SERVICES AGREEMENT FOR LIVE ONLINE GROUP CLASSES

THIS DOCUMENT CONTAINS A WAIVER OF LIABILITY AND RELEASE OF CLAIMS. BY AGREEING TO THE TERMS OF THIS DOCUMENT DURING THE REGISTRATION PROCESS, YOU AGREE TO GIVE UP CERTAIN LEGAL RIGHTS. PLEASE CAREFULLY READ THIS ENTIRE DOCUMENT.

In consideration for utilizing the services of The Dog Abides, LLC, a Pennsylvania limited liability company ("The Dog Abides"), you agree to all of the following terms in relation to the dog you identified during the registration process (the "Dog"). By accepting these terms during the registration process, YOU AGREE THAT YOU ARE KNOWINGLY AND VOLUNTARILY ENTERING INTO A VALID AGREEMENT with The Dog Abides, and you intend and agree to be bound by all of these terms.

1.     SERVICES

The Dog Abides agrees to provide group dog training class services to you online via videoconference on dates and at times specified by The Dog Abides. The Dog Abides will coach you and other class participants in dog training skills during live online group classes. The services will be provided by The Dog Abides's owner, or by an employee or subcontractor of The Dog Abides, as determined by The Dog Abides in its sole discretion.

You understand and acknowledge that The Dog Abides's services do not include, and should not be construed as, medical advice. You understand and acknowledge that The Dog Abides's owner, Joan Forry, is not a licensed veterinarian or other licensed medical or veterinary professional.

2.     FEES

You agree to pay The Dog Abides the following fees for any set of group classes or single group class that you elect.

Sets of Group Classes 

$52 for each 2-week set of group classes 

$85 for each 3-week set of group classes

$112 for each 4-week set of group classes

$145 for each 5-week set of group classes

$172 for each 6-week set of group classes

Single Group Classes

$29 for each single group class

Payment is due in advance at the time of registration. All purchases are non-refundable and non-transferable. Fees are subject to change without notice at any time prior to purchase. Current fees are described on The Dog Abides's website.

3.     MISSED CLASS

You understand, acknowledge, and agree that any class you miss is deemed to be forfeited, and is non-refundable and non-transferable. Each set of classes or single class is scheduled to run only on the specific dates and times listed during the registration process, and there are no make-up classes. For any class that you miss, you will receive any after-class summaries and handouts that are provided to class participants.

4.     CLASS PARTICIPANTS

You understand and acknowledge that the Dog must be accompanied and handled by an adult. Children and/or additional adults may accompany the handler in class. Additional dogs in your household require separate registration and purchase, and each must be accompanied and handled by an adult.

You understand, acknowledge, and agree that The Dog Abides may terminate your participation in any group class if it determines, in its sole discretion, that you or anyone accompanying you to class (including minor children) is not in compliance with the foregoing.

5.     TECHNOLOGY REQUIREMENTS

To participate in any online group class, you understand that you will need a computer or mobile device with internet access, camera, and microphone to join video conferencing meetings with The Dog Abides and the other class participants. You acknowledge and agree that you are solely responsible for obtaining the necessary equipment, ensuring viable internet connectivity, and familiarizing yourself with the equipment and software prior to the class.

6.     CLIENT'S REPRESENTATIONS

You represent and affirm that:

  • You are at least 18 years old and competent to agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement.

  • You are the lawful owner of the Dog, or a custodian otherwise responsible for the Dog's care.

  • The Dog is under the care of a licensed veterinarian and has had a wellness exam within the last 12 months.

  • The Dog's health is in a condition acceptable to you for the purposes of participating in group class activities and performing related training exercises.

  • All of the information you provided to The Dog Abides during the intake and registration process concerning the Dog, you, and your household, is true, complete, and correct in all respects.

Before each class, you agree to provide The Dog Abides with any additional or updated behavior and medical information about the Dog that has occurred since the information initially provided during the intake and registration process, or the previous class, as applicable. This includes, but is not limited to, information about musculoskeletal or other injuries. You agree that any such additional or updated information will be true, complete, and correct in all respects.

7.     EQUIPMENT & TECHNIQUES

You understand and acknowledge that The Dog Abides is dedicated to humane, rewards-based training principles based on compassion, respect, and scientific evidence, and that The Dog Abides will not use or recommend training equipment or techniques that rely on pain, fear, forceful manipulation, or intimidation. You agree not to use any such training equipment or techniques during any group class with The Dog Abides, including, but not limited to, choke collars, prong or pinch collars, shock collars, electronic or "e" collars, anti-bark collars, citronella collars, shake cans, compressed air cans, hitting, striking, shoving, pinning, kicking, leash-jerking, spraying, and shouting.

You understand, acknowledge, and agree that The Dog Abides may terminate your participation in any group class if it determines, in its sole discretion, that you or anyone accompanying you to class (including minor children) is not in compliance with the foregoing.

8.     DANGEROUS SITUATIONS & DISRUPTIVE CONDUCT

You understand, acknowledge, and agree that The Dog Abides may terminate your participation in any group class if it determines, in its sole discretion, that the Dog is dangerous or poses a risk of injury to any person or animal.

You understand, acknowledge, and agree that The Dog Abides may terminate your participation in any group class if it determines, in its sole discretion, that your behavior or the behavior of anyone accompanying you to class (including minor children) is disruptive or hinders the enjoyment of class by other class participants.

9.     NO GUARANTEE OF RESULTS

You understand and acknowledge that training is an ongoing commitment for the entire course of the Dog's life, and that active commitment by you and all members of your household is critical to progress. The Dog Abides will make every reasonable effort to help you achieve your training goals for the Dog. You understand and agree, however, that The Dog Abides makes NO GUARANTEE, PROMISE, OR REPRESENTATION, express or implied, about the Dog's behavior or that your desired results will be achieved. You agree that all fees paid to The Dog Abides are fully-earned and non-refundable, and are in no respects contingent on your level of satisfaction with the results. 

10.  PHOTO & VIDEO RELEASE

In consideration for utilizing The Dog Abides's dog training services, you grant The Dog Abides permission to RECORD, FILM, PHOTOGRAPH or otherwise capture in any media your likeness and images of your Dog during any group class, and to edit, publish, distribute, store electronically, and make use of such recordings or photographs for any lawful purpose, including, for example, website content, social media, printed materials, marketing, and advertising. You agree that you will make no monetary, ownership, use, or other claim against The Dog Abides for the use of your likeness and images of your Dog in such recordings and/or photographs.

11.  LIABILITY WAIVER & INDEMNIFICATION

You recognize that there are inherent risks associated with dogs, dog training, and the online group class environment that may result in injury or damage to you, another person (including a minor child), the Dog, another animal, or other property. Examples may include, but are not limited to, bites, punctures, lacerations, scratches, musculoskeletal injuries, tooth and gum injuries, soiling, vomiting, diarrhea, ingestion of food or non-food items, and damage to furniture, household items, electronic devices, and other personal items. Due to the unpredictable nature of dogs and dog behavior, you understand that these risks are attendant to dog training and interacting with dogs, and cannot be eliminated. You understand that The Dog Abides cannot protect you, the Dog, or any other person or animal, against the risk of potential bodily injury, death, or property damage while utilizing The Dog Abides's dog training services or participating in related activities. You acknowledge that these services are of such value to you that you VOLUNTARILY AND KNOWINGLY ACCEPT AND ASSUME THE ENTIRE RISK associated with utilizing The Dog Abides's services and participating in a group dog training class. 

In consideration for participating in The Dog Abides's group dog training classes, you, on behalf of yourself, your heirs, spouse, next of kin, executors, personal representatives, successors, and assigns, irrevocably and unconditionally RELEASE, WAIVE, AND FOREVER DISCHARGE The Dog Abides and all of The Dog Abides's members, employees, agents, and representatives from any and all claims, actions, causes of action, suits, demands, damages, losses, obligations, settlements, judgments, fees, costs (including attorney’s fees and costs), and liabilities of any nature, arising out of or related to the services provided by The Dog Abides or the Dog's behavior, including any resulting from the negligent acts or omissions by The Dog Abides or any of The Dog Abides's members, employees, agents, or representatives. This paragraph does not extend to claims for reckless conduct or any other liabilities that Pennsylvania law does not permit to be released by agreement.

You further agree to HOLD HARMLESS, INDEMNIFY, AND DEFEND The Dog Abides and all of The Dog Abides's members, employees, agents, and representatives from any and all claims, actions, causes of action, suits, demands, damages, losses, obligations, settlements, judgments, fees, costs (including attorney’s fees and costs), and liabilities of any nature, arising out of or related to the services provided by The Dog Abides or the Dog's behavior, including any resulting from the negligent acts or omissions by The Dog Abides or any of The Dog Abides's members, employees, agents, or representatives, and including claims made by you, any person present for or participating in dog training activities, any person interacting with the Dog, or any third party.

12.  MISCELLANEOUS

Section headings are for reference purposes only and will not affect the meaning or interpretation of this agreement. References to "the Dog" or "your dog" in the singular also include the plural where the dog training services being rendered are in relation to more than one dog.

If any provision in this agreement is held to be invalid, illegal, or unenforceable, the validity, legality, and enforceability of the remaining provisions will not in any way be affected or impaired thereby. 

This agreement is governed by the laws of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. You agree that the exclusive jurisdiction and venue for any litigation, action, or proceeding arising from or relating to this agreement will be in the state courts located in Chester County, Pennsylvania or the federal courts located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. You expressly waive any right to contest personal jurisdiction, venue, or inconvenient forum for any reason whatsoever.

Last revised: July 25, 2024