Dog Walking Terms and Agreement

This agreement is between Chasing Tails (referred to as "we", "us" or "the Walker") and the dog owner named on the signed form (referred to as "you" or "the Owner"). It sets out how we work together so that your dog is well looked after and both of us know where we stand. If anything is unclear, just ask.

Download the agreement (Word document)

1. Our service

We will walk, exercise and care for your dog as agreed on the signed form, with the same care and attention we would give our own dogs.
Group walks are kept small (no more than six dogs) and dogs are matched by size, temperament and energy. We reserve the right to walk a dog on its own or in a smaller group if we think that is safer.
Walk length is measured from the time we collect your dog to the time we return them, and includes travel to and from the walking location.
We will send you a short update and, where possible, a photo after each walk.

2. Meet and greet

Before the first walk we will visit you and your dog at home, free of charge, to go through routines, quirks, access and this agreement.
We may decline to take on a dog if we feel we cannot safely meet its needs. We may also need to stop services if a dog's behaviour changes and becomes unsafe for the dog, other dogs or the Walker.

3. Health, vaccinations and parasites

You confirm your dog is in good health and fit to be walked, and that vaccinations (or titre tests), flea and worm treatments are kept up to date. We may ask to see records.
Please tell us straight away if your dog becomes unwell, is injured, comes into season, or has been in contact with any infectious illness such as kennel cough. Bitches in season cannot join group walks.
Puppies must have completed their primary vaccination course before joining walks outside the home.
If your dog needs medication during our care, please give written instructions. We will follow these as far as we reasonably can but are not medically trained.

4. Behaviour and safety

You must tell us about any history of aggression, biting, resource guarding, nervousness, escaping, or chasing livestock or wildlife, and keep us informed of any changes.
Under the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 you remain legally responsible for your dog. You agree to cover any injury, damage or loss your dog causes to any person, animal or property while in our care, except where it is caused by our negligence.
Dogs are walked on a lead unless you have given written permission for off lead exercise and we are satisfied your dog has reliable recall. Even with permission, we will use our judgement and keep a dog on the lead where we think it is necessary. Dogs will always be on a lead near roads, livestock and in any area where the law or landowner requires it.
We use the equipment you supply. Please make sure collars, harnesses and leads are in good condition and fit correctly, and that your dog wears an ID tag that meets legal requirements. We may use our own equipment where we feel it is safer.
Your dog may get wet and muddy on walks. We will towel dry them as best we can before returning them home.

5. Veterinary care and emergencies

If your dog is injured or becomes unwell in our care, we will contact you first. If we cannot reach you or your emergency contacts and the situation is urgent, you authorise us to take your dog to your named vet, or to the nearest available vet, and to approve treatment on your behalf.
You agree to reimburse us in full for any veterinary fees, medication and reasonable transport costs incurred. Where possible we will agree a spending limit with you at the meet and greet.
We hold a current canine first aid qualification and will give first aid where appropriate, but we are not a substitute for veterinary care.

6. Keys and access

Any keys you give us are kept securely and are not labelled with your name or address. They are used only to carry out the agreed services.
We will not let anyone else into your home and will make sure it is left secure when we leave. Please let us know about alarms, other pets, and anything we should be aware of in the home.
Keys are returned when this agreement ends. If you change locks or codes, please tell us in advance.

7. Bookings, cancellations and holidays

Regular slots are booked in advance and held for you. Please give at least 24 hours' notice to cancel or change a walk. Walks cancelled with less than 24 hours' notice are charged in full, unless we can fill the slot.
If we arrive and cannot gain access, or the dog is not there, the walk is charged in full.
We will give you as much notice as possible of our own holidays and will try to recommend cover where we can. We will always tell you if we cannot walk for any reason and will not charge for walks we do not carry out.
In severe weather (for example heat warnings, storms, ice or flooding) we may shorten, adapt or cancel walks for the safety of the dogs. We will let you know and will not charge for a cancelled walk.

8. Fees and payment

Fees are as agreed on the signed form and on our current price list. We will give at least 30 days' notice of any change.
Invoices are sent weekly or monthly as agreed and are payable within 7 days by bank transfer or cash.
Where a walk falls on a bank holiday or is requested outside our normal hours, a surcharge may apply and will be agreed with you first.
If payments are repeatedly late we may pause services until the account is brought up to date.

9. Insurance and liability

We hold public liability insurance and care, custody and control cover for dogs in our care. A copy of the certificate is available on request.
We take every reasonable care of your dog, but you accept that walking dogs, particularly off lead or in groups, carries an unavoidable level of risk of injury, illness or loss. We are not liable for injury, illness, loss or death of your dog unless it is caused by our negligence.
We are not liable for any damage your dog causes to your own home or garden while unattended before or after a walk.
You should keep your own pet insurance in place. Nothing in this agreement limits liability for death or personal injury caused by our negligence, or any other liability that cannot lawfully be excluded.

10. Photos and social media

We like to share photos of the dogs we walk on our website and social media. On the signed form you can tick yes or no. If you say yes, we never share your name, address or when you are away. If you say no, photos of your dog stay between us.

11. Your information

We collect only the information we need to care for your dog and run our business, and we keep it securely. We do not sell or share it with anyone except where needed to care for your dog (for example your vet) or where required by law.
You can ask to see, correct or delete the information we hold about you at any time. When this agreement ends we will delete your details within 12 months unless we need to keep them for legal or accounting reasons.

12. Ending this agreement

Either of us can end this agreement at any time by giving 14 days' written notice (email or text is fine). Any walks already carried out remain payable.
We may end the agreement immediately if a dog becomes dangerous, if you do not pay invoices, or if we are not given accurate information about your dog.

13. General

This agreement is governed by the law of England and Wales.
If we agree any changes, we will confirm them in writing so both of us have a record.
By signing the form, you confirm that the information you have given is accurate, that you are the legal owner of the dog (or authorised to act for the owner), and that you have read and agree to these terms.