Terms and Conditions

1. Payment Terms

• Purchase Client agrees to pay the set price for training and/or boarding, as defined by Ridgeside in accordance with the Client’s chosen training and/or boarding package (“Purchase Price”). Each client’s Purchase Price may vary depending upon the services rendered and scope of the training and/or boarding package.
• Client shall pay Ridgeside 100% of the Purchase Price within four days of the agreed upon due date. Upon Client’s failure to make such a timely payment, Ridgeside shall apply a late fee of $50.00 per day to cover the costs and expenses of caring for Client’s Dog.
• Method of Payment: Ridgeside accepts payment by cash, checks, Venmo and A 2% service fee will be applied to payments via Venmo and PayPal. Any returned check will be subject to an additional late fee of no less than $20.00.
• Client agrees to pay Ridgeside for all costs and charges incurred for special services requested by Client, above and beyond those described in their purchased Client further authorizes Ridgeside to incur, and agrees to pay all veterinary expenses deemed appropriate by Ridgeside for dog during the time it is in Ridgeside K9’s care. Ridgeside K9 shall attempt to contact Client before incurring such veterinary services as may be required by dog’s health and/or behavior.

2. Evaluation and Goals

Upon entrance to a board and train program, a Ridgeside trainer (“Trainer”) and Client will conduct an initial evaluation at an agreed-upon time and location to evaluate the dog’s current skill levels and identify unsatisfactory areas needing improvement. Training will focus on the areas identified as unsatisfactory during the initial evaluation between the Trainer and Client. In general, the goals for the dog are:

• To be controllable and polite around other dogs and people;
• To perform basic obedience upon command; and
• To reduce identifiable bad habits that may exist, such as: chewing, barking, jumping, rushing through doorways, counter-surfing, and begging for food at the

3. Private Lessons

If Client selects a package with private lessons, training will commence for one hour at the agreed upon time and location. It is recommended these sessions be conducted bi-weekly. During the training session the Trainer will demonstrate, explain and use the required skills to instruct the dog on the necessary Client understands that the sessions are not designed to fully train the dog, but to give the dog a basic understanding and to educate the Client on how to practice the training with their dog. The Client understands that private lessons also have lifetime support. The Client understands that private lessons will supply the dog with obedience around basic distractions and that the Client must seek out distractions on their own accord for the dog to be proficient in high-distraction areas.

4. Board & Training

• If the Client selects overnight boarding/training, the Trainer will take the dog for up to two weeks of training (though the parties may agree to extend the stay if necessary, depending on the dog’s issues and progress). The dog will be sometimes kept in a crate during its period of boarding. The dog will be exercised and socialized as appropriate for the character of the dog and the purposes of the training. The dog will be kept at the Trainer’s private residence. The dog will sometimes be transported to various locations and occasionally for extended trips including out of state, which will be explained to the Client. The Trainer will work with the dog for a minimum of two hours daily (not including daily exercise that will occur as allowable and as needed). The Client understands the dog will be traveling for training, and exposed to public places such as but not limited to: hardware stores, pet stores, veterinary hospitals, group classes, park, and more. The Client agrees that updates on the dog will be provided on Facebook, Instagram, and text message, and to limit contact with the Trainer to once daily within business hours (8 AM – 5 PM). Client understands that visits may be pre-arranged with said dog, however such visits will be at the convenience of the Trainer and may interfere with training. Client understands that Ridgeside and its Trainers work diligently to train dogs to the highest standards possible and any time taken away from said training will have an adverse effect upon the results of training and may postpone the dog’s return home. Client agrees that this program is not to provide complete comprehensive training for said dog but to expedite results that the Client will be responsible for completing at home.
• Ridgeside K9 and its Trainers have agreed to train said dog to a pre-established level of obedience as agreed upon with Client following the initial evaluation. This training includes and is limited to the following: come, sit, sit with distractions, heel, place, car manners, door manners, respecting boundaries, quiet, digging and dog introduction, aggression, and separation anxiety. Further levels and areas of training may be discussed but are not entitled to unlimited lessons or guaranteed results.

5. Maintenance of Goals

The Client recognizes that the training provided by our program will result in a dog that understands the expectations of the given commands and has experience ignoring basic to advanced Regardless of the dog’s success during in-person training, Client agrees the dog may not be reliable off leash. For the dog to improve on or maintain the level of training provided the following must apply:

• The Client must understand and apply the basic principles of training;
• The Client must use the list of cues supplied by the trainer;
• The Client must not interact with the dog in a way that rewards bad behavior and/or punishes good behavior;
• The Client must train the dog at least ten (10) minutes a day, six (6) days a week to improve or maintain the level of training achieved by this program; and
• The Client must follow the advice in terms of training and management as given by the trainer.

6. Expectations

The client understands and agrees that it may not be possible for every dog trained at Ridgeside to achieve all goals. For example, a dog may have a medical condition that prevents the dog from being reliably housebroken, or the dog’s basic temperament may be aggressive by nature and not amenable to behavior modification. Medical conditions may interfere with commands, such as deafness, blindness, or any other physical impairment. Dogs that have medically diagnosed anxiety may need medication to reach the desired goals. The Trainer will notify the Client prior to, during, or subsequent to the completion of the training program if the Trainer identifies areas that need additional training or training modification(s). Dogs will not be accepted into this program if the Trainer does not reasonably believe that established goals for the dog could be achieved.

7. Dog Behavior

• 7.1 – Aggressive The Client hereby represents and warrants that Client has disclosed to Ridgeside in writing (e.g., all forms and applications submitted to Ridgeside) any behavior that may indicate that the dog may be aggressive to other dogs or people, including but not limited to growling, forceful barking, snapping, raising of hackles, lowering of head and staring, chasing, attempting to bite, and biting. The Client understands and acknowledges that, while the trainer may be able to address some forms of aggression, many aggressive dogs require long-term treatment following a specific plan of action. Client understands that said dog may not “like, enjoy, or interact” with other dogs or people. Ridgeside never recommends leaving a dog that has shown signs of aggression alone with children or other animals. In aggression cases, no matter the amount of training we do, we do not guarantee the dog will never be aggressive again. We cannot affect DNA and genetics. What we can do is keep the dog under control and manage it. It is the Client’s responsibility to understand at all times that it is on the Client to manage the dog and its environment to reduce chances of possible accidents. Although the dog will be trained to a standard in a controlled environment, we never recommend the Client to have the dog off leash when out in public areas and places where leash laws apply.
  
  The Client understands and acknowledges that some forms of aggression cannot be addressed with behavior modification and may required medication or euthanasia, both of which are outside the scope of this contract.
  
  
• 7.2 – Client represents and warrants that the dog is neither a danger to itself or other persons or If dog becomes ill or if dog’s behavior is endangering itself, humans, or other animals, Ridgeside, in its sole discretion, may engage the services of a veterinarian to assess and treat dog for its behavior. Ridgeside shall make reasonable attempts to contact the Client first; however, in the event of an extreme emergency, the wellbeing of the dog, Ridgeside staff, and the other dogs in Ridgeside’s care come first. Medication may be administered a necessary under the direction of a veterinarian. Client hereby gives Ridgeside’s selected veterinarian authority to treat dog in whatever manner deemed necessary and that it will be responsible for all veterinary charges upon release of the dog. Client also gives full authority for treating veterinarian and their associates to discuss with Ridgeside K9 any aspect of any illness or injury that the Ridgeside K9 has presented for treatment.

8. Liability and Risk during Training and Boarding

• 8.1 – Ridgeside’s dog-training program and boarding are inherently social in nature and with that come certain, unavoidable These risks may include, but are not limited to:
  
  Transfer of communicable diseases such as Canine Papilloma virus (Puppy Warts), Canine Cough, and Feline Upper Respiratory Infection. Injuries may also include, but are not limited to: broken nails, sore feet, puncture wounds, abrasions and cuts. These injuries are generally benign and can usually be managed by our staff or at home. In some cases, veterinary care may be required.
  
  
• 8.2 – Ridgeside shall exercise reasonable care for dogs delivered by Client to Ridgeside for training and Client and Ridgeside hereby agree to limit Ridgeside’s liability for any damage to person, property, or dog injured during the dog’s training and boarding at Ridgeside. In no event shall Ridgeside be liable to Client for any amount higher than the fair market value for the dog boarded in the case of the dog’s injury or death. The Client further agrees to be solely responsible for any and all acts or behavior of said dog while it is in the care of the Ridgeside. Client agrees to be financially responsible for Ridgeside property damaged by dog. Reasonable costs for damage will be payable upon the dog’s checkout.
  
  
• 8.3 – All behavioral advice and training suggestions are provided at the Client’s own risk. Use of this information is voluntary and neither Ridgeside, its employees, or Trainer is responsible for injury to another human or animal. The Client expressly understands, acknowledges and agrees that Client is at all times responsible for the actions of the dog. With full knowledge of the foregoing, Client hereby releases and agree to hold harmless Ridgeside, its owners, directors, officers, members, employees and agents from any and all liability, claims, suits, actions, loss, injury or damage of any nature or kind, or for any liability, claims, suits, actions, loss, injury or damage which Client or dog may sustain or which may be caused in any way by the dog. Client, without limitation, agrees to fully indemnify Ridgeside, for any and all such liability, claims, suits, actions, losses, injury or damage. Client specifically agrees to indemnify and hold harmless Ridgeside as to any loss, cost, claim, injury, damage or liability, sustained or incurred which is caused by an act or omission, whether negligent, intentional or otherwise, of an employee, representative, or agent of Ridgeside. Client understands and agrees that Ridgeside is in no way responsible for the behavior of the dog during or after training.

9. Dog’s Health

Client hereby attests that the dog has not been exposed to rabies or distemper within a thirty (30) day period prior to boarding. Ridgeside requires proof of current Rabies, Distemper and Bordetella vaccinations (i.e. within the last six (6) months)—failure to produce such proof of vaccination may cause Ridgeside to decline to provide training and boarding services to the dog. The Bordetella vaccine is not 100% effective. It is recommended that it be given to your dog at least two (2) weeks prior to dog’s arrival date to increase efficacy. Ridgeside K9 makes no guarantees in regards to the Bordetella vaccine. All dogs are checked for external parasites (fleas/ticks) upon entry to the facility. If any external parasites are found, they will be treated accordingly and Client will be responsible for those expenses.

While the Dog is in Ridgeside’s care, in the event of an emergency where the Client is unreachable, Client hereby authorizes Ridgeside, its agents, employees and/or representatives to seek immediate veterinary care for the dog. Client understands and agrees that it shall retain sole responsibility for any and all costs incurred in connection with veterinary, medical or other treatment.

10. Photo and Video Release

Client consents for the dog to be photographed while in Ridgeside’s facilities. Client further agrees to authorize Ridgeside to use dog’s name, image, and likeness on promotional materials, which may include its website and social media pages.

11. Guarantee

Ridgeside does not, nor can it, guarantee successful progress in the dog’s behavior and discipline. However, Client may submit report to Ridgeside of the dog’s failure to improve within thirty (30) days following the end of a board and train program. In Ridgeside’s sole discretion, and upon Client’s showing that it complied with the Maintenance section of this Agreement, Ridgeside may allow Client to attend a follow-up training course. Ridgeside reserves sole discretion whether to issue a refund of any amount, or not, and may deny such a request if it believes the dog has made progress following its evaluation and/or Client failed to adhere to the maintenance program.

12. Entire

This Agreement and the exhibits hereto constitutes the entire agreement between the parties and supersedes all prior agreements and understandings, whether written or oral, relating to the subject matter of this Agreement.

13. Governing

This Agreement shall be construed, interpreted, and enforced in accordance with the laws of the state of South Carolina, without regard to its conflict of law principles.

14. Arbitration

Any controversy, dispute or claim arising out of or relating to this Agreement or breach thereof shall first be settled through good faith negotiation. If the dispute cannot be settled through negotiation the parties agree to attempt in good faith to settle the dispute by confidential mediation administered by American Arbitration Association (“AAA”). If the parties are unsuccessful at resolving the dispute through mediation, the parties agree to confidential arbitration administered by a single arbitrator of the AAA, pursuant AAA’s Commercial Arbitration Rules. Judgment on the Award may be entered in any court having jurisdiction. The seat of any such arbitration will be Berkeley County, South Carolina. The parties agree that any award rendered by the arbitrator shall be final and binding, and that judgment upon the award may be entered in any court having jurisdiction thereof.

15. Attorney’s Fees and Costs

Client understands and agrees that in any action or proceeding brought by Ridgeside to enforce its rights under, or as a result of the Client’s breach of this Agreement, in which Ridgeside prevails, Ridgeside shall be entitled to recover from the Client, Ridgeside’s costs and attorneys’ fees incurred in any such action or proceeding

By signing the Agreement and leaving dog with the Ridgeside K9, Client certifies to the accuracy of all information given about dog to the best of their knowledge. Client specifically represents that he or she is the sole owner of dog.

Client further certifies that he or she has read and accepted all of the terms and conditions stated herein, as well as Ridgeside’s Schedule of Services and Fees.