Dog Training Privacy Policy
Last updated: July 11, 2026
Last updated: August 3, 2026
Lead & Leash respects your privacy. This policy explains what information is collected through leadandleash.com, how it is used, who may access it and how long it may be retained.
Information We Collect
When you submit an enquiry or book an appointment, Lead & Leash may collect:
Your name, email address and telephone number
Your service address and ZIP Code
Your dog’s name, age and breed
Information about training goals, behaviour, bite or injury history, escape risk and handling concerns
Appointment, scheduling and transaction information
Communications sent through the website, email or WhatsApp
The website may also collect basic technical information, such as device type, browser information, IP address and website usage data, through cookies or similar technologies.
Lead & Leash does not intentionally collect Social Security numbers or full payment-card details through website enquiry forms.
How We Use Information
Lead & Leash uses personal information to:
Respond to enquiries
Assess whether a case is suitable for the services offered
Identify behavioural, handling and safety concerns
Determine whether additional safety controls, veterinary assessment or referral may be required
Schedule and provide dog-training services
Process and record payments
Communicate about appointments, training and service administration
Prepare assessments, training summaries and client records
Maintain accounting, insurance and business records
Manage complaints, disputes or legal obligations
Protect the website and improve business services
Bite, injury, behaviour and handling information is used specifically for suitability, safety assessment and risk management.
Who Can Access Information
Access to client information is limited to Robin Stenhouse and those third-party providers or professional advisers who require access for a legitimate business purpose.
This may include providers responsible for:
Website hosting and forms
Appointment scheduling
Payment processing
Email and communications
Accounting
Insurance
Legal or regulatory advice
Access is limited to the information reasonably required for the relevant purpose.
Lead & Leash does not share personal information for unrelated third-party marketing.
Website, Appointment and Payment Providers
Lead & Leash uses GoDaddy for website hosting, website forms and online appointment scheduling.
Payments made through the website are processed by the payment provider connected to the GoDaddy appointment system. Depending on the payment method enabled, this may include GoDaddy Payments, Square, Poynt, Stripe or PayPal.
Payment providers collect and process payment information under their own privacy and security terms. Lead & Leash generally receives confirmation of the payment, the transaction amount and information associated with the booking rather than complete payment-card details.
GoDaddy currently supports several payment providers for online appointments, so the provider named or displayed during checkout is the provider processing that transaction.
WhatsApp Communications
Messages sent through WhatsApp are processed outside the Lead & Leash website and are subject to WhatsApp and Meta privacy terms.
WhatsApp messages may remain within WhatsApp, connected devices or backups until deleted. Relevant communications may be copied into a client record where they concern:
Appointments
Training instructions
Behaviour or bite history
Safety concerns
Payments
Service delivery
Complaints or disputes
Clients should not send payment-card details, Social Security numbers or other unnecessary sensitive information through WhatsApp.
Information Sharing
Lead & Leash does not sell personal information.
Information may be disclosed where reasonably necessary:
To provide a service requested by the client
To process a payment
To comply with a legal or regulatory requirement
To respond to an insurer, legal adviser or court
To protect the rights or safety of Lead & Leash, a client, another person or an animal
To investigate fraud, misuse, threats or other unlawful activity
Information will not be disclosed more widely than reasonably required for the relevant purpose.
Cookies and Analytics
The website may use essential cookies required for website operation, security, appointment booking and payment processing.
It may also use optional analytics or similar technologies to understand website usage and improve the service.
Where a cookie-management banner is provided, visitors may accept or decline non-essential tracking. Cookies may also be controlled through browser settings. Disabling some cookies may affect website or appointment-booking functions.
Data Retention
Lead & Leash retains information only for as long as reasonably necessary for the purpose for which it was collected and for applicable business, insurance, accounting, safety and legal requirements.
The normal retention periods are:
General enquiries that do not result in training: up to 12 months after the last contact
Client agreements, assessment records, training reports, safety disclosures, appointment records, invoices and transaction records: up to six years after the final service or payment
WhatsApp messages: normally up to 12 months after the last relevant communication, unless incorporated into a client record
Records connected to an active complaint, insurance matter, legal claim or safety concern: until the matter has been concluded and any relevant retention period has expired
Records may be kept for longer where required by law, taxation, insurance, litigation or another legitimate business requirement.
The six-year period reflects the potential limitation period for contractual claims in New Jersey.
Lead & Leash periodically reviews retained information and deletes or securely disposes of information that is no longer reasonably required. The FTC advises businesses to retain only information that serves a legitimate business need and to restrict access to those who require it.
Information Security
Lead & Leash takes reasonable administrative and technical measures to protect personal information from unauthorised access, loss, misuse or disclosure.
These measures may include:
Password-protected accounts and devices
Restricted access to client records
Use of established website, scheduling and payment providers
Secure disposal or deletion of records
Software and device security updates
No internet transmission, electronic system or storage method can be guaranteed to be completely secure.
Your Choices
You may request:
Access to personal information held about you
Correction of inaccurate information
Deletion of information that is no longer required
Clarification of how your information has been used or shared
A request may be submitted through the Contact page or through the verified email link in the website footer.
Lead & Leash may need to confirm your identity before responding.
Information may not be deleted immediately where it must be retained for legal, accounting, insurance, safety, contractual or dispute-resolution purposes.
Children’s Privacy
The website is not directed to children under 13, and Lead & Leash does not knowingly collect personal information directly from children under 13 through the website.
An adult owner or responsible adult must submit enquiries, make bookings and enter into service agreements.
External Links
The website may contain links to services operated by third parties, including social-media, messaging, payment or scheduling services.
Lead & Leash is not responsible for the privacy practices of those third parties. Their own privacy notices and terms apply when their services are used.
Policy Changes
This policy may be amended when business practices, service providers or legal requirements change.
The revised date will be displayed at the top of this page. Material changes will apply from the date the revised policy is published.
Contact
For privacy questions or requests, use the Contact page at leadandleash.com or the verified Lead & Leash email link displayed in the website footer.
