Cookie Policy

What are cookies? 

Cookies are small text files, stored on your device by a website that you visit. There are many reasons why a website may use cookies, however, the important thing to remember is that most cookies used are harmless and often essential. By using my website, social media channels and apps, you are agreeing to this policy, and consent to my use of cookies in accordance with the terms of this policy. 

The law on cookies 

The basic rule around cookies is that websites must: 

• tell people that the cookies are there and what cookies are being used; 
• explain what the cookies are doing and why; and 
• get the user’s consent to store a cookie on their device. Consent must involve some form of positive action, for example by ticking a box or clicking a link. The user must fully understand that they are giving consent. Consent cannot be given if the information is only provided as part of a privacy policy that is hard to find, difficult to understand, or rarely read. 

The rules on cookies and similar technologies are covered by the Privacy and Electronic Communications Regulations 2003 (PECR).

The Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) is responsible for ensuring organisations comply with the law on cookies. For further information visit https://ico.org.uk/ 

What are the different types of cookies? 

Based on their purpose, there are two types of cookies, necessary and non-necessary:

Necessary Cookies 

Necessary cookies are essential for the functioning of a website, for example, they could include signing in, adding items to a shopping cart, or e-billing. Strictly necessary cookies are the only cookies that are exempt from requiring user consent.

Non-necessary cookies 

Non-necessary cookies are ones that are added additionally and are not necessary for the functioning of the website. These include tailoring a website or making product recommendations.

Based on their origin, cookies can be divided into first-party and third-party cookies: 

First-Party Cookies 

First-party cookies are stored on a website or social media channel a user has visited directly.  These cookies collect data for analytics and optimise website functionality. For example, Google Analytics uses it to understand users’ behaviour and calculates pageviews, sessions, and number of users. E-commerce sites use first-party cookies to store data about their users’ shopping journey and recognise them as existing customers. First-party cookies are essential to perform the key features of many websites. 

Third-Party Cookies 

Third-party cookies are set by domains that are not directly visited by the user. They are commonly used by advertisers who want to ensure that products and services are seen by the right target audience. They are often used for tracking, ad serving, retargeting and to carry out research into behaviour, demographics or spending habits.

Google and other browsers have announced that they are phasing out the support for third-party cookies. Instead, Google will be supporting things like the Privacy Sandbox and FLoC. These are designed to create standards for websites to access user information, without compromising privacy. 

Based on their duration, cookies can be divided into two, session or persistent cookies: 

Session Cookies 

Session cookies, also known as non-persistent or temporary cookies, help websites recognise users and the information provided when they navigate through a website. They expire immediately after the session, and web browsers don’t store them. Session cookies enable the publisher’s website to track users’ activity across pages within a given session.  For example, without session cookies, items placed in a shopping cart would disappear every time a user refreshes the page or proceeds to checkout, as the website forgets the user and treats each new page request as from a new user. 

Persistent Cookies 

Persistent cookies, also known as permanent cookies or tracking cookies, remain in operation even after the web browser has closed. They are deleted when they reach their expiry date set by the publisher. They are used for many reasons; to remember login details, passwords, language and shopping preferences and customisation of site layouts and themes. Consequently, web users don’t need to re-enter these details every time you use a website or leave a comment. They also anonymously track your activity to gather website analytics, such as page time, clicks, device specifications, locations, and search history. This allows the website owner to analyse the data, to see if there are ways the owner can improve their website. 

What cookies do I use? 

By using my website, social media channels or apps you are consenting to my use of cookies in accordance with this notice. If you do not agree with my use of cookies, you should set your browser settings accordingly, or not use this site. If you disable cookies that I use, it may impact your user experience on my site. 

Take The Lead Dogs uses the following cookies:

WordPress 

wordpress_test_cookie 

To check if cookies are enabled on a browser, to provide an appropriate user experience. 

I reserve the right to make any changes and corrections to this notice at any time. Please refer to this page from time to time to review these. 

How to disable and manage cookies 

No matter which browser you use, be it Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Safari, or any other, if you ever happen to go to Settings and check the cookies your browser has saved, you may be surprised to see a long list of cookies in it. You can disable and manage cookies by editing your browser settings. Each browser is a little different, so look at your browser’s Help menu to learn the correct way to modify your cookies.

You could also visit www.allaboutcookies.org to find out more about cookies, including how to see what cookies have been set and how to manage and delete them. Before doing so, you should note that by disabling cookies completely you may be limiting the functionality that is displayed on websites that you visit.