What’s Covered

Payment Protection applies only to deposit and final puppy payments made to Good Dog breeders through Good Dog when Protection & Support is included.

For Deposit Payments

When you make a deposit payment to a Good Dog breeder through Good Dog, Payment Protection covers situations where:

• Your breeder becomes unresponsive: If a breeder takes your deposit, but doesn't provide a puppy according to their stated terms and has stopped responding for at least 14 calendar days
• Your breeder does not honor their deposit policy: If the breeder's stated policy indicates the deposit is refundable under certain conditions and that refund policy is not honored
• Your breeder cancels: If the breeder decides they no longer want to place a puppy with you

Payment Protection covers up to the deposit amount paid through Good Dog.

For Final Puppy Payments

When you complete your final payment for a puppy to a Good Dog breeder through Good Dog, Payment Protection covers:

• Non-delivery of puppy: Puppy is not placed with you and breeder has stopped responding for at least 14 calendar days
• Misrepresentation of breed: If the puppy is not the breed advertised on Good Dog
• Breach of baseline care standards: Failure to provide core vaccinations (DAPP and rabies if puppy is of age) or pre-placement veterinary examination
• Breeder contract non-compliance: Breeder's written policies, including any health guarantees, are not honored

Payment Protection covers up to the final payment amount paid through Good Dog.

Eligibility Requirements

To be eligible for Payment Protection, you must:

• Be the Good Dog account holder who made the applicable deposit payment and/or final puppy payment through Good Dog
• Have made your applicable deposit payment and/or final puppy payment through Good Dog's platform with Protection & Support included
• File a [claim form] within 14 calendar days of discovering the issue and provide required documentation
• First attempt to resolve the issue directly with your breeder 

Payment Protection does not apply to any funds exchanged outside of Good Dog's platform. If you don't pay through Good Dog with Protection & Support, the transaction is not covered and would need to be handled directly between you and the breeder.

What Payment Protection Does Not Cover

• Any payments made outside the Good Dog platform (including cash, checks, direct transfers, or other payment methods)
• Any payments made through the Good Dog platform that do not include Protection & Support
• Expenses exceeding the payment amount paid through Good Dog
• Medical care, except for the specific cost of obtaining core vaccinations or a wellness veterinary exam should there have been a breach of baseline care standards
• Routine puppy care, vaccinations, or preventive treatments after placement of the puppy with you
• Accidents, injuries, or illnesses after the puppy leaves the breeder and is in your care
• Elective procedures, cosmetic surgeries, or breeding-related services
• Non-delivery claims when the breeder is actively coordinating with you
• Buyer changes of mind, returns or cancellations

Important Disclaimers

Your Responsibilities

• Review breeder agreements: It's your responsibility to request, review, and understand any agreements or policies with your breeder before making payments. Terms, policies, and written agreements presented to you by your breeder represent the agreed terms between you and your breeder.
• Start with your breeder: If you encounter an issue, you must reach out to your breeder first since many issues can be resolved through direct communication.
• Written agreements: Payment Protection only applies to written agreements you made with your breeder that Good Dog can review.

Coverage Limitations

• Individual agreements take precedence: Payment Protection is based on your individual agreement with your breeder. If that agreement specifies its own resolution, that resolution takes precedence. If your breeder cannot provide that specified resolution, Payment Protection reimbursement applies.
• Puppy placement delays may happen: Non-delivery claims only apply when your breeder has stopped responding for at least 14 calendar days and are not due to reasonable delays (e.g., transportation, weather, health clearances, etc.). Breeders have up to three weeks beyond the agreed placement date to resolve reasonable delays.
• Reimbursement amounts: Reimbursement amounts may be partial depending on circumstances and are left to Good Dog's discretion.
• Coverage limits: Good Dog's maximum responsibility is the lesser of (a) your deposit or final payment made through Good Dog, or (b) your documented eligible expenses.
• Returns follow your breeder agreement: If you choose to return a puppy for any reason, refund terms follow what you agreed to with your breeder prior to the return.
• Protection & Support must be included: Payment Protection only applies to transactions where Protection & Support was included with your applicable payment. If Protection & Support was not included, these terms do not apply.

Additional Information

• Pets require ongoing care: Health problems, vet costs, and illnesses may naturally arise throughout a dog's life.
• Breeders can perform their own vaccinations: Breeders may vaccinate puppies themselves when legally permitted.

Good Dog's Role

• Agreement with your breeder: Good Dog provides Payment Protection as specified above and in our Terms of Service, but is not a party to any contracts, agreements, or other arrangements between you and your breeder.

How to File a Claim

1. Start with your breeder: You must reach out to your breeder first since many issues can be resolved through direct communication.
2. Submit a claim form: You must submit a claim form within 14 days of discovering the issue, including, if applicable:
3. Screenshots of breeder communications
4. Relevant vet records or DNA reports
5. Any other supporting documentation
6. We'll work toward a resolution: We will work with you and the breeder to resolve the issue as quickly as possible.
7. Receive decision: If eligible, reimbursement will be issued within 5-10 business days from the time a decision is made.

Payment Protection is subject to all terms and conditions outlined above and in our Terms of Service and may be modified at any time.

This policy was last modified: September 2025.

Good Dog reserves the right to modify these policies at any time to maintain the integrity and transparency of our community.