As of May 19, 2020, By Your Side Pet Behavior Consulting & Training, LLC will offer both in-person and virtual private sessions. In-person group lessons will not resume at this time. Group lessons will continue online. My primary concern is to protect the health of you, your family, and myself while still being able to help you and your dog with behavioral concerns during this unique time. Please schedule your sessions based on your comfort level and your ability to comply with the following health and safety requirements. If you are not comfortable meeting in-person or are not able to comply with these requirements, please schedule virtual (video) sessions which can be just as effective as meeting in person in many cases. If you schedule an in-person meeting but chose not to adhere to the following when I arrive, I will not conduct the session and you will still be responsible for payment. 1. For all in-person sessions during Phases 1 and 2 of Reopening Massachusetts:
If you are not feeling well, have a fever of 100.3 or believe you may have been exposed to someone infected with COVID-19, please cancel our appointment in advance. Likewise, I will not attend an in-person session if I am not well or suspect I have been exposed to the virus. If possible, we will move the session to online but if the work requires that we be together in the same space, we will reschedule the session for a time when it is safe to do so. There will be no cancellation charges.
For outdoor sessions, weather may impact our ability to meet. No cancellation charges will apply in the event of inclement weather if we cannot safely move our session to an indoor space.
Face coverings will be worn by all parties for all in-person sessions.
We will maintain a distance of 6-feet during the session.
Please wash your hands with soap and water immediately before our session. I will do use hand sanitizer before I exit my car.
I will bring hand sanitizer and gloves to all sessions. If we are meeting in your home, I will apply gloves immediately before entering your house. You may also request that I wear gloves for outdoor sessions.
Please have PLENTY of treats for your dog or cat so that we do not need to share treats. I will also bring a fresh baggie of treats for my own use with your pet. Any leftover treats will be discarded. I will not share baggies of treats between animals.
You will handle your dog’s leash, and I will coach you from a distance.
If you request that I demonstrate a technique with your dog, I will attach my leash and ask you to detach your leash after my leash is attached. We will do the reverse after the demonstration.
2. I prefer that payments be made electronically for both virtual and in-person sessions. If you need to pay by check for in-person (only) sessions, we will make accommodations at the session.
3. As always, written information, including instructions for training exercises, will be sent electronically.
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me.