Privacy Policy

Last Updated: October 2025

Introduction

Brains Over Barks ("we," "us," "our," or "Company") is committed to protecting your privacy. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your information when you visit our website, brainsoverbarks.com (the "Site"), and use our services, including our newsletter and free Separation Anxiety Training Tracker.

Please read this Privacy Policy carefully. If you do not agree with our policies and practices, please do not use our Site or services.

1. Information We Collect

Information You Provide Directly

Newsletter Signup: When you sign up for our newsletter or free Separation Anxiety Training Tracker, we collect:

Email address
First name (optional)
Any other information you voluntarily provide

Contact Forms: If you contact us through our website, we collect:

Name
Email address
Phone number (if provided)
Message content

Comments: If you leave comments on our blog posts, we collect:

Name
Email address
Website (optional)
Comment content
IP address

Information Collected Automatically

Website Analytics: We use Google Analytics and Squarespace Analytics to collect information about how you interact with our Site, including:

Pages visited
Time spent on each page
Referral sources
Device type (mobile, desktop, tablet)
Browser type
Approximate geographic location (city/region level)
Click behavior and user engagement

Cookies and Similar Technologies: We use cookies to:

Remember your preferences
Track Site usage
Enhance user experience
Prevent fraud and security issues

You can control cookies through your browser settings. Disabling cookies may affect Site functionality.

Server Logs: Our web server automatically logs:

IP address
Access times
Pages accessed
Browser type
Referring URL

2. How We Use Your Information

We use the information we collect for the following purposes:

Newsletter and Communications:

Deliver weekly separation anxiety training tips and resources
Send you our free Separation Anxiety Training Tracker
Provide updates and announcements related to Brains Over Barks
Respond to your inquiries or requests
Share relevant educational content

Site Improvement:

Analyze Site usage patterns to improve content and functionality
Test new features and services
Troubleshoot technical issues
Understand user preferences and behavior

Marketing and Engagement:

Create email content tailored to your interests
Identify trends in dog separation anxiety training
Share success stories and community updates
Conduct surveys or feedback requests

Legal and Safety:

Comply with legal obligations
Enforce our terms of service
Protect against fraud or security threats
Protect the rights and safety of our users

We do NOT:

Sell your personal information to third parties
Share your email address with other companies for marketing purposes
Use your information for purposes beyond what's described here without your consent

3. Third-Party Services

Our Site uses the following third-party services:

Google Analytics:

Collects Site usage data
Privacy Policy: https://policies.google.com/privacy
You can opt out: https://tools.google.com/dlpage/gaoptout

Google Search Console:

Monitors Site performance in search results
Privacy Policy: https://policies.google.com/privacy

Bing Webmaster Tools:

Monitors Site performance in Bing search
Privacy Policy: https://privacy.microsoft.com/

Squarespace:

Hosts our website and manages content
Handles newsletter subscriptions
Privacy Policy: https://www.squarespace.com/privacy

4. Data Retention

Newsletter Subscribers: We retain your email address and name as long as you remain subscribed to our newsletter. You can unsubscribe at any time by clicking the unsubscribe link in any email or contacting us.

Website Analytics: Google Analytics retains user data for 14 months by default (configurable).

Comments: Blog comments and associated information are retained as long as they remain published on the Site.

Contact Inquiries: We retain contact information for a reasonable period to respond to and follow up on inquiries, typically 1-2 years.

Automatic Deletion: We automatically delete server logs after a standard retention period (typically 90 days).

5. Your Privacy Rights

Depending on your location, you may have the following rights:

Access: You can request a copy of the personal information we hold about you.

Correction: You can request that we correct inaccurate or incomplete information.

Deletion: You can request that we delete your personal information, subject to legal obligations.

Unsubscribe: You can unsubscribe from our newsletter at any time by clicking the unsubscribe link in emails or contacting us directly.

Opt-Out of Analytics: You can disable Google Analytics tracking as described in Section 3.

To Exercise These Rights: Email us at info@brainsoverbarks.com with your request and any relevant details. We will respond within 30 days.

6. Data Security

We implement appropriate technical, administrative, and physical safeguards to protect your personal information from unauthorized access, disclosure, alteration, and destruction.

What We Do:

Use SSL/HTTPS encryption for all Site traffic
Securely store email subscriber information
Limit access to personal information to authorized personnel only
Regular security monitoring

What We Cannot Guarantee:

No security system is 100% secure
We are not responsible for third-party security breaches
Unencrypted email communication is not secure

If you believe your information has been compromised, contact us immediately.

7. Children's Privacy

Our Site and services are not directed to children under 13. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13. If we discover that we have collected information from a child under 13, we will delete such information immediately.

If you believe we have collected information from a child under 13, please contact us immediately.

8. International Data Transfers

Our Site is hosted in the United States. If you access our Site from outside the United States, please be aware that your information will be transferred to, stored in, and processed in the United States.

By using our Site, you consent to the transfer of your information to the United States, which may have different privacy laws than your country of residence.

9. California Privacy Rights (CCPA)

If you are a California resident, you have additional privacy rights under the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA):

Right to Know: You can request what personal information we collect, the sources, and how we use it.

Right to Delete: You can request deletion of your personal information, subject to exceptions.

Right to Opt-Out: You can opt out of our newsletter and direct marketing at any time.

Right to Non-Discrimination: We will not discriminate against you for exercising your privacy rights.

How to Submit a Request: Email info@brainsoverbarks.com with "CCPA Request" in the subject line.

10. European Users (GDPR)

If you are located in the European Union, United Kingdom, or other regions covered by the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), you have additional rights:

Legal Basis for Processing: We process your information based on:

Your consent (newsletter signup, contact forms)
Legitimate interests (Site improvement, analytics)
Legal obligations

Your Rights:

Right of access
Right to rectification
Right to erasure ("right to be forgotten")
Right to restrict processing
Right to data portability
Right to object
Right not to be subject to automated decision-making

Data Protection Officer: For GDPR-related questions, contact: info@brainsoverbarks.com

How to Submit a Request: Email info@brainsoverbarks.com with "GDPR Request" in the subject line. We will respond within 30 days.

11. Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices, technology, legal requirements, or other factors.

When we make material changes:

We will update the "Last Updated" date at the top of this Policy
We will notify you via email if you're a subscriber
We may require your consent for major changes

Your continued use of our Site following the posting of revised Privacy Policy means you accept and agree to the changes.

12. Contact Us

If you have questions, concerns, or requests regarding this Privacy Policy or our privacy practices, please contact us:

Email: info@brainsoverbarks.com

Response Time: We will respond to privacy inquiries within 30 days.

13. Additional Information

Do Not Track Signals: Some browsers include a "Do Not Track" feature. Our Site does not currently respond to Do Not Track signals. You can use browser settings to control tracking.

Third-Party Links: Our Site may contain links to third-party websites. We are not responsible for their privacy practices. We encourage you to review their privacy policies.

Social Media: If you interact with us on social media platforms, that platform's privacy policy applies to your information.