Cancellation Policy
Whilst FOUR P4WS does welcome short-notice requests, advanced booking is encouraged, to secure your preferred dates and times. We can only confirm bookings once payment has been received and are unable to hold bookings without payment. Payment is due at the time of booking in.
If you do need to cancel your booking, for any reason, we operate the following cancellation policy:
○ If you cancel a booking with strictly more than 48-hours notice, you can choose between a refund or to rearrange your slot.
○ If you cancel a booking with strictly more than 24-hours notice, then you will receive a 50% refund (or equivalent credit towards your next booking).
○ If you cancel a booking with less than 24-hours notice, then no refund will be available (including use of the original booking as credits for a new booking).
Thank you for your understanding
Care and Equipment Policy
FOUR P4WS values care that is based on force-free, positive-reinforcement and humane handling principles. Wherever avoidable, within our present judgement and skillset, without compromising safety (of the pet, of the public, or of ourselves) we aim to provide a gentle, caring and fear-free experience for your pet.
We require all dog walking clients to provide:
A legally compliant ID tag (as per UK law),
A flat collar and/or non-restrictive* harness (for sighthounds, martingale collars are acceptable),
A standard, fixed-length lead.
Please ensure equipment is both visible and easily accessible to our team, properly fitted to your dog's size and free of damage, for each booking. If the above equipment is missing upon arrival (including a legally required ID tag), we reserve the right to cancel your dog's walk without refund.
We reserve the right to use our own equipment on dog walks, including but not limited to:
A flat collar,
A non-restrictive harness,
Leads, including flexi-leads, shock-absorbers, drag-lines and long-lines.
For example, if you provide a flat collar, we may also fit your dog with a harness for their walk. It remains the client's responsibility to inform us, with notice, of any reason certain equipment may not be appropriate (such as trachea injuries, spinal injuries or skin conditions). In this case, we will endeavour to work with you to find a mutually agreeable, welfare-focused alternative.
For the duration of the time your dog is in our care, we will endeavour to not use any aversive equipment. This includes, but is not limited to: *Restrictive harnesses; designed to tighten, pinch, or limit a dog's natural gait and stride length. Tightening collars; slip leads, grot collars, prong collars and head collars (haltis).
In cases where FOUR P4WS provides wearable equipment (harnesses, collars) for the duration of the walk, this will always be sanitised between dogs.
Relationship Continuity and Active Memberships
To provide the highest standard of safety and comfort for your pets, we respectfully ask all dog walking clients to book a minimum of one booking per month. This is to ensure:
We maintain a present relationship with your pet. Predictably scheduled and regular visits ensure pets remain comfortable in our care. Pet anxiety is minimised, with pets behaviour being more calm and relaxed, where a trusted friendship can be maintained. From your pet's perspective, visits that are less frequent than monthly may feel unpredictable and unfamiliar, with time needed to re-establish a relationship, trust and full-confidence.
We stay current on your pet's health and behaviour. Spending time with your pet regularly allows us to stay up-to-date on any health notes, such as newly developed food intolerances or body sensitivities, requiring extra care around putting on walking equipment. Regular walks allow us to stay up-to-date on behaviour notes, such as recent stressors that may influence the pet's tolerance for situations they would normally enjoy. When significant time lapses between bookings, these important notes easily get missed, compromising wellbeing and safety.
We can better track and report subtle changes in behaviour, health and mobility. Having an extra pair of eyes can be really valuable. Dog walkers and pet sitters are often able to spot changes in pets, well before they become full-blown concerns. Our unique, expert insight can help you pick up on behaviour and health issues early, enabling you to take action (such as a check-in with your vet). We are better able to keep you updated on any subtle changes, when we have a consistent baseline, through regular bookings, on which to base our observations.
Active Status: To remain an "Active Client," a minimum of one booking per calendar month is required.
Inactive Accounts: If a client account has no bookings for a period exceeding one month, the account will be moved to "Inactive" status.
Re-Activation: If a client wishes to return an inactive account back to an active one, an upfront payment is required. This payment is non-refundable and will be used as credit for one walk per month, for 3-months. For accounts that are inactive for over 6-months, an upfront payment covering more than 3-months (one walk per month), may be required.
Availability: Please note that maintaining "Active Status" ensures your pet remains familiar with our team, but it does not guarantee your preferred time slot(s). All bookings are subject to current diary availability at the time of the request.
Grace Period: A break of one-month, every 12-months, may be taken, without forefitting "Active Status", in the case of advanced holiday notice and veterinary-advised rest. This is strictly for cases where notice is given (cannot be retrospectively applied after the account has already become "Inactive"). If you do not use your one allowable grace period within a 12-month period, they will not accumulate (strictly one per year).
Incentive: To reward committed clients, accounts that consecutively maintain "Active Status" for 12-months will recieve a discretionary, complimentary gift.