Happy Paws Outdoors (“we”) would like all dogs and humans to have a great time using our field. Users (“you”) must observe the following terms and conditions to ensure the safety of themselves and their dog(s) and to maintain the condition of the field

Induction

Before making your first booking, you are required to read and sign the terms and conditions, and to come for a free induction. The induction is to show you the site and facilities, explain parking arrangements, and to view the vaccination record for your dog(s). It is your responsibility to inspect the field during the induction, to ensure that it is suitable for use by you and your dogs (fence height, proximity to livestock etc). The field fencing is 1.8 metres high – if your dog can jump higher than 1.8 metres, or is a professional digger, the field may not be totally secure for you. We cannot be held liable if your dog escapes.

Booking

Use of the field is by appointment only. You have exclusive use of the field for exercising your dog(s). All time slots must be booked and paid for in advance. Cheque payments are not accepted.

A maximum of four dogs is allowed per time slot. Bitches in season are allowed. On booking, you will be given a combination code for the gate padlock, which will be changed regularly. Please ensure you have the current code and never give the code to anyone else. Bookings are subject to availability and we reserve the right to cancel or amend time slots should it be deemed necessary. We retain the right to close the field at any time, for which a full refund will be given.

If you need to cancel or amend a booking, please do so as soon as possible so that the slot can be made available to others. Regrettably there will be no refunds for no-shows to a booking, if you cut your session short, or for cancellations made less than 24 hours before your slot. Please inform us if you give your slot to somebody else, as we will need a name and contact number for insurance purposes. Anyone taking your slot must have signed the terms and completed the induction process.

Dog health & handling

Dogs must be healthy and up to date with their vaccinations, and regularly treated for worm, flea and tick prevention. You must not bring your dog(s) to the field if they, or any dogs in your household, are unwell, have been unwell in the last 48 hours or have been in contact with other dogs suffering from an infectious disease. Please seek veterinary advice if you are unsure what action to take.  

Adverse training tools such as choke chains, prong collars and shock collars are not allowed, nor is harsh handling (verbal or physical). If you are caught using such methods, you will be asked to leave and not refunded. Likewise, anyone found to be training dogs for fighting or is a cause for concern regarding animal cruelty, will be asked to leave immediately and not refunded.  

Your session

SMOKING IS NOT PERMITTED ANYWHERE ON THE SITE, INCLUDING THE TOILET. Dogs must be accompanied and supervised by their owner/handler at all times, and kept on a lead, under control, when anywhere outside of the field boundary. Dogs must only be let off the lead once safely inside the field boundary with the gate securely closed. If you use the toilet facilities, dogs must be put on a lead before opening the top gate. It is your responsibility to ensure that all gates are closed immediately upon entering and leaving the field.

Children under 18 are allowed on the field but must be supervised by an adult at all times. Dogs and children should never be left unattended.  

Time slots start on the hour for a maximum of 50 minutes in the field. You must leave the field no later than 50 minutes past the hour, even if you arrive late. Bookings cannot be extended for late arrivals. 

There is a 10 minute gap between the end time and start of the next slot to allow you time to put your dog(s) on lead, leave the field and vacate the parking area before the next person arrives. You must leave the parking area before the next appointment start time. Please try not to arrive early and no earlier than 5 minutes before your slot begins. For those with reactive dogs it is especially important that there is no overlap with other users. If you do arrive early, and the previous user is still on site, please park in the designated waiting area. You must remain in your vehicle with your dog(s) until the previous user has loaded their dogs into their vehicle and left the site. Please only move your vehicle to the parking area by the field, once the previous user has left. All parking is explained at the induction. If the previous user is still in the field after your start time, please call us on 07876 541522. Never enter the field while somebody else is in it.  

Do not block any gateways, or the drive and lane, with your vehicle.  

At the end of your session, you must close the gate and lock the padlock, even if someone is waiting to come in. This is to ensure that only authorised users can access the field.  You MUST pick up all of your dog’s poo please, which must be bagged and put into one of the bins in the field. Anyone failing to do so may be refused future use of the field. Please supply your own poo bags.  

Bins are for dog poo only. All other rubbish must be taken home with you. Do not drop litter or leave toys or uneaten treats in the field.  

You must discourage your dog(s) from digging in the field. Any holes dug by your dog(s) must be filled in before you leave the field and reported for safety and security reasons. Failure to rectify any damage caused may result in a charge.  

We will make every effort to check and maintain the field but please notify us immediately of any issues with fencing, gates, holes or any other escape risks.  

If you use the field water tap, please ensure it is turned off afterwards.  

The agility equipment is to be used by dogs only. Humans must not use or climb on the equipment. It is the owner/handler’s responsibility to ensure that any equipment used is suitable for their dog(s), paying particular attention to the dog’s height, age and fitness limitations. Be aware of uneven ground when setting up equipment, to avoid any injury to yourself or your dog(s). We cannot be held liable for any injury incurred by you or your dog(s) whilst using the equipment. You must inform us if you damage any equipment, for which you may be charged.  

The field is situated amongst working farmland. Please be mindful of farm traffic on the lane. The ground is quite uneven in places therefore due care must be taken whilst walking and appropriate footwear must be worn. The field contains a few apple trees so during apple season, please be aware of apples on the ground. As with any rural setting, the field may be muddy at times and the presence of common countryside features such as (but not limited to) brambles, nettles, thistles, other naturally occurring plants, acorns, possible rabbit holes etc should be accepted. This is a countryside field, not a garden lawn! We cannot accept any liability for humans or animals harmed by the natural environment.  

Do not climb on any fencing, gates, walls or trees. Do not touch or climb on any farm property. Any devices that create noise pollution including drones, other mechanically propelled devices, and music players or speakers, are not permitted. Kite flying is not allowed. We request that you respect our neighbours, and any livestock that may sometimes be grazing nearby. Do not approach or feed any livestock. Any disrespectful behaviour may result in future field use being refused.  

Smoking, barbecues and naked flames are strictly prohibited.  

By making a booking, you agree to only use the field, the agreed parking areas and the toilet facilities, and understand that trespassing onto any other areas of the farm or neighbouring properties will be prosecuted. 

General liability

Use of the field and any agility equipment is entirely at your own risk. Users are responsible for the safety and welfare of themselves, their dog(s) and their family/companions at all times. Users are responsible for the behaviour and actions of all persons and dogs in their party. 

Happy Paws Outdoors accept no liability for:-  

• the death of, or any injury to, any person or dog, or for damage to any property – any losses, claims, actions, damages, costs, expenses or other liability, incurred by users during, or arising from, the use of the field  
• any illness contracted by any person or dog who uses the field 

You are advised to insure your dog(s) for all eventualities.  

You are liable for any damage caused on the site by you, your dog(s) or anyone in your party. Any significant repair costs relating to damage done will be payable by you. Should your dog escape, you are liable for any damage caused to neighbouring properties or other animals, and any resulting costs are payable by you.  

Vehicles and contents are left at the owner’s risk.  

Using the field does not create any rights over the land. Happy Paws Outdoors maintain control of the site at all times and shall be allowed access onto the land at any time to carry out inspections.  

Variations

Happy Paws Outdoors reserve the right to amend the terms and conditions, review the pricing structure, or withdraw promotional offers, at any time.  

BY BOOKING AND USING THE FIELD IT IS ACCEPTED THAT THE USER HAS READ AND AGREED TO THESE TERMS AND CONDITIONS. USERS WHO DISRESPECT THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS WILL BE DENIED ACCESS TO THE FIELD.