FAQ and Terms of Service

Online registration and full payment is required to confirm your registration for private lessons and group classes. Our classes and private lessons are generally booking to full capacity at all times and we have waiting lists for both. Our goal is to help as many dog owners in our area as effectively as we can. Group class size is kept small to ensure quality instruction and individual attention for all students. For this reason we ask that you ensure that you are committed to attending your registered class and lessons as scheduled. The primary reasons dog owners do not achieve their training goals are: rescheduling/cancelling lessons and not committing to management and homework goals provided by their trainer.

Registrations are not transferable to another class/lesson or another dog. You may notify us 7 days in advance of a group class start date that you wish to cancel your registration and we will  refund your registration fee, minus a $25 processing fee. Reserved dates for private lessons may not be cancelled once reserved unless your dog has been returned to the rescue/breeder or a veterinarian has deemed your dog physically unable to begin training. Once class/lessons begin, all fees are non-refundable and non-transferable. 

The success of any training program depends on consistently attending classes/lessons and doing your homework. For effectiveness, we strongly recommend that you schedule your private lessons one week apart, and not more than two weeks apart unless otherwise advised by your trainer. Cancellations and rescheduling of private lessons greatly impacts the availability for others interested in our training programs. Any cancellations or rescheduling of confirmed training dates will result in a $25 cancellation/rescheduling fee. Private lesson programs must be completed within the following timeframes: 3 lessons - 6 weeks from start date, 4 lessons - 8 weeks from start date, 6 lessons - 12 weeks from start date. There are no refunds after training has commenced.  

All dogs must be current on age appropriate vaccinations including: Rabies, DHLPP, and Bordatella. Proof of vaccinations must be shown upon request (with the exception of puppies not yet due for the Rabies vaccine). All dogs attending group classes must be free of any significant health issues or cleared by a veterinarian for attendance if there are health issues. Intact female dogs in estrus (heat) may not attend class. If our staff feels there may be any type of  health concern with your dog, they may ask you to return with a statement of clearance to attend class from your veterinarian.  You  agree to allow Michelle Payson Dog Training to discuss history, protocols, family dynamics, and any other pertinent information with your veterinarian, appropriate animal professionals, family members, etc. as applicable. Video or photos of class/lessons may be published on the Michelle Payson Dog Training website or other online resources. You hereby acknowledge that you, your dog and your family may be included in class video/photos posted on the Michelle Payson Dog Training website or future training videos. All video and photos are the property of Michelle Payson Dog Training.   

As the legal owner of your dog, you agree to take complete responsibility for the actions of your dog, family members, or other persons attending class/lessons with your dog at all times before, during, and after classes.  You hereby waive and release, Michelle Payson, Michelle Payson Dog Training from any and all liabilities of any nature. At no time will Michelle Payson, Michelle Payson Dog Training, or any other representatives be liable or responsible for the actions of yourself, your dog or any other person who accompanies you or your dog to class. You agree to indemnify and hold Michelle Payson, Michelle Payson Dog Training, and their employees/agents harmless from all liability for any loss, damage or injury to persons, animals or property arising from or related to my dog. You expressly assume the risk of any such damage or injury while attending the training session, class or seminar, while supervising or interacting with a dog while on the grounds or surrounding area thereof. In consideration of your attendance and participation in training classes, you waive the right from any and all claims or claims by any member of your family or any other person accompanying you during the class as a result of any action by any dog, including your  own. 

The Trainer, at his/her sole discretion, may terminate training if a hazard or threat of any nature to any other animal or person is present. No refund will be given under such circumstances. Should you or the Trainer terminate training at any time prior to completion, all fees are non-refundable, and non-transferable. The Trainer, at his/her sole discretion, may refuse training to any dog which is not healthy, is reactive (fearful or aggressive), or does not seem suitable for the training services provided. 

• Unless otherwise indicated, class will meet for 60 minutes.
• For safety purposes, please do not allow your dog to play on leash, or approach other dogs on leash in the training facilities. 
• Please be on time for your scheduled class. Doors are opened 5 minutes prior to class and locked 5 minutes after class commencement. We cannot allow late arrivals to class as it causes unnecessary disruption to the dogs that are already in the facility and  have begun working.
• Dogs must be current on all vaccinations appropriate for the dog’s age.
• Proper footwear ensures your safety. Please wear closed toe shoes, no sandals, backless shoes, clogs, slippers, dress shoes,  pumps, heels, etc. Sneakers or hiking shoes are an excellent and safe choice.
• Dogs should be wearing a flat-buckle collar, head harness or front connect harness as appropriate and a 6 foot standard flat leash. Absolutely no choke chains, prong/pinch collars, slip collars, e-collars, shock collars, or retractable/flexi leads will be permitted in class.  If you have any questions, we will be happy to help you select the right training gear for your dog.
• Please bring plenty of your dog’s favorite soft treat cut into small pea-sized pieces. Please do not feed a training dog or any other dog in class without permission from their owner as many dogs suffer from allergies and have food restrictions.
• Please bring a blanket, mat or towel for your dog to relax on.
• Please toilet your dog before entering the training facility and be prepared to clean up after your dog outdoors and indoors.
• We encourage all family members to participate in all training classes if possible. Children 10 years and older who are able to safely participate around dogs of all temperaments are welcome to attend training classes. If you know that your child will be distracting to you, your dog, or other students, the best choice is for you to show them what you learned in class at home. Parents are responsible for all minor children at all times. Children may not climb on equipment or chairs, and must refrain from running in the classroom. Persons under the age of  18 years old must be accompanied by a responsible adult.

If you are unsure of your dog’s response to strangers, your dog is fearful or reactively barks at strangers, your dog has bit a person/dog, or your dog jumps on strangers arriving in your home, please have your dog securely leashed or securely crated when we arrive for our first visit. If street parking is not available, please be sure that your dogs are contained as instructed above to ensure that our vehicles and staff are not damaged/injured by your dogs' jumping, nipping, or biting.    

I understand that Michelle Payson Dog Training (the Trainer) practices only fear and force-free, science-based, positive reinforcement training and behavior modification . I understand that current industry guidelines based on  scientific studies show that aversive tools such as prong, shock and choke collars; physical punishment; and dominance-based training methods; can be physically and psychologically damaging to my dog and may hinder results during this training program. I understand and agree that the Trainer will only work with me with the express understanding that at no time while under contract with Michelle Payson Dog Training will I use any techniques, protocols, tools, or devices not approved by the Trainer. This pertains to not only during training sessions, but also between sessions. I also understand that the effectiveness of my training program will likely be undermined by my doing so, or by using other industry professionals including dog trainers,  dog daycares, dog sitters, dog walkers, dog groomers, or veterinarians who are not using fear and force-free methods when interacting with my dog. I understand that failure to abide by this agreement may result in termination of services and cancellation of this contract, with no refund. The non-approved techniques, protocols, tools, and devices include, but are not limited to,  physical force or punishment, choke, prong or electric/remote collars, shaker cans, shriek alarms, condensed air "correctors", squirt bottles, leash corrections, bark collars, etc.

I have discussed and understand the Training and Management Plan set forth by the Trainer. I understand that success in training; the continuation of training services; my safety, the safety of my dog and the safety of others; are all contingent on my following these guidelines. I understand that failure to do so may result in termination of services without a refund. I agree to follow these guidelines to the best of my ability. I agree to inform the Trainer immediately should I be unable to follow these guidelines.

Last updated: 1/1/2020   

Michelle Payson Dog Training operates http://www.michellepaysondogtraining.com . This page informs you of our policies regarding the collection, use and disclosure of Personal Information we receive from users of the Site. We use your Personal Information only for providing and improving the Site. By using the Site, you agree to the collection and use of information in accordance with this policy.   

Information Collection And Use   While using our Site, we may ask you to provide us with certain personally identifiable information that can be used to contact or identify you. Personally identifiable information may include, but is not limited to your name, telephone number, street address, and email address.

Log Data   Like many site operators, we collect information that your browser sends whenever you visit our Site ("Log Data").   This Log Data may include information such as your computer's Internet Protocol ("IP") address, browser type, browser version, the pages of our Site that you visit, the time and date of your visit, the time spent on those pages and other statistics.   In addition, we may use third party services such as Google Analytics that collect, monitor and analyze this data.

Communications   We may use your Personal Information to contact you with newsletters, marketing or promotional materials and other information such as additional paperwork for class/lessons, notices of schedule changes, email reminders, and confirmation emails.   

Cookies   Cookies are files with small amounts of data, which may include an anonymous unique identifier. Cookies are sent to your browser from a web site and stored on your computer's hard drive. Like many sites, we use "cookies" to collect information. You can instruct your browser to refuse all cookies or to indicate when a cookie is being sent. However, if you do not accept cookies, you may not be able to use some portions of our Site. 

Security   The security of your Personal Information is important to us, but remember that no method of transmission over the Internet, or method of electronic storage, is 100% secure. While we strive to use commercially acceptable means to protect your Personal Information, we cannot guarantee its absolute security.   

Changes To This Privacy Policy   This Privacy Policy is effective as of 12/1/17 and will remain in effect except with respect to any changes in its provisions in the future, which will be in effect immediately after being posted on this page. We reserve the right to update or change our Privacy Policy at any time and you should check this Privacy Policy periodically. Your continued use of the Service after we post any modifications to the Privacy Policy on this page will constitute your acknowledgment of the modifications and your consent to abide and be bound by the modified Privacy Policy.   If we make any material changes to this Privacy Policy, we will notify you either through the email address you have provided us, or by placing a prominent notice on our website.   

Contact Us   If you have any questions about this Privacy Policy, please contact us at 508-476-7679 or    info@michellepaysondogtraining.com