December Drop-In Sessions

These sessions are for past clients who have finished our group training OR clients looking to complete their last class.

Drop in Session's are weather dependent. If it is a blizzard, high winds, Bad/Closed Roads, Temperatures below -25 degree's class will be cancelled. If you are not sure, please check back on a regular basis. It WILL be posted on this blog if it is cancelled.

**Due to our ever changing weather conditions, it is important that you come prepared to the classes- for your selves and your dogs. Please make sure you are dressed warm, in layers, and that your dog has sweaters/jackets on if necessary. Snow pants, layers, winter gloves and waterproof shoes are suggested. **

MOST DROP IN SESSIONS & EVENTS WILL HAVE PICTURES TAKEN AT THEM- To see these pictures please check out our Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/therufflife

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BX DROP IN SESSION- FINISHED

Time & Date: Wednesday, December.12th at Noon
Place: Bx Ranch Dog Park 
Bring: Treats (No kibble), Long Leads, Training collars, Jackets/sweaters for dogs if necessary.
Price: FREE
Working on: Distractions, distance, informal commands, recalls, confidence building, manners & socialization and problem behaviour

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NIGHT TIME-DOWNTOWN DROP IN   FINISHED

Time & Date: Thursday, December. 13th at 6:00pm

Place: Wholesale Store across from Earls - DO NOT PARK IN FRUIT UNION PLAZA OR YOU WILL BE TOWED

Bring: HIGH Value Treats (NO KIBBLE), regular leads, training collars, jackets/sweaters for dogs if necessary.

Price: FREE 

Working on: Distractions, informal and formal commands, desensitizing to cars, people, sounds...etc, Confidence Boosting and Problem Behaviour.

~ The world is our playground ~

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FUN~ KAL PARK HIKE  FINISHED

Time & Date: Saturday, December.15th at Noon

Place: Kal Park- Jade & Juniper Parking Lot (Located down Kidston Rd)

Bring: Treats, long leads, water for owners, dogs favourite toy, Jackets for dogs (optional), Dress in Layers.

Price: FREE

Working on: We will be working on a couple things- but this is mostly a fun event.

Additional Notes: I believe parking is free this time of year- and the dogs are allowed in the entire park during the off season.

MAP: http://www.env.gov.bc.ca/bcparks/explore/parkpgs/kalamalka_lk/kalamalka_park.pdf

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BX DROP IN SESSION 

Time & Date: Wednesday, December. 19th at Noon

Place: Bx Ranch Dog Park 

Bring: Treats (No kibble), Long Leads, Training collars, jackets/sweaters for dogs if necessary.

Price: FREE

Working on: Distractions, distance, informal commands, recalls, confidence building, manners & socialization and problem behaviour

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FUN TRACKING

All dogs can do this! It is great fun! The dog will either learn how to ground or air scent to find their owners. Please be prepared to have a amazing time. You can eventually teach your dog to find your keys, toys, food, other people...etc. (This is a fun tracking class, it is not Schutzhund Style Tracking)

Time & Date: Saturday, December. 22nd at 1pm

Place: Meeting at The Ruff Life: 7724 Howe Drive, Coldstream, V1B-3C3

Bring: High Value Treats (No Kibble), Long Leads, You MUST bring either a harness or a regular flat collar or your dog will NOT be able to track, Training collars if necessary

Price: $10.00 per family- Cash only. (Only one dog per person please)

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November & December Drop-In Sessions

These sessions are for past clients who have finished our group training OR clients looking to complete their last class.

Drop in Session's are weather dependent. If it is a blizzard, high winds, Bad/Closed Roads, Temperatures below -25 degree's class will be cancelled. If you are not sure, please check back on a regular basis. It WILL be posted on this blog if it is cancelled.

**Due to our ever changing weather conditions, it is important that you come prepared to the classes- for your selves and your dogs. Please make sure you are dressed warm, in layers, and that your dog has sweaters/jackets on if necessary. Snow pants, layers, winter gloves and waterproof shoes are suggested. **

MOST DROP IN SESSIONS & EVENTS WILL HAVE PICTURES TAKEN AT THEM- To see these pictures please check out our Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/therufflife

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BX DROP IN SESSION - FINISHED

Time & Date: Tuesday, November. 20th at 2pm
Place: Bx Ranch Dog Park 
Bring: Treats (No kibble), Long Leads, Training collars, Jackets/sweaters for dogs if necessary.
Price: FREE
Working on: Distractions, distance, informal commands, recalls, confidence building, manners & socialization and problem behaviour

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FUN~ KAL PARK HIKE FINISHED

Time & Date: Saturday, November. 24th at 1pm

Place: Kal Park- Cosens Bay Parking Lot (Drive Down Coldstream Creek Rd, and turn left at the hair pin corner onto Cosens Bay Rd)

Bring: Treats, long leads, water for owners, Bear Bells (if you own them), Jackets for dogs (optional), Dress in Layers.

Price: FREE

Working on: We will be working on a couple things- but this is mostly a fun event.

Additional Notes: We will be hiking on the Bear Valley and HighRim Trails- Pieces of the trail can be fairly steep so please wear appropriate footwear.

MAP of Kal Park and where we will be hiking: http://www.env.gov.bc.ca/bcparks/explore/parkpgs/kalamalka_lk/kalamalka_park.pdf

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NIGHT TIME-DOWNTOWN DROP IN  FINISHED

Time & Date: Sunday, November. 25th at 6:00pm

Place: Wholesale Store across from Earls - DO NOT PARK IN FRUIT UNION PLAZA OR YOU WILL BE TOWED

Bring: HIGH Value Treats (NO KIBBLE), regular leads, training collars, jackets/sweaters for dogs if necessary.

Price: FREE 

Working on: Distractions, informal and formal commands, desensitizing to cars, people, sounds...etc, Confidence Boosting and Problem Behaviour.

~ The world is our playground ~

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BX DROP IN SESSION  FINISHED

Time & Date: Tuesday, November. 27th at 2pm

Place: Bx Ranch Dog Park 

Bring: Treats (No kibble), Long Leads, Training collars, jackets/sweaters for dogs if necessary.

Price: FREE

Working on: Distractions, distance, informal commands, recalls, confidence building, manners & socialization and problem behaviour

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ANNUAL CHRISTMAS LIGHT UP DROP-IN  FINISHED

Time & Date: Friday, November.30th at 6pm

Meeting Place: Beside Nolan Drugs Pharmasave

Bring: Treats (No kibble), Regular leashes, Training collars & jackets/sweaters for dogs if necessary... feel free to dress your dog up to ring in the Christmas Season.

Price: FREE

Working on: This is a family event. We will be socializing and desensitizing our dogs to the sights and sounds of Downtown Christmas Light Up. There will be tons of distractions including large crowds, bonfires, loud noises, and horses. We will be touring up and down main street checking out the festivities. 

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BX DROP IN SESSION 

Time & Date: Sunday, December. 2nd at 11am  FINISHED

Place: Bx Ranch Dog Park 

Bring: Treats (No kibble), Long Leads, Training collars, jackets/sweaters for dogs if necessary.

Price: FREE

Working on: Distractions, distance, informal commands, recalls, confidence building, manners & socialization and problem behaviour

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                                         BX DROP IN SESSION - CANCELLED!!!

Time & Date: Wednesday, December. 5th at Noon

Place: Bx Ranch Dog Park 

Bring: Treats (No kibble), Long Leads, Training collars, jackets/sweaters for dogs if necessary.

Price: FREE

Working on: Distractions, distance, informal commands, recalls, confidence building, manners & socialization and problem behaviour

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HORSE DRAWN SLEIGH RIDES 

with Wild Horseman Sleigh Rides~ SilverStar

(Limited Space Available~ Please email Monique to hold a spot- monique@therufflife.ca)

~CARPOOL MAY BE AVAILABLE~

Time & Date: Saturday, December. 8th at Noon (Sleigh Ride at 1pm)

Place: Silver Star Mountain Resort

Meeting Place: In front of the Ticket Office

MAP of Village: http://www.powderhounds.com/site/DefaultSite/filesystem/documents/TrailMaps/Silver_Star_Village_Map.pdf

Bring: Treats (PLEASE BE SURE TO BRING TREATS! NO KIBBLE!), Regular Leash, Layered Warm & Waterproof clothing, Jackets for dogs (optional), Winter Boots, $ for food/coffee & price of admission.

Price: 

$20/per person
$10/ dog and/or child

Working on: We will have a "drop in session setting" and then carry on to the horses. Dogs will need to learn to behave around the horses and stay calm in a moving sleigh. We will also tour around the village before the tour begins, this will allow us to get our dogs in a calm state for the Sleigh Ride. 

More Info: 

This spectacular tour meanders the back trails of Silver Star Mountain. You will enjoy delicious mug of hot chocolate and cookies (and dog treats for the pooches). THIS IS NOT THE "NORMAL" Tour... we are getting our own personal tour :)

October Drop In Sessions

These sessions are for past clients who have finished our group training OR clients looking to complete their last class.

Drop in Session's are weather dependent. If it is raining hard, high winds or thunder and lightening class will be cancelled. If you are not sure, please check back on a regular basis. It WILL be posted on this blog if it is cancelled. Please also check on this blog on a regular basis to make sure that no changes have been made to times or locations of the class you are wanting to attend.

MOST DROP IN SESSIONS & EVENTS WILL HAVE PICTURES TAKEN AT THEM- To see these pictures please check out our Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/therufflife

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WESTBILD DROP IN SESSION- FINISHED

Time & Date: Wednesday, October. 17th at 6pm

Place: Back bottom parking lot at the Westbild Centre (Multiplex)

Bring: Treats (No kibble), Long Leads, Training collars if necessary

Price: FREE

Working on: Distractions, distance, informal commands, recalls, confidence building, manners & socialization and problem behaviour

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NIGHT TIME-DOWNTOWN DROP IN  FINISHED

Time & Date: Thursday, October. 18th at 6:00pm
Place: Edo Japan - Same strip mall as Earls
Bring: HIGH Value Treats (NO KIBBLE), regular leads, money for coffee, training collars if necessary.
Price: FREE 
Working on: Distractions, informal and formal commands, desensitizing to cars, people, sounds...etc, Confidence Boosting and Problem Behaviour.

~ The world is our playground ~

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BX DROP IN SESSION FINISHED

Time & Date: Monday, October. 22nd at 1pm
Place: Bx Ranch Dog Park 
Bring: Treats (No kibble), Long Leads, Training collars if necessary
Price: FREE
Working on: Distractions, distance, informal commands, recalls, confidence building, manners & socialization and problem behaviour

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HORSE DROP IN SESSION (and dogs of course)AGILITY FUN CLASS 
FINISHED

Time & Date: Saturday, October. 27th at 2pm

Place: Vernon District Riding Club- 8408 Aberdeen Rd, Coldstream

Bring: Treats (PLEASE BE SURE TO BRING TREATS! NO KIBBLE!), long leads are a MUST, and Training collars if necessary

Price: $10 Cash per family

Working on: The horse jumping equipment will be set up to do jumps with the dogs- and weave poles. Megan Creel, proudly one of the Ruff Life Staff is also a Horse Trainer and will have one of her horses there to help socialize and desensitize the dogs to horses. Confidence Boosting and Problem Behaviour.

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HISTORIC O'KEEF RANCH- CANCELLED- DUE TO THE WEATHER THE ANIMALS HAVE BEEN MOVED AND THE BUILDINGS ARE NOW CLOSED 

Time & Date: Sunday, October.28th at 11am

Place: O'Keef Ranch: 9380 Highway 97 North  Vernon, BC V1H 1W9

Bring: High Value Treats (NO KIBBLE), REGULAR LEASHES (NO RETRACTABLES), Training collars if necessary

Price: $8.00 + tax per person ($8.96 is the total)

More Information: We will be taking the dogs on a tour around the Ranch. It will be self guided and we can take turns going into the buildings to check things out if you would like to see what is inside. Sorry- No dogs are allowed in the buildings.

We will also be taking the dogs up to meet the farm animals.

O'Keef Ranch Rules: Dogs are welcome on our farm as long as they are well behaved, on a leash, and with an adult (one dog per person). You are welcome to take them up the animals or in any of the outdoor areas of our farm. Please do not bring them in any buildings. 

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The Ruff Life has not scheduled anymore drop in sessions past this point because Monique is going in for Carpal Tunnel surgery and doesnt know how long it will take to recover. Thanks for your understanding.

Drop In Session- THANKSGIVING

These sessions are for past clients who have finished our group training OR clients looking to complete their last class.

Drop in Session's are weather dependent. If it is raining hard, high winds or thunder and lightening class will be cancelled. If you are not sure, please check back on a regular basis. It WILL be posted on this blog if it is cancelled. Please also check on this blog on a regular basis to make sure that no changes have been made to times or locations of the class you are wanting to attend.

MOST DROP IN SESSIONS & EVENTS WILL HAVE PICTURES TAKEN AT THEM- To see these pictures please check out our Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/therufflife

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BX DROP IN SESSION- 

Time & Date: Sunday, October. 7th at 6pm

Place: Meeting at Edo Japan (Just down from Earls in the Fruit Union Plaza)

Bring: Treats (No kibble), Regular Leashes (NO retractable), Training collars if necessary, reflective vests/collars, money for coffee :)

Price: FREE

Working on: Distractions, informal and formal commands, desensitizing to cars, people, sounds, skate boards...etc, Confidence Boosting and Problem Behaviour.

~ The world is our playground ~

Hackles does NOT mean aggression...

We get asked about dogs hackles ALOT in training. Most people believe it is because there dog is being aggressive- and that is not so!

Hackles are an involuntary body function called Piloerection. Dogs get piloerection when they are in a state of arousal/when there is an adrenaline rush. 

Piloerection can be caused by excitement, stimulation, arousal, being startled, fear or interest.

This is a great article~ make sure you have a read so you have a better understanding of your dog!

Why Do Dogs Have Hackles?

By Ruthie Bently

All dogs have hackles and they run from the dog’s neck, down their backbone and to the base of their tail, sometimes even the shoulders. One of my dogs actually had hackles that started at the base of their skull and went all the way down their back and partway down their tail. The first time Smokey saw horses, he sniffed the air in their direction and his hackles rose to their full extent on his back. He didn’t bark or growl at the horses as he approached them and he didn’t race up to them, so why did his hackles rise? Put it down to a simple case of curiosity. Smokey saw these huge creatures who smelled funny to him, and he was trying to assess the situation before taking action. Since I wasn’t worried, neither was he.

When a dog’s hackles rise it is called piloerection. It is similar to the hair going up on your arm, your head or the back of your neck and is an involuntary reaction to a situation. It is theorized that piloerection happens when there is a rush of adrenaline through a dog’s system. Hackles may rise on a dog’s entire body or just in one area, depending on the situation. This should not be confused with a Rhodesian Ridgeback’s ridge. This is a particular feature indicative of the breed and even some Ridgeback crosses.

Piloerection can be caused by excitement, stimulation, arousal, being startled, fear or interest. It is rare that hackles are raised in an aggressive manner, though it does happen. A hunting dog’s hackles may rise when they are pointing a bird or catch a whiff of a pheasant in the brush; they are stimulated and react accordingly. An intact male dog scenting a female in heat in the neighborhood may raise his hackles in his arousal. A dog’s hackles can rise involuntarily due to a loud clap of thunder that startles them. Even the excitement of greeting a family member or canine friend can cause the hackles on a dog’s back to rise.

Small dog or dogs that are fearful may raise their hackles when they meet another dog and it is thought they do this to try and make themselves look taller to the approaching dog. It reminds me of what my cats did when I brought my first puppy home. They puffed themselves up and looked so huge the puppy backed up in terror. While it was funny to watch, I had my hands full trying to calm the poor puppy and soothe the cats. A dog smelling an unfamiliar wild animal in their territory at night may raise their hackles and growl a warning to “stay away.” A puppy raising its hackles may do so because it is unsure how to react to a situation or change in its surroundings.

The best thing for a responsible pet owner to do is to be aware of your own dog’s body language and be in charge of any situation you and your dog are in. The next time you go walking with your dog or to the dog park, watch your dog and how they react to other dogs they meet. Watch both the dogs and their communication with each other. Watch not only their hackles, but their tail, eyes, ears, body posture and facial expressions. For more helpful tips on this topic, read Linda Cole’s Body Language of Dogs. By understanding your own dog and their body language, you are a step ahead of the game.