Custom Training Contract

Kensmuir, Working Stockdog Center

W8101 690^th Ave – River Falls, WI 54022 – 715.426.9877 – willgary@pressenter.com - www.kensmuir.com

The purpose of training at Kensmuir is primarily for traditional livestock herding, although some “manners” may need to be taught – manners such as coming when called, lie downs, leash and crate training, and other behaviors that may be necessary to appropriate stock work.

The dog being left at Kensmuir is _________________, owned by

_________________________________________,

and is described by the owner as a

_________________________________________________________________________

(include registration number/microhip info, etc.).

This dog is guaranteed by its owner/handler as being in good health, current on all vaccinations required by state and other governmental agencies, and is in appropriate physical condition for strenuous athletic performance.

Kensmuir agrees to keep the dog in appropriate physical surroundings, and to keep the dog’s well-being maintained through appropriate feeding, watering and human interaction.

The dog will be given livestock herding lessons appropriate to its level of learning and experience. Training days will be charged at $15 a day, non-training days will be charged at $12 a day – with the agreement in this contract that the dog will be left for no less than 4 weeks with a plan of 4 training sessions a week for that time – bringing costs for the 4 week session to $384.00 for the first month, due at the time of placement of the dog for training. Any changes to this schedule will be discussed by the signatory parties and agreed upon before implementing. It should be noted that dogs, like people, learn at different rates and have different abilities, there will be at least a weekly call where the progress of the dog is discussed with the owner, and a decision to continue training will be made.

It should be noted that most dogs, for beginning training, require 2-3 concurrent sessions (8-12 weeks) in order to function on a “farm” chore basis – described as a reliable fetch on a number of head, natural covering of the livestock, penning, and directional commands – all based on the individual dogs abilities, and demonstrated by the trainer.

The owner/handler agrees to spend time at Kensmuir learning to handle the dog in its various stages of training. Lessons for this handler training will be billed at $30 a lesson and are suggested to occur weekly as the dog progresses.

Should the dog prove inappropriate for training, or the training methods unsuccessful, as judged by the trainer, before the end of the first month, a refund will be made to the owner based on prorated charges.

Livestock herding is, by it’s nature, a physically strenuous and sometimes dangerous activity for the dog and it’s handler. Dogs are sometimes hurt by large, heavy and active livestock, as well as by their own level of excitement. Kensmuir will be appropriate in it’s tasking of the dog, and will take precautions reasonable to the herding training and boarding itself, but all parties involved are aware that the dog may possibly be injured or in a very rare event, killed.

Should they be required, any veterinary expenses, for any reason, will be immediately provided and charged to the owner. Major expenses, such as surgery, will be provided on an emergency basis only until discussed with the owner.

Livestock may also be injured or killed by an overly aggressive dog – especially early in it’s training; the owner handler will be responsible for reasonable costs – veterinary or replacement – for any damage caused by their dog.

Owners are advised that livestock handling with a dog is partnership – and no matter how well the dog is trained, a successful partnership requires attention to details by both parties. The owner agrees to learn to handle the dog appropriately and successfully as taught by Kensmuir in order to judge the dogs abilities.

Signed _______________________________________Dated_________________

Signed_______________________________________Dated__________________