Group Classes & Seminars
Group classes & seminars are held at Ferry Hill Farm in our fenced in fields as well as our indoor training room. To see the schedule of classes, please go to our calendar. You can view the classes, start dates, time and day, and cost. You can also access the registration link from the calendar!
The drop-down menu has a list of the classes and workshops we offer. We are phasing out listing registration links here and moving them over to the calendar. So, although you may see some registration links in the drop-down menu, check the calendar for a full listing of ALL classes and registration links. Thank you!
Our puppy class is on Saturdays from 1:00-2:00 pm. It is run by one of our senior trainers, Sam Mimitz, CPDT. It is safe, fun, and highly interactive.
Does your puppy need some buddies?
Bring them to PBC’s Puppy Playgroup! Socialize your puppy during the most crucial developmental period of 8-20 weeks. Join us for a fun, educational hour dedicated to helping your puppy grow to be the best possible canine companion! Class meets weekly on a drop-in basis--you just need to check in beforehand! Please note, you must provide vet records including current vaccinations and a clean fecal. There is no prerequisite. No children under 12 at playgroup please.
Do you have puppy questions?
Bring them to Puppy Playgroup too! Hang out with other puppy owners and enjoy the opportunity to ask your trainers about housetraining, what to do about those sharp little teeth, crate training--all the little questions that pile up.
Want to work on a solid foundation for your puppy?
This is not a training class—but that doesn’t mean your puppy won’t be learning! An hour is way too long for puppies to be running around wrestling, so the play will be broken up with short sessions practicing essential skills like being held for nail trims, learning that crucial “off switch” so they can relax, or teaching your puppy to check in with you around distractions (like other puppies!).
Enjoy socialization and enrichment opportunities!
Puppies will be provided with a variety of toys and games to explore and encounter, with age-appropriate obstacles to conquer. Depending on availability, specially selected guests may be present to help expose your puppy to a wide range of people.
Please note: before attending your first session, you must provide vet records and complete our class questionnaire and contract. This playgroup is for puppies age 8-20 weeks. No children under the age of 12 are permitted at playgroup please. ALL records must be confirmed at least 48+ hours prior to class.
Puppies are required to have proof of clean fecal, distemper, parvo, Bordetella, and rabies (if old enough). Lepto, Hepatitis, Adenovirus and Parainfluenza are optional.
Got a dog with some big feelings about things? This might be the class for you!
In this class we will focus on helping your dog self-regulate and stay calm when they are out of their mind with excitement, teaching you tools for managing out of control dogs and all their big feelings, finding ways to maintain a positive connection, being able to work around other dogs and handle distractions. No aggressive/reactive dogs.
A drop-in class means you register week by week. Each class is one hour. The first class for newcomers is without your dog. Humans only! This will give you a chance to talk to the instructor, see what class is all about, and learn the ropes so that when you bring your dog to the next class, you are ready to roll!
Duration/Day of class: week to week, one hour, on Fridays from 5:15-6:15pm
Cost: $35 per class
Instructors: Sam Mimitz, CPDT
Prerequisites: None
There's a lot more to having a well-trained dog than teaching them to sit! This 6 week course focuses on the foundation skills that make up the base of all future training: teaching your dog to pay attention to you, develop impulse control, and calm down when you ask them to. We all want a dog that can wait politely instead of stealing food off the coffee table, calmly sit instead of knocking your visitors down, and walk nicely on a leash--to get there, work on your foundations!
Duration of class: 6 weeks
Cost: $200
Prerequisites: None
In Foundations 2, we will build on the concepts learned in the first class and use those concepts as building blocks to teach more useful skills. This includes practice with leash walking, impulse control, handling, and so much more!
Duration of class: 6 weeks
Cost: $200
Instructors: Please check out the bios for our trainers on the About page! Check individual class descriptions to see which trainer is teaching which class.
Prerequisites: None
Is your dog ready for the holidays? Living with your dog during the holiday season can be fun and stress free with holiday manners! In this 2-week workshop we will go over impulse control techniques, polite greetings, and stays, all in situations that you and your pup will find yourselves in over the holidays.
Duration of class: 2 weeks
Cost: $150
Instructor: Sam Mimitz, CPDT
Prerequisites: None
Intro Intensive
Missed the first time we taught this amazing course? Join us for the class that will change the way you leash walk and make it possible to enjoy walks for years to come.
For 3 weeks you will learn structured and specific tools and exercises to get your dog walking smoothly and softly.
In class one you will learn and practice the mechanics of good leash walking. How to hold the leash, where to hold it, how to use it, how long it should be and so on. With training games and activities you'll leave with new tools and techniques for how to make loose leash walking a success. Dogs will learn a series of foundation exercises that will be the backdrop of all future walking.
In class two, you will take all of the mechanics we practiced earlier and apply them to working with the dog. You will take what you learned and what the dog learned and put it all together. Then, we start adding in distractions and problem solving how to handle those down the line.
Class three will be in the community and we will be putting everything we learned into action. Again, using training games and structured activities we will apply all of the learning, the mechanics, the practice and new tools to walking in the community!
There are no prerequisites except coming to class focused and ready to work. This class is not for reactive or aggressive dogs. All dogs must have distemper, parvo & rabies vaccines.
Taught by Elise Gouge, CDBC
Advanced Intensive
Hold onto your horses because this class has it all coming at you. Wobbly bicyclists, partying teenagers, loose dogs, skateboards, people on crutches, & more. We will meet in various locations (no advance notice so you are as surprised as possible) and you won't know what or where things are coming from. This opportunity to hone your loose leash skills will have you and your dog celebrating being an utterly unshakeable, unstoppable team.
This class includes a fair amount of walking so please be prepared with comfortable shoes, clothing for outside weather (rain or shine) and lots of treats.
Intro Intensive is a prereq. This class is not for reactive or aggressive dogs. All dogs must have distemper, parvo & rabies vaccines.
Taught by Elise Gouge, CDBC
___________________________________________________________________
Novice Tricks (AKC)
Cost: $200
Instructor: Sam Mimitz, CPDT
Prerequisites: Foundations or instructor approval
Cost: TBD
Next session: TBD
Instructor: TBD
Prerequisites: Intermediate Tricks, or instructor approval. Your dog should already know a nose touch, paw, and "front paws up on a platform".
Is your dog a good citizen? Show everyone that they have the manners to be polite and respectful while out and about by earning their Canine Good Citizen (CGC) title! The CGC is a 10 item test designed to evaluate your dog in a variety of real life situations, such as loose leash walking and greeting a friendly stranger. Any dog can be a CGC, and passing the test grants them a title certificate from the American Kennel Club. Our CGC class is designed to help you prepare for the test.
Duration of class: 6 weeks
Cost: $200 (includes test fee*)
Instructor: Sam Mimitz, CPDT
Prerequisites: Advanced Foundations or instructor approval.
*If your dog is not already registered with the AKC, there will be an additional fee of $19 to submit the Canine Partners form along with their CGC application.
Starts Saturday February 22, 2025 at 11:30am
Just looking for the test? We occasionally offer CGC and Tricks testing for people and their dogs for $15. Preregistration is required!
Register for Real Life Drop In
___________________________________________________________________
Rally Obedience is a super fun way to work on obedience after you and your dog have the basics down, and a great way to continue your dog's leash walking education with a fun twist! Courses are set up with a series of obedience commands listed on signs. Work your way through the course, performing each command when you reach the sign. This class will teach you all of the novice signs (commands), how to navigate a course, and more!
Duration of class: 6 weeks
Cost: $200
Instructor: Sam Mimitz, CPDT
Prerequisites: Advanced Foundations
___________________________________________________________________
The pool is closed for the winter. Please check back Spring 2025 for the next set of class dates!
Dog Swim I
Duration of class: 4 weeks
Cost: $200
Instructor: Sam Mimitz, CPDT
Prerequisites: Swim class or instructor approval
Dock Diving I
Duration of class: 4 weeks
Cost: $200
Instructor: Sam Mimitz, CPDT
Prerequisites: Swim class or instructor approval
dock diving | check back soon!
Dock Diving II
Prerequisites: Dock Diving I or instructor approval
Duration of class: 4 weeks
Cost: $200
Instructor: Sam Mimitz CPDT
Prerequisites: Dock Diving |
This class is only available for clients who have had a behavior consultation with Elise or another consultant at PBC (or permission from Elise)!
Instructor: Elise Gouge, CDBC, CCBC, CPDT-KA
Join us for a weekly class working on you and your dog's skills to handle environmental triggers such as dogs and strangers. This class goes by month by month. After a consultation with Elise, you can sign up for as many months as you like. Have a vacation of holiday plans? No problem, skip that month can join us the next. The month by month set-up ensures that you can come as long as you need to get the practice and skills you and your dog need, without breaking the bank or requiring a huge commitment.
Class format includes relaxation and massage work, focus exercises, impulse control, exposure to triggers in a safe, successful manner, and more. First class is without dogs.
Duration of class: month by month
Cost: $40/per class, paid monthly at the start of the month
Date & Time: Wednesdays at 4pm (goes month to month), next session TBD
Prerequisites: Consultation with Elise or approval from Elise
Ready to get started?
Email our Training Department to either schedule a consultation or, if you've already had one, get the link for class registration!
Does your dog struggle with nail trims? You're not alone! Lots of dogs find getting their nails done a stressful or even frightening experience. In this two hour workshop, we will help you work with your dog to make nail trims a positive experience. We'll break everything down into small steps so you and your dog can be successful and turn your grooming nightmares around!
Get our monthly newsletter packed full of helpful training tips! 
