Activdogs is now Steven Symonds — Dog Behaviour & Training. A name that better reflects the work I do.
Activdogs is now Steven Symonds — Dog Behaviour & Training. A name that better reflects the work I do.
Reviewed for consistency with the current services, trading name and cancellation policy. Updated 4 October 2026.
Revised: 04/10/26
These Terms of Service apply to all services provided by Steven Symonds trading as Steven Symonds Dog Behaviour & Training unless otherwise agreed in writing.
I will always do my utmost to help clients achieve the best possible outcomes for themselves and their dog. However, dogs are living animals, and behaviour and training outcomes cannot be guaranteed. Progress may be affected by many factors, including the dog’s age, breed traits, previous experiences, health, environment, stress levels, consistency of handling, and the Client’s ability to follow the agreed training or behaviour modification plan.
Training and behaviour modification usually require time, consistency, patience and practical commitment from the Client. Successful outcomes depend on the Client working in partnership with me and applying the guidance provided to an appropriate standard.
If you have any questions, concerns or complaints about a Service, please contact me at the earliest opportunity so that a suitable resolution can be discussed.
In these Terms:
References in these Terms to “I”, “me” or “my” mean Steven Symonds, trading as Steven Symonds Dog Behaviour & Training.
“Client” means the individual or individuals who request, book, pay for, or participate in a Service provided by me.
“Dog” means the dog or dogs for whom the Service is being provided.
“Service” means any service provided by me, including but not limited to behaviour consultations, training sessions, follow-up sessions, training plans, behaviour reports, advice and support.
“Order” means the Client’s confirmed request for a Service.
“Commencement” means the agreed date and time at which delivery of the Service begins.
“Package” means a predefined service offering consisting of more than one Service, session or element.
“Service Description” means the written or verbal description of the Service to be provided, including any description on my website, promotional material, booking information, email correspondence, invoice, or other agreed communication.
“Work” means any written or digital material created or supplied by me as part of a Service, including behaviour reports, training plans, written advice, handouts, documents, photographs, videos, and other supporting material.
“Agreement” means the agreement between me and the Client, consisting of these Terms together with the relevant Service Description, booking information, invoice, and any written or verbal agreement between the parties.
These Terms apply to all Services and Work supplied by me.
By requesting, booking, paying for, attending, or participating in a Service, the Client agrees to these Terms.
These Terms shall prevail over any previous course of dealings or any alternative terms proposed by the Client unless otherwise agreed in writing by me.
I reserve the right to update these Terms from time to time. The Terms that apply to a particular Service will be the Terms in force at the time the Service is booked, unless otherwise agreed.
Each clause of these Terms operates independently. If any clause is found to be invalid, unlawful or unenforceable, the remaining clauses shall continue to apply.
Nothing in these Terms affects the Client’s statutory rights.
These Terms are governed by the laws of England and Wales. Both parties submit to the non-exclusive jurisdiction of the English courts.
I provide dog training, behaviour and related support services. The precise nature of the Service will depend on the Service Description agreed with the Client.
Services may include, but are not limited to:
I may decline to provide a Service at my discretion, including where the Service requested is outside my professional scope, availability, welfare standards, safety requirements, or ethical practice.
I cannot always guarantee immediate availability or immediate commencement of a Service.
Where no specific timescale has been agreed for completion of a Service or Work, I will not be liable for any loss arising from a timescale not being met. I will make reasonable efforts to communicate any significant delay.
Behaviour and training services cannot be guaranteed.
I will provide professional guidance based on the information supplied by the Client, observations made during the Service, and my professional assessment of the dog and the presenting concerns.
The Client understands that behavioural progress may be gradual and may require ongoing management, practical training, environmental change, veterinary involvement, and consistent application of the agreed plan.
The Client also understands that some behaviours may not be fully resolved and that new behaviours may emerge over time due to age, health, stress, environment, learning history, or other factors outside my control.
A lack of progress, slow progress, or a failure to achieve the Client’s desired outcome does not in itself mean that the Service has been provided without reasonable care and skill.
The Client agrees to:
The Client remains responsible for their dog at all times, including during sessions with me.
Failure to provide accurate information, follow safety guidance, complete agreed work, or manage the dog responsibly may affect the outcome of the Service and may result in termination of the Service without refund.
I do not diagnose medical conditions and I do not prescribe medication.
Behaviour can be affected by pain, illness, injury, neurological factors, hormonal factors, sensory changes, medication, diet, sleep, stress and other health-related matters.
The Client confirms that, to the best of their knowledge, the dog is fit to participate in the Service.
I may recommend that the Client consults a veterinary surgeon before, during or after the provision of a Service. This may be recommended where pain, discomfort, illness, medication, medical history, or a change in behaviour may be relevant.
Failure to seek veterinary advice where recommended may affect the outcome of the Service and shall not constitute grounds for complaint or refund.
I will not be responsible for behavioural issues, lack of progress, injury, deterioration, or incidents arising from undisclosed, undiagnosed or untreated medical conditions, except where caused by my proven negligence or failure to use reasonable care and skill.
The Client acknowledges that dogs are animals and may behave unpredictably, including displaying defensive, aggressive, fearful, reactive, predatory, or escape-related behaviour.
The Client remains responsible for the handling, control and safety of their dog during and after the Service.
I may pause, modify, refuse or terminate any session, exercise, activity or plan where I reasonably consider that continuing would be unsafe, inappropriate, impractical, or likely to compromise the welfare of any dog, person or other animal.
The Client agrees to follow all safety and handling instructions provided by me. Failure to do so may result in immediate termination of the Service without refund.
Handlers and keepers are advised to ensure they have suitable pet insurance, household insurance, and third-party liability cover in place.
I work in accordance with welfare-based training and behaviour modification principles.
I reserve the right to refuse, pause, or terminate a Service without refund where the Client uses, requests, or insists on using methods or equipment that I reasonably consider aversive, punitive, unsafe, or contrary to welfare-based practice.
This includes, but is not limited to:
Services are charged at the agreed fee.
An invoice may be issued at the point of booking, once the Service has been accepted, or as otherwise agreed.
The Client shall pay the full fee by the date specified on the invoice or booking terms.
Payment may be made by electronic bank transfer, card payment, cash, cheque, or any other method agreed by me.
Quotes are valid for thirty days unless otherwise stated.
I may withhold further Services, reports, training plans, written materials, or other Work until outstanding payments are settled.
Ownership and usage rights in any Work supplied by me shall not pass to the Client until all relevant charges have been paid in full.
If payment is not made by the due date, I may charge reasonable administrative costs incurred in recovering the overdue amount and may charge interest where permitted by law.
Where debt recovery, legal action, or third-party collection becomes necessary, the Client may be required to pay reasonable costs incurred by me in recovering the outstanding amount, where permitted by law.
Any payment returned by a bank, card provider, or other payment processor may incur a reasonable administration charge together with any charges imposed by the relevant payment provider.
Where a Package includes more than one session, Service or element, the Client is responsible for booking and attending the included sessions within any timeframe stated in the relevant Service Description or otherwise agreed with me.
I am not responsible for repeatedly following up with the Client to ensure that unused sessions within a Package are booked.
Where no specific expiry period has been stated, follow-up sessions do not automatically expire simply because more than a set number of days has passed. The timing of later sessions may reasonably reflect the work being undertaken, the dog’s progress, and the purpose of the Package.
If there has been a substantial break in the work, or circumstances have changed significantly, I may recommend a review before continuing and may require the plan, goals or format of the remaining sessions to be adjusted so that the Service remains appropriate and safe.
Where the Client chooses not to book, attend, rearrange, or engage with one or more elements of a Package, I will not normally offer a refund or reduction in the agreed fee, subject always to the Client’s statutory rights.
Practical Behaviour Programmes. A three-session Practical Behaviour Programme is normally intended to be completed within six months of the first practical session, although sessions may be spaced differently where this is appropriate to the work being undertaken.
If more than six months has passed since the previous practical session, I may review the dog’s current circumstances before further practical work is booked. Where the original plan remains appropriate, any unused session may continue to be used.
Where behaviour, health, circumstances or the goals of the work have changed significantly, a new Behaviour Consultation or review may be recommended before practical work resumes. Where appropriate, the value paid for an unused practical session may be credited towards that assessment.
Nothing in this section limits any statutory cancellation rights the Client may have. Where statutory rights apply, including rights that may apply to distance or off-premises service contracts, those rights take priority over this cancellation policy.
Where a Service is booked online, by telephone, or otherwise at a distance, the Client may have a statutory right to cancel within 14 days of entering into the contract. If the Client expressly asks me to begin providing the Service during that cancellation period, the Client may be required to pay a proportionate amount for any Service supplied before cancellation, where permitted by law.
Outside any applicable statutory cancellation period, if the Client cancels a Service with more than 72 hours’ notice before Commencement, any fee already paid for that Service will be refunded, less a £10 administration charge.
If the Client cancels a Service with less than 72 hours’ notice before Commencement, I may retain or charge an amount up to the full fee where this reasonably reflects the loss caused by the cancellation, taking account of any costs avoided and any reasonable opportunity to offer the appointment to another client.
Where a Service is rearranged with less than 72 hours’ notice before Commencement, I may transfer any fee paid to one rearranged appointment.
If that rearranged appointment is subsequently cancelled or rearranged again at short notice, I may apply a cancellation charge on the same basis described above.
A failure to attend an appointment without notice may be treated as a cancellation with less than 72 hours’ notice and may be charged on the same basis.
I may cancel or rearrange an appointment where reasonably necessary, including but not limited to illness, injury, emergency, unsafe conditions, adverse weather, vehicle issues, welfare concerns, or circumstances outside my reasonable control.
Where I cancel or rearrange a Service, I will make reasonable efforts to offer an alternative appointment at a mutually convenient time.
If I am unable to provide a paid Service, the Client will be refunded for the undelivered Service.
I shall not be liable for indirect losses arising from a cancelled or rearranged appointment, except where caused by my proven negligence or breach of contract.
No refund will normally be due where:
Behavioural and training outcomes are influenced by multiple factors outside my control and cannot be guaranteed.
This clause does not affect the Client’s statutory rights.
I may terminate an Agreement where:
Where an Agreement is terminated due to the Client’s breach, failure to engage, unsafe conduct, or failure to follow guidance, no refund will normally be due.
If there has been no contact from the Client for more than sixty days after the first consultation or training session, I may treat the Agreement as ended.
Where I terminate an Agreement for reasons not caused by the Client, I will consider whether a full or partial refund is appropriate for any undelivered Service.
All Work created by me remains my intellectual property unless otherwise agreed in writing.
Written materials are provided for the Client’s personal use in relation to the dog named or described in the relevant Work.
The Client may not sell, publish, copy, reproduce, distribute, adapt, alter, repurpose, or use the Work for another dog, client, business, organisation, training provider, or third party without my written permission.
The Client may share relevant Work with their veterinary surgeon, insurer, rescue organisation, dog walker, pet sitter, groomer, family member, or another professional involved in the dog’s care where this is reasonably necessary for the dog’s welfare, safety, treatment, or management.
Work created for one dog must not be used in whole or in part with another dog unless I have explicitly agreed.
I will take reasonable care when preparing written materials. Minor typographical, spelling or formatting errors that do not materially affect the advice or Service shall not constitute a breach of the Agreement.
Amendments to written Work may be made at my discretion. Where significant amendments are requested or required due to new information, changed circumstances, additional concerns, or matters outside the original Service Description, I may charge an additional fee.
Once a Service meets the agreed Service Description, any further modification, addition, or substantial change may be treated as an amendment to the Agreement.
Amendments may incur an additional charge.
Both the Client and I must agree any significant amendment to the Agreement.
Amendments may affect previously agreed timescales.
Where the Client provides substantial new information after the Service has started, I may need to revise the plan, recommendations, timescale or fee.
The Client is responsible for ensuring that the training or consultation environment is safe, suitable and appropriate for the Service.
This includes ensuring that dogs, children, visitors, household members, other animals, equipment, gates, doors, gardens, and access routes are managed safely.
I may refuse to begin or continue a session if the environment is unsafe, unsuitable, excessively distracting, or likely to compromise welfare or safety.
The Client is responsible for the actions and behaviour of any third party present during the Service, including household members, visitors, children, contractors, dog walkers, or other professionals.
I accept no liability for the actions or omissions of third parties, except where caused by my proven negligence or failure to use reasonable care and skill.
I will provide the Service with reasonable care and skill.
I will not be liable for lack of progress, limited progress, behavioural deterioration, new behaviours, incidents, injury, loss or damage arising from factors outside my reasonable control, including but not limited to:
The Client remains responsible for their dog at all times.
I will not be liable for injury, damage, loss or incidents caused by the Client’s dog to the Client, me, another person, another animal, property, or any third party, except where caused by my proven negligence or failure to use reasonable care and skill.
I shall not be liable for financial loss, loss of profit, loss of opportunity, indirect loss, consequential loss, or loss arising from the Client’s personal or business arrangements.
Nothing in these Terms limits or excludes liability where it would be unlawful to do so.
I shall not be liable for any failure or delay in performing my obligations where the failure or delay results from events beyond my reasonable control.
Such events may include, but are not limited to:
In such circumstances, I will make reasonable efforts to rearrange the Service at a mutually convenient time.
My preferred method of communication is email.
I will normally reply to non-urgent communications within 3–5 working days and will normally provide training plans or behaviour reports within seven working days, unless otherwise agreed.
These timescales are guidance only and do not constitute a guarantee.
Where a delay occurs, I will make reasonable efforts to communicate a revised timescale.
Documents can be sent by post where no email address is available. A postage and packaging fee may apply.
Signatures are not required for a contract to begin. Verbal communication, email, online booking, payment, attendance, or other exchanges may create a legally binding agreement.
If the Client has a concern or complaint about a Service, they should contact me as soon as reasonably possible.
The Client agrees to give me a reasonable opportunity to understand the concern and, where appropriate, propose a suitable resolution.
A lack of guaranteed behavioural progress does not in itself constitute grounds for complaint where the Service has been provided with reasonable care and skill.
I will collect and store Client information for the purpose of providing Services, maintaining records, communicating with the Client, and meeting administrative, legal and professional obligations.
Information collected may include:
Personal data will be handled in accordance with applicable data protection legislation, including the UK General Data Protection Regulation.
Client information will not be shared with third parties without consent unless required by law or where reasonably necessary for safety, welfare, professional, administrative or legal purposes.
I may retain records of Services and Work for administrative, legal, insurance and professional purposes.
A separate Privacy Notice may provide further detail about how personal information is collected, used, stored, retained and protected.
I will always aim to provide a professional, welfare-focused and supportive Service.
The Client acknowledges that training, behaviour modification and pet care involve living animals and therefore carry inherent unpredictability and risk.
By booking, paying for, attending, or participating in a Service, the Client confirms that they have read, understood and agreed to these Terms.