Booking & Cancellation Policy
Please read this policy before booking a Collie Culture Training Day, Collie Culture Camp, spectator place or observer place.
By booking, you confirm that you have read and agree to the terms below.
Booking and payment
Your place is only confirmed once payment has been received.
A handler place includes one working dog and up to two people from the same household or regular training team.
A spectator place or observer place is for someone attending without a dog to learn by watching. Spectator and observer places do not include working time with a dog.
Only one dog is included per handler place. Please do not bring additional dogs unless this has been agreed in writing before the event.
Specific-dated events
Collie Culture Training Days and Collie Culture Camp are specific-dated events.
Because your booking is for a place on a specific date, the usual 14-day online cooling-off period does not apply.
Suitability and pre-event questionnaire
You may be asked to complete a short questionnaire before the event so Gemma can understand your dog, your aims, and any practical considerations before the day.
Please answer this honestly and let Gemma know if anything changes before the event.
These events may be suitable for dogs who are sensitive, excitable, easily distracted, frustrated or reactive, provided they can rest safely between sessions and work at a sensible distance from other dogs with support.
They are not suitable for every dog. If your dog needs complete isolation from other dogs, or would find the event environment overwhelming, a private 1:1 or a different form of support may be more appropriate.
Gemma reserves the right to adapt the setup, reduce a dog’s working time, or stop a dog taking part in a particular exercise if needed for safety or welfare reasons.
Cancelling your Training Day place
If you need to cancel your place on a Collie Culture Training Day, the following terms apply:
- More than 8 weeks before the event: refund minus a £15 admin fee, or transfer if a suitable alternative is available.
- 4–8 weeks before the event: no automatic refund, but you may transfer your place to another suitable person with prior agreement, or receive a refund minus the admin fee if your place can be refilled.
- Less than 4 weeks before the event: no refund unless your place can be refilled.
- Less than 7 days before the event or non-attendance: no refund or transfer.
Cancelling your Camp place
Collie Culture Camp involves more planning, catering and limited spaces, so the cancellation terms are slightly different.
If you need to cancel your Camp place, the following terms apply:
- More than 12 weeks before Camp: refund minus a £25 admin fee, or transfer if a suitable alternative is available.
- 6–12 weeks before Camp: no automatic refund, but you may transfer your place to another suitable person with prior agreement, or receive a refund minus the admin fee if your place can be refilled.
- Less than 6 weeks before Camp: no refund unless your place can be refilled.
- Less than 14 days before Camp or non-attendance: no refund or transfer.
Transferring your place
Please do not sell or transfer your place to someone else without written agreement from Gemma.
Any replacement dog and handler must be suitable for the event and must complete any required questionnaire before the place is confirmed.
This is because the setup of each event is planned around the dogs and people attending.
Spectator and observer places
Spectator and observer places are subject to the same cancellation terms as the event they are attached to.
For example, a spectator place on a Training Day follows the Training Day cancellation terms. An observer place at Camp follows the Camp cancellation terms.
Spectator and observer places may not be transferred without written agreement.
If we need to cancel or reschedule
Very occasionally, an event may need to be cancelled, postponed or rescheduled due to illness, venue issues, extreme weather, unsafe travel conditions, insufficient numbers, or circumstances outside our control.
If Gemma / Collie Culture needs to cancel or reschedule an event, you will be offered one of the following:
- Transfer to the new date, where available
- Transfer to another suitable event, where available
- A refund of the event fee if no suitable alternative is available
Gemma / Collie Culture is not responsible for any travel, accommodation, dog care or other costs incurred by attendees.
Weather and venue changes
Some events take place outdoors or involve outdoor elements.
Dog welfare and human safety come first. This means the format of the day may need to be adapted in the event of heat, heavy rain, high winds, thunder, unsafe ground conditions, or other welfare/safety concerns.
This may include changing the order of the day, reducing or adapting practical work, using more rest breaks, moving to a different area of the venue, or postponing/rescheduling the event where necessary.
Camp food and dietary requirements
Lunch and light refreshments are included at Collie Culture Camp on Saturday and Sunday.
You will be asked about dietary requirements before Camp. We will do our best to accommodate dietary needs where possible, but cannot guarantee a completely allergen-free environment.
The optional Sunday evening pub meal is not included in the Camp price.
Dogs, safety and welfare
Dogs remain the responsibility of their handler at all times.
Please follow all instructions given by Gemma and any venue-specific rules.
Dogs must be kept on lead unless specifically told otherwise.
Please clean up after your dog and dispose of waste responsibly.
Kind, thoughtful handling is expected at all times. Harsh handling, intimidation or inappropriate use of equipment will not be permitted.
Gemma reserves the right to ask a person or dog to pause, move further away, adapt an exercise, or leave the event if needed for safety or welfare reasons.
Photos, video and confidentiality
You may be asked for photo and video consent before or during the event.
Please do not photograph or film other dogs, handlers or attendees without permission.
At Camp, paired note-taking or videoing may be used as part of the learning process, but any video or notes should be for personal learning only unless everyone involved has agreed otherwise.
Please be respectful of other attendees and do not share personal details, dog behaviour details, photos or videos from the event without consent.
Before booking
Please make sure you have read:
- The relevant event description
- The FAQs for the event
- This Booking & Cancellation Policy
If you are unsure whether an event is suitable for your dog, please get in touch before booking.