Mannerly Mutts Pack Learning 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:
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 and Times. The dog(s) will be dropped of at Mannerly Mutts 37 Paul Street York Beach, Maine between 8 AM and 9 AM, generally unless other arrangements have been made. The dog(s) will be picked up at Mannerly Mutts 37 Paul Street between 5 PM and 6 PM, generally unless other arrangements have been made. We may be able to pick up and/or drop you dog off for an additional fee (see fee section below). Dog(s) will be trained on the site of Mannerly Mutts, and the immediate surrounding areas (Long Sands Beach, Short Sands Beach, Ellis Park, Wiggly Bridge and Fisherman's Walk areas ET).
- Days and Hours. Day-Train hours are from Monday-Friday 8 AM - 6 PM, generally unless other arrangements have been made. If you need to leave your dog with us on Saturday or Sunday, it is possible to do but boarding rates will apply. Drop off times are between 8 AM and 9 AM, generally. Pick up times are between 5 PM and 6 PM, generally.
- Training. The trainer will train the dog 1 hour per day-train day. The rest of the day will be spent in daycare to learn calm behavior from and around the pack of dogs and humans after appropriate play time is over. This is an important part of day-train, and why these dogs need to stay here for the entire day to learn properly. Also, the way day-train is formatted, allows for flexibility for the trainer for times and opportunities to train. 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, owner's compliance with homework requirements, and the dog's prior experiences. Basic obedience training generally requires ten to twelve weeks, but may be longer in some cases. 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).
- 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.
- 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: A) To be in control and polite around other dogs and people. B) To perform basic pet obedience upon command: sit, down, heel, come, and so forth. C) 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: A) The owner must not give commands that they are not ready to reinforce if the dog does not perform. B) The owner must regularly train the dog at to maintain the level of training achieved. C) The owner must not interact with the dog in a way that rewards bad behavior and/or punishes good behavior. D) The owner must apply the basic principles of training. E) The owner must understand the basic principles of training (covered in the lessons and blog).
- Guarantee. Mannerly Mutts does not guarantee training in this arrangement. Much of the training is going to be done by the client. The trainer cannot control whether the client follows the advice, does the homework, is consistent outside of training time, and many other factors. However, if the following is documented for the trainer, but there is not satisfactory improvement in the dog as agreed by the client and trainer, a refund of some sort will be considered: A) Communication in between lessons of any difficulties or problems that were arising. B) Proof that homework was accomplished by the ability of the client to produce results of exercises as will be outlined.
- Owner Training. During the day-train period, a blog will be kept and updated at the conclusion of each owner lesson or weekly. Owner's must let the trainer know which day and time each week (ideally) that they would like their owner training lesson. On the days that the owner's dog is not training at Mannerly Mutts, the owner is required to train with their dog as instructed in their lesson and on their blog.
- Aggressive Dogs. The owner warrants that he/she has disclosed to the trainer in writing (client interview form & other) any behavior that may indicate that the dog may be aggressive to other dogs or people, included but not limited to growling, forceful barking, snapping, raising of hackles, lowering of head and staring, chasing, attempting to bite, and biting. The trainer reserves the right to refuse or discontinue services for an aggressive dog, in which case the trainer will have no further obligation to the owner.
- Risks of communal daycare. Mannerly Mutts takes reasonable care to provide a safe and clean environment. However, there are still risks of canine colds, parasite exposure, or injury to your dog. Unless Mannerly Mutts has been negligent, the owner releases Mannerly Mutts from responsibility for any of these inherent risks.
- Dog Health. All dogs must be in good health and free from any parasites. On admission all dogs must be free from any conditions, which could potentially jeopardize other guests. If your dog gets ill suddenly, please call and reschedule or cancel your days. If your dog has chronic health (that is not infections) problems or a physical disability, this should have been noted on the interview form. If it was not, please call us so we can discuss whether this is the right program for you and your dog or not.
- Spaying and Neutering. Please let us know if your dog is not spayed or neutered. Female dogs who are not spayed should not attend day-train when in heat. Most male dogs will be fine not neutered, but we should know so we can be aware and take precautions accordingly.
- Vaccinations and Medications. The owner is responsible that the dog has been vaccinated for rabies, distemper, hepatitis, parvovirus, bordetella (Kennel Cough) and para-influenza. Mannerly Mutts does require that a copy of vaccination records be kept on file here.
- 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 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. During play and being around other canines, dogs in daycare can be at risk of injury. When this happens, we need to be able to get the emergency care needed. Owner hereby consents to the following veterinary care for the dog (check appropriate blank or blanks), and gives the trainer full authority to consent to such a treatment as the agent of the owner: A) 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. B) 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.
- 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, training around other dogs, training in strange environments where a loose dog may come upon us ET. Client hereby indemnifies and holds harmless Mannerly Mutts and Robin Rubin (The Trainer). Mannerly Mutts and Robin Rubin will take every reasonable precaution during training to try and avoid such incidents.
- 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.
- Cancellation and rescheduling policy. At the beginning of each week, we would like to know (ideally) what days your dog will be attending for planning purposes. If you need to cancel or will be arriving at a different time, please e-mail us so that we know. If we do not see you (or intercept the e-mail or call) at the agreed upon drop off time (which is generally 8 AM to 9 AM), we may assume that you are not coming and will not be held responsible for that if we happen to be off in the woods with the rest of the dogs or otherwise engaged. In this program, it is generally not a hardship on us if you cancel. However, if this happens as a no-show for more than a week and without communication, we may need to open up your spot to someone else who wants us to work with their dog.
- Pick up and drop off rules. Dogs must be brought to the door on leash. Dogs must be escorted from our door to their car on leash. If you have authorized others to pick up and drop off your dog, you release Mannerly Mutts from any responsible for any ownership or guardianship disputes that may arise.
- Before this contract goes live. We will need (1) non-refundable deposit of $450.00 to hold your start date of the first week, which you may send by Paypal link or via mail 72 hours from submission of this electronic signature form below, (2) your dog's up to date vaccination records sent by e-mail, mail, or brought on the first day (although they will need to be acceptable on that day, so sending before then is preferable to us), and (3) the balance for the minimum program period upon drop off on the first day of your Pack Learning Program (so this would be the fee for two weeks of your program).
- 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 from electronic signature on the contract the services or interruption in service (dog gets sick at home, dog gets sick here, you have sick relative et).
- 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.
- Fees for service. The 5 day weekly rate is 550.00 (total minimum 3 week amount is 1,650.00). The 4 day weekly rate is 465.00 (total minimum 3 week amount is 1,395.00). The 3 day weekly rate is 380.00 (the total minimum 3 week amount is 1,140.00). These usually have no specific end date. Be aware though, these are subject to our annual price increases. The minimum amount of weeks that we sell are three weeks, and the minimum amount of days per we that we sell are three days (for the minimum of 3 weeks).