Puppy Playgroup Agreement

This agreement includes both policies and rules for you and your dog’s participation and safety in Puppy Playgroup at The Dogborhood.

Open Communication About Your Dog

The Dogborhood is committed to direct, honest, and kind communication about your dog’s health, behavior, training, and participation in Puppy Playgroup.

We ask that you agree to proactively share information with us regarding the health status of your dog, as well as behavior and training changes with your dog, so that we can make adjustments as needed to playgroup dynamics, training suggestions, and other recommendations.

This should include sharing information like:
  • When your dog is sick or displaying symptoms like lethargy, lack of appetite, diarrhea, loose stools, etc. 
  • When your dog is acting anxious, overly excited, reactive, growling, or aggressive
  • When your dog bites someone or another animal
  • When you experience new or consistent challenges with your dog at home
  • When you get a new dog or cat
  • When a family member is added to your household or leaves
  • When the family is experiencing other potential stressors (e.g. moving, illnesses, etc.)
  • When you start a training program/class with another trainer (e.g. board and train, etc.)
  • When you start using new training equipment (e.g. e-collar, prong collar, retractable leash, harness, etc.)

Likewise, we will also share information about any health, behavior, or training issues observed during your dog’s playgroup.

Prong Collars

You commit to using positive equipment while your dog is enrolled in Puppy Playgroup, or we’ve discussed your specific use case needs. 

Treats

The Dogborhood uses the same, high-quality dog food and treats every week. If your dog is having any digestive issues, let Virginia know.

Emergency Protocol

If there’s an emergency situation involving your dog, you will be contacted as soon as possible. If you cannot be reached and your dog needs immediate veterinary care, the dog will be taken to MedVet in Mountain View or Dr. Denise Johnson.

Late Pickups

Pickup is scheduled for 12:00 PM – 12:15 PM. Late pickups cannot usually be accommodated, but if something unforeseen happens, you must text Virginia at (650) 485-3656 as soon as possible.

Cancellations

You’ll receive a text by 8:15 AM if the playgroup is canceled for the day due to rain, smoke, etc. All other business cancellations for the week will appear on the Weekly Schedule,

Do not bring a sick dog to playgroup and last-minute cancellations should be a rare occurrence. Talk to Virginia ahead of time if you know your dog is going to miss a week. 

Billing

Invoices will be sent in an email/SMS via BusyPaws the first week of the month for the previous month. Payments can be made online using Stripe or in person by cash or check.

Graduation or Removal from Playgroup

  • Age. In general, most dogs naturally transition out of playgroup when they are about two-years-old as they become more socially mature.
  • Hormones. In some cases, intact males/females may need to be removed due to hormone-related behavior for a period of time. This is no reflection on your dog’s lovability and is to preserve the balance of the playgroup. This will be handled on a case-by-case basis.
  • Barking. Excessive barking is unfortunately not something we can handle in playgroups due to our neighbors. If your dog does not quickly learn to not bark excessively at playgroup, they will be lovingly graduated.
  • Prong Collars. You are asked to refrain from using prong collars while your dog is attending playgroups. If you feel the need to use a prong collar, please let Virginia know so she can discuss the use case to see if there is an alternative. Rare exceptions may be made in cases where the use of a prong collar has been openly shared with Virginia.
  • Attendance. Consistency is important for playgroups to establish relationships and group structure and safety. Your dog will lose their spot in playgroup if they miss a week without any communication or for any reason other than illness/injury, spay/neuter recovery, or a planned vacation that has been communicated in advance. Rare exceptions may be made for extenuating circumstances that are communicated in advance of the weeks to be missed.
  • Unplanned Late Pickups. This has rarely been an issue, but your dog will lose their spot if they are not picked up on time when playgroup ends at noon or without prior arrangement with Virginia. This is a curated playgroup, not doggy daycare.

Photos and Videos

We often take photos and videos of Puppy Playgroup to share with owners and some of these photos and videos may also be used on The Dogborhood website and social media accounts for trade, advertising, or other purposes. Given the nature of playgroup dynamics, we ask that you grant unrestricted right to use, publish, and broadcast your dog’s photos and videos. 
The Dogborhood, LLC will endeavor to create as safe an environment as possible for the training of my dog and will offer only sound, safe, and responsible training and training instructions. However, to the extent that is insured for any unintentional or negligent errors, omissions, or incorrect assertions, will be responsible for any such acts or omissions, but only to the extent of such insurance.

I have been told by The Dogborhood, LLC and Virginia Feira and understand the inherent risks of owning a dog, including but not limited to the risk of dog bites to myself or others, and consequently I am and will remain responsible for the actions of my dog at all times, and I hereby agree to indemnify and hold harmless The Dogborhood, LLC and Virginia Feira of any and all claims of injury, expense, costs, or damages caused by my dog.
 
I understand that the recommendation of any other product or service is not a guarantee of my satisfaction with that product or service.

I hereby agree to abide by the rules and policies of The Dogborhood, LLC and Virginia Feira training classes and playgroups as set forth in this agreement. I understand that attendance of dog training classes is not without risk to myself, members of my family, guests who may attend, or to my dog. In consideration of, and as inducement to the acceptance of my application for training membership in this playgroup and training class, I hereby agree to indemnify and hold harmless The Dogborhood, LLC and Virginia Feira, its officers, directors, instructors, agents, employees and/or representatives of any and all claims, or claims by any member of my family, or accompanying guests of mine of injury, expense, costs or damages to myself, my dog or any handler sponsored by me both in class and out of class. In addition, I agree that I will defend and indemnify The Dogborhood, LLC and Virginia Feira for any injury, expense, costs or damages to any dog handlers or dogs, whether sponsored by me or not, or to third parties arising out of my own actions or the actions of my dog. I have read the above-stated provisions, and agree to accept those responsibilities.

I grant permission to The Dogborhood, LLC and its legal representatives and assigns the irrevocable and unrestricted right to use, publish, and broadcast my dog's photograph(s), likeness and voice, including via video, for trade, advertising, and any other purpose and in any manner and medium; and to alter the same without restriction. I hereby release The Dogborhood and its legal representatives and assigns from all claims and liability relating to said photograph(s), video(s), likeness and voice.

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