This appointment is for new clients only.

With 1:1 training and other services, we would start with a 1.5 hour consultation at your our facility. This consultation allows for you to have an intimate discussion with a trainer regarding our training methods, our available services, and come up with a tailored training plan.

Each consultation will be personalized towards the owner and dog. Generally it includes all or some of the following:
● discussion with the trainer on the foundations of training and implementing these skills in your home.
● formal training examples with both a trainer and yourself handling your dog.
● detailed discussion of a training plan to ensure future success with you and your dog while working with us.
● assessment of dog’s behavior.

Our goal with this 1.5 hour consultation is for you to leave confident on the beginning steps of your training, and also what the future of your training will look like with Ruff Life.

This appointment is for new clients only.

With 1:1 training and other services, we would start with a 1.5 hour consultation at your home. This consultation allows for you to have an intimate discussion with a trainer regarding our training methods, our available services, and come up with a tailored training plan.

Each consultation will be personalized towards the owner and dog. Generally it includes all or some of the following:
● discussion with the trainer on the foundations of training and implementing these skills in your home.
● formal training examples with both a trainer and yourself handling your dog.
● detailed discussion of a training plan to ensure future success with you and your dog while working with us.
● assessment of dog’s behavior.

Our goal with this 1.5 hour consultation is for you to leave confident on the beginning steps of your training, and also what the future of your training will look like with Ruff Life.

There is a travel fee associated with appointments away from our training center.

This appointment is for clients who have completed a consultation. If you are a current client and aren’t sure where the appointment should take place, please book your preferred time slot then reach out to us via email, phone, or text to discuss.

This is a 1-hour appointment at our training center.

This appointment is for clients who have completed a consultation. If you are a current client and aren’t sure where the appointment should take place, please book your preferred time slot then reach out to us via email, phone, or text to discuss.

This is a 1-hour appointment at your home, or at another location in the community to work on your training goals.

Please add on a $10 travel fee for locations outside of Asheville.

This appointment is for clients who have completed a consultation. If you are a current client and aren’t sure where the appointment should take place, please book your preferred time slot then reach out to us via email, phone, or text to discuss.

This is a 30-minute appointment at our training center.

This appointment is for clients who have completed a consultation. If you are a current client and aren’t sure where the appointment should take place, please book your preferred time slot then reach out to us via email, phone, or text to discuss.

This is a 30-minute appointment at your home, or at another location in the community to work on your training goals.

Please add on a $10 travel fee for locations outside of Asheville.

This is for clients who have completed a group class OR initial consultation.

Drop off for morning half days is 7:45am - 8:30am. Pick up: 12:30pm - 1:30pm

In this program, we’re able to address a variety of training goals/commands, such as leash training, recall, stay/wait, etc. With drop off training, we will be able to implement new commands related to your training goals or brush up on current commands in new environments.
These bookings also include social time with dogs and during social time, we will still be working on training as well as appropriate dog-to-dog communication and behavior.

This is for clients who have completed a group class OR initial consultation.

Drop off for afternoon half days is 12:30pm-1:30pm. Pick up: 5pm - 6pm

In this program, we’re able to address a variety of training goals/commands, such as leash training, recall, stay/wait, etc. With drop off training, we will be able to implement new commands related to your training goals or brush up on current commands in new environments.

These bookings also include social time with dogs and during social time,
we will still be working on training as well as appropriate dog-to-dog communication and behavior.

This is for clients who have completed a group class OR initial consultation.

Drop off is 7:45am - 8:30am.

In this program, we’re able to address a variety of training goals/commands, such as leash training, recall, stay/wait, etc. With drop off training, we will be able to implement new commands related to your training goals or brush up on current commands in new environments. These bookings also include social time with dogs and during social time,
we will still be working on training as well as appropriate dog-to-dog communication and behavior.

This is for new and current clients.

The exact quote would be determined in an initial consultation (1.5 hour) and this consultation is $150 but if you move forward with scheduling, the $150 is deducted from the overall cost of the Board & Train.

Our Board & Train program can be used to jumpstart training, build a stronger training foundation, and/or focus on other specific behaviors and goals for your pup.

Behaviors/goals that we can address in this program include but are not limited to: basic obedience, crate training, potty training, dog to dog aggression, dog reactivity, human reactivity, and human aggression.

Throughout the length of stay, we train every single day in short but frequent training sessions. We will also send out progress reports and training videos to be kept as reference and so you are able to see the training progress as it occurs.

During this 3-week Board and Train program, your pup would be staying at our head trainer/owner's home for a training experience that more closely mirrors their own. Of course, your pup would also have public training sessions (parks, dog-friendly stores, etc) so that the skills they are learning can more easily transfer to new environments once they are with you.

At the end of the program, we will hold a 30 minute training review appointment. In this appointment, we will go over the commands, techniques, and tools we’ve used so that the training he has learned with us can continue to be reinforced in the home, and provide resources to refer to for future reference. In addition to the consultation, 30-minute
training review appointment, and training packets/resources, the Board and Train program also includes minimum 2 pieces of equipment (no e-collar) and one 30-minute follow up PER week your pup does a Board and Train (i.e., for a 3-week B&T, you would receive three 30-minute follow ups).

This is for new and current clients.

The exact quote would be determined in an initial consultation (1.5 hour) and this consultation is $150 but if you move forward with scheduling, the $150 is deducted from the overall cost of the Board & Train.

Our Board & Train program can be used to jumpstart training, build a stronger training foundation, and/or focus on other specific behaviors and goals for your pup.

Behaviors/goals that we can address in this program include but are not limited to: basic obedience, crate training, potty training, dog to dog aggression, dog reactivity, human reactivity, and human aggression.

Throughout the length of stay, we train every single day in short but frequent training sessions. We will also send out progress reports and training videos to be kept as reference and so you are able to see the training progress as it occurs.

During this 4-week Board and Train program, your pup would be staying at our head trainer/owner's home for a training experience that more closely mirrors their own. Of course, your pup would also have public training sessions (parks, dog-friendly stores, etc) so that the skills they are learning can more easily transfer to new environments once they are with you.

At the end of the program, we will hold a 30 minute training review appointment. In this appointment, we will go over the commands, techniques, and tools we’ve used so that the training he has learned with us can continue to be reinforced in the home, and provide resources to refer to for future reference. In addition to the consultation, 30-minute
training review appointment, and training packets/resources, the Board and Train program also includes minimum 2 pieces of equipment (no e-collar) and one 30-minute follow up PER week your pup does a Board and Train (i.e., for a 3-week B&T, you would receive three 30-minute follow ups).

This is for new and current clients.

The exact quote would be determined in an initial consultation (1.5 hour) and this consultation is $150 but if you move forward with scheduling, the $150 is deducted from the overall cost of the Board & Train.

Our Board & Train program can be used to jumpstart training, build a stronger training foundation, and/or focus on other specific behaviors and goals for your pup.

Behaviors/goals that we can address in this program include but are not limited to: basic obedience, crate training, potty training, dog to dog aggression, dog reactivity, human reactivity, and human aggression.

Throughout the length of stay, we train every single day in short but frequent training sessions. We will also send out progress reports and training videos to be kept as reference and so you are able to see the training progress as it occurs.

During this 5-week Board and Train program, your pup would be staying at our head trainer/owner's home for a training experience that more closely mirrors their own. Of course, your pup would also have public training sessions (parks, dog-friendly stores, etc) so that the skills they are learning can more easily transfer to new environments once they are with you.

At the end of the program, we will hold a 30 minute training review appointment. In this appointment, we will go over the commands, techniques, and tools we’ve used so that the training he has learned with us can continue to be reinforced in the home, and provide resources to refer to for future reference. In addition to the consultation, 30-minute
training review appointment, and training packets/resources, the Board and Train program also includes minimum 2 pieces of equipment (no e-collar) and one 30-minute follow up PER week your pup does a Board and Train (i.e., for a 3-week B&T, you would receive three 30-minute follow ups).

During their stay, your pup will enjoy daily playtime, enrichment activities, walks around our neighborhood, and occasional field trips or SniffSpot adventures! The emphasis will be on maintaining structure and reinforcing the training level your pup is currently at.

Dogs stay in their own kennels. We ask you to bring your own food. We are able to provide supplements and medications. Feel free to bring their own bed or blanket that smells like home or we will provide something comfy for them to sleep on.

We are happy to board any size, breed, or temperament. We have the training knowledge to accommodate dogs who are not able to be around other dogs or who are not able to be handled by most people.

During their stay, your pup will enjoy daily playtime, enrichment activities, walks around Tessa's neighborhood, and occasional field trips or SniffSpot adventures! The emphasis will be on maintaining structure and reinforcing the training level your pup is currently at.

Dogs stay in their own kennels. We ask you to bring your own food. We are able to provide supplements and medications. Feel free to bring their own bed or blanket that smells like home or we will provide something comfy for them to sleep on.

We are happy to board any size, breed, or temperament. We have the training knowledge to accommodate dogs who are not able to be around other dogs or who are not able to be handled by most people.

During their stay, your pup will enjoy daily playtime, enrichment activities, walks around Tessa's neighborhood, and occasional field trips or SniffSpot adventures! The emphasis will be on maintaining structure and reinforcing the training level your pup is currently at.

Dogs stay in their own kennels. We ask you to bring your own food. Feel free to bring their own bed or blanket that smells like home or we will provide something comfy for them to sleep on.

We are happy to board any size, breed, or temperament. We have the training knowledge to accommodate dogs who are not able to be around other dogs or who are not able to be handled by most people. We can also provide medications.

The Canine Good Citizen Program teaches good manners to dogs, and responsible dog ownership to their owners. The 10-step CGC test is a non-competitive test for all dogs, including purebreds and mixed breeds.

It is a prerequisite for many therapy dog groups and some homeowner’s insurance companies encourage CGC testing. There are also an increasing number of apartments and condos that require resident dogs to pass the CGC test.

TEST 1: ACCEPTING A FRIENDLY STRANGER
TEST 2: SITTING POLITELY FOR PETTING
TEST 3: APPEARANCE AND GROOMING
TEST 4: OUT FOR A WALK (Walking on a loose leash)
TEST 5: WALKING THROUGH A CROWD
TEST 6: SIT AND DOWN ON COMMAND/STAYING IN PLACE
TEST 7: COMING WHEN CALLED
TEST 8: REACTION TO ANOTHER DOG
TEST 9: REACTION TO DISTRACTIONS
TEST 10: SUPERVISED SEPARATION

Tessa Sternbach, head trainer and owner, is an American Kennel Club CGC Evaluator.

This service is for a drop off assessment for dogs who are interested in the drop off training program. After the assessment, the trainer will recommend an additional 1 hour drop off period to help them get accustomed to the space, or let you know if your dog is ready to attend the drop off training program.

Your dog will receive individualized attention and their behavior will be assessed in a crate and in the training room with the trainer. They will not necessarily play with other dogs during this appointment.

Through engaging sessions, we'll focus on building a strong foundation of
obedience while deepening the bond between you and your dog. Learn essential commands such as "place," "leave it," "walk," "heel," "stay," and "recall" through positive reinforcement techniques. Each week, we'll work on refining these skills, ensuring clarity and consistency in your training approach. By the end of the course, you'll have the tools and knowledge to effectively train these commands and enjoy a harmonious relationship filled with mutual understanding and trust.

This class will challenge your dog’s brain, strengthen your bond with your pup, and you both will have some fun! We will teach at least 3 tricks including teaching your dog to cover up with a blanket to stay warm this winter!

*PRE-APPROVED DOGS ONLY*

This is for pre-approved dogs to form social play groups during drop off training only.

*PRE-APPROVED DOGS ONLY*

This is for pre-approved dogs to form social play groups during drop off training only.

$100 gift certificate can be used for any current Ruff Life services. Certificate can be transferred to another account once after purchase or emailed.

This program is perfect for busy pet parents! You drop your pup off at Ruff Life and our trainers teach them new skills, progress current skills in new environments or with new distractions, and brush up on past skills. We offer six different tracks for enrollment: Basic Obedience, House Manners, Public Manners, Dog Play Skills, Collaborative Care, or “Do More With Your Dog.” Every training appointment (regardless which track you choose) includes social time with another dog or in a small play group. During these group sessions, trainers target appropriate dog-to-dog communication and behavior  as well as individual goals. Dogs are kenneled between training sessions and must be crate trained to attend this program. Each six week course includes a complimentary, 30 minute private appointment outside of drop off training hours to review progress and provide hands-on training support to owners. 

Schedule:
7:45-8:30 am: Morning drop off
12:30-1:30 pm: Mid-day pick up/drop off
5:00-6:00 pm: Afternoon pick up

Due to limited physical capacity and to ensure each dog receives ample training time, we ask that you please adhere to this schedule. 

If you are unable to attend one of your scheduled sessions, please cancel it as soon as possible so that others may have a chance to attend as a make-up. Any time a spot opens, it will be offered as a make-up to anyone who has had to miss an appointment on a first come, first served basis.

This program is perfect for busy pet parents! You drop your pup off at Ruff Life and our trainers teach them new skills, progress current skills in new environments or with new distractions, and brush up on past skills. We offer six different tracks for enrollment: Basic Obedience, House Manners, Public Manners, Dog Play Skills, Collaborative Care, or “Do More With Your Dog.” Every training appointment (regardless which track you choose) includes social time with another dog or in a small play group. During these group sessions, trainers target appropriate dog-to-dog communication and behavior  as well as individual goals. Dogs are kenneled between training sessions and must be crate trained to attend this program.

Schedule:
12:30-1:30 pm: drop off
5:00-6:00 pm: pick up

Due to limited physical capacity and to ensure each dog receives ample training time, we ask that you please adhere to this schedule.

This program is perfect for busy pet parents! You drop your pup off at Ruff Life and our trainers teach them new skills, progress current skills in new environments or with new distractions, and brush up on past skills. We offer six different tracks for enrollment: Basic Obedience, House Manners, Public Manners, Dog Play Skills, Collaborative Care, or “Do More With Your Dog.” Every training appointment (regardless which track you choose) includes social time with another dog or in a small play group. During these group sessions, trainers target appropriate dog-to-dog communication and behavior  as well as individual goals. Dogs are kenneled between training sessions and must be crate trained to attend this program. Each six week course includes a complimentary, 30 minute private appointment outside of drop off training hours to review progress and provide hands-on training support to owners. 

Schedule:
7:45-8:30 am: Morning drop off
12:30-1:30 pm: Mid-day pick up/drop off
5:00-6:00 pm: Afternoon pick up

Due to limited physical capacity and to ensure each dog receives ample training time, we ask that you please adhere to this schedule. 

If you are unable to attend one of your scheduled sessions, please cancel it as soon as possible so that others may have a chance to attend as a make-up. Any time a spot opens, it will be offered as a make-up to anyone who has had to miss an appointment on a first come, first served basis.

This program is perfect for busy pet parents! You drop your pup off at Ruff Life and our trainers teach them new skills, progress current skills in new environments or with new distractions, and brush up on past skills. We offer six different tracks for enrollment: Basic Obedience, House Manners, Public Manners, Dog Play Skills, Collaborative Care, or “Do More With Your Dog.” Every training appointment (regardless which track you choose) includes social time with another dog or in a small play group. During these group sessions, trainers target appropriate dog-to-dog communication and behavior  as well as individual goals. Dogs are kenneled between training sessions and must be crate trained to attend this program. Each six week course includes a complimentary, 30 minute private appointment outside of drop off training hours to review progress and provide hands-on training support to owners. 

Schedule:
7:45-8:30 am: Morning drop off
12:30-1:30 pm: Mid-day pick up/drop off
5:00-6:00 pm: Afternoon pick up

Due to limited physical capacity and to ensure each dog receives ample training time, we ask that you please adhere to this schedule. 

If you are unable to attend one of your scheduled sessions, please cancel it as soon as possible so that others may have a chance to attend as a make-up. Any time a spot opens, it will be offered as a make-up to anyone who has had to miss an appointment on a first come, first served basis.

This program is perfect for busy pet parents! You drop your pup off at Ruff Life and our trainers teach them new skills, progress current skills in new environments or with new distractions, and brush up on past skills. We offer six different tracks for enrollment: Basic Obedience, House Manners, Public Manners, Dog Play Skills, Collaborative Care, or “Do More With Your Dog.” Every training appointment (regardless which track you choose) includes social time with another dog or in a small play group. During these group sessions, trainers target appropriate dog-to-dog communication and behavior  as well as individual goals. Dogs are kenneled between training sessions and must be crate trained to attend this program. Each six week course includes a complimentary, 30 minute private appointment outside of drop off training hours to review progress and provide hands-on training support to owners. 

Schedule:
7:45-8:30 am: Morning drop off
12:30-1:30 pm: Mid-day pick up/drop off
5:00-6:00 pm: Afternoon pick up

Due to limited physical capacity and to ensure each dog receives ample training time, we ask that you please adhere to this schedule. 

If you are unable to attend one of your scheduled sessions, please cancel it as soon as possible so that others may have a chance to attend as a make-up. Any time a spot opens, it will be offered as a make-up to anyone who has had to miss an appointment on a first come, first served basis.

This program is perfect for busy pet parents! You drop your pup off at Ruff Life and our trainers teach them new skills, progress current skills in new environments or with new distractions, and brush up on past skills. We offer six different tracks for enrollment: Basic Obedience, House Manners, Public Manners, Dog Play Skills, Collaborative Care, or “Do More With Your Dog.” Every training appointment (regardless which track you choose) includes social time with another dog or in a small play group. During these group sessions, trainers target appropriate dog-to-dog communication and behavior  as well as individual goals. Dogs are kenneled between training sessions and must be crate trained to attend this program. Each six week course includes a complimentary, 30 minute private appointment outside of drop off training hours to review progress and provide hands-on training support to owners. 

Schedule:
7:45-8:30 am: Morning drop off
12:30-1:30 pm: Mid-day pick up/drop off
5:00-6:00 pm: Afternoon pick up

Due to limited physical capacity and to ensure each dog receives ample training time, we ask that you please adhere to this schedule. 

If you are unable to attend one of your scheduled sessions, please cancel it as soon as possible so that others may have a chance to attend as a make-up. Any time a spot opens, it will be offered as a make-up to anyone who has had to miss an appointment on a first come, first served basis.

Through engaging sessions, we'll focus on building a strong foundation of
obedience while deepening the bond between you and your dog. Learn essential commands such as "place," "leave it," "walk," "heel," "stay," and "recall" through positive reinforcement techniques. Each week, we'll work on refining these skills, ensuring clarity and consistency in your training approach. By the end of the course, you'll have the tools and knowledge to effectively train these commands and enjoy a harmonious relationship filled with mutual understanding and trust.

Challenge your dog’s brain and do something new and exciting together! A variety of functional and just-for-fun tricks will be taught.

This course focuses on teaching you how to communicate with your dog using the leash and thus working towards a loose leash walk. We will practice the walk, heel, and leave it command. We will teach you how to work with your dog to maintain a loose leash when walking around other dog, past other dogs, and in different environments. The last week of this class will take place in a public spot in order to practice around new distractions. This course is not appropriate for dogs who are experiencing extreme reactivity or struggle to be in a room with multiple other dogs.