Rule 4 · Consumer Rights Act 2015
Terms.
The walk agreement. Plain English. The legal stuff is real but I've tried to make it readable. If anything's unclear, email hi@jaycosten.co.uk.
Who we are to each other
Me: Jay Costen, a sole trader based in Beverley, East Yorkshire HU17, trading as Arwyn & The Pack. I am the supplier.
You: the dog owner engaging me to walk your dog. The client.
These terms apply from the moment you book a walk by email, text, or in person, and continue for as long as you're using the service.
What I'll do
- Arrive at the agreed time, within a 10-minute window either side.
- Walk your dog for the booked duration, on routes we've discussed.
- Carry leads, poo bags, and water (mine and theirs).
- Send a photo or message during the walk so you know your dog's fine.
- Return your dog to the agreed place, secure the door, and let you know I've left.
- Be honest if something happened that you should know about — a near-miss, a scuffle, a wee on the wrong side of someone's wall.
What I need from you, before the first walk
- A signed walk agreement (a single page covering walk preferences, lead/off-lead policy, dietary stops, vet authority).
- Proof your dog is up-to-date on vaccinations and flea/worming treatment.
- Your vet's name, address, and phone number, for emergencies only.
- The keys or door-code arrangement we've agreed.
- Anything specific about your dog — reactivity triggers, medical conditions, recall issues, food sensitivities.
Pricing and payment
- Half-hour solo: £10 per walk.
- Full hour walk: £15 per walk.
- Pack walk: £8 per dog per walk (groups of 2–4).
- Payment by bank transfer at end of week, cash on the day, or standing order. No card payments, no app fees.
- I'm not currently VAT-registered (below the UK VAT threshold), so no VAT is added.
- Late payment: if a weekly invoice is unpaid for more than 14 days, I'll pause walks until it's settled.
Cancellations
- More than 12 hours' notice: free, no charge.
- Less than 12 hours' notice: half price, because I've turned down another walk in that slot.
- No-show / day-of cancellation: first time free, second time full price.
- If I cancel: I'll let you know as early as possible, and credit you the walk against a future one. No charge.
Weather and safety
I walk in normal Yorkshire weather. I won't walk in:
- Thunderstorms (lightning risk in open spaces).
- Sustained heat above 25°C (heat-stroke risk for most breeds).
- Ice on pavements that makes falls likely.
In those cases I'll message by 7am and we'll either move the slot or do something shorter and gentler. You won't be charged.
Your dog, safely
- I'll only let your dog off-lead in places you've authorised in writing.
- If your dog runs off, I'll call you immediately, then your vet, then if needed contact the local dog warden.
- If your dog is injured or unwell during a walk and can't be reached by phone, I have authority under the walk agreement to take them to your vet (or the nearest if yours isn't reachable).
- Any vet costs from an incident not caused by my negligence are yours; if I cause it, they're mine.
Insurance and limits
I carry public liability insurance with key-holder cover. Honest limits:
- I'm liable for harm caused by my negligence, up to my insurance cover limit.
- I'm not liable for harm your dog causes to a third party while I'm walking them — under UK law the owner is the keeper. (Your home insurance often covers this; check.)
- I'm not liable for theft from your property unless caused by my negligence (e.g. leaving a door unlocked).
- I'm not liable for damage to your home caused by your dog after I've returned them.
This doesn't exclude or limit any liability that can't legally be excluded — for example, liability for death, personal injury, fraud, or anything else where UK law forbids exclusion.
Keys and access
If I'm holding a key or code to access your home:
- The key is stored separately from your address. They never travel together.
- It's labelled with a code (not your name or address).
- When our arrangement ends, I'll return the key within 7 days, or destroy it and let you know — your call.
Your right to walk away
You can stop using the service any time, no notice period. No exit fee. If you've prepaid, I'll refund any unwalked walks.
If you're a consumer (not a business) and you're booking for the first time, you have 14 days under the Consumer Contracts Regulations 2013 to change your mind — but as soon as the first walk is delivered with your agreement, that right is used up for the walks you've taken.
Governing law
These terms are governed by the laws of England and Wales. Any dispute is subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of England and Wales.
How to complain
Email hi@jaycosten.co.uk — first response within 5 working days, substantive response within 14, resolution within 28. If you're not happy with how I've handled it, you can escalate to the Citizens Advice consumer service.