Dog Training Terms of Service

These Dog Training Terms of Service (“Terms”) govern dog training, behavior coaching, education, consultation, workshop, virtual, in-home, and related services provided by Hilary Fosdal (“Trainer”) to the person purchasing, scheduling, receiving, or participating in services (“Client”).

By booking, purchasing, signing, electronically accepting, attending, or participating in any service, you confirm that you have read, understood, and agree to these Terms.

If another adult participates in a session with you, you are responsible for ensuring that person follows the Trainer’s instructions and applicable safety rules. If you are enrolling a dog on behalf of another owner or household, you represent that you have authority to agree to these Terms on that person’s behalf.

1. Services and Scope

Hilary Fosdal provides dog training and behavior coaching services, which may include private training, in-home training, virtual training, obedience training, behavior support, puppy training, workshops, educational programs, service dog training or coaching, and related services.

Training recommendations are based on information you provide, observations made during services, the dog’s presentation at the time of service, and the Trainer’s professional judgment. Recommendations may change as new information becomes available or as the dog’s behavior, health, environment, or training goals change.

Dog training is an ongoing process. Results depend on many factors, including the dog’s genetics, temperament, health, learning history, environment, management, reinforcement history, consistency of practice, and Client participation. Accordingly, the Trainer does not guarantee any particular behavioral outcome, level of obedience, speed of progress, permanence of change, service dog suitability, public access performance, certification, or other result.

Training services are educational in nature and do not replace veterinary care, veterinary behavioral care, legal advice, medical advice, mental-health care, or other professional services when those services are appropriate.

2. Client Representations and Responsibilities

You represent and agree that:

• You are at least 18 years old and are the dog’s legal owner, primary caretaker, or otherwise authorized to enroll the dog and agree to these Terms.
• You will provide complete, accurate, and current information about the dog’s health, behavior, history, environment, household, prior training, and training goals.
• You will disclose before the first session, and promptly update the Trainer about, any known or suspected bite history, attempted bite, aggression, reactivity, fear, anxiety, resource guarding, predatory behavior, escape behavior, illness, injury, pain, medication, mobility issue, contagious condition, or other safety concern.
• You will follow the Trainer’s reasonable safety and management instructions and practice between sessions as appropriate.
• You will provide appropriate equipment, rewards, supervision, and a safe training environment.
• You will comply with applicable laws, property rules, lease rules, facility policies, and event requirements.
• You will obtain veterinary evaluation or care when reasonably recommended by the Trainer or when health, pain, injury, illness, or medication may affect the dog’s behavior or ability to participate.
• You will not leave the dog unattended with the Trainer unless the Trainer has expressly agreed in writing to a different arrangement.

Failure to provide material information or to follow reasonable safety instructions may limit training progress and may result in the Trainer modifying, postponing, or terminating services.

Minors. Minors may participate only under the active supervision of a parent, legal guardian, or other responsible adult approved by the Trainer. The adult participant remains responsible for the minor’s conduct and compliance with safety instructions.

3. Health, Vaccination, and Contagious Conditions

You represent that, to your knowledge, the dog is reasonably healthy and able to participate in the selected service.

You agree to disclose all relevant medical conditions, injuries, pain indicators, medications, mobility limitations, reproductive status, and other health concerns that may affect behavior, welfare, or participation.

The Trainer does not diagnose, prescribe, or treat medical conditions. If the Trainer reasonably believes that medical, pain-related, or behavioral concerns may be affecting the dog, the Trainer may recommend consultation with a veterinarian, veterinary behaviorist, or another qualified professional.

For in-person services, you must notify the Trainer promptly if the dog has vomiting, diarrhea, coughing, sneezing, fever, a suspected contagious illness, parasites, fleas, or another condition that could create a health risk for people or animals. The Trainer may require postponement, veterinary clearance, or other reasonable precautions before in-person participation resumes.

4. Safety and Trainer Discretion

Safety and welfare are priorities for the dog, Client, Trainer, household members, other participants, and other animals.

The Trainer may modify, pause, postpone, or discontinue any exercise, session, or service if the Trainer reasonably believes that continuing would present an undue safety risk or would be inappropriate for the dog, Client, environment, equipment, or training goals.

The Trainer may refuse or terminate services if a dog’s behavior, health, environment, equipment, undisclosed history, or other circumstances create a risk that cannot reasonably be managed within the scope of the service.

When appropriate, the Trainer may recommend referral to a veterinarian, veterinary behaviorist, behavior consultant, trainer with specialized expertise, service dog organization, or another qualified provider. A referral does not guarantee the services, availability, qualifications, or outcomes of that third party.

5. In-Home Services

For in-home appointments, you agree to provide a reasonably safe and suitable training environment.

Before the Trainer arrives, you agree to:

• Secure or separate other animals as requested by the Trainer.
• Remove or identify hazards that could interfere with safe training.
• Provide a reasonably quiet, low-distraction training area when requested.
• Inform the Trainer of household safety concerns, including aggressive animals, unsafe stairs, construction, weapons, smoking, substance use, or other relevant conditions.
• Ensure that minors are supervised by a responsible adult at all times.

The Trainer may postpone or end an in-home session if conditions are unsafe, unsuitable, or materially different from what was disclosed when the session was scheduled.

You represent that you have authority to permit the Trainer to enter the property for the scheduled appointment.

Travel Outside Service Area. In-home services outside the Trainer’s standard service area may be subject to a travel fee, mileage fee, parking fee, ferry fee, or minimum session requirement. Any such charge will be disclosed before booking whenever reasonably practicable.

6. Virtual Services

Virtual training requires a suitable device, internet connection, camera, microphone, and training environment. You are responsible for testing your technology and joining the session on time.

The Trainer is not responsible for technical disruptions, connectivity problems, device failures, platform outages, or other issues outside the Trainer’s reasonable control.

During virtual services, you remain solely responsible for safely handling and supervising the dog, other animals, children, household members, and the training environment. You must ensure that the dog cannot escape, injure itself, injure a person or animal, or damage property during a remote session.

If a technical problem materially prevents delivery of a session, the Trainer may, in the Trainer’s discretion, continue by telephone, provide reasonable troubleshooting time, reschedule the remaining portion, or determine another appropriate solution.

7. Service Dog Training and Coaching

If services involve an owner-trained service dog or service dog prospect, you understand and agree that:

• Training does not guarantee that a dog will become or remain suitable for service work.
• Not every dog is temperamentally, behaviorally, physically, or medically suited for service work.
• Training does not guarantee public access success, task reliability, housing access, employment access, travel access, acceptance by a third party, or legal recognition in any particular setting.
• The Trainer does not issue legal determinations, registrations, licenses, certifications, identification cards, or guarantees of service dog status.
• You remain responsible for determining and complying with applicable federal, state, local, transportation, housing, workplace, business, and venue rules.
• The Trainer does not guarantee that a dog will meet the standards of any organization, business, government agency, testing program, insurer, housing provider, employer, school, airline, or other third party.
• The Trainer may recommend reassessment, a pause, a change in goals, or withdrawal from service dog training if the dog demonstrates behavior, health, temperament, or welfare concerns that make continued service dog training inappropriate.

8. Fees, Payment, and Taxes

Current fees, deposits, session lengths, package details, and payment deadlines will be stated at booking, on the applicable sales page, invoice, service agreement, or written communication from the Trainer.

Payment is due as stated at the time of booking or in the applicable invoice, service agreement, package terms, or other written communication from the Trainer. The Trainer may require payment in advance, a nonrefundable booking deposit, or a valid payment method on file for certain services.

You are responsible for all fees associated with the services you book, including applicable taxes and fees charged by third-party booking or payment processors, if any.

If payment is not received when due, the Trainer may decline to schedule, begin, continue, or release materials for services until payment is received.

9. Cancellation, Rescheduling, Late Arrival, and No-Shows

All purchases are final. Once payment has been submitted, no refunds, credits, exchanges, or transfers will be provided for any reason, including missed appointments, late arrival, or scheduling conflicts..

If you arrive late, the appointment will still end at the scheduled time unless the Trainer agrees otherwise. A late arrival does not reduce the fee for the scheduled service.

By completing a purchase or booking, you acknowledge and agree to this final-sale, no-refund policy.

If the Trainer must cancel or reschedule due to illness, emergency, unsafe weather, an unsafe environment, or another circumstance outside the Trainer’s reasonable control, the Trainer will make reasonable efforts to reschedule the service or provide an appropriate credit or refund for the undelivered portion.

10. Refunds and Packages

Payments for completed services are nonrefundable.

Unless otherwise stated in writing at the time of purchase, deposits are nonrefundable and package purchases are nonrefundable after the first session.

If packages are offered, the applicable package terms—including the number of sessions, price, expiration date, scheduling requirements, cancellation rules, refund policy, and transferability—will be provided at purchase and are incorporated into these Terms.

Unless otherwise stated in writing:

• Packages are for the named Client and named dog.
• Packages may not be transferred to another Client, dog, or household without the Trainer’s written approval.
• Unused sessions expire on the stated expiration date.
• Expired sessions are forfeited and are not refundable, except where required by law.
• Extensions are granted only at the Trainer’s written discretion and may require an extension fee.

Nothing in these Terms is intended to waive rights that cannot legally be waived.

11. Training Methods and Equipment

Hilary Fosdal uses positive reinforcement, reward-based, humane training methods intended to support learning, cooperation, safety, and the welfare of the dog.

The Trainer may recommend management strategies, environmental changes, enrichment, handling practices, training exercises, and equipment based on the individual dog and training goals. You remain responsible for deciding whether to purchase, use, or discontinue any recommended product or equipment, unless a specific use is required for safe participation in a particular service.

You are responsible for inspecting all equipment before use and for replacing equipment that is damaged, worn, improperly fitted, or unsafe.

The Trainer is not responsible for independently purchased equipment, manufacturer defects, retailer policies, or injuries or damage arising from the use of equipment outside the Trainer’s direct supervision, except to the extent required by law.

Training plans, handouts, and recommendations are individualized. You agree not to materially misrepresent the Trainer’s recommendations or present the Trainer’s materials as endorsing methods the Trainer has not recommended.

12. Assumption of Risk

You understand that working with dogs involves inherent and sometimes unpredictable risks. Those risks may include, without limitation:

• Bites, scratches, bruises, and other injuries.
• Falls, trips, collisions, pulling, jumping, or leash-related injuries.
• Escaping or loose animals.
• Injuries caused by chasing, lunging, barking, fighting, or other animal behavior.
• Damage to personal or real property.
• Injury, illness, stress, or death involving a dog, person, or other animal.

You voluntarily choose to participate in dog training services. You remain responsible for deciding whether, when, and how to implement any training recommendation, exercise, handling technique, management strategy, or command suggested by the Trainer.

You agree to use reasonable judgment, follow applicable safety instructions, and stop or modify an activity if you believe it may be unsafe for you, your dog, another person, or another animal. You understand and accept the risks associated with performing training activities with your dog(s).

You agree to follow the Trainer’s safety instructions and to promptly report any bite, injury, near miss, escape, property damage, or other safety incident occurring during or in connection with a service.

13. Responsibility for the Dog and Property Damage

You retain care, custody, control, and responsibility for the dog at all times unless the Trainer expressly agrees otherwise in a separate written agreement.

Participation in training does not create a boarding, daycare, pet sitting, veterinary, transportation, or custodial relationship.

You remain responsible for reasonably preventing your dog from causing injury, damage, nuisance, or loss to people, animals, and property. You are also responsible for damage caused by your dog to the Trainer’s property, equipment, rental space, training facility, or another participant’s property, except to the extent caused by the Trainer’s own conduct or as otherwise required by law.

14. Limitation of Liability

To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, Hilary Fosdal, and their employees, contractors, agents, and representatives will not be liable for indirect, incidental, special, consequential, exemplary, or punitive damages arising from or relating to training services, even if advised of the possibility of those damages.

To the fullest extent permitted by law, the total liability of Hilary Fosdal arising out of or relating to a particular service will not exceed the amount actually paid by you for that particular service.

Nothing in these Terms excludes or limits liability that cannot legally be excluded or limited under applicable law.

15. Client Property and Home Access

You are responsible for securing valuables, fragile items, medications, food, dangerous items, and other property that may be accessible to the dog or affected by training activities.

For in-home services, you represent that you have authority to allow the Trainer to enter the property and conduct the scheduled service. You are responsible for providing accurate arrival instructions, access information, parking information, and notice of any relevant property hazards.

16. Photos, Video, and Session Recording

The Trainer may take photographs, videos, notes, or recordings during services for documentation, training analysis, quality assurance, and Client progress records.

The Trainer will not use identifiable images, video, audio, or other identifying information about you, members of your household, or your dog for advertising, social media, website content, testimonials, or other promotional purposes without your separate written or electronic permission.

You may not record a training session for publication, commercial use, redistribution, or public posting without the Trainer’s prior written permission. You may request permission to make a personal recording for private training reference.

17. Training Materials and Intellectual Property

All training plans, handouts, worksheets, videos, recordings, written materials, graphics, website content, educational materials, and other content created or provided by Hilary Fosdal are owned by Hilary Fosdal or its licensors, unless otherwise stated in writing.

You receive a limited, personal, nonexclusive, nontransferable license to use materials provided to you solely for training your own dog. You may not reproduce, distribute, publish, sell, sublicense, modify, teach from, commercially use, or create derivative materials from them without the Trainer’s prior written permission.

18. Confidentiality and Privacy

The Trainer will use reasonable efforts to protect information shared by you in connection with services. The Trainer may use information about you and your dog to provide services, maintain records, process payment, communicate about appointments, and comply with legal obligations.

The Trainer may disclose information when required by law or when the Trainer reasonably believes disclosure is necessary to protect the safety of the Client, Trainer, another person, an animal, or property.

The Trainer’s Privacy Policy, if applicable, governs information collected through the Trainer’s website, booking system, payment processor, email platform, videoconferencing platform, and other online tools. You are encouraged to review that policy before providing personal information.

19. Emergencies and Incidents

If an emergency or safety incident occurs during a service, the Trainer may take reasonable steps to protect the safety of the dog, Client, Trainer, and others. This may include stopping a session, separating animals, contacting emergency services, or contacting the emergency contact or veterinary provider you have supplied.

You are responsible for keeping current emergency contact and veterinary information on file.

Except where otherwise required by law, you are responsible for veterinary expenses and other costs associated with your dog’s health, injury, illness, or emergency care.

20. Third-Party Services and Referrals

The Trainer may recommend veterinarians, veterinary behaviorists, groomers, pet professionals, training organizations, service dog organizations, retailers, products, or other third parties.

Any recommendation is provided as a professional courtesy and does not guarantee, warrant, supervise, control, or endorse the third party’s services, products, availability, qualifications, policies, or results. You are solely responsible for evaluating and selecting third-party providers and products.

21. Termination of Services

Either you or the Trainer may discontinue services at any time.

The Trainer may terminate services immediately when continued training is unsafe, inappropriate, outside the Trainer’s scope of practice, inconsistent with animal welfare, materially affected by incomplete or inaccurate information, or inconsistent with these Terms.

Termination does not excuse payment for services already provided, late-cancellation fees, no-show fees, or other charges properly incurred under these Terms.

22. Changes to These Terms

The Trainer may update these Terms from time to time. The version in effect when a service is booked generally applies to that service unless a later version is required by law or you agree to the updated terms.

Material changes will apply prospectively and will not retroactively alter rights or obligations for services already completed.

23. Governing Law and Venue

These Terms are governed by the laws of the State of Washington, without regard to conflict-of-law principles, except where applicable law requires otherwise.

Any dispute arising from these Terms or services will be handled in a manner consistent with applicable Washington law. Unless otherwise required by law or agreed in writing, venue for a dispute will lie in a court of competent jurisdiction in Snohomish County, Washington.

24. Severability; No Waiver; Entire Agreement

If any provision of these Terms is held invalid or unenforceable, that provision will be enforced to the fullest extent permitted by law, and the remaining provisions will remain in effect.

A failure by the Trainer to enforce any provision of these Terms is not a waiver of the Trainer’s right to enforce that provision later.

These Terms, together with applicable booking terms, package terms, written service agreements, consent forms, policies, invoices, and other written communications from the Trainer, constitute the agreement between you and Hilary Fosdal regarding the applicable services.

If there is a conflict between these Terms and a specific written service agreement signed by both parties, the specific written agreement controls to the extent of the conflict.