Home | Ruff Life Certified Professional Dog Training Asheville

SATISFIED OWNERS. HAPPIER PETS.

Bring your chihuahuas and your great danes, and everything in between, to see how a little training can create a lot of joy for you and your dog!

Are you looking for a knowledgeable Asheville dog trainer to help with a new puppy, recent adoptee, or long-time canine family member? Look no further! Tessa Sternbach, owner of Ruff Life Dog Training, has been training since 2014 and is a Certified Professional Dog Trainer, Knowledge Assessed (CPDT-KA). She is here to help with any training need ranging from basic obedience and housebreaking to complex behavioral consultations related to dog or people aggression, separation anxiety, and more.

The relationship between an animal and its owner is a unique connection. Ruff Life Dog Training uses positive training techniques and replaces problem behaviors with acceptable alternatives to create a happy owner and pup alike. Please check out our reviews, and contact us today.

Ruff Life offers Professional Dog Training Services to Asheville and surrounding areas: Enka, Candler, Canton, Hendersonville, Fletcher, Arden, Fairview, Mills River, & Brevard.

I look forward to working with you and your pup soon! ~Tessa

Tessa Sternbach, CPDT-KA

Ruff Life Dog Training - Asheville,

Certified Professional Dog Trainer, Knowledge Assessed.

We are open and here for you during COVID-19: Please note our modified hours for socialization, and class times, which we will continually post updates on this website. We are taking all precautions to sanitize, clean and keep both you and our staff safe! Questions or concerns, please contact us today!

“Tessa is excellent with dogs (and people!) - seriously a miracle worker! Patient, attentive and calm even during moments of chaos! Highly recommend her services!”

Rachael A. - Weaverville, NC

“Cannot recommend Tessa highly enough! We initially worked with her for basic puppy obedience and have gone back over the past couple of years to address certain issues and for pup socialization. She provides the tools and training to humans to effectively train and command respect from their dogs. Her training was instrumental in laying the foundation for how great our dog is today (not that we are biased 😉). We recommend her to all of our friends with new (or old!) pups.”

Emily U. - West Asheville, NC

"Tessa did an amazing job with our dog who had some significant aggression concerns with other dogs! She was very patient and taught my partner and I how to implement some amazing techniques to help combat our dogs aggression! She also taught us so much about dogs group dynamics and we loved watching her socialize our pup! She is wonderful, kind, respectful, incredibly knowledgeable and affordable!”

Tom T. - Fletcher, NC

“Tessa is an amazing trainer! Her patient and knowledgeable guidance totally transformed our formerly out-of-control, mind-of-his-own German shepherd into a delightful companion and one of the best-behaved dogs at the park! We cannot thank you enough, Tessa! You changed our life!”

Sharon G. - Hendersonville, NC

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"Tessa is the best dog trainer I’ve ever worked with. She helped my super anxious rescue pup with his basic commands, and I honestly think he loves her more than me. 🤣 Archie whimpers every time he goes to “school” with Tessa! Plus, he’s so much better walking on the leash, leaving things he’s not supposed to be getting into, staying and waiting like a good boy, and being around other dogs. I wouldn’t recommend anyone else!!!”

Briar D. - West Asheville, NC

“Tessa commands respect with every dog I’ve seen her handle- she is able to identify the little issues that your pup may have that lead to bigger problems, and shows you how to correct them step by step. Her positive attitude and keen eye enabled us to establish and maintain a great working relationship with our pup. I wouldn’t go anywhere else!”