Dog’s Play

Dog’s Play offers full-service training for active canines and their people, including classes in obedience, agility, AKC Canine Good Citizen Programs, AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy, Rally, and tricks. They also provide appointments with Behavior Consultant Julie Hughes for problematic behavior and reactivity.

Specific classes include AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy for pups one year or less, focusing on obedience and socialization. Basic Obedience (Obedience I) is a foundational class that includes a CGC assessment. Agility classes are available for beginner and intermediate levels. AKC Trick Dog classes aim to strengthen the bond and offer AKC Trick titles. Obedience II Public Manners is an off-campus class for public access and calming behavior in stressful environments, leading to AKC Community Canine/Urban titles.

Service Dog training is a core program, offering task training, legalities, and obedience, with specialties in psychiatric tasking and mobility work. This includes a 12-week intensive group course with private sessions. Board and Train programs are available for various training types, including sports, basic obedience, socialization, service dogs, and behavior modification, with dogs receiving expert training six days a week. Private Consultations offer one-on-one training at home or the facility, and are required for reactive dogs for initial assessment. Reactive Dog training is handled by Julie Hughes, a board-certified behavior consultant. Additional offerings include Handler & Canine Fitness, Tiny Dog Playgroup for small dogs, and Phone Consults for problem behaviors. Dog boarding and day camps are available year-round for short and long terms, providing play time, relaxation, and custom training solutions for all dogs, including reactive, aggressive, problem, and intact dogs.

Pricing Summary

On-campus drop-in classes are $25, with an additional class in the same week for $20. Private sessions require an inquiry for pricing. Merchandise includes a Puppy Class Workbook for $10, Dog’s Play Tee Shirts for $25, and New Title Ribbons for $10. AKC Titles, ribbons, and medals are purchased separately through AKC.

Boarding and Board & Train daily rates are: General Boarding (no training) $55 per night, Second canine General Boarding $50 per night, Reactive dogs (training included and required) $125 per night, and Board & Train (non-reactive or service dogs) $90 per night. Holiday rates add $10 per night.

Packages include: 3-day Puppy Day Camp Package $225, 5-Day Puppy Day Camp Package $399, 3-day Adult Canine Day Camp Package $225, and One week (7-days) of Board & Train (non-holiday) $560. Fluffy Extras for boarding are priced per session: Stock Tank pool $10, Turn down treat and story time $15, Behavior management with CBD oil, Adaptil, box fan and touch therapy $50, Special chews and or stuffed Kong (Three for $10.00) $10, Muzzle training $20, Conditioning and or agility training $35, and Puzzle time $25.

Online store pricing includes: Phone Consultation – Remote $60.00, Board and Train – Per Day/Night *Reactive* $125.00, 6-Sessions Group Class Session – AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy $165.00, AKC Tricks Class $30.00, Reactive Dog (Post Behavioral Consult) Package Option #2 $450.00, Reactive Dog (Post Behavioral Consult) Package Option #1 $300.00, General Consult Package $330.00, One-on-One Consultation (Non-Reactive) $85.00, Board and Train – Per Day/Night (Non-Reactive) $90.00, Reactive Dog – Group Class – Pop-Up Class $40.00, General Boarding $55.00, Title Ribbons + AKC Paperwork $10.00, 6-Sessions Saturday Group Classes – Basic Obedience $165.00, and 6-Sessions Intermediate Agility Package $165.00. A Service Dog Group Course + Private Lessons is available for $999.

Policies

For adoptable dogs, all sales require completed paperwork, payment, a home check (in-person or video), and sometimes a vet check. All adopted pups come with a first right of refusal contract, meaning the dog must be returned to Dog’s Play if the owner cannot keep it.

For classes, registration, agreements, vaccinations, and RSVP via email are required. Class times are subject to change based on trainer availability. Female dogs in-season are not permitted in class, and rescheduling with Julie is necessary. Reactive dogs are required to take a private consultation first for proper behavior assessment.

For service dog training, dogs must be well-socialized to humans and other dogs and must have passed their AKC Canine Good Citizen test to qualify. While no breed or size restrictions apply, some dogs may not qualify due to temperament. The handler must have a physical or psychiatric disability, and the dog must perform tasks for legal qualification as a service team.

For boarding and day camps, drop-off is after 8:00 AM and pick-up is by 10:30 AM the following day. Late pick-ups require either a day camp option with training or an additional day of boarding. Holiday rates incur an additional $10 per night.

Dog’s Play offers full-service training for active canines and their people. They teach a variety of classes including obedience, agility, AKC Canine Good Citizen Programs, AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy, Rally, and tricks. They also handle problematic behavior and reactivity, with appointments available with Behavior Consultant, Julie Hughes.

Julie Hughes is described as the only board-certified behavior consultant within 100 miles of Gainesville, Florida, and Dog’s Play is the only full-service facility in the area uniquely qualified to handle problematic behaviors. They offer compassionate science-based training using the latest compassionate techniques, committed to problem-solving to help build a full and committed relationship between dog and handler.

The campus features a private, climate-controlled, soft-padded training room, shady grounds, a full-service agility field, and a swim tank for conditioning. They also provide dog boarding and day camps year-round, including options for reactive, aggressive, problem, and intact dogs. Additionally, Dog’s Play occasionally has adoptable dogs available for sale, which have been started in heel work fundamentals, rally, and obstacle training. They also have an online store selling classes, packages, and products like dog food and merchandise.

Accomplishments

Julie Hughes is the Founder, Owner, and Trainer of Dog’s Play Training. She is a board-certified behavior consultant (CDBC) and a certified dog trainer (CPDT-KA), as well as a CGC Evaluator and ACT agility coach. Julie is noted as the only board-certified dog behavior consultant within 100 miles of Gainesville, Florida, through the IAABC.

She has worked with thousands of dogs and felines in and out of shelters, with a particular passion for broken, neglected, and under-socialized shelter dogs. All of her master agility and trick dogs were once shelter dogs. Julie is described as an intuitive, skilled handler who has worked training animals most of her life, teaching hundreds of families how to communicate with their canines to achieve lifelong results. She specializes in helping canines navigate day-to-day tasks and has trained dozens of service dogs for various agencies and the private sector. Her accolades include Master Level Agility, Elite Trick Star Status, and Certified Evaluator for AKC Agility, Puppy Star, CGC, and AKC Trick Dog.

How to Get Started!

To get started, clients must register for classes, complete agreements and vaccinations, and RSVP via email. It is preferred to schedule in advance by emailing dogsplaytraining@gmail.com. Clients should print and complete the Dog Training Services Contract and the Hold Harmless, Waiver, and Assumption of Risk Contract and bring them to class.

To confirm attendance for group classes, private consults, or boarding/training services, clients should email dogsplaytraining@gmail.com or text 772-631-0160. For Board and Train requests, additional Board and Train and Medication Forms must be completed. Reactive dogs are required to take a private consultation first for behavior assessment. Clients can also subscribe to the weekly newsletter for class information and updates.