Ruff Life Dog Training Services

04/02/2025

Hey y'all! We're SO excited to be back and to be able to offer some new group classes just in time for summer!

Whether you are looking for a refresher to get your pup summer ready or you just want to do something new/fun with your pup to bond, check out some of our upcoming classes.

"HELP! I NEED to work on some manners with my pup."

Then look no further than one of our obedience classes. If you are looking for something that covers a bit of everything basic obedience related, there's our 7-week Ruff Starters course. Or maybe you know you want to specifically work on Leash Walking or Recall & Engagement, in which case we also got you covered with our 4-week Leash Walking and our 4-week Recall & Engagement course.

"But wait!" You say. "I got a reactive pup and I need help with her reactivity in new places" or just... "I really want to take my dog to breweries this summer, but... it's a STRUGGLE."

Well, we would say... check out our 3-week Leash Reactivity course or our 4-week Patio Pups course! The 3-week Leash Reactivity course is the PERFECT opportunity to work your human or dog reactive pup in new environments and get them to a better mindset. And our 4-week Patio Pups course is designed to get your pup ready to go for all of your brewery hoppin' or restaurant chillin' days.

"Okay, okay, okay. That's all fine and great, but I want to do something FUN with my dog," you grumble.

Absolutely get that! Why don't you check out our 4-week Tricks class OR our 4-week Patio Pups class. Our 4-week Tricks class is all about doing something fun and low stress with your dog and building upon the bond you already have.

If you haven't already, swipe the post to see more detailed information about these courses. And if you are interested in a course, email us at [email protected] to sign up or if you have additional questions.

We hope to see you and your pup in one of our classes this summer!

03/22/2025

Meet Benny! He is looking for a foster or his furever home. He is currently staying with us for a week to assess him to figure out what his needs will be for his future home. Kozy Kritters Inn & Doggie Day Care is his current foster and who rescued him off the road in Marion, North Carolina. He is around 2 years old but still acts like a puppy. He will need an experienced and active owner. This boy loves to play and train! We are still testing him with other dogs, but so far he’s got some manners to learn or can be very neutral. He is house broken and very well crate trained. A new foster in a home will be crucial for his next steps with training. Please reach out for more information or please share to help out this handsome boy!

01/13/2025

Introducing the 2nd Annual Ruff Life Dog Calendar for 2025!

Get ready to smile every day of the year with 12 months of fun, heartwarming photos featuring the beloved furry friends of Ruff Life!

Important Details:

Pickup Location: At Tessa's house. Exact address provided via email after payment.

Proceeds: All sales go toward recovery efforts and keeping Ruff Life a haven for pups.
Order now and make 2025 a year full of tail-wagging joy, one paw-some month at a time!

https://square.link/u/AvfP723E

11/08/2024

Hey everyone! I so appreciate everyone wanting to come help clean up. At this time we are pretty much done salvaging all we want/can. The rest of the cleaning will most likely be done with heavy machinery. Where I am needing support now is finding a place to sanitize the items. I was thinking a car wash but that will probably be tedious having to refill the money machine every time the power washer shuts off. The most ideal is an area with little foot traffic and no animals. Ex could be somewhere with drainage or a big concrete slab! If you have any ideas or a place to offer please direct message or email [email protected]. Thanks so much!

10/02/2024

Thank you to my dear friend and mentor, Tessa Anderson for starting this gofundme. The main focus right now will be to make sure the Ruff Life team is taken care of financially for the next couple months, if need be. For those who have offered support with clean up, we must still wait and see if the building is determined to be salvageable. Any support is greatly appreciated ❤️

Supporting the Dog Community After Hurricane Helene Dear … Tessa Anderson necesita tu apoyo para Support Ruff Life's Staff and Dogs after Helenes destruction

10/01/2024

I was able get down to the training center on Monday. No one could have ever prepared us for this. There are no words. Everyone on our team is safe and I am so grateful. For those who have already reached out, thank you for the thoughts and prayers. The future of Ruff Life and Asheville is very unknown at this point. For now I will be focusing on the safe arrival our son who is expected this coming week. Please keep us in your thoughts. We will send updates on fundraising and everything as they come. My thoughts go out to the rest of the Asheville community and the surrounding areas ❤️ -Tessa

09/26/2024

📢 Important Update for Ruff Life Community 📢

Due to the approaching storms moving up from Florida, we have made the decision to close Ruff Life on September 26th and 27th out of an abundance of caution. Asheville is expected to receive heavy rainfall, and with our facility located next to the Swannanoa River, we want to prioritize the safety of all our dogs and staff.

We appreciate your understanding and will keep you updated as conditions improve. Stay safe, everyone!

09/25/2024

🎉 **Calling All Dog Lovers!** 🎉

Ready to turn your pup into an obedience superstar? 🌟 Our **Ruff Starters: Basic Obedience** class is your ticket to a stronger bond, better behavior, and loads of tail-wagging fun! 🐕✨

**Here's the scoop**: For just **$280**, you’ll get **7 weeks** of exciting training sessions that kick off on **Wednesday, October 2nd at 6 PM**. Every week, you and your dog will dive into new skills, mastering commands like "Place," "Leave it," "Walk," "Heel," "Stay," and "Recall." Imagine walking through the park like a pro—no pulling, no stress, just pure joy. 😍

**What’s even better?** Your dog will *love* every minute, thanks to our fun, positive reinforcement approach! You’ll see your furry friend’s confidence grow with every session, and before you know it, they’ll be showing off their impressive manners everywhere you go! 🎓🐾

This class isn’t just about learning commands—it’s about building a lasting partnership between you and your dog. Imagine stress-free walks, breezing through distractions, and having the most well-behaved pup in the neighborhood. 🐶💪 **Can you picture it?** We can—and we can't wait to see you both there!

✨ **Why Wait?** Spots are going FAST, so don’t delay! Sign up now by emailing **[email protected]** or through our online portal! Let’s make these 7 weeks unforgettable! 🙌

09/23/2024

Weekend Warriors at Ruff Life – here’s to an epic weekend full of wagging tails, playful barks, and non-stop fun!

You’re about to see some of the most amazing photos of the beautiful dogs that stayed with us over the weekend. Each and every one of them brought something special, and it was an absolute joy having them here. We get so excited when the weekend rolls around because we know it's time for some extra special visitors. While their owners are off adventuring – maybe traveling for work or enjoying a little getaway – we make sure their pups are living their best life here at Ruff Life.

From sunrise walks to sunset snuggles, these dogs got the royal treatment. Our amazing staff gave them all the attention, treats, and love they deserve. Whether they were running around with their new best friends, or just lounging in the sun, every dog got to unwind in their own way.

Weekends at Ruff Life are all about making sure your pups have just as much fun as you do! We can’t wait to welcome back these sweet faces, and we’re always ready for the next group of weekend warriors to join us. Keep an eye out for more fun updates and furry friends!

09/20/2024

🐾 Calling all dog parents! 🐾 Is your pup ready to be the star of the show? Our **7-Week Ruff Starters: Basic Obedience Course** is just what you need to build a strong foundation of obedience and deepen that bond between you and your furry best friend!

Starting **Wednesday, October 2nd at 6pm**, we’re kicking off a fun-filled, hands-on journey designed to help you and your dog master the essentials of obedience. Over the course of seven weeks, we’ll teach you how to use positive reinforcement to guide your pup through important commands like:

- "Place"
- "Leave it"
- "Walk"
- "Heel"
- "Stay"
- "Recall"

Imagine how proud you’ll feel when your dog nails each of these commands with confidence and precision. Our approach makes learning engaging and enjoyable for both you and your pup, ensuring that the skills you practice stick long after the course is over. Plus, you’ll walk away with the tools to continue building on your dog’s progress, creating a lifelong relationship built on trust, clarity, and mutual respect. It’s not just about obedience—it’s about making life with your dog more enjoyable and harmonious.

Whether your dog is a little rusty with the basics or you’re starting fresh, this course is perfect for anyone who wants to level up their dog’s training. And the best part? You’ll be doing it in a supportive environment with fellow dog lovers, learning new things every week. By the end, you’ll be amazed at how far your pup has come!

Spots are limited, so don’t wait to sign up! The full 7-week course is **$280**—an investment in a happier, better-behaved dog. You can sign up via our online portal or simply email **[email protected]** to secure your spot.

Let’s make this the beginning of something incredible for you and your pup! Can’t wait to see you both in class!

09/19/2024

🎃 Halloween Raffle Spotlight: Supporting Local Businesses! 🏆

Last week, I had the pleasure of visiting two incredible businesses here in Asheville to pick up prizes for our Halloween raffle—and let me tell you, they are worth checking out!

🦊Urban Orchard Cider Company on Buxton Ave is a must-visit! Their ciders are fantastic, and the space has so much to offer—think pool table, ping pong, shuffleboard, and plenty of board games to keep the fun going. With seating that opens up to a cool view of downtown Asheville, it’s the perfect spot to unwind. I had a great chat with Joe, who is clearly passionate about Urban Orchard and all things October! I can’t wait to go back! 🍏🍻

🌱 Laughing Seed Cafe on Wall Street is an international vegan and vegetarian haven. The food looked absolutely delicious, and the atmosphere inside was vibrant, with beautiful décor and smiling faces all around. If you’re into plant-based dining or just love amazing food, this spot is a must-visit! 🥗🌍

I’m so excited to continue exploring and supporting the incredible local businesses that make Asheville special. Stay tuned for more updates, and don’t forget to enter our Halloween raffle for a chance to win some awesome local prizes! 🎃✨

09/17/2024

🚨 **End of Summer Sale! $500 OFF Our Board & Train Program!** 🚨

Does your pup need a training jumpstart? 🐕 Whether it’s housebreaking, leash manners, or working with an aggressive dog, our immersive training program is here to help! Each plan is personalized to meet your needs and goals.

📅 **Two-week stay is recommended** for the best results! During that time, we'll cover:

🏡 **Home Manners:** Housebreaking, crate training, jumping, and chewing
🎾 **General Obedience:** Leash manners, recall, and more
🌍 **Public Manners:** 2nd-week community outings to work on socializing with other dogs and people!

Your dog will leave with the skills to succeed, and we’ll guide you every step of the way!

💥 **Limited-time offer – don’t miss out!** 💥

09/16/2024

🐾 **Another week, another set of Weekend Warriors!** 🐾

Shoutout to the brave pups who spent their weekend living it up at Ruff Life! 🌞 They soaked up the sun, splashed around in the water with all their best buds, and, of course, got spoiled with the *best* pets and treats from our amazing weekend crew. 🎾🐶

It was an epic time full of fun, laughs, and wagging tails. Who's ready for next weekend?! 🙌

09/13/2024

Heartfelt Gratitude Post

Today, I had the absolute pleasure of visiting Something to Bark About, a fantastic pet grooming business on Tunnel Road. From the moment I parked, I was captivated by how adorable the building was from the outside – and it only got better! As soon as I stepped inside, I was greeted by the lovely owner, Addie. Her passion for animals radiated through every word and gesture. You can truly tell she loves what she does.

The interior was just as charming, with cozy seating, beautiful artwork, and even some irresistible goodies for sale. It was the perfect blend of welcoming and unique, and I knew right away that Something to Bark About was a special place.

Ruff Life is gearing up for our Halloween event, and we’re beyond grateful that Something to Bark About was the first to donate to our raffle baskets! Every contribution helps, and all proceeds from the raffle will go directly into our foster program. Through this program, we provide housing, training, and engagement for dogs in need from local shelters. Sometimes, all a pup needs is a little love and training to find their forever home.

In future posts, we’ll be sharing stories of some of the amazing dogs we’ve helped find homes through our foster program. It’s an incredibly rewarding journey, and with the support from our raffles, we’ll be able to give more dogs the chance they deserve.

If you or someone you know would like to donate an item for our raffle baskets, we’d be so thankful! Every bit helps make a difference.

09/12/2024

🎉🎂 **Happy 9th Birthday, Dallas!** 🎂🎉

Biggest and best boy Dallas just turned NINE today! 🎈🐶 He and his sibling Marley have been coming to Ruff Life for as long as we can remember, and every visit is filled with so much joy! ❤️ Dallas is the ultimate love bug—romping around the yard, hanging with Marley, and, of course, enjoying *all* the snacks! 🍖🥳

These two are always excited to come through our doors, and we’re just as thrilled to see them every time! 💫

**Happy, happy birthday, Dallas!** 9 looks SO good on you! 🎉🐾

09/11/2024

✨ First Day Fun Alert! ✨

We had the pleasure of welcoming *two* new pups to Ruff Life today – Tuck and Luna! 🐾 Tuck, a playful 2-year-old Goldendoodle, and Luna, an adorable 1-year-old Labradoodle, wasted no time making new friends. Even though Luna’s a bit smaller, they were inseparable! 💖 They loved romping around the yard, especially with Toby and River.

It was so much fun having them with us, and we already can’t wait for their next visit! 🐶🌟

09/11/2024

🎉 We’ve got some BIG news, Ruff Life fam! 🎉 To celebrate winning Best of WNC for the fourth year in a row, the end of summer, and Tessa’s upcoming "pawternity" leave 🐾, we’re throwing an EPIC Summer Sale! 😎🌞

✨ Socialization, Drop-Off Training, Boarding Packages, Board & Train Program, and 1:1 Follow-Up Sessions are ALL on SALE! ✨

Here’s the deal: With every package purchase, you get a FREE pass for the same package! 🎁

🐶 Socialization Packages 🐾

10 Half Days + 1 Free: $320 (Save $65)
10 Full Days + 1 Free: $520 (Save $85)
20 Half Days + 1 Free: $600 (Save $135)
20 Full Days + 1 Free: $1,000 (Save $155)
30 Half Days + 1 Free: $840 (Save $245)
30 Full Days + 1 Free: $1,440 (Save $265)

🐾 Drop-Off Training 🐾

4 Half Days + 1 Free: $190 (Save $60)
8 Half Days + 1 Free: $380 (Save $70)
12 Half Days + 1 Free: $560 (Save $90)
16 Half Days + 1 Free: $750 (Save $100)

🏡 Boarding Packages

10 Nights + 1 Free: $600 (Save $115)
20 Nights + 1 Free: $1,175 (Save $190)
🎓 Board & Train Program

$500 OFF! 🤑 Our 2-week program is now discounted to $2,000 - $2,600 (normally $2,500 - $3,100).

🐕‍🦺 1:1 Follow-Up Training Special

Buy one 1-hour session, and get a FREE item (valued under $25)! 🛍️
Hurry and snag these deals before Tessa’s little "pawsome" bundle arrives! 🍼🐾

09/09/2024

🐾 **Weekend Recap with Our Fantastic Pups!** 🐾

What an AMAZING weekend we had at Ruff Life with some of the best pups around! 🐶✨ These cuties spent the entire time running, playing, and making new friends—so much that we think they’ll be napping through half of this week to recover! 😴💤

Here are the stars of the weekend:

1️⃣-2️⃣: **Bingo** — Our playful pal was zooming around the yard like a pro! ⚡️ He made sure to leave no toy unturned and no friend unchased.

3️⃣: **Archie** — This little bundle of energy was all smiles and tail wags! He definitely made the most of his time with us. 🐕💨

4️⃣: **Jeni** — Sweet and sociable Jeni had a blast running around with her pals. She’s always the life of the party! 🎉🐾

5️⃣-6️⃣: **Lola** — Lola brought her A-game, sprinting across the yard and making new buddies along the way. We loved seeing her in action! 🏃‍♀️🐕

7️⃣: **Archie** (yep, him again!) — He just couldn’t get enough fun! Archie was back for more yard adventures and playtime. 🐶🎾

8️⃣: **Poppy** — Little Poppy was her usual adorable self, running around with a grin and showing her playful side. 🌸🐩

9️⃣-🔟: **Fleece** — Fleece was absolutely living her best life! She was all about the games, and her energy was contagious! 🐾❤️

We had so much fun with all these incredible pups, and we know they’ll be snoozing happily after all the excitement. 😴 Thanks to all their owners for trusting us with their fur babies! 💕 Can’t wait to see them again for more fun soon!