RuffSport

Heather and Russ are absolutely wonderful. We have a service dog and needed help from a new trainer to continue his progress. We also wanted positive reinforcement training for our service dog. They responded immediately to our request for help. And when my husband became ill, they took on our dog for board and train and we were very impressed with the results when we were able to reunite them. They are knowledgeable about the legislation around service animals and are wonderful handlers and trainers. We continue to train weekly with them.

I've been training with Heather of Ruffsport for almost 6yrs. There is no one I would trust more with my dogs and that is not said lightly. Heather's knowledge and positive reinforcement methodology when it comes to training is at the highest level. Her care and concern for all those in her charge is immeasurable.

I have been a client of Heather’s for a couple of years now and i have been meaning to write a review. My dog Dash has always been obsessed with water but he was afraid to swim and would panic in the water if he could not touch the ground. This was becoming a safety issue and after jumping into the lake to save him after he slipped off the dock and panicked, i knew i had to reach out to Heather for advice. She acknowledged my message right away and we quickly set up a training session. Well, if anyone would have told me that i would be doing dock diving competitions with my dog after a few sessions, i never would have believed it, but we did !!! My dog is now 5 years old and thriving. The training not only helped his confidence with swimming, but it has helped us in our everyday lives. His impulse control has improved and we are a better team overall. He’s never been more confident dog and that is only because Heather has helped ME become a more confident dog owner/leader.Whether you are looking for board and train, private training, dock diving, agility training, i would 100% recommend RuffSport!! Beautiful property and safe facility!!Can’t wait for the next dock diving event!:)

I would think twice about getting your dog trained here, the training is keeping your dog in a cage for 20 hours a day and only out to eat and some training time. Ruff Sport trained our dog to pee all over our house when we got him back but never did that before we brought our dog to Heather. I think Heather has some personal issues as she continued to lie to us when we wanted to pick up our dog . This training was a waste of a lot of money

It would be difficult to find a better place to have your dog trained. Knowledgeable and caring is key aspects to Ruffsport. Heather is the most amazing trainer I have ever seen. She cares about the dogs so much and you can tell they love being there. Our little guy has progressed so much it is unbelievable, and when we arrive, he can't wait to see her. We attend the classes and have learned so much about training. You will not be disappointed bringing your 4 legged friend here !!

I have been using Ruffsport for over 3 years. Heather and her facilities are absolutely amazing. Her love and care for our dogs is beyond believable. Our Border Collie went to her for board and train out of control and terrorizing out cats. When we got her back she was a different dog. She had an off" switch was happy in her crate and left the cats a loan. She was Health and happy. Heather also helped us introduce a rescued Australian Shepard to our household. He came from a questionable background and some behavioural issues including biting. After working with Heather over a period of a few weeks using only POSITIVE training techniques and our new Aussie has become the most loving gentle dog we have ever had. He has also learned to excel at Dock Diving which Heather trained him to do. Both our dogs know a new command "go see auntie Heather" they both run straight for the car. Heathers love and enthusiasm for what she does and her love of dogs shows in absolutely every thing she does. I would trust her with any of animals any time."

I just went to visit my dog Franklin at RuffSport where he is in the Board & Train program - and I am so impressed with the difference in him since he has been there and the dedication and professionalism of the owners, Heather and Russ.Franklin is a rescue dog and at 4 years of age had some pretty significant issues around leash pulling, leash reactivity and generally being a very anxious dog. After an obedience class (which he didn't need he knew all the basic commands but the owner said start with obedience) and four trainers in six months I was no further ahead. And likely putting Franklin further behind. It wasn't because I wasn't prepared to put in the work - it was more because Franklin needed intensive work, more than an hour once a week. Two of the trainers suggested negative reinforcement - one even kicked him and put a slip knot on him to choke him into walking beside him. Ruffsport was suggested by someone and although it was difficult to send my dog away - I knew he needed more intensive daily work with a professional to get him to a place where he could be retrained in undoing the previous behaviours from his past life and taught to make better choices. I can then be taught how to manage him. I have found both Heather and Russ to be responsive to all my questions and they care. They have gone above and beyond what I expected. I am confident Franklin will come back a more confident dog and I will be a more confident owner. I spent the day with them and got to see other dogs in various stages of training and even met two other clients - I am so pleased with the progress he has made and know he will be even more amazing when he comes home. We both needed to learn new skills and Ruffsport is providing that. I highly recommend them - their passion and professionalism for their work shows in the results. ~ Yvonne

I have now been going to Ruffsport for 1 year with my Portuguese Water Dog Cody. During that time I have learned so much in training him to be obedient and tuned into me. I take him up to Ruffsport 2 days a week for training one on one with Heather. I attend obedience training classes with Russ at least once a week as well. With Heather I let her know any issues I am having with Cody so that they can work on them. She will set him up sometimes with 1 or 2 other dogs to help him understand and learn certain behaviours. For instance, at times when I am walking him at home he will tug and react when other dogs are around. So she will put him with another dog she knows will put him in his place if he does react so he will learn not to try that on our walks.The obedience classes with have been great with Russ. I get lots of things to practice every day at home. They taught me to not feed him out of a bowl but to have Cody earn his food by doing his obedience commands or tricks that he also learns in his time with Heather or his class. Cody loves to please by doing what he is asked to do. All of these commands stimulate him mentally as well.Finally, since I have a very drivey dog that needs to be challenged physically Heather has taught him, Frisbee, Dock Jumping and many agility activities. There is a proper way to throw a Frisbee in order that your dog does not get hurt and there is a class to teach you how to throw a Frisbee properly to avoid your dog getting hurt. Also, with dock jumping season coming up he is doing training to build up his back muscles by going up a flight of stairs backwards. Ruffsport is affiliated with Aqua Dogs for Dock Jumping. At Ruffsport there is a 40 foot pool in order for your dog to learn and have fun with Dock Jumping. A great way to burn some pent up energy.There are endless things for your dog to learn from proper behaviours and etiquette to tricks for having fun with your dog to various sports to channel energy.I am totally impressed with the facility Ruffsport. It is professionally run, with staff who love and care about the dogs, always with safety first when performing any activity. If you have any issues with your dog or looking to learn how to handle your dog or enjoy them more you can't beat the help and training you will get at Ruffsport.

We take our 3 year old Papillon to RuffSport every Tuesday. Heather works with her and identifies any areas where she needs more attention. Heather is an amazing trainer. She is completely devoted to her dogs. She trains with positive reinforcement. I wish we had known RuffSport and Heather long before now.

I have trained with Ruffsport quite extensively over the last two years, spending over 250 hours of direct hands on training. Heather knows her stuff and was able to share that with me. It is very important to be consistent with your dog at home, as this follow through is what maintains your dog's skills.Heather runs a tight ship at Ruffsport and can easily spot challenges your dog has as well as help make the changes that will improve your dog's behavior.