Safety and security
I know that letting someone else take care of your pet can be difficult. To make the process a little easier, I’ve put together some of the questions I’m frequently asked. If there’s something I’ve missed, just reach out and I’ll do my best to help.
Access to homes
We will safely store any information regarding accessing your home. We never leave client keys in a car overnight and keys will never detail the associated address. We hold insurance to cover any loss of key.
Behaviour and recall
Prior to joining us, we'll always arrange to meet you, with your dog, on a walk. This allows us all to feel comfortable, ask any questions, and most importantly to engage with your dog when they are most relaxed. We'll look at recall and any other aspects of behaviour when we meet. Irrespective of your dog's ability, we'll always keep on lead initially, until bonds and trust have grown. We also appreciate that recall and other behaviours can change, whether through age, illness, environment, and we will always monitor this and provide a consultative approach.
Client registration
Our registration process is simple but comprehensive, and the details that you provide are regularly checked, discussed and updated. We capture your dog's needs : medical, physical and emotional. We take the details for your vet, microchip and vaccinations. We also request your consent to use our own vet should an emergency arise. Our terms and conditions are straight talking and straight forward. We ensure we have everything at the beginning of our relationship so that we can get on with our doggy care.
Communication
Communication is key. You can contact us by phone, email or most easily via a dedicated WhatsApp chat. We will set this up upon registration and share photos, sometimes videos, and regular updates on walks and stays.
First Aid
We are dog first aid trained and have a first aid kit with us at all times.
Nervous dogs
We will always do our very best to accommodate nervous and anxious dogs. Our tailored 121 approach facilitates this.
Walks to suit your dog
The safety and needs of your dog is always our primary focus. The numbers of dogs on walk are a maximum of 4. We choose the right location for your dog's needs and provide exercise tailored to them and mix dogs that are always compatible, for their own safety.
Solo walks still provide socialization opportunities as we are well connected with the dog walking community but we look after your dog like it is our own.
Privacy policy
Days 4 Dogs Ltd collects only the data required for core business purposes. The core business requires up to date contact information and veterinary details for the dogs that use our services. This is essential for the safety and wellbeing for all dogs in our care.
Your personal data will never be shared to anyone outside of the Days 4 Dogs organisation for marketing purposes. Data is stored in electronic format as standard on a secure password enabled drive. For instances where hard copies are maintained, these are stored in a lockable filing cabinet.
Data is collected through the client registration process, and the privacy policy agreed via the Days 4 Dogs terms and conditions, which are signed and kept on file.
Days 4 Dogs regularly checks, and updates where necessary, the data that is kept on file to ensure access to the correct contact and emergency information at all times. This information can also be accessed, updated, changed or deleted, at the request of clients, through emailing rachel@days4dogs.co.uk. Rachel Day is the assigned Data Protection Officer for Days 4 Dogs Ltd.
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No profiling or automated actions are carried out on the data that we hold.
Data will be kept for as long as the client is working with Days 4 Dogs Ltd. Should a client leave, the data will be kept for a maximum period of 2 years and then destroyed. The client can request that this data be destroyed sooner by emailing our data protection officer.
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Further information and guidance on data protection can be found at https://ico.org.uk/
Qualifications
We hold industry CPD diplomas in Canine Behaviour, Dog Training and Canine Nutrition. We try to see the world from your dog's point of view.
Risk
We assess all aspects of risk across all of the services which we offer. We will accept intact males but on a case by case basis providing they can board safely and not show disruptive or distractive tendencies on walks. We do not walk or board bitches in season.
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We are fully insured for visits, walks, daycare and boarding and hold public liability cover. We adhere to, and keep check of, DEFRA's statutory guidance for dog boarding and animal welfare and are fully licensed by Hart District Council. We have an emergency plan in place as part of this process. Our license number with Hart Council is RD00298/A_ANIM and we hold the highest 5 star accreditation.
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We welcome your dog into our family home environment and risk assessments ensure that people and animals are kept safe and secure from harm. An open and understanding relationship with you is key to this.
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We only board dogs and siblings on a 121 basis (unless agreed otherwise) to limit the risks of confrontation and to ensure we can supervise all aspects of care in our home.
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We hold an up to date, current, DBS certificate.
Travel
We ensure the safety of all dogs when travelling by car. We recommend that all dogs wear a harness for safety, not only when walking, but also to allow the attachment of a dog seat belt. Our car is fitted with a boot lining for comfort and a dog hammock.
Weather
We will always do our best to provide you with the booked service. However, there will be occasions where the weather will prevent us from doing so - particularly extremes of cold, storms and heat. On these occasions we will always try to provide an alternative for you if it is safe and appropriate to do so.