End of July Drop-In's

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 pouring rain, or high winds, or extreme temperature'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 wearing water proof clothing if necessary. **

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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DOWNTOWN DROP IN  --- CANCELLED DUE TO EXTREME HEAT... we will be doing more down town once it is cooler. The asphalt is just to hot for the dogs pads.

Time & Date: Thursday, July.25th at 6pm

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 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 

Time & Date: Thursday, August.1st at 6pm

Place: Bx Ranch Dog Park 

Bring: Treats (No kibble), Long Leads, Training collars if necessary, dogs favourite toy (as long as you can carry it), water for you & bug spray.

Price: FREE

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

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CLOSED FOR AUGUST LONG WEEKEND

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THE RUFF LIFE IS CLOSED FOR THE LONG WEEKEND!

The Ruff Life will be closed until Tuesday, July.2nd! But we will be randomly checking our emails & facebook page! We hope everyone has a Fun and Safe Long Weekend! Cheers!

JULY 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 pouring rain, or high winds, 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 wearing water proof clothing if necessary. **

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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DOWNTOWN DROP IN  

Time & Date: Sunday, July.7th at 6pm

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 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 

Time & Date: Wednesday, July.10th at 6pm

Place: Bx Ranch Dog Park 

Bring: Treats (No kibble), Long Leads, Training collars if necessary, dogs favourite toy (as long as you can carry it), water for you & bug spray.

Price: FREE

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

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HISTORIC O'KEEF RANCH

YOU MUST PRE-REGISTER (Email monique@therufflife.ca)

Time & Date: Sunday, July. 14th at Noon

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 ($8.40 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 last years class: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150987654176409.413560.279161771408&type=3

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BX DROP IN SESSION 

Time & Date: Sunday, July. 14th at 6pm

Place: Bx Ranch Dog Park 

Bring: Treats (No kibble), Long Leads, Training collars if necessary, dogs favourite toy (as long as you can carry it), water for you & bug spray.

Price: FREE

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

NEW GROUP CLASSES

Do you want a well behaved pooch??? Maybe you want your dog to come back when you call?? Or not pull on a leash?? OR?!?!

NEW GROUP CLASSES!

THURSDAY EVENING CLASSES (VERNON)

Thursday, July. 4th from 6pm-7:30pm

Thursday, June. 11th from 6pm-7:30pm

Thursday, July. 18th from 6pm-7:30pm

Thursday, July. 25th from 6pm-7:30pm

Thursday, August. 1st from 6pm-7:30pm

SUNDAY EVENING CLASSES (VERNON)

Sunday, July. 14th from 6pm-7:30pm

Sunday, June. 21st from 6pm-7:30pm

Sunday, July. 28th from 6pm-7:30pm

SKIP A WEEK~ AUGUST LONG WEEKEND

Sunday, August. 11th from 6pm-7:30pm

Sunday, August. 18th from 6pm-7:30pm

June 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 pouring rain, or high winds, 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 wearing water proof clothing if necessary. **

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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FUNKY PICTURES DROP-IN SESSION - FINISHED

Time & Date: Wednesday, June. 5th at 6:30pm

Place: Meeting at the parking lot on the right side of the Movie Theatre (Galaxy Cinemas)

Bring: Treats (No kibble), Long Leads, and Smiles.

Price: $10 per family.

Working on: This is a picture drop in. We will be doing no obedience or group activities. Families are MORE then welcome to come out, or you can just have your dog in the picture! You will receive edited copies of the photos in high quality via internet. (disks are available upon request)

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DOWNTOWN DROP IN   FINISHED

Time & Date: Thursday. June. 13th at 6pm

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 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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SUNSHINE FESTIVAL- FINISHED

This is an annual event that is put on by the Downtown Vernon Association. There is great entertainment, shopping, food, demos....etc. AND a great place to take your dog to socialize and desensitize them to people, situations, loud noises, crowds...etc. 

Time & Date: Saturday, June.15th at Noon (Sunshine Festival is on from 9am-5pm)

Meeting Place: Nolan Drugs (On Main Street located just down from The Phoenix Steak House)

Bring: Treats, Long Leads, Training collars if necessary, $ for food???

Price: FREE 

Working on: This is more of a fun class- We will be working on socializing, desensitizing and confidence building. This is a FAMILY EVENT!

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A HIKE WITH THE RUFF LIFE & TRAIL WAGGERS- POSTPONED

Time & Date: Sunday, June.23rd- MEETING at 11am- till approx. 2pm

Meeting Place: 7724 Howe Dr, Coldstream. We are the last house before Coldstream Cemetery. OR...if you drive East past Freisens Country Tyme on Kal lake Rd. You will take your next right onto Howe Drive. We are the house and the end of the road, right in line with the yellow gate. 
Bring: Treats, Long Leads, Training collars if necessary, LUNCH/SNACK & WATER, Cameras...

Price: FREE   
Other Information: We will be joining Trail Waggers for a hike up King Eddy Area. We will be meeting at The Ruff Life first- and then we can car pool and follow each other to the hiking spot. Roads going up to the hiking spot are dirt roads with some ruts- This will be a harder hike, you are more then welcome to bring your own vehicle in case if you want to turn around and come back down the mountain. We will be stopping for snack/lunch- it is REALLY important that you bring a food for this hike. It is a rigorous hike!

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BX DROP IN SESSION -FINISHED

Time & Date: Thursday, June. 20th at 6pm

Place: Bx Ranch Dog Park 

Bring: Treats (No kibble), Long Leads, Training collars if necessary, dogs favourite toy (as long as you can carry it), water for you & bug spray.

Price: FREE

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

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A HIKE WITH THE RUFF LIFE & TRAIL WAGGERS

Time & Date: Sunday, June.23rd- MEETING at 11am- till approx. 2pm

Meeting Place: BUTCHER BOYS, SILVERSTAR ROAD
Bring: Treats, Long Leads, Training collars if necessary, LUNCH/SNACK & WATER, Cameras...

Price: FREE   
Other Information: We will be joining Trail Waggers for a hike up King Eddy Area. We will be meeting at The Ruff Life first- and then we can car pool and follow each other to the hiking spot. Roads going up to the hiking spot are dirt roads with some ruts- This will be a harder hike, you are more then welcome to bring your own vehicle in case if you want to turn around and come back down the mountain. We will be stopping for snack/lunch- it is REALLY important that you bring a food for this hike. It is a rigorous hike!

NEW GROUP CLASSES

Do you want a well behaved pooch??? Maybe you want your dog to come back when you call?? Or not pull on a leash?? OR?!?!

ONLY 2 SPOTS LEFT IN EACH GROUP

NEW CLASSES! SUNDAY'S AND TUESDAYS EVENINGS!



SUNDAY EVENING CLASSES (VERNON)

Sunday, June. 9th from 6-7:30pm
Sunday, June. 16th from 6-7:30pm
Sunday, June. 23rd from 6-7:30pm
SKIP A WEEK~ CANADA DAY LONG WEEKEND
Sunday, July. 7th from 6-7:30pm
Sunday, July. 14th from 6-7:30pm

TUESDAY EVENING CLASSES (BARK N' FLY~ KELOWNA)

Tuesday, June. 11th from 6:30pm-8pm
Tuesday, June. 18th from 6:30pm-8pm
Tuesday, June. 25th from 6:30pm-8pm
SKIP A WEEK~ CANADA DAY LONG WEEKEND
Tuesday, July. 9th from 6:30pm-8pm
Tuesday, June. 16th from 6:30pm-8pm

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.

MAY 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 pouring rain, or high winds, 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 wearing water proof clothing if necessary. **

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 -CANCELLED due to rain

Time & Date: Wednesday, May.22nd at 6pm

Place: Bx Ranch Dog Park 

Bring: Treats (No kibble), Long Leads, Training collars if necessary, dogs favourite toy (as long as you can carry it), water for you & bug spray.

Price: FREE

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

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NOT A RUFF LIFE DROP IN~ JUST A COURTESY POST!

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NOT A RUFF LIFE DROP IN~ JUST A COURTESY POST!

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DOWNTOWN DROP IN  

Time & Date: Sunday, May. 26th at 6pm

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

Time & Date: Tuesday, May. 28th at 6pm

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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FUNKY PICTURES DROP-IN SESSION 

***POSTPONED!!*** Funky Picture Drop-in this evening has been postponed until next Wednesday at 6:30pm!!! The weather is to unpredictable for this evening to have a bunch of camera gear out for portrait pictures! Next Wednesday we are supposed to have great weather!!! 

Time & Date: Wednesday, May.29th at 6:30pm

Place: Meeting at the parking lot on the right side of the Movie Theatre (Galaxy Cinemas)

Bring: Treats (No kibble), Long Leads and Smiles.

Price: $10 per family.

Working on: This is a picture drop in. We will be doing no obedience or group activities. Families are MORE then welcome to come out, or you can just have your dog in the picture! You will receive edited copies of the photos in high quality via internet. (disks are available upon request)

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BX DROP IN SESSION 

Time & Date: Sunday, June.2nd at 6pm

Place: Bx Ranch Dog Park 

Bring: Treats (No kibble), Long Leads, Training collars if necessary, dogs favourite toy (as long as you can carry it), water for you & bug spray.

Price: FREE

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

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