Happy Buddies
COVID19 Group Class Protocol
(Updated 25 September 2022)
The following Covid19 Protocol for Happy Buddies Group Training Classes is currently in place.
Although the Government have lifted restrictions, we at Happy Buddies feel the need to continue to carefully balance the needs and safety of our clients as well as our staff. Some people in attendance may be more vulnerable than others.
Therefore, the following adjustments are in place to ensure the safe running of all Happy Buddies Group Training Classes (Puppy School, SuperPup, Canine College, Hoopers and Workshops). Anyone not adhering to these measures will be asked to leave and will not receive a refund; these measures form part of our terms and conditions.
The following information may be of interest to you:
** This protocol is subject to change at short notice in accordance with local conditions and government guidance. **
What To Expect From Our Classes
Classes will be run under the following conditions:
1) From Thursday 24 February 2022, the Government removed the legal requirements to self-isolate following a positive test. However, the guidance for Happy Buddies’ training classes remains that trainers and clients with the key symptoms of Covid19 should not attend classes, given that there is still a high risk of infecting others. Therefore, those who test positive or who are experiencing the key Covid19 symptoms (listed below) should not attend a class in any capacity:
a. High temperature
b. A new, continuous cough
c. A loss or change to your sense of taste or smell
2) If you develop symptoms within 48 hours of attending a class please contact Happy Buddies immediately to let us know so we can make other attendees aware.
3) Our maximum number of human attendees is 4 people per dog and at least one of these people must be an adult. If any children attend, they must be aged 5+ years and must be supervised by the accompanying adult at all times and they must be prevented from disturbing the process of learning during the class. We reserve the right to ask disruptive children not to attend future classes.
4) Face coverings are optional in all our classes. Please feel free to bring additional PPE e.g. gloves if you’d like to. Should your Trainer wish to wear a face covering, this is likely to be a face visor rather than a face mask to assist with clarity of voice.
5) To keep as safe as possible, there are some changes to the usual training programme and, therefore, any exercises which would normally facilitate close interaction with other people have been adapted.
6) You will be advised where to sit on arrival, please do not change seat position each week unless requested by your Trainer. Each dog will have a specified work area and must remain within that unless directed otherwise by your Trainer.
7) Hand sanitiser may be used during classes by your Trainer. Please feel free to bring your own hand santitiser should you wish.
8) Your Trainer will use their own treats for demonstrating exercises but please ensure you have enough high value treats (e.g. chicken, cheese or hot dog sausage etc) for your dog as your Trainer or other attendees may not feel comfortable sharing theirs. If anyone prefers their dog not be involved in demonstrations, please advise your Trainer at the beginning of class and at any time afterwards.
9) We will run our Dog Shop but orders must be placed and paid for via our website Dog Shop prior to class. We will place any orders on a table by the exit for collection at the end of the class.
10) The toileting facilities on site (at indoor venues only) will be available throughout the training classes but be aware that these are available to other venue users and hirers as well. There are no toilet facilities at the field venue.
11) On arrival at the venue please respect other peoples’ space and maintain a safe distance from them at all times whilst on the grounds of the venue (inside and outside). Please be respectful of this whilst you are waiting to enter the venue itself.
12) At the end of the class, your Trainer will open the exit door and direct you to it individually to ensure safe distance is maintained.
13) If at any point an attendee’s behaviour is deemed to be putting others at risk, they will be asked to leave the session without a refund.
14) If at any point the venue becomes unavailable e.g. due to a case of Coronavirus on site, the local area is placed back in lockdown or your trainer has to self isolate, indoor classes will take place online until it is safe to return to avoid limited disruption to your course. Refunds will not be issued if you do not want to continue via the online format. For outdoor classes, refunds will be issued if we are unable to continue online due to the nature of the training.
15) Refunds will not be offered for missed weeks or if you are unable to complete the course. This applies to both indoor and outside classes.