Canicross and Canihike

Terms & Conditions

Last updated: 08/08/2026

1. Booking and participation

By booking a 1-to-1 Canicross Intro Session with Nose and Paws Active, you confirm that you have read and understood these terms and agree to follow them throughout the session.

All participants under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a responsible adult for the entire session. The responsible adult remains responsible for the young person throughout the session.

2. Health and consent

All relevant human and canine health concerns, injuries, medical conditions or other factors that could affect participation must be disclosed before the session via our Health and Consent Google Form.

You must inform us of any changes to your health or your dog's health before the session.

If you are unsure whether you are physically able to take part in Canicross, please seek appropriate medical advice before participating.

If you are unsure whether your dog is physically suitable for Canicross, please consult your vet before attending.

3. Dog age and suitability

Dogs must be at least 12 months old to participate in Canicross or Canihike sessions.

Dogs should be physically fit and suitable for the demands of Canicross or Canihike sessions. Participants are responsible for ensuring that their dog is fit and well enough to take part.

We reserve the right to stop or modify a session if we have concerns about a dog's health, fitness, behaviour or ability to participate safely.

4. Dog behaviour and safety

Dogs participating in sessions must be reasonably manageable and suitable for working in an outdoor environment around people, dogs and other trail users.

Any known behavioural concerns, reactivity or other issues that could affect the safety of the participant, dog, coach or members of the public must be disclosed before the session.

Dogs must be treated humanely and respectfully throughout the session. Harsh physical or verbal treatment will not be tolerated.

The coach may stop or modify the session if a dog's behaviour presents a safety concern.

5. Canicross equipment

Part of the session will involve identifying suitable Canicross/ Canihike equipment for both human and dog, including checking fit, comfort and suitability.

Any equipment provided or loaned by Nose and Paws Active must be used as instructed and returned at the end of the session unless otherwise agreed.

Participants should not use equipment that has been identified as unsuitable or unsafe.

Where participants bring their own equipment, they are responsible for ensuring that it is in a suitable condition and following guidance given during the session.

6. Clothing and footwear

Participants must wear suitable clothing and footwear for running or hiking outdoors on trails.

For running, close-fitting, stretchy clothing such as leggings and activewear tops generally provides the best comfort and freedom of movement. Trail running shoes are essential for comfort and grip.

For hiking, active outdoor wear and suitable walking boots are essential for grip and ankle stability.

We recommend covering your legs to help protect against scratches, stings, insect bites and ticks.

Participants should dress appropriately for the weather and be prepared for changing outdoor conditions.

7. Dog insurance

All participating dogs should have appropriate third-party liability insurance as a minimum.

Participants remain responsible for their dog and any damage or injury caused by their dog during the session.

8. Inherent risks

Canicross and canhiking are outdoor sports and, by their nature, they carry an inherent risk of injury to both humans and dogs.

Outdoor trails may include uneven, muddy, wet, slippery or steep terrain and may contain natural hazards such as roots, rocks, branches, water, insects and other environmental hazards.

Participants are responsible for taking reasonable care of themselves and their dog, following coaching guidance and making decisions appropriate to their own abilities and circumstances.

The coach will take reasonable steps to manage foreseeable risks and provide appropriate guidance, but cannot remove all risks associated with participating in an outdoor sport.

9. Warm-up and cool-down

Coached running sessions includes guidance on appropriate warm-up and cool-down activities for both human and dog.

Participants are responsible for following the guidance provided and monitoring themselves and their dog throughout the session.

If either the participant or dog shows signs of pain, distress, overheating, exhaustion or illness, the activity should be stopped and the coach informed immediately.

10. Weather and trail conditions

Sessions take place outdoors and may continue in ordinary wet, muddy or cold conditions where it is considered reasonably safe to do so.

Nose and Paws Active reserves the right to postpone, modify or cancel a session where weather, ground or trail conditions present an unreasonable safety risk. This may include extreme heat, ice, flooding, lightning, severe weather, dangerous ground conditions or official trail/land closures.

Where a session needs to be cancelled or rearranged for safety reasons, we will contact you as soon as reasonably possible.

11. Photos and video

Photos and short video clips may be taken during sessions for coaching purposes and to capture your Canicross experience.

With your permission, these may also be used on the Nose and Paws Active website and social media.

Photos and videos will also be shared with you after the session.

If you do not wish to be photographed or recorded, please notify us by email before your session.

12. Cancellations and rearranging

If you are unable to attend your booked session, please provide as much notice as possible.

Where a session is cancelled or needs to be rearranged by Nose and Paws Active due to weather, trail conditions, illness or other circumstances outside our reasonable control, we will offer an alternative date where possible.

Our cancellation and refund arrangements will be stated at the time of booking.

13. Right to pause, modify or end a session

The coach may pause, modify or end a session if they believe that continuing would present an unreasonable risk to the participant, dog, coach or others.

This may include concerns relating to:

Health or fitness
Dog behaviour
Unsuitable or unsafe equipment and clothing
Weather or trail conditions
Fatigue, overheating or distress
Unsafe interaction with other trail users, dogs or members of the public

Where reasonably possible, the coach will explain the reason for any decision to modify or end the session.

14. Emergency situations

Participants must follow reasonable instructions given by the coach in an emergency or safety-related situation.

An emergency contact should be provided through the Health and Consent Form.

Where necessary, emergency services or veterinary assistance may be contacted if the participant or dog requires urgent assistance.

15. Participant responsibility

By attending the session, participants confirm that:

The information provided on the Health and Consent Form is accurate and complete.
They have disclosed relevant health, medical, behavioural and fitness information.
They will follow reasonable instructions given by the coach.
They will take reasonable care of themselves and their dog.
They will tell the coach if they or their dog are struggling, in pain, unwell, distressed or unable to continue safely.
They understand that Canicross and Canihiking involve inherent risks that cannot be completely eliminated.

16. Acceptance of terms

By booking and attending a Canhike or coached Canicross session, you confirm that you have read and understood these Terms & Conditions and agree to comply with them.

Nose and Paws Active reserves the right to update these terms where necessary to reflect changes to our services, procedures, insurance requirements or relevant guidance.