Dog Training, Dog Trainer, Victoria BC, Vancouver Island. Leash pulling, aggression, dog reactivity, obedience, dog recall
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Balanced holistic training

Based in Victoria BC - serving Vancouver Island

Practical, real-life dog training that builds trust, clarity, and connection between you and your dog.

Our Training Programs

Choose the program that fits your dog's needs and your lifestyle. Each approach is designed to build lasting results through practical, real-world training.

FOUNDATION

Foundation Programs

Essential skills for every dog

  • Recall & leash manners
  • Place command training
  • Behavioral management
INTENSIVE

In-Home Day Training

Perfect for busy owners who need intensive support

  • Leash pulling & recall training
  • Mild reactivity management
  • Comfort of your own home
IMMERSIVE

Day in a Life Program

Half-day intensive for committed owners

  • Real-environment training
  • Deep behavioral transformation
  • Hands-on owner coaching

our philosophy

our approach

At Isle Dogs, we offer practical, easy-to-follow dog training that fits into real life. Training shouldn't feel complicated or separate from your daily routine — it should work with your life, not against it. Our Functional Obedience approach is straightforward, balanced, and rooted in mutual respect. We'll guide you to develop a no-nonsense communication system you can use day to day — clear, direct, and grounded in reality. It's about building effective leadership and trust through consistent, thoughtful structure.

Mindset over Obedience

Your dog's mindset is at the heart of everything we do. We focus not only on behaviours, but also on how your dog feels and responds emotionally to their world. Nervous system regulation and emotional health guide our training process, helping your dog become resilient, calm, and confident. We work with you to nurture emotional balance and confidence in your dog, helping them navigate the world with calmness and clarity—not just obedience.

Real-life training

Our programs are lifestyle-based: no elaborate setups or ideal scenarios — just real life as it happens. Once the foundation is in place, we take your training into the world — on the trail, in town, at home, and everywhere in between. The goal is to weave training seamlessly into your life so that communication with your dog becomes second nature — something that flows naturally, not something you have to stop life to work on.

Ruth Kasasian - Dog Trainer

Meet

Ruth Kasasian

Years ago, I had it handed to me. I'd worked with puppies and helped so many owners build solid obedience — but when I was faced with my own dog's challenges, the basics just weren't enough.

The thing is, there's so much conflicting information out there. Sifting through it all left me frustrated, overwhelmed, and no closer to real progress. After two years of trial and error, I found a lifestyle-based, functional approach that's adaptable and flexible in both methods and tools — and it changed everything.

Today, I help dog owners build that same trust and confidence — whether they're raising a puppy, navigating behaviour struggles, or working on everyday obedience. Training shouldn't be guesswork. It should be simple, steady steps toward connection.

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a balanced & holistic approach

Balanced Training

Real support isn't about making things easy — it's about showing up with honesty, care, and clear guidance. It pushs your comfort zone and builds resiliance. It's a balance of compassion and accountability, understanding and structure.

staying Holistic

Nutrition, exercise, mental health, socialization, exposure, and underlying issues like illness, injury, or allergies all play a role in your dog's success. We consider each of these factors when building a personalized game plan.

Utilized Tools

We use a wide range of dog training tools to support clear communication and safety. Toys, treats, movement and play. Martingale collars, slip leads, front clip harnesses, and face collars. Prong collars, as well as static, tone, & vibration e-collars.

Miley

Rue is a great trainer. She made us welcome and conducted our private lessons in a professional manner. She was both friendly and knowledgeable and did not hesitate to answer any questions we had. Rue is super flexible and worked around our schedules, which made things so much easier. Her knowledge, support, and calm, friendly approach have been absolutely invaluable. I feel confident now and Miley is off to the best possible start thanks to her. I highly recommend Rue.

-Erla Calahaisn

Benny

Rue knows dogs! We did the in home training package given some unexpected time constraints. Best decision we made. She took an easily distracted puppy and molded him into a lovely family dog. Best of all, she made sure we had the knowledge and confidence to keep working on our puppy's skills ourselves. Highly highly recommend.

-Marlaine Eggett

larry

Huge thank you to Rue for giving us the confidence and tools to manage our reactive Aussie Mix Gunnar (aka Larry). With her help, we were able to create boundaries and increase overall obedience. He is now an absolute joy to walk on a leash and has learned how to reign in his excitement.

-Jodi Einarson

our mini pack

Sage

Sage is our brilliant girl. Always ready for a snooze or a rip beside the bike. She's spicy, intense, and has challenged me from day one, but she's also taught me more than I could've imagined. With Sage, I've learned patience, acceptance, and how to meet a dog where they're at. She reminds me to advocate for her and step in when she needs support.

Sal

Sal is the opposite. This naked little man (a Mexican Hairless) is sweet, sensitive, and dramatically lazy. His greatest joy in life is exploring every blanket in the house like it's a new frontier, then collapsing into a perfectly motionless lump. He's not here for adventure—unless that adventure involves sighing deeply from under a quilt and refusing to move for hours.

Sage & Sal - Isle Dogs Training