Activdogs is now Steven Symonds — Dog Behaviour & Training. A name that better reflects the work I do.

LEGAL

Privacy Policy

Reviewed for consistency with the current trading name and services. Updated 4 October 2026.

Steven Symonds trading as Steven Symonds Dog Behaviour & Training

Contact details

Steven Symonds trading as Steven Symonds Dog Behaviour & Training
07549 317 680
steven@activdogs.co.uk
www.activdogs.co.uk
Revised 4 October 2026

1. Who I Am

I am Steven Symonds, trading as Steven Symonds Dog Behaviour & Training, providing dog behaviour and training services in the United Kingdom.

For the purposes of data protection law, I am the data controller.

Contact details:
Email: steven@activdogs.co.uk

2. The Personal Information I Collect

I may collect and process the following personal information:

  • Name
  • Email address
  • Telephone number
  • Address or postcode (where relevant for home visits)
  • Information provided through enquiry forms or booking forms
  • Information relevant to dog training or behaviour consultations
  • Any other information you choose to provide when contacting me

I do not intentionally collect sensitive personal data unless you choose to provide it.

3. How I Collect Your Personal Information

Most of the personal information I process is provided directly by you when you:

  • Submit an enquiry or booking form on my website
  • Contact me by email
  • Book or attend a training or behaviour consultation

I also collect limited technical information automatically through cookies (see Section 8).

4. Why I Use Your Personal Information

I use your personal information to:

  • Respond to enquiries
  • Arrange and deliver dog training or behaviour consultations
  • Manage bookings and client records
  • Communicate important information relating to your sessions
  • Improve my website and services through analytics

5. Lawful Bases for Processing

Under UK GDPR, I rely on the following lawful bases:

Contract

Where processing is necessary to provide training or behaviour services you have requested.

Legitimate Interests

For client administration, responding to enquiries, and improving my services, provided this does not override your rights.

Consent

Where you have explicitly consented, such as:

  • Optional marketing communications (if applicable)
  • Non-essential cookies (see Section 8)

You can withdraw consent at any time by contacting me.

6. How Long I Keep Your Data

I retain personal information only for as long as necessary:

  • Client records are retained for up to 7 years after the last consultation, for legal, insurance, and professional reasons
  • Enquiry data that does not lead to a booking is typically retained for up to 12 months
  • Analytics data is retained according to Google Analytics retention settings

Data is securely deleted when no longer required.

7. Sharing Your Personal Information

I do not sell or rent your personal data.

I may share your data with trusted third parties only where necessary, including:

  • Website hosting and IT providers
  • Online booking or form processing services
  • Google Analytics (website usage statistics only)

Any third parties I use are required to handle your data securely and in accordance with data protection law.

I do not knowingly transfer your personal data outside the UK unless appropriate safeguards are in place.

8. Cookies and Analytics

What Are Cookies?

Cookies are small text files placed on your device when you visit a website. They help websites function properly and collect information about usage.

Cookies We Use

I use the following categories of cookies:

Essential Cookies

These are necessary for the website to function and cannot be switched off.

Analytics Cookies

I use Google Analytics to understand how visitors use our website (e.g. pages visited, time spent on site).

These cookies help me improve my website and services.

Analytics cookies are only set with your consent.

Cookie Consent

When you first visit my website, you will be asked to accept or reject non-essential cookies.

You can change or withdraw your consent at any time via your browser settings or cookie preferences.

Managing Cookies

You can control cookies through your browser settings. Please note that disabling cookies may affect how the website functions.

Further information about cookies can be found at:

9. Your Data Protection Rights

Under UK data protection law, you have the right to:

  • Access your personal data
  • Request correction of inaccurate data
  • Request erasure of your data (in certain circumstances)
  • Restrict processing of your data
  • Object to processing
  • Request data portability

You are not required to pay a fee to exercise your rights. I will respond within one month.

To exercise any of these rights, please contact:
steven@activdogs.co.uk

10. How to Make a Complaint

If you have concerns about how I use your personal information, please contact me first so we can address the issue.

You also have the right to complain to the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO):

Information Commissioner’s Office
Wycliffe House
Water Lane
Wilmslow
Cheshire
SK9 5AF

Telephone: 0303 123 1113
Website: www.ico.org.uk

11. Changes to This Policy

I may update this policy from time to time. The latest version will always be published on my website.