This contract must be printed out, signed, and submitted either by fax with signature (prior to lesson).   Below is a HTML representation of the contract.

Mannerly Mutts Dog Training

Canine Board & Train Contract

37 Paul Street York Beach Maine 03910 (Phys Address)

PO Box 441 York Beach Maine 03910 (Mail Address)

(207) 361-4395   mannerly_mutt@yahoo.com

 

___________________________[“Owner”] herby retains Robin Rubin [“Dog Trainer”] of Mannerly Mutts Dog Training to train__________________________[“The Dog(s)”] under the following terms and conditions:

 

1. Location.   The dog(s) will stay with the trainer during training, and the trainer will take reasonable steps to keep the dog safe, comfortable, appropriately exercised, and happy.  The trainer will take the dog to locations other than the trainer’s home and property for socialization, training and veterinary care.
2. Training.   The trainer will train the dog seven days a week for sessions with breaks in between for a two hours a day or more.   The dog will have liberal house privileges to learn house manners and interact with other dogs.   The length of training required depends on the dog’s (s’) capability to learn and their prior experiences.   Basic obedience training generally requires six to eight weeks, 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.   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).
3. 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:
1. To be in control and polite around other dogs and people.
2. To perform basic pet obedience upon command: sit, down, heel, come,
3. To extinguish identified bad habits that may exist, such as chewing, barking, jumping on people, rushing through doorways, counter-surfing, and begging for food at the table.
4. 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.
5. 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.
6. 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:
1. The owner must understand the basic principles of training.
2. The owner must apply the basic principles of training.
3. The owner must not interact with the dog in a way that rewards bad behavior and/or punishes good behavior.
4. The owner must regularly train the dog at least ten minutes a day, six days a week to maintain the level of training achieved.
5. The owner must not give commands that they are not ready to reinforce if the dog does not perform.
7. 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:
1. 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, and how to properly correct the dog for disobedience.
2. Additional follow up visits are required of one each week for four weeks are part of the basic obedience package.   If fewer weeks are purchased, less included follow up lessons are provided.   It is strongly recommended that the owner attends four follow up lessons after the board & train portion is concluded.
8. Retraining.  If the owner complies with the requirements of section six and 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 of section 6, the owner must document regular training sessions of at least 30 minutes per day and must demonstrate an understanding of the principles contained in the dog training manual provided by the trainer. 
9. Fee.   The fee for the training described in this contract is $700.00 per week of in-house training.   This covers boarding of $30.00 per day and two hours of training time a day (often it ends up being more, but we do not charge extra), which are split into separate sessions throughout the day.
10. Vaccinations and Medications.  The owner must provide the trainer with proof that the dog has been vaccinated for bordatella, rabies, distemper, hepatitis, parovirus, and parainfluenza.  The dog must be heartworm negative and on heartworm 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.
11. 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.   Owner herby 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:
1. __Emergency care reasonably required to save the dog’s life, to preserve the use of organs or limbs, or to alleviate severe pain.
2. __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.
3. The owner must arrange all other veterinary care.   The trainer’s time and transportation expenses must also be reimbursed.
12. 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 owner understands that, while the trainer may be able to address some forms of aggression, many aggressive dogs require long-term treatment following a specific plan of action.  The owner further understands that some forms of aggression cannot be addressed with behavior modification and may require medication or euthanasia, both of which are outside the scope of this contract.  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.
13. 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 et.  Client hereby indemnifies and holds harmless Mannerly Mutts and Robin Rubin (The Trainer).  

 

 

Date:_______________________________________________

 

Owner’s Signature (printed and signed):

 

 

Trainer

Robin Rubin, Mannerly Mutts