Camp Ruff Ruff -Dog Training - Dog Boarding - Walking

I had booked a trip to Nashville and was looking for a new sitter to watch my dog. I wanted someone who understood dogs (and not just loved them) and actually boarded dogs as part of their profession. The fact that Vinny is also a dog trainer and understands all things "dog" really helped me feel comfortable leaving Gunner with him and his family.

Vinny sent me pictures and updates frequently and I knew Gunner was in good hands. What started out as a 4 day vacation wound up being longer due to the blizzard that hit NYC. I was a little stressed about the storm because it meant extra boarding cost and having to figure out when I got back if I would be able to dig my car out to pick him up. Vinny put me as ease. He told me he would give me a blizzard discount and even offered to drive Gunner to my apt if I wasn't able to pick him up when. It all worked out in the end and needless to say I wouldn't hesitate to use Camp Ruff Ruff again in the future.

Thank you for taking good care of my pup. Gunner is looking forward to his next stay!

It feels like my dog is staying with friends not a kennel.

My husband and I relocated to New York from Georgia. For the 2014 Holiday Season, we had to find a kennel for Sunshine, our fear-aggressive, 3-year-old American Eskimo. Previous kennels we had visited required Sunshine to be put through a "stress test." This usually meant a staring contest and then waving hands in front of her face. She failed all of these tests. I tried to explain to kennel owners that Sunshine was fully capable of behaving well given the correct approach. For example, she had successfully stayed in a kennel in Georgia. However, we could not find a good fit and thought about canceling our trip.

That's when we found Vinny and Camp Ruff Ruff.

Vinny drove to our home to meet Sunshine for the first time. Because he knew exactly how to read and interact with a fear-aggressive dog, Sunshine became comfortable with him immediately. Vinny then suggested a carefully orchestrated meeting with Mickey (a permanent Ruff Ruff camper!) to see how Sunshine handled being around another dog. Vinny gave me guidance throughout this second meeting on how to read Sunshine, and the meeting was a success! To ensure the best possible situation for Sunshine, Vinny suggested one overnight stay at Camp Ruff Ruff before the 11-day trip. The brief stay was also a success.

I should point out that in the past, some trainers have expressed doubt that Sunshine would ever be able to be in the presence of strange humans and dogs.

Vinny and Camp Ruff Ruff proved that with the right combination of expertise and patience, it was possible for a fear-aggressive dog like Sunshine to live peacefully in a cage-less kennel with humans and dogs!! Needless to say, we were able to make our holiday trip after all. Vinny sent photo updates of Sunshine and we felt completely at ease knowing she was in the best possible care. Sunshine came home with noticeably more confidence and even listened to commands better.

Thank you, Camp Ruff Ruff, for taking such amazing care of our girl!!