Happy Hounds secure Woodland Retreat is intended to be a safe, secure, natural & tranquil space for dogs and their owners to use and enjoy. By booking and using this space, and the facilities, you are agreeing to the following Terms of Use.
Retreat values and etiquette
- We kindly ask all our clients to respect the retreat during your visit, meaning that our other clients can enjoy the same enjoyable experience as you.
- The Woodland Retreat is to be used as an area for the client to train or exercise dogs and for no other purposes.
- Welcome area - this is situated to the left of the retreat main entrance. All relevant information is displayed here. Although there are no First Aiders available on site, we have provided first aid kits for ‘people and pooches’ for your use if needed for minor injuries. Umbrellas, dog leads and toys are available for you to use whilst in the retreat, please ensure these are returned to the welcome area before you leave. Feel free to help yourselves to a biscuit treat for your pooch from the Happy Hounds treat jar!
- Bag it, Bin it! All dog poo must be picked up - biodegradable poo bags and bins are provided.
- A clean space is a happy space - other rubbish can be disposed of in the ‘general waste’ bins provided. Any unwanted litter on the floor may pose a danger to your dog and other doggie clients so it’s important that this is disposed of in the correct way.
- Water bowls will be available around the retreat, these can be refilled using the water butts provided in the welcome area.
- Please discourage your dog from digging, this can make the retreat insecure and dangerous to others. Any holes dug must be refilled and reported for safety and security reasons. However, Digging is FULLY permitted in the sandpit area!
- Please respect our local neighbours. If your dog persistently barks it may affect future visits to the retreat.
- If you wish to share your visit with friends, it’s your responsibility to ensure that they understand the Terms of Use. There is a maximum of 2 vehicles per visit.
- Children are welcome in the retreat, however we ask that they must be supervised by you at all times, and that they do not climb on any of the equipment or trees. You may be liable for any damages that are incurred due to misuse.
Health and Wellbeing
- The woodland retreat may not be suitable for all dogs, therefore please ensure it is suitable for your dog (s) ie. terrain, fence height etc..
- Dogs must be up to date with vaccinations and regularly treated for flea, tick and worm prevention.
- Please do not bring your dog to the woodland retreat if they are or have been unwell in the last 48 hours. Doing so could be harmful to other dogs.
- Choke chains, prong collars, and electronic devices are not allowed.
- Harsh handling of dogs, either verbal or physical is not allowed.
- Dogs should not be left unattended at any time. You should accompany your dog at all times so that you are aware of what they are doing and can ensure they are safe and are complying with these Terms of Use.
- Dogs should be supervised at all times when playing with toys. Examine the toy to ensure it's safe before use.
Professionals
- Dog walkers or Dog trainers working with clients may be allowed by prior arrangement
Natural habitat within the woodland retreat
- The retreat is set within an acre of woodland, and contains many natural hazards; stones, areas of uneven ground which could be concealed under leaves or other natural vegetation. Plus overhanging branches from trees including those that may fall or have fallen.
- Mushrooms, fungi, along with conkers, acorns and many other natural woodland fruits may be present on the floor of the retreat and may be harmful to dogs if consumed in large quantities.
Fencing
- Fencing is 6ft high, please check that the fence is suitable to keep your dog in before letting them run free.
- Although we will be inspecting and maintaining the fence regularly, holes or other damage to the fence may occur from time to time due to a number of reasons including digging by dogs or other animals, fallen trees or branches, and general wear and tear. If you become aware of any issues, please let us know immediately.
- Happy Hounds Woodland Retreat aims to be a safe and secure space where you can confidently let your dog off lead without having to worry about recall/the presence of another dog. Nevertheless, in the case of any negligence, we are not responsible for your dog escaping and/or leaving the woodland retreat, or you encountering another dog. You must ensure that, at all times during use of the woodland retreat, you act as a responsible dog owner.
Parking
- Vehicles are parked at owners risk in the allocated spaces.
- A maximum of 2 vehicles are allowed per visit
- Happy Hounds accepts no liability for any accidents, damage or loss sustained whilst clients are in the car park.
- Please only park in the designated area provided. Parking along the roadside or lay by is not permitted.
- The 50 minute booking includes the time it takes you to load your dog back into the car. You need to be ready to leave the car park at the end of your allotted time.
Entering & Exiting the retreat
- Clients will be required to unlock the gate to gain entry to the site with a code via your reminder email sent 1 hr before your visit.
- The gate must be closed and locked on exiting the retreat.
- Clients must keep their dogs on lead at all times whilst in the car park. Once having gained access to the retreat and closed & bolted the gate behind you, the retreat is secure and you may release your dog.
- On exiting the retreat similarly you must ensure all dogs are on a lead before opening the gate to the car park and placing your dog in your vehicle.
- If the previous client is still in the retreat when your booking is due to start, please notify us immediately
- Should you enter the retreat late, this will not alter the end time of your booking. You should ensure that you vacate the site on time so as not to cause any delay to subsequent clients waiting to start their booking.
- N.B The retreat is bordered with public footpaths and these footpaths are used by local residents and their dogs.
Booking & Cancellations
- Use of the Woodland Retreat is strictly by booking only and must be paid for in advance.
- Once you confirm your booking, payment is via BACS.
- Our bank details will be shared on your booking confirmation email and payment is expected to be made immediately.
- Each booking gives you 50 minutes to enjoy the Woodland Retreat, this includes the time needed to make your exit. This is the fairest way to ensure the woodland retreat is vacant when the next person arrives. This is especially important for those clients to the retreat who have nervous, antisocial or reactive dogs.
- Please ensure that you arrive on time and vacate the retreat on time, leaving it secure at the end of your booking.
- No extension is allowed for late arrival to the retreat
- No refunds are given for no-shows
- Cancellations are allowed up to 24hrs before your visit and you will receive a full refund.
- We reserve the right to close the retreat at any time, for which a full refund will be issued.
Retreat charge
- Upon opening, an ‘Introductory’ offer has been applied, this is subject to change and in addition, an annual increase may be applied thereafter.
CCTV
- CCTV cameras are in operation for the purpose of client safety and crime prevention. Recordings will be handled in a sensitive and confidential manner.
Personal Data
- The only information that we hold about our clients are names, email addresses and phone numbers. Contact will only be made regarding your booking. No information will be passed on to a third party.
New Law & Guidance
From 31/12/2023 it is against the law to have an XL Bully (Banned Breed) in public without a lead and muzzle.
- Happy Hounds are pleased to continue to allow XL Bullies to visit the retreat.
- When entering or exiting the retreat, the above law must be complied with within the car park and surrounding area as this is classed as a public place.
- Once inside the retreat gates slide the bolt across and attach the combination padlock securely on the bolt, XL Bullies can then run free off a lead and without a muzzle.
- Dog Handler ratio remains at 1:1 unless other dogs are from the same household.
- if there are dogs from different households, the banned breed will need to remain muzzled and on a lead at all times with a 1:1 handler.
- CCTV may be used in the monitoring of compliance with the above law and may be shared with the relevant authorities if necessary.
From 01/02/2024 owners of XL bully (Banned Breed) dogs in England and wales must have a Certificate of Exemption.
- From this date, upon booking your visit to the retreat, a copy of this certificate should be emailed to Happy Hounds where it will stored confidentially on file for all future visits.
- Expired Certificates should be renewed and re-sent when required
Declarations
- By making this booking confirms that you have read, understood and agreed to the Terms of Use as shown above.
- Happy Hounds accepts no liability for the death of, or injury to, any person/dog or for damage to any property. We also accept no liability for any losses, claims, actions, damages, costs/expenses or other liability incurred by you during the use of the Woodland Retreat.
- We advise that all dogs should be covered under their own third party insurance (public liability). This is usually included in your pet insurance.
- You agree not to let anyone else into the woodland other than any friends or family members that you have brought with you.
- By bringing friends or family with you, you agree that you take full responsibility for their safety and for ensuring that they adhere to these Terms of Use at all times whilst using the retreat.
- In the event of an emergency or to report any accident, incident, near miss, please contact us immediately Melanie Lucas 07867798035 / Neil Lucas 07788971498