about us

Just Dogs Training was founded over 30 years ago by Gina Lyn Hayes with the belief that dogs need training that fit their family's lifestyle and allows them to be a participating member of the family. Gina believed that families should have a well-behaved dog with the unlimited potential to go where the family goes and do what the family does. 

As a child, Gina grew up with field Irish Setters who provided humor and companionship for her throughout the day. They were the family dogs who also had a job to do on the farm she was raised on. She learned from a young age that dogs can provide unconditional love and perform jobs that help the family.

Gina began working Bloodhounds as an adult, showing in confirmation and working them in law enforcement. She believes it is important to not only have a dog who is a great specimen under breed standards, but also capable of performing the job they were bred to do. Gina eventually became a police officer in Massachusetts and participated in many criminal cases that utilized her Bloodhounds for local, state and federal governments. She dedicated over 8 years to schooling and seminars pertaining to all areas of dog training, working dogs, body language, and psychology. Over the years Gina became an American Bloodhound Club Trailing Judge and Instructor, serving on the ABC Trailing Trial Board Committee. 

Gina returned to her original breed, the Irish Setter, later on. As a member of the Irish Setter Club of America and Irish Setter Club of New England, she remains active in breed education and rescue, even establishing the Cape Cod Irish Setter Rescue group. Gina is an advocate for the breed; many of Gina’s own Irish Setters have been featured in several ads.

In the 1990’s Gina became a National Evaluator for Therapy Dogs International, combining her love of dog owners and their dogs with the desire to help the community. She is an active participate in Therapy Dog work and frequently visits schools, residential cancer centers, museums for children’s hours, libraries, nursing homes, rehab centers and assisted living facilities. Most recently she has partnered with public schools and colleges throughout Massachusetts to establish permanent therapy dog programs with the help of state grants.

Gina has established the first academically accredited high school mentorship program in Massachusetts for dog trainers. She has participated in mentorship programs with Becker College and Wheaton College, as well as taught at the Cape Cod Community College and Bridgewater State College.

Gina has been featured in multiple television segments and written about in national newspapers and breed publications, including Fox TV, Dog World and the Japanese dog magazine, One. 

What first began as a small, local business has since become an internationally operated company. Gina travels frequently to meet her clients around the world to ensure they will have a successful partnership with their dog in their own homes and lifestyles. By recognizing that training doesn't just happen in one location, but rather in many different places she can confidently send her clients back into the world knowing they will be successful.

We currently serve Naples, Florida and Cape Cod, Massachusetts. For national and international inquiries, please reach out via phone or e-mail.