I can't find the address of the Ruff House - where is it?
The training center is located at 2925 N. Monroe on Spokane's near northside near the foot of the North Monroe Street Hill. When you register, you will be sent a confirmation packet which includes a map, directions and other information by email or regular mail. Students may drop in for supplies a few minutes before or after regular class times. The training center is not open when classes are not in session.

I forgot to mail my check for a class that I registered for, is my spot still secure?
In most cases, yes. If you have received a confirmation for a class, we will do our best to hold your spot until the first week orientation. However, your spot is not guaranteed until we receive your tuition check. If you registered late and have received confirmation, you may bring your check, profile and vet permission slip with you to the first class. If we have a long waiting list, we may contact unpaid students to verify that they indeed plan to attend. If you registered and your plans change, please let us know ASAP so we can give your spot to someone else.

Is it possible to observe a class prior to enrolling?
Absolutely. Please email to arrange a date and time to visit our classes.

Can I wait until the first day of class to pay or post date the check?
We are happy to work with you. Email to discuss options.

Do you offer any discounts?
$5 off discount on your first class for shelter or rescue adoptions with a copy of adoption paperwork!
$10 off senior citizen/disability discount for students in regular classes (not applicable to Service Dog classes)
10% discount if you register for 2 or more sessions at the same time (i.e. one check for both beginning class and next level prep class).
$30 discount when you register for our Behavior 101 Lecture series and a training class on the same tuition check.

My husband/wife/son/daughter would like to work with the dog, too.
Is this appropriate? Can they attend class, too?
Your entire family is invited to attend together and take an active part in the dog's training. Please see our policies regarding kids in the classroom, appropriate ages, etc..

What collars / leashes / other equipment will I need?
As no two dogs are alike and no two families are alike, we do not have a standard issue "all dogs shall be fitted with collar X" rule. A well-fitted buckle collar (meaning one that will not slip off over the head) is a first choice collar, realizing that strong dogs or active dogs with small people may need "power steering" to make it easier for both to have a constructive learning experience. We carry loaner collars and will let you borrow and try them before you purchase a different collar for your particular dog. The primary recommendation is to bring them in what you are currently using and we'll make suggestions as we see fit.

Leashes: leather is best and will last your dog's lifetime if you take care of it. Nylon is fine. No chain leashes or flexi-leads in class. A four-foot leash is plenty long enough.

Do you use food in training?
Yes, we do. And cheering and praise and toys and ear scratches and belly rubs and real life rewards. Your job will be to select and use rewards that motivate your dog the most so he will be able to resist distractions and give you his undivided attention and focus. Food, praise and pets are the most easily given. Toys may also be used, although it does tend to break up the flow of the training session as the dog will need to stop and enjoy the toy in order for it to be rewarding. If you don't give him the toy when he's worked to earn it, you are merely teasing him. Go here for an article called "Work to Earn".

What skills will my puppy learn in the Puppy Pre-school and Headstart level classes?
Your puppy will learn the basics - "sit" "down" "stand" "stay" "come" and "let's go" (walking on leash). We will also cover commands like "off" (don't jump on grandma) and "leave it" (don't steal things off the counter.) We will also address typical puppy behavior concerns like mouthing, chewing inappropriate items, and house training. We will cover basic dog care issues like grooming. There will be class time each week for questions and answers and general behavior problem solving.

My dog is a puppy, but my schedule won't allow me to come to either of the Puppy class dates - what should I do? Do I need to wait til he/she's older?
You may register your puppy for any of the Headstart classes. Younger dogs may register for the 'older dog' classes, but older dogs may not register for the 'younger dog' classes. Why? We have playtime in the puppy classes and the puppies are encouraged to be social - adolescent and adult dogs develop personal space issues as they mature and tend to date instead of play.

What is the difference between Puppy Preschool, Puppy Kindergarten and Headstart?
The only real difference is age of the dogs in the class *see above* - the curriculum and handouts are the same for all three classes. Click here for more info.

I have an older dog who's never had any training - is it too late to start training?
Not at all - of course the fewer weeks, months and years a dog has "practiced" the behaviors you are wanting to revise, the easier it is to change them. Behavior that has become "habit" will be more resistant to change. (You have to erase a few things as you write the new ones - puppies have a clean slate!) But we've had dogs as old as 15 come for classes (the family got a new puppy and didn't want her to feel left out) with great success.

I've started some training at home, should I still register for the beginning level?
Since the exercises in the advanced classes build on the foundation laid in the entry level classes, it is important to start at the beginning, even if your dog has some skills already. Many dogs who know things pretty well in the kitchen at home, still need to learn how to focus on the owner in a busy class setting. If your dog has attended a beginning level class at another school, you may begin at the Prep level.

What vaccinations do you require prior to attendance?
We abide by the recommendation and vaccination protocols set forth by your personal licensed veterinarian for you and your particular pet. Vaccination efficacy, schedules, risks and dangers are under study and change and many veterinarians are adjusting their recommendations accordingly. For this reason we do not dictate exactly what or how many vaccinations your pet must have prior to class attendance. We feel this decision is best left to your personal veterinarian. Your dog or puppy must be seen regularly by a licensed veterinarian and deemed to be in good health, free of communicable disease or parasites, and adequately protected against disease for your dog's health and the health of our other students.

My dog isn't spayed - what if she should come in season during the class session?
Intact dogs will of course find the group activity a bit more distracting than spayed or neutered dogs. An in-season female can turn a male's brain to mush in an instant and add an element to the classroom that can be a bit trying for all concerned (and successive classes for days afterward.) So if your dog comes into season, she will need to postpone her class until the next session, and we strongly advocate spaying and neutering!

A typical estrus cycle lasts 27 days. 9 days coming in, 9 days in standing heat (when she can get pregnant and may do ANYTHING to get there) and 9 days going out. She will be cranky with other dogs the first and last 9 days but will drip messy discharge on the floor throughout (less so on the days she is most likely to become pregnant so don't let your guard down just because there isn't as much mess on the carpet!) and she may be attractive to male dogs within a 4 mile radius the entire time.

I've just finished PPS / Puppy K / Headstart - what class comes next?
You have just completed a beginning level class. The second level class is the Prep School clicker class. All of our beginning level classes move on to the Prep level. There are three available Prep classes each session and they often fill quickly, so reserve your spot early.

Should I take some time off and practice what we've learned so far before registering for the next level of classes?
It sounds like a great idea in theory, but our experience has been that most people intend to, but don't practice as much as they wanted to. Some admit that without a class to come to, they didn't practice at all. The continuity of moving ahead with the dog's training while it's "on a roll" far outweighs the benefits of taking the time to perfect what he's learned already in almost every case.

What is clicker training?

Do I have to use a clicker in Prep class? Where do I get one?
You will receive a clicker as part of your enrollment in Prep class. No, you are not required to use the clicker, you are welcome to use a verbal marker instead. But here are some good reasons the clicker is more effective than a verbal marker when teaching new skills and perfecting old ones.

My dog is really afraid of other dogs / shy around people / nervous in new situations / sometimes acts out - what class should I take?
Most dogs come out of their shells and become more comfortable in a a basic Puppy or Headstart class. But for dogs with more serious issues, we will evaluate your dog and may recommend the Social Skills class prior to attending a regular class. Be sure to provide detailed information about your dog's specific issues so we can best help you make the right class choice and make your class experience as positive as possible.

My dog acts aggressively toward other dogs/people, can he come to class?
Before enrolling in a group class, we require that you attend the Leadership Class to address issues regarding your relationship with your dog. We will also assess pro-active ways to manage and handle your dog and discuss whether or not a group class situation would be best for this dog and safe for the other students. Before enrolling you may also be required to schedule an in-home evaluation to determine if your dog is appropriate for a class situation or if private behavior modification is required instead.

Diamonds in the Ruff specializes in dealing with special needs dogs, with careful consideration paid to the safety and quality of class for our other students. Many unsocialized dogs act out in a class situation, but as they begin to feel safe in a controlled class environment, they soon settle in and begin to relax. When good experiences outweigh negative ones, the dog's need to be defensive gradually subsides and the dog's comfort level increases.

Policies regarding dogs with aggressive tendencies toward animals or people:

• The dog must be handled by a responsible, alert and physically capable adult. (No 100 lb dogs with an 80 lb handler, no children on the end of the leash)
• The dog may be required to wear specific well-fitted and strong collars and leads, most often Gentle Leaders and in some cases, muzzles as deemed necessary to control and redirect the dog's outbursts quickly and safely.
• The dog will be seated carefully in the class situation, at a safe distance from the other dogs or in an adjoining room if necessary.
• The handler must at all times be aware of not only his own dog's behavior, but the proximity of other students (dog & human.)
• If the dog is disruptive or makes the other students uncomfortable, we reserve the right to excuse the dog from class, with a refund or transfer to private consult.

We do not allow the following:
Dogs who have been deemed by the court system as "Dangerous Dogs"
Dogs who are too large and/or too intense to be handled safely in a class situation.

Do you offer Board & Train services?
On a very limited basis for special circumstances we occasionally take dogs in for training. We feel very strongly that the training of the HUMAN is far more important than the dog's training. For this reason we discourage pet owners from sending their dogs out for training. (more ...)

Will there still be class if the weather is crummy?
Unless the State Patrol advises that everyone stay off the roads unless it's an emergency, classes will be held as usual. You may make up a class missed due to weather or illness.

What is your transfer / cancellation / make-up policy?
Because our classes are limited to 8-10 students per class, classes frequently fill weeks in advance. Last minute cancellations and transfers can wreak havoc with the balance of the class registrations. Please check your calendar carefully and plan to attend the class you sign up for. Catch-up sessions are available. Should an emergency or illness occur, please call as early as possible to make arrangements for transfer to a future class. Transfers must be taken within 60 days. No refunds after week 2. There is a $35 transfer fee for transfers after week 2.