Paus-n-Train Policies & Terms of Participation

Thank you for choosing Paus-n-Train! Our goal is to provide a welcoming, supportive, and enjoyable learning environment for both dogs and their people. The following policies help ensure fairness, safety, and consistency for everyone participating in our programs.

Registration & Payment

1. Payment Policy

Full payment is required a minimum of 2 weeks prior to the start date of your class or program in order to guarantee your reservation. This policy helps ensure that participants are committed to attending and allows us to plan classes appropriately.

2. Refund Policy

Refund requests must be received in writing (email is acceptable) at least seven (7) days before the first scheduled class.

Once a class or program has commenced, no refunds will be issued.

If a refund is approved prior to the start of the program, it will be processed according to the original payment method whenever possible.

3. Account Credits

Credits remaining on customer accounts expire 6 months from the date they are issued unless otherwise stated.

Digital Learning

4. Student Homework Portal

All students receive access to our digital homework portal containing recorded lessons, handouts and supporting training materials.

Course materials are generally released approximately one week before classes begin, allowing students time to prepare before attending their first lesson.

5. Preparedness for Class

If multiple family members rotate attendance during a course, the individual attending each week's in-person class must first watch the recorded lesson and complete the recommended practice in the digital homework portal.

This helps ensure all participants arrive prepared, allowing instructors to keep the class moving forward for everyone's benefit.

Students who arrive unprepared may be asked to continue learning from the digital materials at home while the instructor proceeds with the scheduled lesson.

Class Attendance

6. Late Arrivals

Please arrive on time for your scheduled class.

Late arrivals should not exceed 10 minutes. Dogs require time to settle into the training environment, and late arrivals often require all participating dogs to resettle, reducing valuable training time for everyone.

Thank you for respecting your fellow students.

7. Private & Semi-Private Lesson Cancellations

Private and semi-private lesson cancellations require a minimum of 24 hours written notice.

Lessons cancelled with less than 24 hours notice will be considered completed and the full lesson fee remains payable.

Owner-requested postponements are not eligible for make-up lessons unless otherwise agreed upon by Paus-n-Train.

Class Scheduling

8. Weather Policy

The safety of our students, instructors and dogs always comes first.

During hazardous weather conditions, in-person classes may be moved to an online platform (such as Zoom) whenever practical.

9. Paus-n-Train Cancellations

If Paus-n-Train must cancel a scheduled class, an additional class will be added to the end of the current session whenever possible.

Only classes cancelled by Paus-n-Train are eligible for make-up sessions.

10. Minimum Enrollment

Paus-n-Train reserves the right to cancel or reschedule Puppy Prep School and Dog Manners classes if fewer than four (4) dogs are registered.

This ensures classes provide an effective learning environment while remaining financially sustainable.

11. Emergency Closures

Should government restrictions, public health emergencies or other circumstances beyond our reasonable control prevent in-person instruction, classes may be temporarily delivered online where appropriate.

If a particular program cannot reasonably be delivered virtually, an alternate class schedule will be arranged when in-person instruction safely resumes.

Safety Policies

12. Dog-to-Dog Space

Please maintain approximately 6 feet (2 metres) between your dog and all other dogs while on the training grounds unless otherwise directed by an instructor.

Not every dog enjoys close interactions, and maintaining appropriate space helps keep everyone safe.

13. Training Equipment

Paus-n-Train uses evidence-based, positive reinforcement training methods.

The following equipment is not permitted on the training grounds:

Choke collars
Prong collars
Electronic/shock collars

14. Humane Training Standards

Harsh corrections, intimidation, physical force or forcing dogs to perform behaviours or obstacles are not permitted.

If you or your dog are struggling, please ask your instructor for assistance. We are here to help.

15. Females in Season

Female dogs in season may attend classes only with prior written approval from Gwen Little, Owner/Operator.

Approved dogs must wear appropriately fitted protective panties while on the training grounds.

Photography, Video & Online Participation

16. Media Release

Participants attending online classes grant Paus-n-Train permission to use photographs, screenshots, video recordings and audio recordings containing their image, likeness and voice for educational, promotional and marketing purposes.

Participants confirm they are at least 18 years of age or have the permission of a parent or legal guardian.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) Disclosure

17. AI-Assisted Content

Paus-n-Train embraces technology to improve the educational experience for our clients.

Some educational materials, website content, blog articles, emails, social media posts, downloadable resources and other communications may be created or refined with the assistance of artificial intelligence (AI) tools.

All AI-assisted content is reviewed, edited and approved by Paus-n-Train prior to publication to help ensure it reflects our evidence-based training philosophy, professional standards and commitment to accurate, practical information.

Liability

18. Assumption of Risk

Dog training and dog sports involve inherent risks.

By participating in any Paus-n-Train activity, participants acknowledge that interactions between dogs, handlers, equipment and training environments cannot be made completely risk-free.

Participants voluntarily assume all risks associated with attendance and participation.

19. Release of Liability

Paus-n-Train, Gwen Little, instructors, employees and volunteers shall not be held liable for any injury, illness, property damage, loss or death arising from participation in classes, private lessons, events, facility use or while on the training grounds, except where prohibited by law.

Participants agree to release and indemnify Paus-n-Train from any claims arising from their participation or the actions of their dog.

20. Facility Safety

While every reasonable effort is made to maintain a safe training environment, participants remain responsible for supervising and controlling their dogs at all times.

Vaccination Requirements

Except for puppies enrolled in Puppy Prep School who are under 16 weeks of age, all dogs attending Paus-n-Train must be appropriately protected against:

Rabies (where legally required)
Distemper
Parvovirus

Vaccinations should be administered according to the recommendations of your veterinarian.

Puppy Prep School follows the recommendations of the American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior (AVSAB), recognizing the importance of early socialization prior to completion of a puppy's vaccination series.

Owners certify that their puppies will complete their recommended vaccinations as advised by their veterinarian.

Building & Grounds Rules

Participants agree to follow all posted rules and instructions provided by instructors while attending Paus-n-Train.

Failure to comply with these policies or behaviour that jeopardizes the safety or enjoyment of others may result in temporary or permanent removal from classes, with or without refund, at the sole discretion of Paus-n-Train.

We appreciate your cooperation and look forward to helping you and your dog build a rewarding partnership through positive, science-based training.

Educational Information Disclaimer

The information provided on the Paus-n-Train website, social media channels, digital courses, emails and downloadable resources is intended for educational and informational purposes only. While every effort is made to ensure the information reflects current, evidence-based training practices, it is not intended to replace professional veterinary care, veterinary behaviour services, medical advice or legal advice. Individual dogs and situations vary, and training recommendations should always be adapted to the needs of the individual dog.

Copyright & Intellectual Property

Unless otherwise stated, all content created by Paus-n-Train—including lesson plans, course curriculum, videos, photographs, graphics, logos, digital homework, downloadable resources, PDFs, written materials, website content and social media content—is the intellectual property of Paus-n-Train and is protected by applicable copyright laws.

These materials are provided for the personal educational use of registered students and website visitors only. They may not be copied, reproduced, distributed, republished, modified, sold, shared publicly or used for commercial purposes without the prior written permission of Paus-n-Train.

Policies