Build Better Behavior with
Group, Private & Specialized Dog Training
At Paws N’ Play, we believe in training methods that prioritize enrichment, positive reinforcement, and real-life application. Our classes are designed to create a well-rounded experience for your dog, focusing on their mental and physical needs while helping you develop a deeper understanding of your pup’s behavior and communication.
Whether you’re starting with the basics or building on existing skills, our classes are tailored to meet you where you are in your training journey.
Join us and discover how dog training can transform your dog’s life—and yours.
Not sure where to start? Contact us for help
Proven Dog Training with Real Results—Trusted by Local Pet Parents
We had been struggling with two dogs that kept urinating inside the house. We were sent to Terra by the coordinators of the dog rescue group. She asked us questions about the situation and gave some very useful advice about how to handle the situation going forward. We're very appreciative of the help and suggestions!
Bill H. - San Jose
She has helped me tremendously with my GSD. I will continue to work with her on our training needs. I am excited to begin to work with her in her new shop and programs. Terra and her co-trainer, Alex, focus on teaching us owners to read and respond to "what is your dog telling you by their behavior?" This has taught me to be keyed into him emotionally and mentally and not just his behavior. Check out her training programs and shop.
Kim J. - Sacramento
Private Dog Training Lessons
Feral to Focused
Advance Obedience or Behavior Modification
$
800
✔️4 Sessions in Home & Real World Settings
✔️Practice Sessions - Canine Community Center
✔️4 Group Class Drop Ins
Our 4-session Private Dog Training program "Feral to Focused" is designed for dogs needing extra support in behavior modification and life skills development. Through personalized, one-on-one coaching conducted in your home and real-world environments, we’ll help your dog transition from reactive or overwhelmed to calm, focused, and confident.
This private dog training program includes:
Four private sessions tailored to your dog’s specific behavior and training needs.
Sessions conducted in your home and in relevant outdoor or public locations.
Behavior modification techniques to address challenges like reactivity, fear, or anxiety.
A focus on building life skills and emotional resilience in real-world settings.
Led by Alex Soliz, Canine Relationship Coach, this program is perfect for creating a customized plan to meet your dog’s unique needs and help them thrive.
Cost: $800 (Payment plans available)
Furry Fundamentals
Advance Obedience or Behavior Modification
$
649
✔️4 Private Sessions - Paws N’ Play
✔️4 Group Sessions - Paws N’ Play
✔️Practice Sessions - Canine Community Center
Our 8-week Private Dog Training program "Furry Fundamentals" Package is designed to build a strong foundation for you and your dog. Through a combination of personalized coaching, group practice, and enrichment-focused sessions, we’ll help you address specific goals, develop essential life skills, and create a positive way of life together.
This private dog training program includes:
Private sessions tailored to your dog’s unique needs.
Guided group practice and independent work at our enrichment center.
A focus on foundational skills, confidence building, and emotional wellness.
Led by Terra Ruiz, Licensed Family Dog Mediator and Canine Relationship Coach, this program is ideal for creating lasting change and strengthening the bond with your dog.
Cost: $649 (Payment plans available)
Group Dog Training Classes
Group training classes at Paws N Play provides a structured and social environment where your dog can develop essential skills while engaging in fun and enriching activities. Our classes are designed to foster positive relationships between you and your dog, while prioritizing enrichment, socialization, and skill-building.
What to Expect from Group Dog Training
Our group training classes focus on creating a supportive learning environment where dogs can practice important life skills while interacting with others. Each session is tailored to meet the needs of the group and includes:
Skill-Building Exercises: Foundational commands like sit, stay, and recall, as well as advanced skills tailored to your dog’s progress.
Enrichment Activities: Fun and engaging exercises like problem-solving games and leash walking practice to keep your dog mentally and physically stimulated.
Socialization: Opportunities for your dog to safely interact with others, improving their confidence and behavior in group settings.
Real-Life Scenarios: Training in real-world situations to help your dog generalize their skills and stay focused in various environments.
Leash Walking Manners
$
25
Packages Available
✔️No Prior Training Required
✔️Practice Around Other Dogs
✔️All Levels of Handlers
Socialization & Play
$
25
Packages Available
✔️Play Stations until Ready
✔️Dog Greetings when Ready
✔️Best Activities for Groups
Relaxation
$
25
Packages Available
✔️Learn Dog Self-Regulation
✔️Learn to Relax Your Dog
✔️Also Relaxing for Owners
Jumping Prevention
$
25
Packages Available
✔️No Prior Training Required
✔️Practice Around Other Dogs
✔️All Levels of Handlers
Polite Paws & People Greeting
$
25
Packages Available
✔️No Prior Training Required
✔️Practice Around Other Dogs
✔️All Levels of Handlers
Basic Manners
$
25
Packages Available
✔️No Prior Training Required
✔️Practice Around Other Dogs
✔️All Levels of Handlers
Basic Manners & CGC Prep
$
25
Packages Available
✔️No Prior Training Required
✔️Practice Around Other Dogs
✔️All Levels of Handlers
Tricks and Skills
$
25
Packages Available
✔️Strengthens Bonds
✔️Enrichment-Based Activities
✔️Builds Confidence
Dog Nutrition
Free
✔️Demystifying dog nutrition
✔️Reading Dog Food Labels
✔️Feeding Strategies
Why Choose Group Dog Training?
Group training offers a unique combination of structure, socialization, and skill-building that benefits both you and your dog. It’s an excellent way to address behavioral challenges, enhance your dog’s enrichment, and build the skills needed for a happier, more harmonious life together. Plus, it’s a great opportunity to connect with a community of like-minded dog owners!
Day Training
What Is Day Training and Why Your Dog Will Love It
Day training is the ultimate way to provide your dog with the mental and physical stimulation they need while building valuable life skills that make every day smoother for both of you. Imagine dropping your dog off for 4-8 hours of purposeful, tailored activities designed to engage their brain, meet their enrichment needs, and teach them the skills they need to thrive.
Our Enrichment & Life Skills Day Train Program is perfect for dogs who benefit from extra attention and structure. This isn’t just training—it’s a transformative experience that helps your dog grow, learn, and flourish in their environment.
What Happens During Day Training?
Every day is packed with activities designed specifically for your dog’s unique needs:
Mental Stimulation: Problem-solving games, scent work, and foraging activities that challenge their mind and keep them engaged.
Physical Enrichment: Structured activities like sniffaris, purposeful play, and exercises that satisfy their natural instincts.
Life Skills Development: Practicing calm behaviors, leash manners, settling, and cooperative handling in real-world scenarios.
Personalized Focus: With hours to spend on your dog, we can assess their behavior, strengths, and challenges in-depth, creating a tailored training experience just for them.
Why It’s Worth It
Day training isn’t just a great way to keep your dog busy—it’s a strategic approach to help them live a more balanced, confident, and fulfilled life. Plus, it’s an amazing opportunity for us to really get to know your dog. Through this process, we create a customized training plan for your family that builds on everything your dog learns during their time with us.
We also provide detailed instructional videos or mini lessons at pick-up, so you know exactly how to reinforce your dog’s progress and make these skills part of your everyday routine.
3 Day Enrichment & Life Skills
$
405
✔️6-8 Hrs. 3x a Week
✔️Real World Adventures
✔️Building Necessary Skills
4 Day Enrichment & Life Skills
$
520
✔️6-8 Hrs. 4x a Week
✔️Real World Adventures
✔️Building Necessary Skills
5 Day Enrichment & Life Skills
$
625
✔️6-8 Hrs. 5x a Week
✔️Real World Adventures
✔️Building Necessary Skills
What to Expect:
Each day of the program will focus on:
Mental Stimulation: Problem-solving activities, scent games, and foraging exercises to engage your dog’s brain.
Physical Enrichment: Safe and structured activities that cater to your dog’s natural instincts, such as sniffaris or structured play.
Life Skills Development: Building patience, calm behavior, and real-world skills like settling, leash manners, and cooperative handling.
Personalized Attention: Tailored approaches to meet your dog’s specific needs and goals.
This is more than training—this is about giving your dog the tools to thrive in their environment while creating a happy, fulfilling lifestyle for both of you.
What Makes This Different?
This is more than just training—it’s about understanding your dog, fulfilling their mental and physical needs, and building the skills they need to thrive. Whether your dog needs a boost in confidence, better leash manners, or just a fun, enriching way to spend the day, this program is designed for them.
Ready to see the difference day training can make?
Board & Train
Give your dog a fresh start with our most comprehensive training option.
The Board & Train Immersion Program is more than just boarding—it’s a full reset for dogs who need to build new skills, gain confidence, or overcome frustrating behaviors.
Your dog will live with a professional trainer and receive:
🐾 Daily hands-on training customized to your goals
🧠 Enrichment and structure that helps dogs thrive
🏠Calm, home-style environment—not a chaotic kennel
💬 Regular updates with photos and progress notes
🔁 Two transfer lessons + optional follow-up support
4 Week Board & Train
$
5,850
Financing Available
✔️4 weeks of overnight stays
✔️1 year weekly drop in classes
✔️4 Group Sessions
The Complete Canine Program in Sacramento is designed to transform your dog’s behavior through personalized training, enrichment activities, and life skills development. Perfect for resolving problem behaviors, teaching leash manners, or building reliable obedience, this program ensures your dog thrives at home and beyond.
This program also includes a full year of group classes and access to a specialty group where you can work with others focusing on the same program, ensuring continued growth and success for you and your dog.
3 Week Board & Train
$
3,675
Financing Available
✔️3 weeks of overnight stays
✔️2 free follow lessons
✔️Discounted follow up sessions
Our 3-Week Board and Train Program is perfect for getting a solid foundation started for your dog. Located in Sacramento, this program focuses on personalized training, enrichment activities, and teaching essential life skills like leash manners, calm settling, and reliable obedience. Start your dog’s journey to success today!
2 Week Board & Train
$
2,450
Financing Available
✔️2 weeks of overnight stays
✔️1 free follow lesson
✔️Discounted follow up sessions
Our 2-Week Board and Train Program is ideal for polishing up skills or reinforcing prior training. Based in Sacramento, this focused program provides personalized attention, enrichment activities, and fine-tunes essential behaviors like leash manners, obedience, and calm settling to help your dog succeed at home and beyond.
Training FAQs
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Yes, we offer all three—private lessons, small group classes, and board & train programs. Every dog and human team is different, so we help you choose the right mix based on your goals, experience, and your dog’s behavior.
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We totally get the temptation—but for most dogs, especially those with impulse control or focus issues, we recommend starting with private lessons first. That way, you can learn the skills without distractions, and your dog can build the foundations they’ll need to succeed in a group setting.
Once you both have the hang of things, group classes become a great way to practice in real-world scenarios. We often recommend a combo of private and group sessions for the best results. -
Yes—and more. We use positive reinforcement as a foundation, but we also recognize that real-life dog training involves all four quadrants of operant conditioning. Our methods are thoughtful, balanced, and adapted to the individual dog—not based on rigid ideology.
We also have a Licensed Family Dog Mediator (LFDM) on staff who uses an ethology-based approach to help dogs and their humans navigate modern life together. By understanding a dog’s genetics, environment, and learning history, we guide families toward sustainable behavior change that works in today’s busy, concrete-jungle world.
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Yes—we work with a wide range of behavior challenges, including fear, reactivity, and aggression. Our trainers are experienced and take a customized approach, whether you're working with us in-home or at our facility.
We’ll meet you and your dog where you're at, build a plan that fits your real life, and guide you both toward meaningful progress—without judgment, gimmicks, or cookie-cutter solutions.
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Yes, Terra is a certified Dog Trainer, certified AKC Canine Good Citizen Evaluator, certified Obedience Intensive Trainer and a Licensed Family Dog Mediator.