Ruff Club

I was intrigued and considering joining until I opened the puppycam page. I have been watching it off and on all day. Seen three different ppl watching the dogs. None of which have even attempted to play with or even seem like they like dogs for that matter. The first guy with his man bun sat on a stool the entire time. One of the dogs attempted to get in his lap and he didnt even put his arms out. he kept them folded over his chest. I don’t see any toys and I haven’t seen any of the dogs play with each other all day… Won’t be joining.

I walked in here a few times to get more info but every time I walk in, there’s no one at the desk. I end up standing around for several minutes and just leaving.
One time, someone actually came out as I was walking out the door after waiting several minutes so I asked them about pricing and they didn’t know the prices off the top of their head, they ended up directing me to the website instead.

Ay, yi, yi! The phone and desk girls are VERY cold and unfriendly. Snobby even. What? Girls, it’s Avenue A. Get over yourself. Guess I’ll just have to look into the other BILLION dog daycare options in Manhattan. Ruff off!

Our little Maltipoo, Newport LOVES it here! He runs in the door when we arrive and has become a much more confident /​social pup since bringing him here. When he comes home he will eat, run around for about 10 minutes and then pass out for the night. Its amazing! (especially if we have dinner plans, we don’t feel bad leaving him again.)
Everyone is really sweet to him, (even though he is THE yappy dog). Alexa has helped us in many ways with little pointers on how to train him better. Everything she’s told us to do has worked almost right away. I actually cancelled a trainer session to get him to stop barking at us after taking her tips — she really knows her stuff!
Thanks Ruff Club!

walked in here with my wife and got nothing but attitude. They literally rolled their eyes as if we weren’t good enough to be in their presence and kept saying our application would probably not be approved and we’d have to wait a year for the waiting list. Also, no one was even paying attention to the dogs, they were all on their phones and chatting with each other about their scarfs and mustaches. Terrible. No thanks. You’re not better than anyone else and your store sucks. Enjoy being horrible people.

I rarely write reviews on Unilocal,but I couldn’t ignore the infuriating customer service my husband and I received yesterday. We are in town for 4 months for business and need a place for our pup to play during the days while we are at work. I called to get more information and the woman I spoke to (who I can only assume is the owner others have mentioned), was incredibly rude on the phone. I told her our situation and she vehemently stated that a prorated membership fee of $ 149 is NOT an option (we are only here for 4 months, mind you). OK, fair enough. I ask if we can come in to check out the facilities and she says yes. So when we walk in with our pooch a couple of hours later, 4 people, one of whom was the same woman, are at the front desk and look at us as if we weren’t supposed to be there. Nobody greeted us or asked us «How can I help you?» — basic customer service manners. We again explain our situation and the woman again stated the membership fee and said we could fill out an application «if we want,» but that we’d have to go on the wait list. My husband asked how long that is. «A year,» she says, unsympathetic to our situation. I ask if there are other dog daycares in the area. She says, «A couple.» That’s it. She doesn’t give us their names — like she doesn’t want to give anyone else business even though we clearly were not welcome at this daycare. Completely rude. For anyone thinking of applying to this pretentious place, I’ll just say we’ve been to two other daycare facilities in the area since then (Paws and Relax and Happy Paws) and the customer service was already a million times better than the Ruff Club. Basic kindness goes a long way and for someone that is going to be caring for my dog all day, is an absolute priority. I wouldn’t have taken my dog here even if we had been «accepted.»

I have only seen this from from the webcam and it SEEMS to me that the people just stand there os sit there on their phones and have very little interaction with the dogs. Would not take my dog there

My dog Mylo (a rescued mid-​large size lab retriever mix) drags me to the door of the Ruff Club while wagging his tail everyday. I think is pretty clear he likes to go.
We have been members for over a year and we absolutely love the club and trust the wonderful people that run it. Alexia, Eli, Danny, Rebeca and the rest of the team are just great with dogs. They treat each one of them like it was their own pet, they are super affectionate with dogs but will also train them and inform you of any behavioral issues that might arise. I am so happy I found them an I know my wonderful dog is in the best possible hands.

I have been taking my Yorkiepoo Harlow to Ruff Club for just over a year and heartily recommend it to all local dog owners.
The owner, Alexia, really goes the extra mile for all of the dogs at Ruff Club. Harlow is so excited to see her every time we walk in the door. When I go out of town, she (with my permission) takes Harlow home with her and lets her sleep in the bed just like Harlow does with me. I’ve used many of the city’s top doggie daycares and boarding facilities but that was definitely a first! And when Harlow having dietary problems, Alexia helped me find a new food brand that wouldn’t upset her sensitive stomach.
Ruff Club not only makes sure my angel has fun and gets love throughout the day, but they also work carefully to reinforce training and maintain good behavior in all the dogs, even after each dog passes the temperament test that is required for all members. Safety is always a concern for me in daycare because Harlow is very small but I never have to worry about her at Ruff Club.
The webcam is a great bonus for me as I love to check in on her throughout the day from my phone.
As for Disco T and Suzy K: Any assertions about «coldness» or «scolding» are ridiculous. Dogs are reined in only if they jeopardize the safety of other dogs, which is exactly the way it should be. And only the warmest and most dedicated of owners would bring her charges not only into her home but into her bed — given, Harlow is EXCEPTIONALLY cute but still ;-)
Every time Harlow goes to Ruff Club she comes back tired, happy and healthy. What more can a puppy mom ask for?

Aw, I feel bad for Susie K’s pup that he or she is going to miss out on Ruff Club! I can’t really articulate how great Ruff Club has been for my little guy, Whisky, or how much he enjoys it.
I got Whisky as a year-​old, painfully shy rescue. He was terrified of other dogs and despite a year and a half of attempts at socializing him and trips to the dog park, he just cowered, miserably. I was nervous before bringing him in for his temperament screening but Alexia was really great about explaining the process and assuring me that Whisky wouldn’t be disqualified off the bat because he was a scardey cat. As expected, Whisky found being around other pups initially terrifying but Alexia worked with him and me to gradually make him more comfortable. He graduated to full days after a week or two in and for the last six months, he’s been a gleeful five day a week Ruffian. He loves Ruff Club — he starts pulling me about three blocks away and jumps all over Alexia as soon as he sees her.
Since starting Ruff Club, Whisky is a notably happier, better-​adjusted dog. He’s able to play with other dogs and even make eye contact with people. Even my neighbors have commented on the change in his demeanor!
Alexia’s love of dogs is evident, as is her commitment to the health and happiness of the dogs in her care. Whisky is skinny and a fussy eater and almost every time I pick him up, Alexia excitedly reports on the success of whatever trick she’s used to coax him to eat that day. Six months in, Whisky has gained three pounds and a whole gang of new canine and human friends.
(Note: while my name also happens to be Alexia, I can assure you I’m not the one who owns Ruff Club — though I wish I were!)

The Ruff Club Rocks!
My dog Ruby is as social as dogs get. There is not a dog or a human that she does not want to run up to and say ‘hi’. She is the mayor of our neighborhood. I couldn’t see her just sitting around in my apartment all day while I’m at work. I looked into other day care places for her but once I found the Ruff Club, Ruby and I found a home for life. Alexia, Eli, Rebecca, Rudy, and Michelle (apologies if I’ve omitted someone) are simply amazing. Ruby loves them and they love Ruby. If your dog has a lot of energy and needs to be with others, then this is the place to go. You will not be sorry. I wouldn’t wait another minute — fill out the application and let your dog be the happiest it can be at The Ruff Club. 5 stars from me and 5 high fives/​woofs from Ruby.

Ruff is a great place for your dog. I started taking my Frenchie (he is my first dog) there about a year ago and at first I was a bit hesitant to hand him over to strangers. After the first meeting the owners and staff made me feel really comfortable and my puppy seemed to love them. They genuinely cared for my dog and for all the member dogs. It was also reassuring that they didn’t accept all dogs that walked in. They temperament test the dogs and will not accept if your dog does not pass. That’s not to say your dog needs to be perfectly trained but if he/​she has aggression issues around treats/​other dogs then your dog may not get accepted.
Over the past year the Ruff team has been a great resource for information. When my dog was having stomach issues the Ruffers gave me great tips for food options. They have also offered great suggestions for treats, toys, and training.
They also do great events/​parties like a pool party (a very controlled environment with a sprinkler and a couple of kiddy pools and lots of staff) and a doggy First Aid class. Their events are social meet ups for members and are designed to make us better pet owners.

The Ruff Club has revolutionized our rescue dog’s life and I can’t say enough kind words about the place and its owners!
Though our rescue pup Oscar is an odd, nervous, skittish guy who rarely opens up to people outside of his inner circle, he was welcomed with open arms by the team at the Ruff Club and was immediately obsessed with them. To say that Oscar is beyond taken with the owners is an understatement — I literally have to rip him away from them whenever i pick him up. Seeing not only how much joy he gets from going to ‘the club’ every week, but also how much being there has expanded his socialization skills makes me beyond trilled. And it’s not just my dog who is taken with the place — I see the same joy in the other dogs and their owners as well.
Many doggie daycares in the city are impersonal, robotic and clinical. The Ruff Club is the antitheses of this norm — their familial, neighborhood-​y take on daycare is obvious in their ethos, care and their facility. The Ruff Club is not only a daycare, but a one-​stop shop for dog expertise — they have helped guide me through discipline/​training theories, vet choices, medical treatments, game recommendations, and have even sent my dog personalized get well cards when he is sick and can’t go to the club. You literally cannot find a more involved, loving, and knowledgeable team than at the Ruff Club.
We give them two very enthusiastic paws up!

At risk of dog owners everywhere swarming to get their doggie into da club, i am telling the people that the Ruff Club is truly urban doggie heaven.
When I first rescued my dog, the whole idea of a dog walker coming into my home didn’t sit well with me and just when I was heading back to a full time gig, the Ruff Club opened it’s doors. My dog trainer had told me about the place and a few of my dog owner neighbors had just started getting their dogs in so, nervous, that he wouldn’t make the cut, I took my little guy Koli in for a temperament test.
My first impression of the Ruff Club was that it was a, clean, well-​maintained, stand-​up establishment, with just the right amount of east village edge, and they have never faltered from this impression. In fact, they have only grown to impress me more and more with their caring, attention, and genuine love of the business of pooches.
My dog has been a regular at the Ruff Club for just shy of a year now and they treat him like he’s family. When he was ill, Alexia and Eli helped me get through it, making vet referrals, and tracking his day for me so I knew exactly what was happening with him.
They really are some of sweetest people I’ve come across in the NYC dog world, which can be a little bit nutty. I can’t imagine anyone having a negative experience here. Yes they will give you feedback on your dog’s behavior or even his poop, but this is not judgement (if you take it that way, you’ve got bigger issues), this is just helpful feedback to make your’s and your canine’s life better.
My dog is a well-​trained, diesel, sexy little machine and it’s in part because of the hard work the staff here put in to reinforce my training. This is the only place I can leave him where his separation anxiety doesn’t kick in for him and he loves everyone who works here.
It’s always amazing to me how well they all know each of the dogs and their personalities and what will and won’t work for a particular dog. I feel really confident that my dog is in the best hands at an establishment that truly understands the canine and dog owner mind. We are Ruffians for life.

Almost every time I go in to Ruff Club, I just have to tell Alexia what a life-​saver she is. I simply cannot put in to words exactly how amazing they are. The pup LOVES going here (maybe a little too much?), and gets a happy little hop in his step when we head towards The Club. I LOVE going there because I feel like I have a friend I can chat with and not seem like a totally crazy dog lady.
My dog is a very challenging case– to say the least– since he is a herding breed, he likes to put in his 9 – 5 in just like the rest of us. At the «cookie cutter» pet care places I have tried in the past, they just let him (and the rest of the dogs, for that matter) run completely wild, which obviously ends up amplifying bad habits.
The moment I walked in to Ruff, I knew it was different.
— Thought 1– «The owner (Alexia) is here! And she cares about what’s going on! And she’s the one screening my dog! And she is chatting with me about how it went! Sweet Baby Jesus, I had no idea a place like this actually existed!»
— Thought 2– «They’re working with my monster to try to correct any bad behavior they notice! Er.mah.gerd. So great.»
— Thought 3– «They are actually having a rational conversation with me about how I can be a better dog owner. Jackpot!»
Bonus points: They actually take your dog out for walks– most places either charge for this, or don’t even consider it. Just another example that shows they actually care about your dog.
I have been consistently going there since just after they opened and can’t imagine what my day-​to-​day would be without them! I’m also pretty sure my dog would put me up for adoption if ever there came a day that Ruff was not in his future.
Re: A previous poster’s super-​rude comment– My dog is pretty feisty and he has never been reprimanded for obvious play behavior. Sounds like that guy’s got a case of «Puppy can do no wrong syndrome» — Eeks! Alexia will tell you if she has noticed behaviors about your dog that need some work, but since when is that a bad thing?! Any feedback she’s given me has been warranted, constructive, and most importantly, for the purpose of helping me train my dog to the best of his abilities. Dogs need structure. At Ruff Club they give it lovingly (with playtime galore!).

I didn’t think I could love a Doggy Day care but I absolutely love the Ruff Club. As the place is family owned and operated, they have a vested interest in making sure you are happy and your dog is well cared for, so their customer service is great. A few of my favorite things:
1) My dog loves Alexia and Eli. Loves. Sometimes more than he loves me.
2) Cage-​less overnight boarding. If you ever have to leave your dog over night, the Ruff Club staff stays with your pup at the day care OR they take him/​her to their apartment. It’s like a doggy sleep over.
3) Doggy cam. Why waste your time with Facebook when you can watch your pup play?
4) Drop off service. If you can’t get to your dog, they bring your dog to you.
Definitely recommend.

I do not usually write reviews on Unilocal however i had to set the record straight.
Alexia, the owner, is amazing. She loves every dog and to call her a bad person is simply ridiculous. Just walk in and meet her and you will see. Us dog owners are notoriously protective of our animals and i cant help feeling that perhaps some of the personal insults from other reviews have come from dog owners with perhaps not the most well behaved pets.
The place is superb, state of the art. It’s basically Disney land for dogs. I trust my dog completely with them. I travel a lot and never have a worry. Join. You, and your dog, will not regret it. I am a first time owner and they have helped me in far more than just daily care — i get advice on food, toys, leashes, everything… they are great.

Also, ask about the dog who managed to get out, run into the street and be killed by a car. They wont deny it.
Owner is an ABSOLUTE B****.
No pun intended.
Never take your dog here.
My dog has never been happier to leave this place. They don’t allow larger sized dogs to play. When a dog so much as shakes his rump in puppy-​playing joy they scold them.

Ruff club is amazing!
My Frenchie, Zooey, hates walking in the snow, but whenever she realized we were going to ruff club, she would pick up the pace and rush me all the way there. I’ve tried some other neighborhood options for daycare, but ruff club is in a league of its own. The owners really care about what they’re doing and are always very present. The staff seems patient and kind with all the attendees. The space is also super clean and the workspace for humans is great. The hourly daycare and boarding options are also very convenient.
Ruff club is an east village/​les gem! And thanks, Alexia, for taking such great care of Zozo! :)

I have been desperate to find a place for my miniature schnauzer, Alfie, and the Ruff Club met all of my criteria: friendly staff, knowledgable, affordable, tech savvy (fbook/​twitter, live streaming) and above all, caring. This is not «doggie daycare» but rather an extension of the kind of love and care you give your dog every day.
I can not speak more highly of owners Alexia and Danny as well as the entire staff. Not only are they professional but they know every member and dog by name! Alfie and I are fortunate enough to live around the corner from the Ruff Club and everytime we see a staff member (on or off the clock) they always stop to say hello and give Alfie a scratch! This has been THE BEST New York experience I have ever had with my dog! I could not recommend the Ruff Club more!