Ruff to Ready Dog Behavior

10/26/2025

If you want your dog to stop doing *that thing*—you’ve got to stop letting them practice *that thing.*
Start with prevention and management so you can actually teach what you *DO* want...
Or just keep interrupting forever. Your choice. 😉

10/12/2025

Happy Gotcha Day, Sonny!
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You are wild, goofy, and sometimes pathetically attached—but you’ve changed my world in the best ways. Thanks to you, I’ve become a better behavior consultant and a more patient human. I’m so grateful you crashed into our lives. (No surprise your theme song is “Wrecking Ball” by Miley Cyrus!)
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You’ve taught me that sometimes the best thing to do is lean into the chaos and have fun. The best training happens when we’re both laughing instead of always being serious. You reminded me how powerful play, pets, and praise can be (not just food!). You helped me teach other dogs that it’s okay to be silly, but also how to settle and find calm after the crazy.
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You showed me how to guide habits from wild and maladaptive to something that works for both dogs and humans. There were days you drove me up the wall - like your “door-eating phase!”, but I wouldn’t change a thing.
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You’ve come so far, Sonny: from those tough days with separation anxiety and playing too rough with Applejack, to the sweet, quirky companion you are now. I love you, Sonny boy. Thanks for teaching me every single day. 🥰

09/20/2025

I'm not gonna lie... Sometimes I really miss training obedience to dogs. I'm finally sitting down to review years of training videos (and let's be honest, no one warned me I'd need video editing skills when I became a trainer 🤣). Watching these clips has me feeling all kinds of nostalgic, especially for those epic rocket recalls! There's nothing like seeing a dog sprint back to you like you're handing out gold medals. I'm thinking I might sprinkle a little obedience work back into my routine, just for fun (and the connection). Thoughts?

08/15/2025

Murphy’s Law was working overtime in our office!
✔️ Broken phone?
✔️ Computer acting wild?
✔️ Upgraded internet with less range?

Apparently, chaos isn’t just for the dogs—sometimes it sneaks up on the humans too.

If you’ve been waiting for a reply or felt like you’ve fallen through the cracks lately, I’m sorry for the delay.🙏🏽 Thank you for your patience, grace, and understanding.

🐶 Promise I’ll be catching up soon—one message and wag at a time!

Have you felt like this recently?

07/22/2025

Applejack was the dog who taught me I could... Sonny is the dog who said, "hold my beer".

Who’s the ‘hold my beer’ dog in your life?

07/19/2025

Recently I was visiting a friend in South Carolina (my first real getaway since adopting Sonny!). Her bookshelves were inspiring. Each room had a bookcase packed with books on animal behavior, psychology, and philosophy, all with contrasting perspectives. It’s a reminder to me that what we read often says a lot about how we view the world.

I’ve always loved how a bookshelf reflects our questions, passions, and the connections we build between ideas.

What do your shelves say about you? Have you ever been quietly admiring (or judging) a friend by the books they keep?

07/10/2025

Hey everyone! Just wanted to share some of my favorite training treats. True Chews are super easy to break into small pieces, and they’re stinky and squishy (just how our dogs like them). I spotted these on sale for almost half off! With how pricey treats have gotten lately, I thought this might be helpful for anyone looking to stock up. Love a good training treat deal!

Give your dog the taste of real beef with BLUE True Chews Premium Jerky Cuts Natural Dog Treats. Made with real USA beef as the first ingredient, these tender dog treats are easy to tear into smaller pieces, so they're great for dogs of all breed sizes and ages. And like all Blue Buffalo dog trea...

04/14/2025

"I wish people could see the dog we see.”

I hear this statement every week. And every time, it feels like a punch to my stomach.

Today on the blog, I’m sharing one of those days I never want to forget. A reminder of why I work with dogs who growl, bite, or can’t seem to settle down. It’s honest, emotional, and filled with hope.

If you’ve ever felt like no one else sees the dog you love, this one’s for you.

Read it here: https://rufftoreadydogs.com/uncategorized/why-i-focus-on-dog-behavior/

You’re not alone. And neither is your dog.

If your struggling with your dog's behavior—if you feel like no one sees the dog you see—know that there is hope. Witnessing dog behaviors change