Policies

Affiliate Disclosure

Simpawtico Dog Training, LLC participates in affiliate marketing with Amazon, Chewy, WalMart, and International Open Academy. Some of the links in certain blog posts on this site are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, Simpawtico Dog training, LLC will receive an affiliate commission. Regardless, we only recommend products or services we use personally and believe will add value to our audience. When you make a purchase, the price you pay will be the same whether you use the affiliate link or go directly to the vendor’s website using a non-affiliate link. Simpawtico Dog Training selects and reviews products independently. As a rule we don’t do any sponsored or paid reviews or recommendations. We only recommend products that we ourselves use and have worked with. If you purchase through affiliate links, we may earn a small commission, which helps support our testing. We are disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

General Policies and Disclaimers for the Simpawtico Dog Training, LLC Website

All content on this site is copyright © Simpawtico Dog Training, LLC. These terms & conditions govern the use of the site (http://www.simpawtico-training.com), the advice featured on it, and the dog training and behavioral services advertised therein. By your use of the content on this site and/or the dog training services advertised therein, you agree to these terms. Simpawtico Dog Training, LLC reserves the right to modify these terms of use at any time without prior notice. Your use of the services following any modification constitutes your agreement to be bound by the terms of use as modified. In no event will Simpawtico Dog Training, LLC or its representatives be liable for any damages whatsoever, including, but not limited to any direct, incidental, consequential, special, exemplary or other indirect damages, arising out of (1) the use of or inability to use the site, the services, or the content, (2) any transaction conducted through or facilitated by the site; (3) any claim attributable to errors, omissions, or other inaccuracies in the site, the services and/or content, (4) unauthorized access to or alteration of your transmissions or data, or (5) any other matter relating to the site, the services, or the content, even if Simpawtico Dog Training, LLC has been advised of the possibilities of such damages. If you are dissatisfied with the site, the services, the content, or the terms of use, your sole and exclusive remedy is to discontinue using the site and the services. Because some states do not allow the exclusion or limitation of liability for consequential or incidental damages, some of the above limitations may not apply to you. In such states, Simpawtico Dog Training, LLC’s liability is limited and warranties are excluded to the greatest extent permitted by law. You agree that any cause of action, controversy or claim arising out of or related to the use of this site, services or content between Simpawtico Dog Training, LLC and yourself or as to the construction, interpretation and effect of this agreement shall be settled by arbitration held in Chemung County, New York State, pursuant to the applicable rules of the American Arbitration Association.

Training Facility Operations

On-site training is conducted at our facility in Big Flats, NY. “Classes” consist of group training, private sessions, and seminars. Classes must be paid in full at the time of payment. No partial payments will be accepted. No refunds will be given for cancellations received after classes have commenced. Full cancellation requests must be received before the commencement of the week #1 class to receive a full refund, minus a $25 processing fee. Make-up classes are not typically available for missed classes. If arrangements are made in advance, the instructor may be able to meet with students fifteen minutes before class start time to go over what was missed. Private sessions are also available for an additional fee.

If your dog is sick, please do not bring them to class. If you have a question about what is allowed in class, don’t hesitate to contact your instructor. You are encouraged to come to class without your dog to see and learn about what we do that day.

Dogs in heat are not allowed to attend class. The instructor reserves the right to expel disruptive dogs (e.g., excessive barking), exhibit extreme reactivity, or show aggression towards people or other dogs. Private sessions may be recommended in these cases. Please be sure to disclose any aggressive tendencies that your dog may have to your instructor prior to registering.

Dogs must be on leash on the property when outside of the class space. Please clean up after your dog. Pickup bags and trash receptacles are provided.

Family members are always welcome, one and all. However, young children must be supervised by an additional adult so the primary handler of the dog can devote their full attention to class.

What to bring to class:

  • Training treats — small, smelly, and easy to handle are the best. Kibble is even better if your dog is sufficiently food-motivated. Bring more than you think you’ll need.
  • A leash, a collar, and a harness — yes, all three, please (toy breeds do not need a collar). We will start on a harness and work up to a collar.
  • Poo baggies — please clean up after your dog!
  • Vaccination records the first session — your vet can also email these to simpawtico.team@simpawtico-training.com
  • Your filled-in and signed Enrollment Form/waiver. You can fill this out at the studio before class as well.

Group Classes and Mini-Courses

Group classes consist of six weekly classes, held on the same day and time each week unless a break is mentioned (e.g., holidays). Each class session will be approximately 55 minutes long. The Pet CPR/First Aid class consists of one, (approximately) five-hour workshop on a single day. Breaks are included. Mini-courses and seminars consist of one or more sessions, depending on the information and techniques covered. Each class session will be approximately 60-90 minutes long unless otherwise noted in the scheduling. Fees for group classes, seminars, and private training are due in full before your first class. No partial payments will be accepted. Training spaces are not held or guaranteed unless and until payment in full is made.  Sign-ups and payments are made online through our secure payment gateway. All payments are processed securely through Square or PayPal.

Group Classes

No refunds will be given for cancellations received after group classes have commenced. Full cancellation requests must be received before the commencement of the week #1 class to receive a full refund, minus a $25 processing fee. In the unfortunate event of your pet’s death or a separation of ownership, refunds for remaining classes will be refunded at the rate of $15 per class. All requests for refunds or credits may take up to 30 days to process. Make-up classes are not typically available for missed classes. If arrangements are made in advance, your instructor may be able to meet with students fifteen minutes before class start time to go over what was missed. Private sessions are also available for an additional fee. If your dog is sick, please do not bring them to class. If you have a question about what is allowed in class, please contact your instructor. You are encouraged to come to class without your dog to see and learn about what we do that day. A minimum of three dogs is required to run a group class except for the CPR/First Aid course or our seminars, where dogs do not attend. In the event the attendance minimum is not met, you may use your payment to reserve a spot in a later scheduled class. In the event of a class cancellation, you will receive a full refund for any fees paid for that class. Unless otherwise noted in the course description, there are no minimum attendance requirements for mini-courses. All dogs in classes are required to have a current rabies vaccination certificate. The core vaccinations—parvovirus, distemper, and parainfluenza—are required to be current as well. These will all need to be verified before the start of the first class. You may bring your records with you or have your vet email them to our team at simpawtico.team@simpawico-training.com. Plan spays or neuters carefully around your intended class schedule. Dogs that have just been spayed or neutered are typically not allowed full activity for a full 7 to 10 days (or more in some cases) from the day of surgery. Therefore, dogs that have just been spayed or neutered will not be allowed in class until a minimum of seven days after their procedure. Dogs in heat may not attend group classes. For your unspayed dog, please plan class time around heat cycles. Group classes are not appropriate for reactive or aggressive dogs. Please contact us to discuss training options.

Agreement to Hold Harmless and Assumption of Risk

Attendance of a class administered by Simpawtico Dog Training LLC is not without risk to yourself, members of my family or guests who may attend, or your dog. You represent and warrant that your dog is physically fit and has no medical condition that would prevent his/her full participation in classes. You assume full responsibility for any risks, injuries, or damages which might incur as a result of your dog participating in classes. You waive any claim you may have against Simpawtico Dog Training LLC (including its members, managers, employees, and agents) for injury or damages that you or your dog may sustain as a result of participating in these classes. You waive and release Simpawtico Dog Training LLC and Raven Banner Holdings LLC (including its members, managers, employees, and agents) from any and all liability of any nature or damage that you or your dog may suffer, including specifically, but not without limitation, any injury or damage resulting from the action of any dog, and assume the risk of any such damage or injury while attending any training session held by Simpawtico Dog Training LLC. You, your heirs, or legal representatives forever release, waive, discharge, and covenant not to sue Simpawtico Dog Training LLC (including its members, managers, employees, and agents) for any injury or death caused by their negligence or other acts during the training of your dog or while on the training premises, Raven Banner Holdings LLC’s building at 62 Main St. in Big Flats, New York, or any surrounding area thereto. You agree to assume full responsibility for any risks, injuries, or damages that your dog might incur to itself or towards any other animal, person, or property while attending Simpawtico Dog Training LLC classes. Simpawtico Dog Training LLC reserves the right to refuse or terminate services of any pet at any time. You consent to Simpawtico Dog Training, LLC taking photos and video recordings during the course of our assessment, evaluation, training, remediation and/or treatment of the Animal(s) and for advancing veterinary medicine, advancing behavioral methodology, and for the purposes of marketing/advertising. You agree that all photos and video recordings will be the sole property of Simpawtico Dog Training, LLC. Purchasing training online—for group classes, seminars, and private training—and checking the “I have read and agree to the terms above” box is effectively your signature that both parties shall evidence acceptance of these terms.

Private Training

Fees for single training sessions are $80 per 50 minute session when conducted at the training facility, located at 62 Main St in Big Flats, NY. For in-home training sessions fees are $140 per ≈ 1.5 hours. Private Package fees are due in full before the first session. These can be scheduled either at the facility or in the home and fees will be adjusted accordingly on a declining scale based on the number of sessions purchased. All purchased sessions in a package must be used within twelve (12) months from the date of purchase. All “unused” sessions at the end of twelve (12) months will be forfeit. Simpawtico Dog Training, LLC is based in Big Flats, NY, and thus primarily serves most of Chemung County (Elmira, Elmira Heights, Horseheads, Big Flats). Corning, Painted Post, and the areas in between are also served. Our fees include travel to these areas, and even as far as Ithaca or Sayre. “Out of Area” fees for in-home training sessions are billed on a case-by-case basis. Contact us for a quote. As stated above, private training at the indoor facility in Big Flats is also available and that may be a viable option if you would rather not pay the Out of Area fee. There will be a 100% charge for no-shows. In other words, if you do not show up for your training, or arrive more than 15 minutes late, no refund will be issued except in cases of your dog’s death or a separation of ownership. Simpawtico Dog Training, LLC is not obligated to complete the session in such a case. You will be charged the total session price if you miss, change, or cancel your appointment with less than 24 hours notice. In general, refunds for Private Training fees are at the sole discretion of Simpawtico Dog Training, LLC. In the unfortunate event of your dog’s death or a separation of ownership, remaining sessions in a Private Package program will be prorated and refunded minus a $25 processing fee. All requests for refunds or credits may take up to 30 days to process. In some cases, you may be asked to participate in video production. Only your dog (not you) will appear on camera unless special arrangements have been made beforehand. This is at your discretion, of course, and will not affect the length or quality of the training you receive. Please refer to the “Photo and Video” section below for more details. Understand that Simpawtico Dog Training LLC will work directly with you and your pet to impart contemporary animal behavior knowledge that best fits your needs and that successful companion pet programs depend on a combination of learned skills on the part of both the pet and the owner. Behavior is not static; an animal will not continue to perform even trained behaviors without ongoing practice. Especially in cases involving any type of aggression, although behavior may be modified, the dog is never considered “cured.” A pet’s behavior is ultimately the responsibility of the owner. Simpawtico Dog Training, LLC will make every reasonable effort to help you attain goals but makes no guarantee of performance on the part of yourself or your pet(s) as a result of providing professional behavior consultation. Obedience training/ behavior modification may be an activity in which damage or injury to dog(s) and/or persons may occur. You will assume full financial/moral responsibility for the actions of my dog(s). You further acknowledges that dog(s) may be exposed to a variety of environmental conditions, which include, but are not limited to, vehicular travel, interaction with people and other animals, exposure to adverse weather, and exposure to areas with crowds and all types of traffic. Dogs can be inherently difficult to control, and not all dogs will be under control at all times, resulting in the possibility of injury to yourself, your dog, your family members, or third parties. Please take the full opportunity to discuss all concerns you may have about the foregoing risks with Simpawtico Dog Training, LLC and its authorized representatives. You are welcome to make inquiries and investigations to your satisfaction related to such risks, including, but not limited to, an examination of the training area (if applicable). Before commencement of training, you will be asked to sign a waiver of liability and an informed consent release. No waiver or modification of any provision herein shall be valid unless expressly agreed to in writing by both Simpawtico Dog Training, LLC and yourself. Every provision therein is intended to be severable. If any one or more of the provisions herein is found to be unenforceable or invalid, that shall not affect the other terms and provisions hereof, which shall remain binding and enforceable. Booking training online and checking the “I have read and agree to the terms above” box is effectively your signature that both parties shall evidence acceptance of these terms.

Remote Consultations (Zoom, Skype, Telephone)

General Terms and Conditions for Virtual Consultations Consultations are offered on a limited basis via Zoom. Zoom is a free teleconference service. Sessions are offered at the rate of $80 for one 45 to 60 minute session. This service is a support service offering telephone access to Certified Professional Dog Trainer. You must be at least 18 years old to purchase the service. The service will not be able to provide veterinary advice for situations involving veterinary situations or remedies. Some more extreme behavioral issues will be best addressed by a qualified professional during an in-person visit. For such issues, Simpawtico Dog Training, LLC will provide as much guidance and advice as is possible without being with you in person, and will either arrange to visit you in person or assist in determining the most important qualities to seek when hiring a local professional (e.g., a trainer, a behaviorist, a nutritionist, a dog walker, etc.). There is no guarantee as to your results. There will be a 100% charge for no-shows. In other words, if you do not log in for your training, or log in more than 15 minutes late, no refund will be issued except in cases of your dog’s death or a separation of ownership. Simpawtico Dog Training, LLC is not obligated to complete your session in such a case. You will be charged the total session price if you miss, change, or cancel your appointment with less than 24 hours notice. In general, refunds for Private Training fees (including remote sessions) are at the sole discretion of Simpawtico Dog Training, LLC. In the unfortunate event of your dog’s death or a separation of ownership, remaining sessions in a Private Package program will be prorated and refunded minus a $25 processing fee. All requests for refunds or credits may take up to 30 days to process. Disclaimer of Warranties You expressly agree that the use of the services is at your own risk. Simpawtico Dog Training, LLC makes no express or implied warranties, representations or endorsements whatsoever with respect to the services. Simpawtico Dog Training, LLC expressly disclaim all warranties of any kind, express, implied, statutory or otherwise, including, but not limited to, implied warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, title and non-infringement, with regard to the service. Simpawtico Dog Training, LLC does not warrant that the functions performed by the services will be uninterrupted, timely, secure, or error-free, or that defects in the services will be corrected. Simpawtico Dog Training, LLC does not warrant the accuracy or completeness of the content provided on the site or with the services, or that any errors in the content will be corrected. The site, the services and the content are provided on an “as is” and “as available” basis. Agreement to Hold Harmless and Assumption of Risk When you sign up for virtual consulting via Zoom, Skype, telephone, or a similar communication interface, understand that Simpawtico Dog Training, LLC (the Consultant) will work directly with you and your pet to impart contemporary animal behavior knowledge that best fits your needs, and that successful companion pet programs depend on a combination of learned skills on the part of both the pet and the owner. Behavior is not static; an animal will not continue to perform even trained behaviors without ongoing practice. Especially in cases involving any type of aggression, although behavior may be modified, the dog is never considered “cured.” A pet’s behavior is ultimately the responsibility of the owner. The Consultant will make every reasonable effort to help you attain goals but makes no guarantee of performance on the part of yourself or your pet(s) as a result of providing professional behavior consultation. You acknowledge that obedience training/ behavior modification may be an activity in which damage or injury to your dog(s) and/or persons may occur. You will assume full financial/moral responsibility for the actions of your dog(s). You further acknowledge that dog(s) may be exposed to a variety of environmental conditions, which include, but are not limited to, vehicular travel, interaction with people and other animals, exposure to adverse weather, and exposure to areas with crowds and all types of traffic. You agree that you, your heirs, assignees, and legal representatives will not make claim against, sue, or attach the property of the Consultant, members, managers, employees, acquaintances, or any other person acting on behalf of Simpawtico Dog Training, LLC (herein referred to as “Our Agents”) for injury or damage done to or by dog(s) resulting from action or negligence, however caused, by the Consultant or Our Agents. You forever release the Consultant and/or Our Agents from any and all liability and demands which you and your heirs, assignees, and legal representatives may have or may hereafter have for injury or damage to or by dog(s), and assume all risks thereof. Your Contract for Training Services supersedes all other agreements, written or oral, previously made between the Consultant and yourself. Purchasing and/or registering for virtual Zoom training consultations online and checking the “I have read and agree to the terms above” box is effectively your signature that both parties shall evidence acceptance of these terms.

AKC Testing

Ian Stone, member/manager/principal trainer of Simpawtico Dog Training, LLC, has been an AKC-certified Canine Good Citizen evaluator since 2012. Hannah Rumpf, lead trainer of Simpawtico Dog Training, LLC, has been an AKC-certified Canine Good Citizen evaluator since 2021. As such, they are both qualified to administer the CGC, CGCA, CGCU, and Trick Dog evaluations. These exams are free if they’re taken at the conclusion of a six-week test-prep course with Simpawtico Dog Training, LLC. The test must be taken during the week #6 class in order for it to be free. No discounts will be given for the training course if you choose not to test. Without the purchase and attendance in a six-week class, “a la carte” fees for these tests may apply. You do not need to have attended a class at Simpawtico Dog Training LLC to take these tests. If you’ve trained your dog yourself or with another trainer, you’re welcome to have your test done with us. Ian and Hannah are also qualified to teach the AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy course along with the accompanying exam. However, unlike the CGC tests, the S.T.A.R. Puppy test is inseparable from the classes. You must take the twelve-week class cycle of Puppy 1 and Puppy 2 in order to test. Tests and classes are typically conducted at the training facility, located at 62 Main St in Big Flats, NY, unless otherwise scheduled as a special event. In any event, fees paid to Simpawtico Dog Training, LLC include only classes and testing as outlined above. You are responsible for sending your exam paperwork with the requisite fees to the AKC to process your certificate and/or title. At this time, Simpawtico Dog Training, LLC does not do any training or judging for conformation, dog shows, agility, or rally.

Discounts, Coupons, and Bundling

At this time, competitor’s coupons for training services cannot be accepted; only coupons offered by Simpawtico Dog Training, LLC shall be accepted. Unless otherwise specified, all coupons have no cash value. Coupons and their face value cannot be exchanged for cash or gift cards. “Standing Discounts” are those given out to peers and professionals who we work with and network with. If you are one of those who have a Standing Discount, please understand that these are not transferrable.

Privacy

Personal information, including contact info, family members’ names, dog’s name (or dogs’ names), and other pieces of information are gathered for the purpose of enrollment in training, constructively consulting as a dog trainer, and for record keeping. This information, whether written or digital, is stored securely and will never be shared unless:

  • directed to by a court of law
  • client gives permission via waiver
  • authorities have a legal or regulatory interest in the records to protect animal or public health
  • a client puts care and treatment at issue in an administrative, civil, or criminal proceeding
  • to a third party subject to a confidentiality agreement
  • for purposes of your own treatment, payment, and/or operations
  • for research purposes if client identities are not disclosed.

Simpawtico Dog Training, LLC’s website uses Google Analytics to collect visitor data and analyze traffic on our site. This information helps us understand customer interests and helps us improve our website. When you visit our site, the pages that you look at, and a short text file called a cookie, are downloaded to your computer. A cookie is used to store small amounts of information. This information is collected for traffic analysis only. The cookie does not contain personal details. Depending on the browser that you use, you can set your preferences to block/ refuse cookies, and/ or notify you before they are placed. Neither Simpawtico Dog Training, LLC, nor Google Analytics will ever give, or trade these statistics to any 3rd parties for data-mining or marketing purposes. Please visit Google Analytics for their privacy policy. Additionally, Simpawtico Dog Training, LLC collects Email addresses for the purposes of communicating with existing and prospective clients. Likewise, these addresses will never be shared with a 3rd party unless directed to by a court of law or by you, and they will never be used for spamming. Please contact us if you have any questions about these privacy policies.

Photo and Video

Simpawtico Dog Training LLC runs a YouTube channel aimed at building our brand by providing meaningful content to dog owners and dog lovers. As such, our production team includes photos and videos of clients and their dogs in stories, case studies, and anecdotes. Video footage or photography of your dog may come from specific visits from a Consultant and small crew during a private session, or may be captured incidentally in a group class. Group class photos and videos are covered in your Group Class agreement (see above). During more involved, private sessions where your dog will be the centerpiece, we will only do so with your permission via a Property Release form. This is completely at your discretion and opting not to so do will not affect the quality or length of your training in any way. Video footage or photography of you, your assistants, family members, or representatives will not be included without your permission under any circumstances. You may be asked to sign a Model Release. These are standard for any kind of visual production and opting not to do so will not affect the length or quality of your training in any way. We take your privacy very seriously. As per our privacy policy we will NEVER provide any information besides your dog’s name and, in some cases, the first names of owners and/or participants. Please feel free to read PDFs of both the Property Release and the Model Release (click to open or download): Property Release (for dogs) Model Release Your participation in our video production helps us bring knowledge and understanding to more dog owners. Thank you in advance for your enthusiasm and help!

Miscellaneous

You are welcome to take photos of your dog in training. Simpawtico Dog Training, LLC offers training to assist Clients in training for the Therapy Dog test, as laid out by Therapy Dogs International. We do not, however, currently administer Therapy Dog exams. Services are not currently offered for training a Service Dog. All fees and pricing are subject to change and can be updated at any time. You will not be billed for increases in fees you’ve already paid, but you will also not be credited for fees you’ve already paid that are reduced.

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