Terms of Service
- Agreement to Terms
- Description of Services
- Booking, Scheduling & Session Usage
- Payment Terms
- Refund and Cancellation Policy
- Disclaimer of Warranties
- Assumption of Risk
- Limitation of Liability
- Indemnification
- Dispute Resolution and Arbitration
- Governing Law and Jurisdiction
- Intellectual Property
- User Conduct
- Account Terms
- Termination
- Force Majeure
- Third-Party Services and Links
- Privacy
- Communication and Consent
- Language of Service
- Confidentiality
- Professional Disclaimer
- Release of Claims
- Modifications to Terms
- Severability
- Waiver
- Entire Agreement
- Assignment
- Headings
- Contact Information
These Terms of Service ("Terms") constitute a legally binding agreement between you ("Client," "you," or "your") and Your Dog Behaviorist, operated by Renee Rhoades ("Company," "we," "us," or "our"), a sole proprietorship based in the State of Maryland, United States. These Terms govern your access to and use of the website located at www.yourdogbehaviorist.com (the "Website"), all related subdomains, and all services, products, digital content, programs, guides, consultations, and resources offered through the Website (collectively, the "Services").
By accessing the Website, creating an account, purchasing any Service, or otherwise engaging with our offerings, you represent and warrant that you are at least eighteen (18) years of age, have the legal capacity to enter into binding agreements, and agree to be bound by these Terms and all applicable laws and regulations. If you do not agree to any provision of these Terms, you must immediately cease using the Website and the Services.
Your Dog Behaviorist provides educational and behavioral support services for companion animal guardians. Our Services include, but are not limited to:
A one-time, 90-minute virtual video consultation with Renee Rhoades, MSc, to evaluate and assess your dog's behavior. Following the assessment, a written behavior support plan is provided within three (3) business days. The Behavioral Assessment is a one-time service and does not include ongoing support unless separately purchased.
An ongoing support service available exclusively to Clients who have completed a Comprehensive Behavioral Assessment. Continued Care is provided in 90-day blocks or on a recurring subscription basis and includes Text-the-Expert access, monthly video check-ins, and discounted access to courses. Continued Care is limited to the subscribed period and does not carry over.
The Canine Cognitive Restructuring Therapy™ (CCRT) Program is a self-paced course that grants lifetime access to program materials.
Downloadable PDF guides covering specific behavioral topics. Digital guides are delivered electronically upon purchase and are governed by the digital product terms set forth herein.
Quizzes, challenges, newsletters, and other free content offered through the Website. Access to free resources may require email registration and is subject to these Terms.
We reserve the right to introduce, modify, or discontinue any Services at any time. Any new Services offered through the Website shall be subject to these Terms unless separate terms are expressly provided.
Upon purchasing a Comprehensive Behavioral Assessment, the Client must schedule and attend the session within thirty (30) calendar days of the date of purchase (the "Assessment Booking Window"). If the Client fails to schedule or attend the session within the Assessment Booking Window, the session shall be deemed forfeited, and no refund, credit, or rescheduling shall be provided. Any decision to permit rescheduling beyond the Assessment Booking Window is at the sole and absolute discretion of the Company and shall not be construed as a waiver of this provision or an obligation to extend the same accommodation in the future.
All sessions must be attended at the scheduled date and time. Sessions are limited to the time frame of the purchased service (e.g., 90 minutes for a Behavioral Assessment, 30 minutes for a Continued Care check-in). If a Client arrives late, the session will not be extended, and the unused time is forfeited. If a Client fails to attend a scheduled session ("no-show"), the session is forfeited in full, and no refund, credit, makeup session, or rescheduling shall be provided.
Rescheduling of any booked session is permitted only at the sole and absolute discretion of the Company. There is no entitlement, right, or guarantee that any session may be rescheduled. Requests to reschedule must be made at least forty-eight (48) hours prior to the scheduled session time. Any rescheduled session must still fall within the original service window (e.g., within 30 days of purchase for a Behavioral Assessment, within the 90-day Continued Care period).
All services included in a Continued Care subscription - including but not limited to Text-the-Expert access, monthly video check-ins, and course discounts - are available only during the active subscription period (each 90-day block or the applicable subscription term). Unused services, sessions, or benefits do not roll over, accumulate, or carry forward to any subsequent period. Upon expiration or cancellation of the Continued Care subscription, all unused services are forfeited.
All virtual sessions are conducted via video call. It is the Client's sole responsibility to ensure a stable internet connection, functioning camera and microphone, and a suitable environment for the session. Technical difficulties on the Client's end do not entitle the Client to a refund, credit, extended session, or rescheduling.
All prices for Services are displayed on the Website in U.S. Dollars (USD) unless otherwise stated. Prices are subject to change at any time without prior notice. Applicable sales tax will be added at checkout where required by law.
Payments are processed through our third-party payment processor(s). By making a purchase, you agree to the payment processor's terms and conditions. The Company is not responsible for payment processing errors, delays, or disputes between you and the payment processor.
For subscription-based Services (including Continued Care), fees are charged on a recurring basis at the start of each billing cycle. It is your responsibility to ensure your payment method is current and valid. Failure to maintain a valid payment method may result in suspension or termination of your subscription without notice.
All digital products (including PDF guides, downloadable resources, and self-paced course materials) are delivered electronically upon purchase. Due to the nature of digital products, no refunds are available once the product has been delivered or access has been granted, regardless of whether the product has been downloaded, opened, or used.
You may cancel a recurring subscription at any time. Cancellation will take effect at the end of the current billing cycle. No partial or prorated refunds will be issued for the remainder of any billing cycle. You will retain access to subscription Services until the end of the current paid period.
If you initiate a chargeback or payment dispute with your bank or payment provider instead of contacting us directly, the Company reserves the right to immediately terminate your access to all Services, suspend your account, and pursue all available legal remedies, including recovery of the disputed amount, administrative fees, and any costs incurred in responding to the chargeback.
THE COMPANY MAKES NO GUARANTEES, REPRESENTATIONS, OR WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, REGARDING THE OUTCOME OR RESULTS OF ANY SERVICES. Animal behavior is influenced by numerous factors including but not limited to genetics, health, environment, guardian compliance, consistency of implementation, and the individual animal's temperament and history. Results vary, and the Company does not warrant that any particular behavioral outcome will be achieved.
All Services, content, recommendations, behavior support plans, guides, and program materials provided by the Company are for educational and informational purposes only. The Company's Services do not constitute veterinary advice, veterinary behavioral medicine, medical advice, or a substitute for professional veterinary care. You should always consult a qualified veterinarian for any health concerns related to your animal.
THE SERVICES, WEBSITE, AND ALL CONTENT ARE PROVIDED "AS IS" AND "AS AVAILABLE" WITHOUT WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, WHETHER EXPRESS, IMPLIED, STATUTORY, OR OTHERWISE. TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, THE COMPANY DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, NON-INFRINGEMENT, AND ANY WARRANTIES ARISING OUT OF COURSE OF DEALING, USAGE, OR TRADE PRACTICE. THE COMPANY DOES NOT WARRANT THAT THE WEBSITE OR SERVICES WILL BE UNINTERRUPTED, ERROR-FREE, SECURE, OR FREE OF VIRUSES OR OTHER HARMFUL COMPONENTS.
You expressly acknowledge and agree that working with animals involves inherent risks, including but not limited to the risk of bites, scratches, injuries, property damage, and other harm to persons or animals. By engaging with our Services and implementing any recommendations, behavior support plans, training protocols, or suggestions provided by the Company, you voluntarily assume all risks associated with such activities.
You understand that the Company provides guidance and recommendations remotely via virtual consultation and does not have direct physical control over your animal or your environment. The Company is not responsible for your implementation of any recommendations, your supervision of your animal, or the actions or reactions of your animal at any time.
YOU EXPRESSLY WAIVE ANY AND ALL CLAIMS AGAINST THE COMPANY ARISING FROM OR RELATED TO INJURIES, BITES, PROPERTY DAMAGE, EMOTIONAL DISTRESS, OR ANY OTHER HARM SUSTAINED BY YOU, ANY THIRD PARTY, OR ANY ANIMAL AS A RESULT OF IMPLEMENTING OR FAILING TO IMPLEMENT ANY RECOMMENDATIONS PROVIDED BY THE COMPANY.
(a) THE COMPANY, ITS OWNER, EMPLOYEES, CONTRACTORS, AGENTS, AND AFFILIATES SHALL NOT BE LIABLE FOR ANY INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE, OR EXEMPLARY DAMAGES, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO DAMAGES FOR LOSS OF PROFITS, GOODWILL, DATA, OR OTHER INTANGIBLE LOSSES, ARISING OUT OF OR IN CONNECTION WITH THESE TERMS, YOUR USE OF OR INABILITY TO USE THE SERVICES, OR ANY CONDUCT OR CONTENT OF ANY THIRD PARTY, REGARDLESS OF THE THEORY OF LIABILITY (WHETHER IN CONTRACT, TORT, NEGLIGENCE, STRICT LIABILITY, OR OTHERWISE), EVEN IF THE COMPANY HAS BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES.
(b) IN NO EVENT SHALL THE COMPANY'S TOTAL AGGREGATE LIABILITY TO YOU FOR ALL CLAIMS ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THESE TERMS OR THE SERVICES EXCEED THE LESSER OF: (i) THE TOTAL AMOUNT PAID BY YOU TO THE COMPANY IN THE THREE (3) MONTHS IMMEDIATELY PRECEDING THE EVENT GIVING RISE TO THE CLAIM, OR (ii) ONE HUNDRED U.S. DOLLARS ($100.00 USD).
(c) THIS LIMITATION OF LIABILITY APPLIES TO ALL CLAIMS, WHETHER BASED IN CONTRACT, TORT, STATUTE, NEGLIGENCE, STRICT LIABILITY, OR ANY OTHER LEGAL THEORY, AND WHETHER OR NOT THE COMPANY HAS BEEN INFORMED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGE.
You agree to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless the Company, its owner (Renee Rhoades), and any employees, contractors, agents, licensors, suppliers, and affiliates (collectively, the "Indemnified Parties") from and against any and all claims, demands, actions, damages, losses, liabilities, costs, and expenses (including reasonable attorneys' fees and court costs) arising out of or in connection with:
- Your use of or access to the Services or the Website;
- Your violation of these Terms or any applicable law or regulation;
- Your implementation of or failure to implement any recommendations, behavior support plans, or guidance provided by the Company;
- Any injury, harm, or damage caused by or to your animal, including bites, scratches, property damage, or injuries to any person;
- Any claim by a third party arising from your use of the Services;
- Your negligence, willful misconduct, or failure to exercise reasonable care;
- Any content or information you provide to the Company; or
- Any breach of your representations or warranties under these Terms.
This indemnification obligation shall survive the termination or expiration of these Terms and your use of the Services.
You and the Company agree that any dispute, claim, or controversy arising out of or relating to these Terms, the Services, or the Website (collectively, "Disputes") shall be resolved exclusively through final and binding arbitration, rather than in court, except that either party may seek injunctive or other equitable relief in a court of competent jurisdiction to prevent the actual or threatened infringement, misappropriation, or violation of intellectual property rights.
Arbitration shall be conducted by a single arbitrator under the rules of the American Arbitration Association ("AAA") Consumer Arbitration Rules then in effect. The arbitration shall take place in the State of Maryland, United States, or at such other location as the parties may mutually agree. The arbitrator's decision shall be final and binding and may be entered as a judgment in any court of competent jurisdiction.
YOU AND THE COMPANY AGREE THAT EACH PARTY MAY BRING DISPUTES AGAINST THE OTHER ONLY IN AN INDIVIDUAL CAPACITY AND NOT AS A PLAINTIFF OR CLASS MEMBER IN ANY PURPORTED CLASS, COLLECTIVE, CONSOLIDATED, OR REPRESENTATIVE ACTION. THE ARBITRATOR SHALL NOT HAVE THE AUTHORITY TO CONSOLIDATE CLAIMS OF MORE THAN ONE PERSON OR TO PRESIDE OVER ANY FORM OF REPRESENTATIVE, CLASS, OR COLLECTIVE PROCEEDING. IF THIS CLASS ACTION WAIVER IS FOUND TO BE UNENFORCEABLE, THEN THE ENTIRETY OF THIS ARBITRATION PROVISION SHALL BE NULL AND VOID.
TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, YOU HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVE ANY AND ALL RIGHT TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY LEGAL PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THESE TERMS OR THE SERVICES.
Any claim or cause of action arising out of or relating to these Terms or the Services must be filed within one (1) year after the claim or cause of action arose. Any claim filed after this one-year period is permanently barred.
Before initiating arbitration, you agree to first contact the Company at the email address provided below and attempt to resolve the Dispute informally for a period of at least thirty (30) days. If the Dispute cannot be resolved informally within that period, either party may initiate arbitration as described above.
These Terms shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Maryland, United States, without regard to its conflict of law provisions. To the extent that any lawsuit or court proceeding is permitted hereunder, you agree to submit to the exclusive personal jurisdiction of the state and federal courts located in the State of Maryland for the resolution of any Disputes not subject to arbitration.
All content on the Website and within the Services - including but not limited to text, graphics, logos, images, audio, video, course materials, program content, behavior support plans, PDF guides, worksheets, the CCRT methodology and all associated materials, trademarks, trade names, and the "Your Dog Behaviorist," "CCRT," and "Canine Cognitive Restructuring Therapy" marks (collectively, "Company Content") - is the exclusive property of the Company and is protected by United States and international copyright, trademark, and other intellectual property laws.
Upon purchase of a Service, you are granted a limited, non-exclusive, non-transferable, revocable license to access and use the purchased content for your personal, non-commercial use only. This license does not grant you any ownership rights in any Company Content.
You shall not, without the express prior written consent of the Company, reproduce, distribute, modify, create derivative works from, publicly display, publicly perform, republish, download, store, transmit, sell, resell, license, or otherwise exploit any Company Content, in whole or in part, for any purpose. You shall not share, distribute, or provide access to purchased content (including login credentials, course materials, or digital guides) to any third party. Violation of this provision may result in immediate termination of access and legal action.
By using the Website and Services, you agree that you will not:
- Use the Services for any unlawful or unauthorized purpose;
- Harass, abuse, threaten, or intimidate the Company, its owner, or other users;
- Record, screenshot, or capture any portion of a live consultation or group session without express prior written consent;
- Share, distribute, or otherwise make available any Company Content to third parties;
- Interfere with or disrupt the integrity or performance of the Website or Services;
- Attempt to gain unauthorized access to the Website, other accounts, or computer systems;
- Use automated means (bots, scrapers, crawlers) to access or collect data from the Website;
- Misrepresent your identity or affiliation with any person or entity; or
- Engage in any conduct that is harmful, fraudulent, deceptive, or otherwise objectionable.
The Company reserves the right to suspend or terminate your access to the Services at any time, without notice or liability, for any violation of these Terms or for any other reason in its sole discretion.
Certain Services may require you to create an account. You are responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of your account credentials and for all activities that occur under your account. You agree to notify the Company immediately of any unauthorized use of your account. The Company shall not be liable for any loss or damage arising from your failure to maintain the security of your account. Accounts are for individual use only and may not be shared with or transferred to any third party.
The Company may terminate or suspend your access to the Services immediately, without prior notice or liability, for any reason whatsoever, including without limitation if you breach these Terms. Upon termination, your right to use the Services will immediately cease. All provisions of these Terms which by their nature should survive termination shall survive, including without limitation ownership provisions, warranty disclaimers, the assumption of risk, indemnity, limitations of liability, and the dispute resolution and arbitration provisions.
The Company shall not be liable for any failure or delay in the performance of its obligations under these Terms caused by events beyond its reasonable control, including but not limited to acts of God, natural disasters, pandemics, epidemics, war, terrorism, civil unrest, government actions or orders, strikes, labor disputes, power outages, internet service disruptions, equipment failure, cyberattacks, or any other event that could not have been reasonably foreseen or prevented. In such cases, the Company's obligations shall be suspended for the duration of the force majeure event, and no refund, credit, or damages shall be owed to the Client.
The Website and Services may contain links to third-party websites, tools, or services (including but not limited to Kajabi, payment processors, video conferencing platforms, and social media platforms). The Company does not control, endorse, or assume any responsibility for the content, privacy policies, or practices of any third-party services. Your use of third-party services is at your own risk and subject to the terms and conditions of those third parties. The Company shall not be liable for any damage or loss caused or alleged to be caused by or in connection with use of any third-party services.
Your use of the Services is also governed by our Privacy Policy, which is incorporated into these Terms by reference. By using the Services, you consent to the collection, use, and disclosure of your information as described in the Privacy Policy. The Privacy Policy is available on our Website.
By providing your email address or other contact information, you consent to receive communications from the Company, including but not limited to transactional emails, newsletters, marketing communications, and service updates. You may opt out of marketing communications at any time by following the unsubscribe instructions in any marketing email. Opting out of marketing communications does not affect transactional or service-related communications.
All consultations, group sessions, support communications, and materials are provided in English. The Company does not guarantee the availability of services in any other language.
The Company treats all information shared by Clients during consultations as confidential. However, the Company reserves the right to use anonymized, de-identified case information for educational, marketing, or research purposes. The Company may disclose Client information if required to do so by law, legal process, or governmental request, or if disclosure is necessary to protect the rights, property, or safety of the Company or others.
Renee Rhoades is an applied animal behaviorist holding an MSc in Applied Animal Behavior, a BSc (Hons) in Animal Science, and an Advanced Diploma in Canine Behavior. Renee Rhoades is not a veterinarian, veterinary behaviorist (Diplomate ACVB or equivalent), attorney, or licensed medical professional. The Services provided by the Company do not constitute veterinary advice, legal advice, or medical advice. If your animal has a medical condition, you should consult a licensed veterinarian. If your animal requires psychopharmacological intervention or has been diagnosed with a medical behavioral condition, you should consult a board-certified veterinary behaviorist.
TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, YOU HEREBY RELEASE AND FOREVER DISCHARGE THE COMPANY AND THE INDEMNIFIED PARTIES FROM ANY AND ALL CLAIMS, DEMANDS, DAMAGES, LOSSES, LIABILITIES, COSTS, AND EXPENSES (INCLUDING ATTORNEYS' FEES) OF EVERY KIND AND NATURE, WHETHER KNOWN OR UNKNOWN, SUSPECTED OR UNSUSPECTED, ARISING OUT OF OR IN ANY WAY CONNECTED WITH YOUR USE OF THE SERVICES, THE WEBSITE, OR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF ANY RECOMMENDATIONS PROVIDED BY THE COMPANY.
IF YOU ARE A CALIFORNIA RESIDENT, YOU HEREBY WAIVE CALIFORNIA CIVIL CODE SECTION 1542, WHICH PROVIDES: "A GENERAL RELEASE DOES NOT EXTEND TO CLAIMS THAT THE CREDITOR OR RELEASING PARTY DOES NOT KNOW OR SUSPECT TO EXIST IN HIS OR HER FAVOR AT THE TIME OF EXECUTING THE RELEASE AND THAT, IF KNOWN BY HIM OR HER, WOULD HAVE MATERIALLY AFFECTED HIS OR HER SETTLEMENT WITH THE DEBTOR OR RELEASED PARTY."
The Company reserves the right to modify, amend, or update these Terms at any time and in its sole discretion. Changes will be effective immediately upon posting to the Website. It is your responsibility to review the Terms periodically. Your continued use of the Services after any changes to the Terms constitutes your acceptance of the modified Terms. If you do not agree with the modified Terms, you must discontinue use of the Services immediately.
If any provision of these Terms is held to be invalid, illegal, or unenforceable by a court or arbitrator of competent jurisdiction, the remaining provisions shall continue in full force and effect. The invalid or unenforceable provision shall be modified to the minimum extent necessary to make it valid and enforceable while preserving the original intent of the provision.
The failure of the Company to enforce any right or provision of these Terms shall not constitute a waiver of that right or provision. Any waiver of any provision of these Terms will be effective only if in writing and signed by the Company.
These Terms, together with the Privacy Policy and any other legal notices or policies published by the Company on the Website, constitute the entire agreement between you and the Company regarding the use of the Services and supersede all prior and contemporaneous agreements, proposals, representations, and understandings, whether written or oral.
You may not assign or transfer these Terms or any rights or obligations hereunder, in whole or in part, without the prior written consent of the Company. The Company may assign or transfer these Terms or any of its rights or obligations hereunder without restriction and without notice to you.
The section headings in these Terms are for convenience only and have no legal or contractual effect.
For questions regarding these Terms of Service, please contact us at: