At YoPaws, we aim to provide ethical, force-free, disability-aware support while being fair, transparent, and respectful of everyone’s time.
By booking, attending, or participating in YoPaws services, you agree to the terms outlined below.
YoPaws provides:
Training and behaviour outcomes cannot be guaranteed. Progress depends on many factors including consistency, dog temperament, health, environment, genetics, handler capacity, lifestyle, and external influences outside YoPaws’ control.
YoPaws services do not guarantee assistance dog suitability, public access readiness, Public Access Test outcomes, certification, or specific task training outcomes.
Clients are responsible for providing accurate information about their dog’s behaviour, health, history, and environment.
Clients must ensure their dog is medically fit, appropriately vaccinated, and safely managed during sessions.
The client remains legally responsible for their dog at all times.
YoPaws uses ethical, force-free, reward-based training methods grounded in behavioural science, welfare, relationship building, emotional regulation, and long-term sustainability.
Assistance dog training should not rely on fear, intimidation, pain, or suppression. Reliable public access behaviour comes from trust, clear communication, emotional stability, thoughtful decision-making, and appropriate preparation for real-world environments.
Training through YoPaws may include evidence-based approaches such as positive reinforcement, classical conditioning, operant conditioning, desensitisation, counter-conditioning, environmental management, and reinforcement-based behaviour modification.
YoPaws does not use or support:
YoPaws also adopts a welfare-focused, LIMA-informed approach (Least Intrusive, Minimally Aversive). As outlined by the CCPDT, LIMA does not justify the use of punishment in place of effective, evidence-based training and behaviour interventions.
In most cases, behaviour change can be achieved through reinforcement-based training, environmental management, improving emotional regulation, and supporting the dog’s ability to safely and confidently navigate the world.
Assistance dog training through YoPaws prioritises ethical, force-free methods that support both welfare and long-term public access reliability.
Travel fees are calculated from the YoPaws business address:
90 Swain Street, Gungahlin ACT
Casual session travel fees:
Travel outside 50km may be subject to additional approval, availability, and additional charges.
Payment is required before sessions unless otherwise agreed in writing.
Payment options may include:
For payment plans, future sessions may be paused if payments become overdue.
Payment processing fees are non-refundable and remain the responsibility of the client.
Training packages are designed to support continuity, progression, and long-term development.
Unused sessions remaining after expiry may be forfeited unless otherwise agreed in writing.
If a client discontinues a package early, completed sessions may revert to the equivalent casual session rate for reconciliation purposes.
Package fees are non-refundable once commenced.
YoPaws aims to be fair, flexible, and respectful of everyone’s time while protecting limited training spaces.
Rescheduling may be available for sickness or genuine emergencies at YoPaws’ discretion.
Approved reasons may include:
If you are running late due to illness or an emergency, please contact YoPaws as soon as possible.
Sessions finish at the scheduled time, and arrivals more than 15 minutes late may be considered a missed session unless otherwise approved.
Workshop, seminar, and event bookings may have separate cancellation policies.
Please review the specific event listing, booking page, or Eventbrite terms before booking.
No-shows for workshops or events are generally non-refundable and non-transferable.
Sessions conducted on ACT or Australian public holidays incur a 20% surcharge.
For package clients, this surcharge applies only to sessions booked on public holidays, not the full package amount.
YoPaws reserves the right to pause, modify, or discontinue services where safety, welfare, behaviour, environment, or professional boundary concerns arise.
Force-free and welfare-focused training practices are required during all YoPaws services.
Working with animals carries inherent risk.
The client accepts responsibility for their dog’s behaviour, any injury or damage caused by their dog, and decisions made outside professional advice provided by YoPaws.
YoPaws is not liable for indirect loss, emotional distress, third-party claims, or outcomes beyond reasonable professional control.
Client information is kept confidential and used only for service delivery, communication, safety, record keeping, and administration unless disclosure is required by law.
YoPaws may update these Terms and Conditions from time to time.
Continued use of YoPaws services constitutes acceptance of updated terms.