Privacy Policy

Your privacy is important to us. This policy explains how Dogschool.com collects, uses, and protects your personal information when you visit our website.

1. Data Controller

The data controller responsible for your personal data is Casehero GmbH, operating Dogschool.com under German data protection law (GDPR/DSGVO).

2. Information We Collect

Automatically Collected Information

• Log Data: IP address, browser type, operating system, referring URLs, pages viewed, time and date of visits
• Device Information: Device type, screen resolution, browser settings
• Usage Analytics: How you interact with our content and navigation patterns

Information You Provide

We may collect personal information when you:

• Contact us through forms or email
• Subscribe to newsletters or marketing communications
• Participate in surveys or feedback
• Interact with our content or services

Trainer Inquiry Form

When you submit our "Find a Dog Trainer" form, we collect:

• Contact Information: Name, email address, ZIP/postal code
• Training Preferences: Training needs, dog age, preferred training format

Important: This information may be shared with third-party dog trainers in your area to help match you with appropriate training services. By submitting the form, you consent to this data sharing.

3. Legal Basis for Processing

We process your personal data based on the following legal grounds under GDPR:

• Legitimate Interest (Art. 6(1)(f) GDPR): Website analytics, security, and improvement
• Consent (Art. 6(1)(a) GDPR): Marketing cookies, newsletters, optional services
• Contract Performance (Art. 6(1)(b) GDPR): When providing requested services
• Legal Obligation (Art. 6(1)(c) GDPR): Compliance with applicable laws

4. How We Use Your Information

We use collected information to:

• Provide and improve our website functionality
• Analyze website traffic and user behavior
• Ensure website security and prevent abuse
• Respond to your inquiries and provide support
• Comply with legal obligations
• Support affiliate marketing programs (Amazon Associates)

5. Third-Party Services

We use the following third-party services that may collect or process your information:

• PostHog: Website analytics and user behavior tracking
• Amazon Associates: Affiliate marketing tracking
• FormSubmit: Form submission processing for trainer inquiries
• Third-Party Dog Trainers: Your inquiry data may be shared with trainers to facilitate matching
• Hosting Providers: Website hosting and content delivery

These services have their own privacy policies and may be located outside the EU. Data transfers are protected by appropriate safeguards.

6. Marketing Communications

If you opt in to receive marketing communications:

• We may send you dog training tips, educational content, and promotional offers via email
• You can unsubscribe at any time using the link in our emails
• We will not share your email with third parties for their marketing purposes

Marketing communications are only sent with your explicit consent, separate from other service-related communications.

7. Data Retention

We retain personal data only as long as necessary:

• Analytics Data: As configured in PostHog (typically 12 months or less)
• Contact Information: Until purpose fulfilled or you request deletion
• Legal Requirements: As required by applicable law

8. Your Rights Under GDPR

You have the following rights regarding your personal data:

• Access (Art. 15): Request information about your personal data
• Rectification (Art. 16): Correct inaccurate or incomplete data
• Erasure (Art. 17): Request deletion of your data ("right to be forgotten")
• Restriction (Art. 18): Limit processing of your data
• Portability (Art. 20): Receive your data in a structured format
• Objection (Art. 21): Object to processing based on legitimate interests
• Withdraw Consent: Revoke consent for consent-based processing

9. Data Security

We implement appropriate technical and organizational measures to protect your personal data against unauthorized access, alteration, disclosure, or destruction. However, no internet transmission is 100% secure.

10. International Data Transfers

Some third-party services may process data outside the EU. We ensure adequate protection through:

• EU-US Data Privacy Framework participation
• Standard Contractual Clauses (SCCs)
• Other appropriate safeguards as required by GDPR

11. Children's Privacy

Our website is not intended for children under 16. We do not knowingly collect personal data from children under 16 without parental consent.

12. Changes to This Policy

We may update this privacy policy from time to time. We will notify you of any material changes by posting the new policy on this page and updating the "Last updated" date.

13. Contact and Data Protection Officer

For questions about this privacy policy or to exercise your rights, please contact us through our Terms of Service page or submit a formal request through available contact methods.

You also have the right to lodge a complaint with the relevant data protection authority in Germany if you believe we have not handled your personal data appropriately.

This policy complies with the EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and German Federal Data Protection Act (BDSG).