Mannerly Mutts Dog Training Board and Train Contract
37 Paul Street York Beach Maine 03910 (Physical Address)
PO Box 441 York Beach Maine 03910 (Mail Address)
(207) 361-4395 (Cell Phone Robin Rubin, Owner and Trainer)
(508) 735-8630 (Alternate Cell Phone/Robert Customer Service and Bookings)
[email protected]
The owner [Name on Electronic Signature Form Below] hereby retains Robin Rubin doing business as (D/B/A) Mannerly Mutts Dog Training to train our dog under the following terms and conditions:
Below form submission will be your electronic signature.
PO Box 441 York Beach Maine 03910 (Mail Address)
(207) 361-4395 (Cell Phone Robin Rubin, Owner and Trainer)
(508) 735-8630 (Alternate Cell Phone/Robert Customer Service and Bookings)
[email protected]
The owner [Name on Electronic Signature Form Below] hereby retains Robin Rubin doing business as (D/B/A) Mannerly Mutts Dog Training to train our dog under the following terms and conditions:
- Location. The dog(s) will stay with the trainer during training, and the trainer will take reasonable steps to keep the puppy safe, comfortable, appropriately exercised, and happy. The trainer will, if necessary, take the dog to locations other than the trainer’s home and property for socialization, training and veterinary care.
- Training. The trainer will train the dog 14 hours per week with breaks in between daily sessions or for two hours per day. The dog will have house privileges to learn house manners and interact with other dogs and puppies. The length of training required depends on the dog's (s’) capability to learn, what the owner's learning curve will be regarding dog training, and the dog's prior experiences. Basic obedience training generally requires ten to twelve, but may be longer in some cases. Shorter periods of time may be purchased with the understanding that the training will be less than the basic obedience package. Be aware there is a minimum requirement of three weeks for a board & train package. The trainer will give periodic progress reports to the Owner and will update the Owner on the anticipated length of training required to reach the agreed upon goals (as attached).
- Evaluation and goals. The trainer and the owner will evaluate the dog's (s’) current skill levels and identify unsatisfactory areas needing improvement. Training will focus on the areas identified as unsatisfactory during the initial evaluation. In general, the goals for the dog(s) are:
- To be in control and polite around other dogs and people.
- To perform basic pet obedience upon command: sit, loose leash, let's go,
- To improve upon identified bad habits that may exist, such as chewing, barking, jumping on people, rushing through doorways, counter-surfing, aggressive behaviors, and begging for food at the table, as described in the client interview form.
- Re-evaluation. At the conclusion of the in-house training, the owner and the trainer will re-evaluate the dog and identify whether the dog has met the goals. If the dog has not met some goals, the owner and trainer will discuss whether these goals can be achieved by the dog with additional training and will consider additional training.
- Expectations. It may not be possible in some cases to achieve all goals. For example, a dog may have a medical condition that prevents the dog from being reliably housebroken, or the dog's temperament may be aggressive by nature and not amenable to behavior modification. The trainer will notify the owner if any areas are identified where goals need to be modified. In most cases, however, all goals should be achievable given appropriate time and owner's compliance with homework.
- Maintenance of Goals. The owner recognizes that this training will result in the dog obeying the trainer, and that this will not train the dog to obey the owner. In order for the dog to obey the owner, the following must occur:
- The owner must understand the basic principles of training (covered in the lessons and blog).
- The owner must apply the basic principles of training.
- The owner must not interact with the dog in a way that rewards bad behavior and/or punishes good behavior.
- The owner must regularly train the dog at to maintain the level of training achieved.
- The owner must not give commands that they are not ready to reinforce if the dog does not perform.
- Owner Training. At the conclusion of in-house training, the trainer will instruct the owner in the basics of training. Instruction will consist of the following:
- One exit conference to show the owner the dog's(s’) new skills and to instruct the owner on how to give proper commands, how to properly reward the dog for correct performance.
- Two additional follow up visits are provided for you (at our facility unless otherwise noted). It is strongly recommended that the owner takes advantage of these lessons. The lesson dates and times will be determined with input from the dog owner.
- Retraining. If the owner complies with the requirements spelled out in their training blog, completes all recommended follow up lessons, and the dog fails to maintain the goals achieved at the end of in-house training, the trainer will, at no additional charge, provide additional training of up to one week at any time during the first six months following completion of in-house training. In order to demonstrate compliance with the requirements, the owner must document (in writing and video) regular training sessions and must demonstrate an understanding of the principles (by performance of such in front of trainer) contained in the puppy training blog provided by the trainer.
- Veterinary Care. If the dog requires non-emergency veterinary care during the training period, the trainer will make a reasonable attempt to contact the owner so the owner can obtain veterinary care for the dog. If the owner can not be reached or is unable to tend to the dog’s need for veterinary care, or in the case of an emergency, the trainer will arrange on behalf of the owner for veterinary care to which the owner consents as set forth below. All veterinary fees are the responsibility of the owner. If convenient, the trainer will take the dog to the dog’s regular veterinarian, but the trainer reserves the right to take the dog to a veterinarian selected by the trainer, using reasonable care in the selection of a veterinarian. Mannerly Mutts and Robin Rubin will take all reasonable and necessary precautions during the training process to avoid injury. However, sometimes an illness or condition that was not diagnosed or discovered previously may present during the training period. When this happens, we need to be able to get the emergency care needed. Owner hereby consents to the following veterinary care for the puppy (check appropriate blank or blanks), and gives the trainer l authority to consent to such a treatment as the agent of the owner:
- In the event that Mannerly Mutts can not reach the owners or the owners can not get to their dog, Mannerly Mutts will be allowed to make decisions regarding emergency care reasonably required to save the dog’s life, to preserve the use of organs or limbs, or to alleviate severe pain.
- In the event that Mannerly Mutts can not reach the owners, Mannerly Mutts will be allowed to make decisions regarding emergency euthanasia, only if (a) recommended by the veterinarian, (b) the owner cannot be reached after reasonable attempts, (c) treatment is not likely to be successful, and (d) the dog may be suffering or the expense of continued treatment may be unreasonable in light of the likely outcome.
- If a not serious but contagious (and hindering training) illness is detected, the dog may need to be go back to the owner's home for recovery. After that, the dog can return with new dates to Mannerly Mutts Dog Training. Mannerly Mutts may agree to have the dog recover here, and will discuss with the owner if that occurs.
- The owner must arrange all other veterinary care, when possible. The trainer’s time and transportation expenses must also be reimbursed. If the medical condition or emergency is not due to negligence on Mannerly Mutt's part, the owner will cover all and any veterinary expenses involved in treatment, medications, hospitalization, and so on.
- Non disclosure of any known medical issues with the dog will result in contract termination, and Mannerly Mutts will keep non refundable fees or be owed additional fees if Board & Train progressed beyond the first week.
- Vaccinations and Medications. The owner must provide the trainer with proof that the dog has been vaccinated for rabies, distemper, hepatitis, parvo virus, and para-influenza. The puppy must be heart-worm negative and on heart-worm preventive, and on a flea/tick preventive. Any medications to be administered to the dog during training will be provided by the owner and administered by the trainer as instructed by the owner.
- Spaying and Neutering. Please let us know if your dog is not spayed or neutered so we can be aware and take precautions accordingly.
- Equipment and methods used. Robin Rubin, owner and trainer of Mannerly Mutts, is proficient in motivational training, training with rewards, and training with corrections. Motivation is what keeps a dog wanting to work. Rewards are markers that they did the work correctly. Corrections are ways to correct the position or behavior in a dog for a particular command or circumstance. These are all used in different configurations depending on the goals to be achieved and the place in the dog's training. The trainer will recommend the equipment and method based on the dog's temperament and personality. These may include any of the following: leash, training collar (flat, metal training slip or prong or electronic), 6' leash, 15' and up long line, food (be sure you have let us know of any allergies and you may want to send along small quickly edible treats or kibble for your dog if so), toys, and so on. We will seek the owners permission if we are going to use electronic or prong collars.
- Liability. All behavioral advice and training suggestions are provided at the client’s own risk. Use of this information is voluntary and Mannerly Mutts is not responsible for injury to another human or animal. The client is at all times responsible for the actions of their dog. Mannerly Mutts and Robin Rubin (The Trainer) is not responsible for any injuries or expenses resulting from socialization or training. Dogs participating in physical exercises may be injured by running, jumping, chasing a ball, around other dogs, around other humans et. Client hereby indemnifies and holds harmless Mannerly Mutts and Robin Rubin (The Trainer). Mannerly Mutts and Robin Rubin will take all reasonable and necessary precautions during the training process.
- Fee. The fee for the training described in this contract starts at 3,528.00 for the three week minimum. The non refundable initial deposit of $1,176.00 is required before the service and contract goes live, and it also holds your weekly spot. This deposit is not refundable, because we are holding your spot that could have gone to someone else. The non refundable balance of $2,352.00 is due upon drop of your canine companion. Once training begins this is not refundable, unless the owner and trainer allows it. These would be very rare circumstances. Additional weeks are due at the beginning of any subsequent weekly service period.
- Bounced Check Fee. If a check bounces, the fee and original amount due is to be reimbursed to Mannerly Mutts or Robin Rubin immediately in the form of cash.
- Abandonment of your canine companion here. Boarding services will accrue while your dog remains here. After not hearing from you for more than a week, we will try to rehome the dog, allow a rescue to rehome the dog, in the worst case behavioral euthanasia, or possibly keep the dog as our own. Your abandonment of your dog and/or non payment of services automatically transfers your dog to our ownership or guardianship. You are still liable for any damages or services that your dog incurs during your abandonment.
- At canine drop off for board & train services. The owner will bring the (1) dog's food (or let us know what the dog eats, but you will be billed for time/auto expense to pick it up and the purchase price of the food), (2) check for $2,352.00 second payment (unless a Paypal payment has been made) (3) leash on dog before entry to our facility, (4) flat collar tightened so as to not slip off before entry to our facility, (5 optional) recommend their dog's bed or bedding so they feel the most comfortable, (6 if not here already) vaccination records if they were not forwarded previously (if you do not have them at time of drop off, we can not accept your dog and your refund will not be reimbursed), (7) personal vet contact information, and (8 if different than on interview form) owner contact information (if it is different than what was submitted on the client information form).
- Refunds This contract is a commitment that you will train your dogs for the amount of lessons that you are signing up for. Mannerly Mutts is not responsible for events in life that may come up, which may prevent from wanting to or taking the balance of your lessons. You will not be entitled to nor will you receive a refund upon electronic contract submission for either the deposit or the balance of the package. In other words, you are paying for our availability and time in the future. If you only want one lesson or circumstances come up, that lesson costs the package price you signed up for. Please take serious account of your finances, commitment to your dog, the possibility that you may re-home or euthanize the dog during the lesson period seriously. Writing a check out with the intention of just getting a single consultation and stopping the check payment is a crime, and we will report such instances as such.
- Interruption or rescheduling can happen during when events happen that are not expected. Although we are not specifically obligated to, we will do our best to work with you to accommodate those needs. You have five months to reschedule or use the services or interruption in service (dog gets sick at home, dog gets sick here, you have sick relative et).
- Before this contract goes live and dates are confirmed you need to have (1) submitted the client information form and discussed whether this program is right for you (2) submit a 1,176.00 non refundable deposit to reserve your spot (via PayPal linked below or check). If this deposit is received more than 72 hours after the dates that were discussed for your service to begin, we can not guarantee those same dates (as we might have discussed electronically, on the phone, or in person) for your Board & Train to begin and the price may have changed. Please understand if you change your mind later, this deposit has held your spot either discussed or determined later and is therefore non-refundable. (3) Forward on veterinary records of up to date (voids contract if your vaccinations are not up to date) vaccinations for your dog (if not received before services begin, this also voids this contract).
Below form submission will be your electronic signature.