Rubydoos are hand-made Tuggies that I originally started to make for Agility and Flyball dogs as training and competition aids; they are becoming very popular for Obedience and Gun Dogs too. Along with the Rubydoos Tuggies I make a range of Rubydoos Tuggie Leads too. Rubydoos Tuggies originally started as a craft idea Winter 2012 when I was asked by my friend Sue Martin to make some tuggie toys fo
r her 3 Working Cockers Spaniels – Libby, Barney & Emrys - all of whom train for and compete in Dog Agility competitions. I had sustained a back injury in 2005, which ended my 20 year career as a veterinary nurse as it left me unable to continue working in practice and with a chronic and at times debilitating back condition. I had after a year out of work, had help to get a job in the Civil Service but in 2011 I took redundancy due to my condition and pain levels deteriorating from a desk job and being in and out of hospital. The tuggies proved so popular with Sue’s trio, that Nikki Martin of DicksonDogTraining.co.uk, Sue’s trainer, then trialled them with her dog pack, which include Border Collies and Lurchers, and at her training classes in and around Gloucester and Cheltenham. The Rubydoos Tuggie Leads followed soon after at Nikki and Sue’s request. I spent a year trialling my tuggies and leads through Nikki & Sue – they were tested out on dogs of all breeds and they were very well received at the local Agility clubs and charity shows. The name Rubydoos comes from my Lhasa Apso Ruby, who we adopted from Lhasa Rescue in 2011. She was a constant companion to me and my other Lhasa Wilf, who was grieving the loss of his last companion, Mabel . She was always there when I was stuck in bed and on the low days she made me smile with her comically ways and endearing personality.
2014 I was finally accepted on the New Enterprise scheme run by the job centre and I was given help and a mentor from Gloucestershire Enterprise. May 2014 Rubydoos officially started trading.
2015 I had a Neurostimulator implanted in my back to help with my chronic pain.This is designed to block the pain signals, to enable me to start coming off the very strong pain medication I have to use on a daily basis.
2016 July unfortunately I had to stop trading at shows after collapsing due to bilateral multiple pulmonary embolisms which I was lucky to survive.....the shock to my body triggered Fibromyalgia which I still live with today along with chronic pain but I still keep smiling. March 2021 update....Rubydoos is still able to make bespoke designs for you and your dog. Please contact me with your enquiries
NB. Rubydoos tuggies are designed to be used for interactive play and training with your dog and not as chew toys as they are NOT indestructible! However I have had many compliments on how hard wearing and robust they are, but it does depend on whether your dog is a power chewer! If that’s the case you may want to make your dog a destruction box (message me if you would like more details) and keep their Rubydoos for play time and training. I offer a wide range of fleece and designs of tuggies. You choose the tuggie you like, in the colours you want. I also offer a repair service at a small cost and I am even happy to convert your dog's favourite toy into a tuggie. Please feel free to contact me for further details
