About Ruff Life
Hello everyone! My name is Shilee. Since I was very young, I’ve had a soft spot for animals both big and small and have worked with and cared for them in a variety of ways. As an experienced horse trainer and competitive barrel racer in my youth, I developed a love for teaching and the rewarding relationships that come with it. I also have over 5 years of experience caring for and watching dogs with a variety of personalities. It was my dog, Koda, who I rescued from terrible conditions when he was just six weeks old and who suffers from behavioral issues as result, who would give me the inspiration to change the lives of other dogs and their owners. I guess you could say Koda had a “Ruff Life” starting out, but with structure, training, and plenty of love from his family, he feels secure and is able to enjoy his life.
At Ruff Life, your dog will get the same attention in a unique structured atmosphere that challenges them both physically and mentally while still enjoying themselves. We believe that providing leadership for dogs in the form of structure provides them with clear direction, Their True North, to navigate through life no matter the circumstances. What this means for you as an owner is that you can have the peace of mind that your dog is safe and having a great time.
I am currently an apprentice with Dharma Dog training, a multi-year recipient of the Best of Omaha award for training. In 2017, I began my journey with Dharma to help my own dog and quickly realized how impactful their training method is and how much dogs need structure in their lives. In early 2018, I began the apprenticeship program under Dharma’s founder, Kelley McAtee, and have been gaining valuable skills and understanding of their method. In late 2018, Ruff Life will be offering training to help your pack "Find Their True North".
