The address of the Ruff House
Since the Ruff House is a residential home and not a business address with office hours that the public can just "drop in" to, we give out the address only to those registering for class. When a person registers, they will be sent a confirmation packet which includes a map, directions and other information by email or regular mail.

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

Transfers, cancellations and make-ups
Because our classes are limited to 8-10 students per class, our 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. Should an emergency or illness occur, please call as early as possible to make arrangements for transfer to a future class.

Standard policy is they can make-up in another class of the corresponding week if they are sick and can't come. Should they or their dog become ill or injured and they are unable to complete the current session, they can transfer the balance of classes to the next session, but they must arrange it in advance. It is the student's responsibility to make the arrangements in advance.

If they transfer to a future class, they should be encouraged to transfer to a class with the same instructor to avoid complications of who gets paid for what and who. If you want to invite them to come back for all four weeks if they were your student to begin with, that is up to you. Often it is easier to do it that way.

Transfers should take place the following month, however I realize there are extenuating circumstances and will be considered on an individual basis.

If a dog comes in season during a 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, not to mention lead neighborhood dogs on a path to our doorstep.) So if a dog comes into season, she will need to postpone her class until the next session, and 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 remind them not to let their guard down just cuz there isn't as much mess on the carpet!) and will be attractive to male dogs the entire time.

Aggressive dogs in the classroom
Before enrolling in a group class, we recommend owners of aggressive dogs attend the "Attitude Class" to best assess how to handle their dog and whether or not a group class situation would be best for this dog and safe for the other students.

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.
Dogs who make the instructor uncomfortable.

Shelter and Rescue dogs
Dogs who have been adopted from a shelter should wait a minimum of two weeks before enrolling to make sure they are not going to come down with kennel cough, etc. Shelter and rescue dogs receive a $5 discount on their first class.

Using Pre-recorded music in class
Diane has expressed an interest in adding some "Freestyle" components into her Fun & Games classes and her hubby Chris expressed his concerns that playing music during class was copyright infringement. Dana met with Larry (Inland AV Co.) this morning and they discussed at length the legalities and risks involved, real and imagined. Based on his expert knowledge of the field, this is our stand on the issue:

As a business owner we realize there is a potential risk in playing pre-recorded music on the premises while practicing with your dog, as we do in the Choose To Heel© and other classes. We have determined that the risk is minimal to the point that there should be no concern on the part of instructors, assistants and/or students in the use of person tapes, cd's etc. in practicing your rhythm and cadence in class. We also take full responsibility in continuing students and instructors to do so in the future.

Our reasons for this decision include:

1. We are not using music to enhance our business in order to draw more business.
2. We are not using music to promote our business or any part thereof.
3. There is no intent on our part to use music in order to draw business from another similar business.
4. The playing of music in class is not a standard, but rather a special case. and...
5. There is no malicious intent on our part toward the composer's work, business, or to cause harm to the original composer.

Should our students intend to go into the show ring or other public performance, they should be aware of and take personal responsibility for this issue themselves.