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.

The Ruff Life Drop-In Sessions!

We are continually asked what type of services we offer our clients. So we decided that a video with pictures and short video clips would explain it best.

We don't believe that training your dog should be a "quick fix your dog course". It 

is more of a life change. We try to promote clients to keep active, continually have fun, challenge their dogs and surround themselves with amazing positive dog people.

Once clients have finished our "Group Session" or "Private Sessions" they are welcome to bring their dogs to our Drop- In Sessions for life.

** Have a look and see if your dog is in this video :) ** ENJOY!

Dock Dogs Seminar

Space is limited! Please make sure you sign up ASAP! This Seminar is limited to one dog per person. There are a couple instructors coming out to put on this seminar so there will be tons of one on one training and time. Refreshments each day- Lunch will be provided for Saturday!

ONLY 10 SPOTS LEFT!!!!

August & September 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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BX DROP IN SESSION- FINISHED

Time & Date: Tuesday, August. 7th at 6pm

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


Photos from this class: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150981023931409.412675.279161771408&type=3

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HISTORIC O'KEEF RANCH- FINISHED

Time & Date: Saturday, August. 11th 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. 

Photos from this class: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150987654176409.413560.279161771408&type=3

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NIGHT TIME-DOWNTOWN DROP IN FINISHED

Time & Date: Monday, August.13th at 7:00pm
Place: Edo Japan - Same strip mall as Earls
Bring: HIGH Value Treats (NO KIBBLE), long 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 ~

Photos from this class: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150991906176409.414177.279161771408&type=3

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BX DROP IN SESSION FINISHED

Time & Date: Tuesday, August. 14th at 6pm
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

Photos from this class: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150994138241409.414479.279161771408&type=3

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CONFIDENCE BUILDING~ FOREST AGILITY FINISHED

Time & Date: Sunday, August. 19th at 6:30pm

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

Bring: High Value Treats, Long Leads, You MUST have a flat collar on your dog, or you will not be able to participate, Training collars if necessary

Price: $10.00 per family (Only one dog per person please)

Working on: Confidence building with bits of Agility. This is a Fun Class. We will be making an agility course in the forest.

Photos from this class: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10151004100666409.415798.279161771408&type=3

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BX DROP IN SESSION FINISHED

Time & Date: Wednesday, August.22nd at 7pm
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

Photos from this class: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10151010481791409.416653.279161771408&type=3

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BX DROP IN SESSION FINISHED

Time & Date: Wednesday, August. 29th at 7pm
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

Photos from this class: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10151024709451409.418498.279161771408&type=1

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BX DROP IN SESSION FINISHED

Time & Date: Thursday, August.30th at 6:00pm
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

Photos from this class: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10151025920501409.418696.279161771408&type=3

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CLOSED Friday, August. 31st- Sunday, September. 9th

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ADVANCED TRAINING SESSION~ (Prerequisite is that you have been to at least 4 of the Bx Drop In Session's in the past) FINISHED

Time & Date: Wednesday, September. 12th at 7:00pm

Place: Back of the Westbild Center (The Old Multiplex~ Behind the Big Safeway) 

Bring: High Value Treats (NO KIBBLE!), Long Leads, a favourite toy, You MUST have a flat collar on your dog, or you will not be able to participate, training collar if necessary.

Price: FREE   

Working on: Distractions, Distance, informal and formal commands, come command, tricks, problem behaviour.

-- We are open to suggestions, let us know what you would like to learn--

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BX DROP IN SESSION FINISHED

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

Photos from this class: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10151043369941409.421752.279161771408&type=3

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DAVISON ORCHARDS FARM TOUR- You must book in ADVANCE! FINISHED

Time & Date: Saturday, September. 15th at 2pm

Place: Davison Orchards: 3111 Davison Road, Vernon, BC V1H 1A2

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

Price: $6.00 per person and $4.00 per dog (One dog per person!)

More Information: We will be taking the dogs on the "Johnny Popper Apple Train". Authentic apple bins pulled by an antique John Deere Tractor will trail you through the orchard driven by either Farmer Bob or another farmer working that day. 

The tour is approximately 20- 30 minutes long (depending on how many questions you ask!) 

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

Davison Orchard 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. 

Photos from this class: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10151045495556409.422106.279161771408&type=3

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CONFIDENCE BOOSTING~ FOREST AGILITY

Time & Date: Saturday, September. 22nd at 11am

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

Bring: High Value Treats, Long Leads, You MUST have a flat collar on your dog, or you will not be able to participate, Training collars if necessary

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

Working on: Confidence building with bits of Agility. This is a Fun Class. We will be making an agility course in the forest.

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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: Sunday, September. 23rd 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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BX DROP IN SESSION

Time & Date: Sunday, September. 30th at 6pm
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