About Paws N’ Play

Pink neon outline of a smiling woman with glasses and long hair, wearing a shirt with a star on it.

Woman Owned

Neon pink line drawing of a dog treat or medal with a bone symbol in the center, hanging from a ribbon.

Certified

A pink outline of a heart with geometric stripes representing the Intersex-Inclusive Pride Flag on the inside.

Proud Ally

As a woman-owned business and a proud ALLY, our mission is to help your dog thrive and provide you with the knowledge and tools you need to succeed as a dog owner.

Whether it’s through training, nutrition, or play, we are your go-to resource for creating a happy, healthy life for your dog.

Join the Journey

Our Mission

We strive to:

Deliver Exceptional Canine Care: By offering high-quality products and holistic options that cater to the unique needs of every dog.
Foster Strong Bonds: Through expert training programs that enhance communication between dogs and their owners, with special support for reactive dogs.
Build a Thriving Community: We partner with local dog businesses to support their growth and enrich the lives of pets and their human companions.
Create a Welcoming Environment: Ensuring a safe, inclusive space where all dogs can thrive, and their owners can feel supported.

Our Team

A woman, Terra Ruiz, with pink highlights and tattoos on her arm holding a brown and white puppy outdoors, smiling happily.

Meet Terra

Founder • Canine Relationship Coach • Licensed Family Dog Mediator

I’m Terra Ruiz, founder of Paws N’ Play, Sacramento’s first canine community center—a space built for dogs and the humans who love them.

What started as a solo journey helping families navigate reactivity, stress, and confusion around their dogs’ behavior has grown into something much bigger. After years of one-on-one work through Wholistic Canine, I created Paws N’ Play to offer a place where dogs can learn, play, and thrive—and where trainers and pet professionals can do the same.

I’m a Licensed Family Dog Mediator, lifelong learner, and firm believer that dog training isn’t about control—it’s about connection. My work combines ethology, learning theory, and real-world coaching to help families build lasting, functional relationships with their dogs.

At Paws N’ Play, I’ve cultivated:

A welcoming space for all dogs and all people, with programs focused on enrichment, behavior, and everyday life skills.
A collaborative environment where trainers are respected, supported, and welcome to train, rent space, and grow their practice—without competition or gatekeeping.
A judgment-free approach that recognizes each dog’s genetics, environment, and learning history. No shame, no blame—just teamwork.

Whether you’re here to train, stay, or just wash the mud off your dog after a good romp—I’m glad you found us.

Welcome to the community. 💛

Meet Alex

A woman with long dark hair wearing sunglasses and a gray T-shirt kneels on a grassy field, holding a large German Shepherd dog with its tongue out, under a partly cloudy sky.

Trainer • Chaos Coordinator

Alex brings a wealth of experience to Paws N' Play, having spent 7-8 years raising and training police dogs from 8 weeks to their finished state. With 13 years of involvement in Schutzhund and competition obedience, she excels in working with reactive and insecure dogs, puppies, and herding/high-energy breeds.

While she has a preference for dogs over 25 lbs, Alex is dedicated to helping any dog as long as the owner is committed. She loves working with medium to large dogs and thrives on partnering with owners who are enthusiastic about training and eager to follow directions.

At Paws N' Play, Alex is the driving force behind all board and train programs, ensuring each dog receives the highest level of care and training.

Meet Reid

Man in a grey suit kneels next to a large, seated Doberman, and holding a purple and white award ribbon.

Reid’s journey with dogs started young, sparked by early obedience classes with his childhood golden retriever. That love for learning and communication only deepened as he raised puppies for multiple service dog organizations, walked behaviorally complex dogs to support himself through college, and volunteered with local rescues along the way.

Since beginning his professional training career in 2018, Reid has built a well-rounded foundation across pet manners, behavior modification, and dog sports. He currently teaches dock diving at the Michael Ellis School for Dog Trainers and brings a clear, motivational style to both sport and pet clients. His favorite areas of focus include dock diving, conformation, competitive obedience, and barn hunt.

Reid’s approach is grounded in clarity, consistency, and strong handler-dog engagement.

Whether he’s helping a family dog learn calm greetings or fine-tuning performance behaviors, he brings a thoughtful and encouraging presence to every session.

When he’s not training, you’ll find Reid hiking, paddleboarding, or behind a camera. He shares his life with his fiancée and three dogs: Stark the Doberman, and Tahoe and Wade Wilson, both Labrador Retrievers.

Trainer • Canine Sports Enthusiast

Meet Rebecca

Rebecca grew up with dogs, and as a toddler her two best friends were a Saint Bernard and a long-haired Dachshund. In the early 80s, she and her grandmother signed up for competition obedience classes, and at 10 years old, Rebecca earned her first AKC title with her dog Curry, a Labrador Retriever.

As an adult, Rebecca switched breeds and dog sports. In 2000, she got her first Doberman, Mia, began taking agility classes, and got hooked on the sport. Shortly thereafter, she got her first Miniature Dachshund, Kya, who lived for agility and naps, and then a second Doxie, Nate, who became her heart dog but had no interest in competing.

Rebecca currently has 4 dogs— Mila, a Dobie, and Gabriel, Carder, and Elliott, all Doxies. Her dogs have multiple Agility, Canine Good Citizen, Trick Dog, FastCAT, and Fetch titles, and Mila is working towards her MACH (Master Agility Champion).

Rebecca is an AKC Agility Course Test Evaluator, AKC Trick Dog Evaluator, AKC Canine Good Citizen Evaluator, and AKC Fetch Judge. She lives in East Sacramento.

Agility Coach • Chaos Creator

Meet Sparkles

A black and white cat lying on a bottle of pet food labeled 'identity' with the tagline 'Personality in Pet Food.' The cat is looking at the camera with green eyes and has a black collar.

Official Store Treat Thief • Puppy Whisperer

Adopted from Bradshaw Animal Shelter in October 2023 at just 2 lbs, Sparkles stood out from the crowd of chaotic kittens by doing… absolutely nothing.

While others meowed, clawed, and climbed for attention, she simply chilled. Calm, curious, and composed, she greeted me with a purr and a stretch when I opened her kennel—and I knew immediately she was the one.

I needed a kitten with a strong temperament to grow into a confident shop cat: social, adaptable, and dog-savvy. Sparkles fit the bill from the start. She didn’t flinch when loud noises happened. She didn't hide. She observed. She assessed. She passed the vibe check.

Raised from 2 lbs to queen of the store by my friend Devin of 3D Dog Training, Sparkles grew up smack in the middle of a working dog kennel—inside a catio, surrounded by canines. She learned dog language fast: when to engage, when to bolt, and how to train puppies to respect her space with one look.

Today, Sparkles reigns supreme at the shop. She’s not just a cat—she’s an entertainer, an enforcer, and an occasional thief (mainly treats). Puppies adore her. Dogs respect her. Customers fall in love with her. She’s everything a store cat should be: bold, brilliant, and just a little bit bossy.

Our story began many years ago with a simple yet profound realization:

Dog owners needed a place where their beloved pets could play safely and joyously.

It was clear that beyond the need for space, there was a deeper need for personalized care, education, and a sense of community.

This realization gave birth to our canine community center, a place where every dog and their owner are treated as unique individuals with specific needs and desires.

Plan My Visit

A retail store with a wall display of colorful food and shopping bags, a section of rubber tennis balls, and dog toys and accessories, with a welcoming sign overhead that reads 'Furry Friends and Happy Hearts'.

A woman, Terra Ruiz, with pink hair and glasses standing outdoors with her hands in her pockets, looking at a large dog sitting on a pink elevated platform, with greenery and flowering bushes in the background.

As a Licensed Family Dog Mediator and Canine Relationship Coach, I have spent countless hours understanding the intricate dynamics between dogs and their owners.

This experience has taught me the importance of providing not just a space, but a sanctuary where dogs can thrive and their owners can feel supported.

Our staff is dedicated to spending quality time with each client, learning about their unique needs, and guiding them to the resources that will best support their journey.

- Terra, Founder

A woman, Terra Ruiz, with pink hair sits on grass playing with two puppies, one with a reddish-brown coat and the other with a light brown and white coat.

Education is at the heart of our mission. We believe in empowering dog owners with the knowledge they need to enrich the lives of their pets.

From training tips to understanding canine behavior, we are here to help our clients foster a deeper bond with their furry companions.

Our commitment extends to trainers as well, offering them a safe and controlled environment to work in, far removed from the hustle and bustle of large stores.

Here, they can feel welcomed and supported, allowing them to focus on what they do best: helping dogs and their owners.

Our center is a proud supporter of rescue organizations.

ShepHeroes being the one we work with the most.

We provide a welcoming space for rescues to host events, bringing together dogs in need with loving families.

This community-focused approach extends to our store, which serves as a hub for our wonderful neighborhood in Sacramento.

We are more than just a business; we are a community dedicated to enhancing the lives of dogs and the people who love them.

Small dog with a colorful bandana playing with wooden puzzle toys on the floor in a therapy dog training room.

Through years of experience, dedication, and a heartfelt commitment to our mission, we have created a haven for dogs and their owners.

We invite you to join us in this journey, where every wagging tail and joyful bark is a testament to the love and care that defines our community.