds: - Top

Please plan your schedule carefully and think through your ability to commit before registering for our services. We encourage you to observe one of our classes if you aren’t yet certain that Every Dog Can is the right place for you and your dog (please call us for details).

Since we are a small venue, we do not provide refunds for a client’s cancellation or failure to attend or complete a class, event, or other training service (we make exceptions for emergency situations on a case-by-case basis). If a class, event, or service is canceled by us for any reason and we are not able to reschedule it for a time convenient to you, you will receive your choice of either a full refund or credit toward another training class, event, or service. Note: If we must cancel a partially completed class or service, your refund will be pro-rated accordingly.


Children: - Top

We at Every Dog Can encourage all family members to participate in the training process. We do, after all, specialize in training the family dog! Well-behaved, calm children are welcome to attend and participate in our training classes. The following guidelines will help to ensure an effective, fun, and safe learning experience for everyone:

• Very small children are best left at home, but if you must bring small children with you, please bring coloring books or other quiet activities—and another responsible person!—to keep them occupied and focused during class so you and your dog can concentrate on training.

• Children must remain seated with their parents and be under parental supervision and control at all times, and must never run, scream, or yell in the training center (this can incite any dog to chase and nip).

• Please teach your children that some dogs are not well-socialized and may not be comfortable around or friendly to children. For this reason, your children should never approach or pet a dog in class unless explicitly given permission to do so by the dog’s owner or the instructor (this is an important rule to follow anywhere!).

• Only one family member at a time should work with your dog during a training exercise. Please, please, please do not allow everyone to crowd around your dog all at once, shouting orders. This will only confuse your dog and make him/her give up! You want your dog to love training time, not to dread it or to become frustrated by it. So remember, only one person trains your dog at a time!


Class Make-Up Sessions: - Top

We understand that “life happens” and unexpected events may occasionally cause people to miss a class. If you must be absent, we will email you the class assignment for that week so you can review it and practice on your own before the next class. If you want to receive the full instruction you missed in class and have the advantage of our hands-on help, we’ll be happy to schedule a formal one-on-one individual make-up session for you at 50% off our normal private session rate. (We’re sorry, but because we reserve before and after class to answer students’ general questions, we cannot use that time for make-ups. Thank you for your cooperation and understanding.)


Health and Vaccine Requirements: - Top

Your puppy or dog must be healthy and up-to-date on vaccines to participate in training. Proof of required vaccinations must be shown before your puppy or dog will be admitted to his/her first training class or playgroup. No exceptions!

You may fax your veterinarian’s proof of vaccinations to us in advance at 479-925-3000 or bring proof with you to your “people-only” class orientation. You may also ask your veterinarian’s office to call or fax us to confirm the required vaccines:

• Puppies are required to have received at least their first round of the DHLPP series.
• Dogs over 6 months must be current on Rabies and DHLPP. (If you choose to have your veterinarian perform blood Titer tests instead of revaccinating, we will accept those positive results as proof of immunity.)
• Bordetella (kennel cough) vaccine is recommended but not required (check with your veterinarian).

Sick puppies or dogs may not attend training classes, socials or other events. Immediately consult your veterinarian at the first sign of coughing, vomiting, diarrhea, lack of appetite, lethargy, skin eruptions, or any other unusual symptom or behavior your puppy or dog displays.

Should your puppy or dog be unable to attend class, you and other family members are welcome and encouraged to participate without your puppy or dog so you don’t fall behind in the class instruction.


Multiple Dogs: - Top

For reasons of safety, each dog must be handled by an individual who is physically capable of training and controlling the dog without risk to himself or other class participants and their dogs. So if you are registering and bringing multiple dogs to a training class, doggie social, or other event, please be sure that you have multiple, capable handlers, one for each dog.


Payment: - Top

Training Classes, Workshops, and other group Events: In order to reserve and guarantee your place, payment in full must be received at the time of registration. You can pay with Visa, MasterCard, Discover, and American Express when you register online or by phone. PayPal is another payment option available only for online registrations. If you need to pay by check or cash, you may call us at 479-925-3000 to inquire if there is space available in your preferred class or event, and to make arrangements for delivering your payment to us. But please be advised that we are not able to hold a place for you or guarantee your registration in a specific class or event until we’ve actually received your full payment. Thank you for your understanding.

Private Training Services and Behavior Consultations: Fees must be paid at the time services are provided. You may pay with Visa, MasterCard, Discover, American Express, personal check, or cash. (Discounted fees are available when you pre-pay for a series of private training or behavior sessions.)

There is a $25 fee for returned checks.


Privacy: - Top

We take your privacy very seriously and we never share your personal information with anyone. This is our promise to you!

To function properly, our website uses a “Session ID cookie” (a bit of information sent to your browser by our web server that allows them to communicate) and other cookies to manage your enrollment and process your registration. No information is retrieved from your computer during this process and your Session ID cookie expires when you close your browser. Our website uses state-of-the-art encryption technology, so you can feel safe and confident using your credit card to pay online. We do NOT store your credit card number or other sensitive information in our database.

When you create a Client Profile, we do store your contact information as well as your dog’s information in our database. This enables us to provide a more efficient registration process the next time you use our website’s Online Enrollment Center.

We will use your email address to send you class assignments, future class schedules, important announcements, and other training updates electronically. You may opt out of this service at any time by emailing us at info@EveryDogCan.com or calling 479-925-3000 (toll free 1-877-878-3364).

Third Party Sites: Our website contains links to other (“third party”) websites. When you click on one of these third party links, you are being transferred to a website operated by someone other than Every Dog Can, Inc., and the operator of that website may have a different privacy policy. Be assured that Every Dog Can, Inc. does not share your personal information with these third party websites, but we are not responsible for their individual privacy practices. Although we believe that these third party websites operate in a responsible and safe manner, we make no guarantees in that regard. So we encourage you to investigate the privacy policies of these third party operators before transacting business on their websites.


Scoop the Poop! - Top

Please pick up after your dog! It’s the law in our community, and there are real health hazards (bacteria, disease, and parasites) to dogs and to people (especially children) from dog feces. Scooping shows that you care about our beautiful community and tangibly demonstrates responsible dog ownership. Piles of poop are upsetting to the public and are a primary reason for withdrawing privileges for dogs from public spaces.

Outside our Training Center:
• Always take your dog to the designated “Doggie Relief” area on the west end of the parking lot. Please do not allow your dog to urinate or defecate anywhere else on the property (particularly on the plantings in front of the buildings).
• Please respect our grounds by always picking up after your dog. Poop pick-up bags and trash cans are available in the Doggie Relief area and by our doors for this purpose.

Inside our Training Center:
• Please watch for your dog’s signals that he/she needs a bathroom break, and take your dog outside to the Doggie Relief area before your dog has an accident.
• We understand that occasional accidents are inevitable. When dogs get excited (or nervous), they sometimes need to “go” (especially puppies!).
• Don’t get upset or punish your dog for having an accident—ever!! Just please hand your dog over to a family member (or the instructor or assistant if no one else is available) and clean up the accident using the special clean-up solutions and materials we provide for this purpose.

Important: Our expensive rubber matted flooring will be destroyed if regular household cleaners or bleach solutions are used. So please, use only our special cleaners on our very special flooring!


Shelter/Rescue Adoption Discount: - Top

We have extensive experience working with rescued dogs and puppies. We’re committed to helping these wonderful animals stay in the lifelong homes they deserve. To show our appreciation to those who save a dog’s life by adopting from a shelter or rescue organization, we’re pleased to offer a 15% discount on their first group training class. To receive the 15% discount, you must meet certain requirements:

• Your puppy or dog must have been adopted from a recognized shelter or rescue organization within the past six months.
• You must provide us with a copy of your adoption contract as proof of adoption.
• When we have confirmed that everything is in order, we will issue you a special discount code that you can use to receive your discount when registering online or by phone.
• This 15% Shelter/Rescue Adoption Discount will be in addition to any other discounts for which you may qualify, and will apply only to your dog’s first group training class with us. Any subsequent training classes and all other services, including private training or behavioral consultations, will be charged at the full rate.

If you meet the above requirements and are ready to start the process, please contact us at info@EveryDogCan.com or 479-925-3000. Thank you for saving a dog’s life!


Training Method and Tools: - Top

Our gentle, dog-friendly training method is strictly based on the scientifically proven principles of positive reinforcement. We advocate and encourage the use of dog-friendly training tools in our training programs, including enthusiastic praise, toys, food, clickers, regular buckle or snap-type collars, martingale (limited slip type) collars, harnesses, and head halters. Note: While extendable (Flexi) leashes can be useful for exercising your dog, they can be very unsafe in group training settings; so please always bring your dog to class with a regular 6-foot long (5/8” wide or less) nylon, leather, or cloth leash.

We disallow the use of pinch/prong collars, choke (unlimited slip type) collars, or electronic stim/shock collars in our training programs. If you have any questions or concerns about our training method and tools of choice, please feel free to call us to discuss before you enroll in one of our training programs.


Unaltered Dogs: - Top

Dogs that are not spayed and neutered are welcome and encouraged to participate in our full range of training classes. Exception: If a female dog is in estrus (“heat”), she may not attend classes until her cycle is over (about three weeks on average).

However, for safety reasons, it is our policy that dogs over the age of 7 months that are not spayed and neutered may not participate in our off-leash Doggie Social playgroups. Unaltered dogs are likely to be targeted more frequently in playgroups because the scent they emit can trigger a negative reaction in another dog. If an altercation should ensue, all dogs participating in the playgroup are put at an unacceptable risk, as well as the people present. No exceptions will be made to this policy.