The South Shields Dog Trainer ("we", "us", "our") is committed to protecting and respecting your privacy. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, store and share your personal data when you visit our website at southshieldsdogtrainer.co.uk ("the Site"), when you contact us, and when you use our dog training, puppy training and behaviour services.
This policy is provided in accordance with the Data Protection Act 2018 and the UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR).
1. Who We Are
The South Shields Dog Trainer is the data controller responsible for your personal data. If you have any questions about this Privacy Policy or how we handle your data, you can contact us at info@thedogtrainers.co.uk or by phone/text on 07123456789.
2. Information We Collect About You
We may collect and process:
- Identity and contact data — your name, email address, phone number and postal code, which you provide when contacting us, booking an assessment call, completing an enquiry form or subscribing to our mailing list.
- Information about your dog — your dog's name, breed, age, vet practice, behaviour struggles, goals and any other details you share to help us provide training advice and support.
- Booking and enquiry data — details you submit when booking a free assessment call, a 1:1 session, puppy classes or any other service, including preferred dates and times.
- Marketing data — your preferences for receiving newsletters, eBooks and promotional content from us.
- Technical data — your IP address, browser type, device information, pages visited and usage data collected through cookies and similar technologies (see our Cookie Policy).
- Communications data — records of your correspondence with us by email, phone, text message, live chat or social media.
3. How We Use Your Information
We use your personal data for the following purposes:
- To provide the dog training, puppy training and behaviour services you have requested, including scheduling and delivering assessment calls and sessions.
- To respond to your enquiries, messages and booking requests.
- To understand your dog's needs and provide appropriate training advice, guidance and support.
- To send you the eBooks, resources and information you have requested.
- To send you marketing communications where you have consented, including newsletters and offers — you can opt out at any time.
- To improve our website, services and customer experience.
- To comply with our legal, regulatory and safeguarding obligations.
4. Legal Basis for Processing
We process your personal data under the following legal bases:
- Consent — where you have consented to us processing your data, for example for marketing communications.
- Contract — where processing is necessary to provide a service you have requested or to take steps before entering into a contract with you.
- Legitimate interests — where we have a legitimate business interest, such as improving our services or responding to enquiries, provided this does not override your rights.
- Legal obligation — where we are required to process data to comply with the law.
5. Sharing Your Information
We do not sell your personal data. We may share it with:
- Service providers who help us run our business, such as booking, calendar, email marketing, payment and customer management platforms. These providers only access data needed to perform their services and are bound by confidentiality obligations.
- Veterinary professionals and other pet professionals where relevant and necessary to support your dog's welfare, and only where appropriate.
- Professional advisers such as accountants and legal advisers where necessary for compliance and business operations.
- Authorities where required by law or to protect our rights, safety or the welfare of an animal.
6. International Transfers
Some of the service providers we use may process your data outside the UK. Where this happens, we ensure appropriate safeguards are in place, such as standard contractual clauses or equivalent protections, to keep your data secure.
7. How Long We Keep Your Data
We only keep your personal data for as long as is necessary for the purposes set out in this policy, or as required by law. Client and training records are typically retained for the duration of your engagement with us and for a reasonable period afterwards to allow us to provide ongoing support and meet our record-keeping obligations. Marketing data is retained until you opt out or ask us to delete it.
8. Data Security
We take appropriate technical and organisational measures to protect your personal data against unauthorised access, loss, misuse or alteration. However, no method of transmission or electronic storage is completely secure, and we cannot guarantee absolute security.
9. Your Data Protection Rights
Under the UK GDPR you have the right to:
- Be informed about how we use your data (this policy).
- Access the personal data we hold about you.
- Have inaccurate or incomplete data corrected.
- Have your personal data erased in certain circumstances ("right to be forgotten").
- Restrict or object to the processing of your data.
- Request the transfer of your data to another provider.
- Withdraw consent at any time where processing is based on it.
- Lodge a complaint with the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) at ico.org.uk if you are unhappy with how we handle your data.
To exercise any of these rights, please contact us at info@thedogtrainers.co.uk.
10. Children's Privacy
Our services are intended for adults. We do not knowingly collect personal data from children. If you believe a child has provided us with personal data, please contact us and we will take steps to delete it.
11. Changes to This Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. Any changes will be posted on this page with an updated revision date. We encourage you to review this page periodically.
12. Contact Us
If you have any questions about this Privacy Policy or your personal data, please contact us at info@thedogtrainers.co.uk or by phone/text on 07123456789.