Ruff Life Dog Training Services

Ruff Life Dog Training Services Bring your chihuahuas and your Great Danes and everything in between to see how a little training ca

I'm Tessa Sternbach and I have been providing dog training services in WNC since 2014. I can help you address any behavior concerns by providing in home or community 1:1 training, 1-4 week bootcamps, daily exercise and socialization, and more. I believe in using positive training techniques first and replacing problem behaviors with acceptable alternatives to create a happy owner and pup alike. Tr

aining Areas:
- basic obedience
- leash walking
- people and dog aggression
- separation anxiety
- crate and house training
- therapy dogs- AKC Canine Good Citizen Tests
- new puppy or adoption
- special requests

Please give me a call with any questions or to set up an appointment.

Hey everyone! I so appreciate everyone wanting to come help clean up. At this time we are pretty much done salvaging all...
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!

Thank you to my dear friend and mentor, Tessa Anderson for starting this gofundme. The main focus right now will be to m...
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

📢 Important Update for Ruff Life Community 📢Due to the approaching storms moving up from Florida, we have made the decis...
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!

🎉 **Calling All Dog Lovers!** 🎉Ready to turn your pup into an obedience superstar? 🌟 Our **Ruff Starters: Basic Obedienc...
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! 🙌

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

🐾 Calling all dog parents! 🐾 Is your pup ready to be the star of the show? Our **7-Week Ruff Starters: Basic Obedience C...
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!

🎃 Halloween Raffle Spotlight: Supporting Local Businesses! 🏆Last week, I had the pleasure of visiting two incredible bus...
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! 🎃✨

🚨 **End of Summer Sale! $500 OFF Our Board & Train Program!** 🚨Does your pup need a training jumpstart? 🐕 Whether it’s h...
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!** 💥

🐾 **Another week, another set of Weekend Warriors!** 🐾Shoutout to the brave pups who spent their weekend living it up at...
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?! 🙌

Heartfelt Gratitude PostToday, I had the absolute pleasure of visiting Something to Bark About, a fantastic pet grooming...
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.

🎉🎂 **Happy 9th Birthday, Dallas!** 🎂🎉Biggest and best boy Dallas just turned NINE today! 🎈🐶 He and his sibling Marley ha...
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! 🎉🐾

✨ First Day Fun Alert! ✨We had the pleasure of welcoming *two* new pups to Ruff Life today – Tuck and Luna! 🐾 Tuck, a pl...
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! 🐶🌟

🎉 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 su...
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! 🍼🐾










🐾 **Weekend Recap with Our Fantastic Pups!** 🐾What an AMAZING weekend we had at Ruff Life with some of the best pups aro...
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!

🐾 Have you tried out a Wandering Wags adventure yet? If not, this is the perfect chance to join in on the fun! 🎉 Bring y...
09/07/2024

🐾 Have you tried out a Wandering Wags adventure yet? If not, this is the perfect chance to join in on the fun! 🎉 Bring your pup and hang out with fellow Ruff Life owners as we head out for a real-world training experience led by one of our amazing trainers. 🐶👣

This time, we’re off to beautiful Montreat for an exciting pack walk! 🌳🐕
📅 Date: Sunday, September 8th
⏰ Time: 11:30 AM
📍 Location: Montreat (Exact spot TBD)

Spots are limited, so make sure to sign up by emailing us at [email protected] or through the online portal. Let’s make it a pawsome day! 🐾💫

📚🐾 Have you heard about the new Leash On Life program? 🐾📚Every Monday, our dedicated Tessa travels to the Swannanoa Corr...
09/05/2024

📚🐾 Have you heard about the new Leash On Life program? 🐾📚

Every Monday, our dedicated Tessa travels to the Swannanoa Correctional Center for Women, where she collaborates with a group of remarkable women on an inspiring mission. Together, they train dogs from Charlie's Angels Rescue in Asheville, NC. 🐶❤️

This program is truly a testament to the power of second chances. For eight weeks, these dogs live and train in the correctional facility, receiving daily care and attention. The hard work and commitment from both Tessa and the women ensure that these dogs are well-prepared to find loving families once they complete the program. 🏡✨

At Ruff Life, we are immensely proud of this initiative and the positive impact it has on both the dogs and the women involved. It’s a beautiful example of compassion and dedication in action. 🌟🐕

🌟🐾 Today was an *extra* special Wednesday at Ruff Life! Why, you ask? Well, we had not one, not two, but THREE Bodhis ha...
09/04/2024

🌟🐾 Today was an *extra* special Wednesday at Ruff Life! Why, you ask? Well, we had not one, not two, but THREE Bodhis hanging out with us today! 😲✨ And guess what? For one of them, it was their very *first* day here! Meet **Little Bodhi**—the smallest of the trio, but he sure made the biggest impression! 💛🐶

Little Bodhi may be small, but he had the *best time ever* playing with all the dogs in social today. His absolute fave? A sweet, small white pup named **Finley**! 🐕💨 They were inseparable, but that didn’t stop Little Bodhi from mixing it up with some of the bigger pups too! He had a blast making new friends of all sizes! 🐾🐕

We can’t wait to have Little Bodhi back with us again for more fun, play, and adventures! 🐾💛 See you soon, buddy! 🎉🐕

Address

95 Thompson Street
Asheville, NC
28803

Opening Hours

Monday 8am - 6pm
Tuesday 8am - 6pm
Wednesday 8am - 6pm
Thursday 8am - 6pm
Friday 8am - 6pm

Telephone

+18283658244

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I'm Tessa Sternbach and I have been providing dog training services in WNC since 2014. I can help you address any behavior concerns by providing in home or community 1:1 training, group classes, 1-4 week bootcamps, daily exercise and socialization, and more. I believe in using positive training techniques and replacing problem behaviors with acceptable alternatives to create a happy owner and pup alike. Training Areas: - basic obedience - leash walking - people and dog aggression - separation anxiety - crate and house training - therapy dogs- AKC Canine Good Citizen Tests - new puppy or adoption - special requests Please give me a call with any questions or to set up an appointment.