Ruff World Training
Ruff World Training, based in the Pacific Northwest of southern Washington (Vancouver, WA) is committed to transforming the lives of adolescent-aged dogs exhibiting undesirable behaviors. We offer high-quality online and in-person coaching, private in-home training sessions, day training, and board & train options. Our focus on adolescent dogs sets us apart, and all profits go towards training and rehoming abandoned adolescent-aged dogs. Join us in our mission to combat high euthanasia rates among adolescent dogs by supporting our programs and spreading awareness.
Why Work With Us?
If your dog is exhibiting undesirable traits that you feel you cannot control, it’s crucial to address both behavioral and obedience issues. Many trainers may excel in obedience training but lack expertise in behavioral issues. It’s essential to find a Dog Trainer who can effectively tackle these behavioral challenges before they become ingrained habits.
The Risks of Choosing the Wrong Trainer
Selecting the incorrect trainer can lead to several problems:
- Wasted Time and Money: Ineffective training methods can result in prolonged issues and additional costs.
- Strained Relationship: Poor training experiences can damage the bond between you and your dog.
- Increased Confusion: Inconsistent or incorrect guidance can confuse your dog, exacerbating existing problems.
- Misconceptions of Fixability: Ineffective training may make you feel that the issues are insurmountable, which is a common reason why dogs end up in shelters.
Ruff World’s Approach
At Ruff World Training, our focus is on dogs who may not have had the best start but have the potential to become wonderful family members. Our approach includes:
- Comprehensive Training: We blend behavioral and obedience training to address all aspects of your dog’s issues. Our methods are designed to provide lasting solutions through discipline and structure.
- Long-Term Commitment: We offer ongoing support and guidance, providing tools and accountability to help you and your dog succeed over time.
- Realistic Expectations: We understand that change comes from consistent effort and not from magical fixes. Our goal is to equip you with the skills to manage and improve your dog’s behavior effectively.
Support for Potential Dog Parents
If you’re considering adopting a rescue dog, we can help you:
- Avoid Common Mistakes: We guide you through the adoption process, helping you avoid pitfalls that can lead to mismatches or abandonment.
- Find a Suitable Dog: We offer trained rescues for adoption or help you find a dog that fits your lifestyle and preferences.
Our Mission
The leading cause of canine abandonment is lack of training, with a close second being a mismatch between the dog’s personality and the owner’s lifestyle. Our training system is designed to keep dogs in their forever homes by setting both dogs and their parents up for success.
By choosing Ruff World Training, you’re investing in a comprehensive approach that addresses both behavioral and obedience needs, ensuring a harmonious and successful relationship with your dog.
Relationship
The key to addressing your animal's behavior, is the bond they hold with you.
Communication
Get on the same page, and create a language you both understand.
Manners
Once communication and structure is established, we teach how structure may change in different environments
Impulse-control
The combination of training methods put into real-world situations. Impulse-Control is developed with structure and an understanding of expectations
Making Adoption The Best Option
Why Choose Ruff-World Training & Rescue for Your Next Dog
At Ruff-World Training & Rescue, we recognize that adopting a rescue dog, especially an adolescent one, can seem daunting compared to bringing home a new puppy. We understand the challenges involved, from the complexities of working with nonprofits to the difficulties of managing an untrained adolescent dog. Our mission is to help you navigate these challenges and provide a second chance to deserving dogs.
- Overcoming Adoption Barriers: We acknowledge the roadblocks and frustrations that can arise during the adoption process. Our goal is to help you overcome these obstacles so that you can welcome a rescue into your home with confidence and hope.
- Self-Funded Freedom: As a “for-profit” rescue, we operate independently of government funding or benefits. This allows us to match rescues with responsible dog parents who might not fit the traditional criteria of nonprofit rescues. Our approach is personable and hands-on, ensuring that both the pet and the parent are well-suited for each other, maximizing the chance of a successful match.
- Flexible Screening Process: We believe in a nuanced, individual approach to matching dogs with families. Our screening process goes beyond standard questionnaires, considering factors like lifestyle and personal circumstances to find the best fit for both the dog and the adopter.
The Benefits of Adopting an Adolescent Dog
- Established Personality: By around nine months of age, a dog’s true personality starts to form. Adopting an adolescent dog allows you to choose a pet whose temperament already aligns with your lifestyle. For instance, if you value a dog that is friendly and enjoys interacting with other dogs, you can select a rescue that demonstrates these traits.
- Reduced Uncertainty: With a puppy, there’s always a risk that the dog’s personality may not match your expectations as they grow. An adolescent dog offers a clearer view of their personality, helping you make a more informed decision.
- Long-Term Commitment: Adopting a dog is a commitment of 12+ years. Finding a partner whose personality and temperament fit your lifestyle is invaluable, and adopting an adolescent dog can help ensure this compatibility.
Our Impact
- Combatting Euthanasia: Approximately 48% of euthanized dogs in America are untrained dogs between the ages of 1-3. In 2021, over 750,000 dogs in this age group were euthanized according to ASPCA.org. Our rescue program aims to reduce these numbers by providing training and support to ensure these dogs have a chance at a loving forever home.
Support our mission by considering adopting a rescue dog, participating in our training services, or contributing to our cause. By choosing Ruff-World Training & Rescue, you’re not only giving a dog a second chance but also gaining a partner whose personality aligns with your lifestyle, ensuring a fulfilling and lasting companionship.
My Story & why I do What I do
My name is Dylan Atkinson. I have a soft spot for the unwanted, miss-understood & even aggressive. I understand the path many dogs take because I have lived it myself.
My earliest memory is of my first dog Haylen coming home from the shelter. Almost all my life I have been lucky enough to have a K9 companion. Haylen was my best friend & at times my protector. Childhood was a rough-time, but at 15, thanks to addiction my mother decided to send my current dog to the shelter, while I was abandoned to live in woods.
After a short-time I had been lucky enough to be taken in by a family I had never even met before. I was introduced into a community, helped & given the support & skills I needed to succeed.
After graduating high school I became a professional MMA fighter (16-6). Professionally fighting as well as coaching a youth MMA team for from 2011-2019. Producing one youth IBJJF world champion.
Finally Stepping away from the world of MMA in 2019, I set my sights on another goal, opening my own Rescue.
I was shocked to discover that many rescues do not provide training for the abandoned dogs they take in. Given that lack of training is the primary cause of abandonment and euthanasia, this seemed counterintuitive. With over 90% of shelter dogs being considered untrained, I knew my rescue had to address this critical gap.
After 18 months of preparation and completing professional training courses, I founded Ruff World Training & The Abandonment Prevention Project. Our for-profit rescue is dedicated to training abandoned dogs and educating the public.My goal is to personally train & rehome 1000 abandoned dogs. Showing the world that a trained dog is a wanted dog. By equipping these dogs with the skills they need to succeed in society.
I am committed to changing the narrative around abandoned dogs, showing that with the right training and support, these dogs can become valued members of loving families. Join me in this mission to give these deserving dogs the second chance they need and to make a positive impact on their lives and our communities.
Youth K9 Education
The Gift of dog handling skills
Fundraising
Support rehoming abandoned dogs and youth k9 education.
Services we offer
Coaching and Training services
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