We’ve officially moved our home base to Victoria, BC!
We will continue to offer designated programs in the Comox Valley with limited availability. Please connect for more details.
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 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.
our philosophy
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. It brought clarity, structure, and steady progress that fits naturally into daily life. It’s honest and practical, combining real change with learning how to work with and manage the dog in front of me. No gimmicks. Just real life with your dog.
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.
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
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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
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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.
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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.
our mini pack
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.
