Terms and Conditions

About CHRIS

Veterinary knowledge, practical training and a focus on welfare

I’m Chris Hewison BVetMed MRCVS, a veterinary surgeon and dog trainer. I qualified from the Royal Veterinary College in 1995 and have spent my working life helping animals and the people who care for them. Alongside clinical veterinary work, I have a particular interest in canine behaviour, welfare and helping owners build good habits from the start.

Don’t Stop Retrievin’ grew from a simple idea: puppy training should be kind, practical and relevant to the life you want to share with your dog. Classes are reward-based and force-free. We focus on teaching puppies what we would like them to do, making learning worthwhile and helping owners understand the reasons behind the exercises.

I know that puppies are individuals. Some are bold, some are cautious, and all are learning how to live in a human world. The aim is not to compare puppies or expect them to master everything immediately. It is to give each puppy and owner useful foundations, confidence and a plan for continuing at home.

I share life with flatcoated retrievers, so I also appreciate the enthusiasm, sensitivity and exuberance that dogs can bring to everyday life. Whatever your puppy’s breed or mix, the principles remain the same: meet their needs, communicate clearly, reinforce helpful behaviour and make learning a positive experience.

Booking and Payment

Please note that your place on a course or workshop is not confirmed until payment has been received in full.

Refund Policy

If you decide not to attend a course, you are entitled to a refund up to one week before the
course start date, less a 10% administration fee.
If cancellation occurs within seven days of the course start date, or after the course has
commenced, no refund will be available, as places are limited and it is unlikely that your
place can be filled at short notice.
Missed classes cannot be refunded or transferred.

Health and Safety

Group classes are limited in size to help ensure a safe, enjoyable and effective learning
environment for both dogs and handlers. Occasionally, courses may run with fewer than the
advertised number of participants depending on the type of course or operational
requirements.
In exceptional circumstances, classes may need to be cancelled at short notice. Where this
occurs, participants will be offered either:

  • A full refund for the affected session(s), or
  • A place on the next available course.

If we believe that a group class environment is not suitable for your dog, we reserve the
right to recommend an alternative training option that better meets your dog’s needs.
Should this occur, you will be offered a full refund for any unused training sessions and
alternative training recommendations.
You are responsible for:

  • Your own health and safety;
  • The health and safety of your dog;
  • The conduct and safety of any person accompanying you to training.

All participants must follow the trainer’s instructions and any safety guidance provided
during classes.

Equipment and Training Methods

Don’t Stop Retrievin’ Dog Training uses reward-based, force-free training methods.
The use of aversive equipment or training methods is not permitted. This includes, but is not
limited to:

  • Choke chains
  • Prong collars
  • Slip leads used as corrective devices
  • Electronic training collars
  • Any equipment intended to cause discomfort, fear or pain

Dogs must remain on lead unless specifically instructed otherwise by the trainer.

Please do not feed treats to another person’s dog without the owner’s permission. To help prevent digestive upset, handlers are responsible for choosing treats appropriate for their
own dog.

Photographs and Video Recordings

Photographs and video recordings may occasionally be taken during training sessions for
training, promotional or social media purposes.
We will always seek your permission before taking identifiable photographs or recordings of
you or your dog. If you do not wish to be photographed or recorded, your decision will be
fully respected.
Any photographs or recordings created by Don’t Stop Retrievin’ Dog Training remain the
property of Don’t Stop Retrievin’ Dog Training.
You are welcome to take photographs or video recordings of your own dog during training
sessions. However, please ensure that:

  • Trainers and participants are aware that you are recording;
  • Other handlers and dogs are not included without their consent.

Our Commitment to You

Successful dog training is a partnership between trainer and owner.
Chris Hewison is committed to:

  • Providing professional, ethical and effective training;
  • Treating all handlers and dogs with respect and kindness;
  • Arriving punctually and communicating clearly;
  • Delivering training based on modern, reward-based methods.

In return, we ask that clients:

  • Attend sessions promptly;
  • Practise any recommended exercises between lessons;
  • Inform us if they are unable to attend a session;
  • Treat fellow participants, their dogs and trainers respectfully.

Regular practice between sessions is essential for achieving the best results.

Feedback and Complaints

We strive to provide the highest standards of training and customer care.
If at any time you are dissatisfied with any aspect of our service, please contact us as soon
as possible so that we can address your concerns promptly and fairly.
We also welcome positive feedback and suggestions that help us improve our services for
clients and their dogs.

Privacy Policy

Don’t Stop Retrievin’ Dog Training is committed to protecting your privacy and handling
your personal information responsibly.
We will only collect, use and store personal information that is necessary for providing our
services and communicating with you.
We will never sell your personal information and will not share it with third parties without
your consent unless required to do so by law.

Information We Collect

When booking training services or making enquiries, we may collect:

  • Name
  • Address
  • Telephone number
  • Email address
  • Dog details relevant to training
  • Payment information where applicable

This information is collected solely for the purpose of providing our services and managing
your booking.

Website Use

Our website is not configured to collect personally identifiable information unless you
choose to provide it voluntarily through contact forms, bookings or enquiries.
When you provide information through our website, it will only be used for the purpose for
which it was supplied.

Securing Your Information

Where personal information is transmitted online, we take reasonable measures to protect
it through secure systems and encrypted connections where available.
While every effort is made to safeguard personal data, no method of transmission over the
internet can be guaranteed to be completely secure.

Email Communications

From time to time, and only where you have provided consent, we may contact you by
email regarding:

  • Upcoming courses
  • Training opportunities
  • Events
  • News from Don’t Stop Retrievin’ Dog Training

You may unsubscribe from marketing communications at any time.

Use of Information

All personal information supplied to Don’t Stop Retrievin’ Dog Training will be treated as
confidential.
Information will only be used for:

  • Managing bookings and training services;
  • Communicating with clients;
  • Meeting legal or regulatory obligations.

Personal information will not be used for unrelated marketing activities without consent.

Disclosure to Third Parties

Don’t Stop Retrievin’ Dog Training will not sell, rent or transfer personal information to third
parties without your permission, except where required by law or where necessary to
provide a service you have requested.

Links to Other Websites

Our website may contain links to external websites.
We are not responsible for the privacy practices, content or security of these third-party
websites and encourage users to review their individual privacy policies.

Legal Requirements

Personal information may be disclosed where required by law or where reasonably
necessary to:

  • Comply with legal obligations;
  • Protect the rights or property of Don’t Stop Retrievin’ Dog Training;
  • Protect the safety of clients, dogs or members of the public.

Data Protection

Don’t Stop Retrievin’ Dog Training is committed to complying with the UK General Data
Protection Regulation (UK GDPR) and the Data Protection Act 2018.
If you have any questions regarding the handling of your personal information, please
contact:
Chris Hewison
Trading as Don’t Stop Retrievin’ Dog Training


© Chris Hewison – 2026