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!
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
Register for saturdays from 2:30-4:30
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
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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! This weekly hourlong meet-up is not a traditional puppy class, but a place where your puppy can play and hang out with other puppies. The playgroup is supervised by one of our senior trainers, Sam Mimitz, so puppies are only practicing safe and appropriate play—no bullying allowed! This is a great chance for them to practice those essential dog-dog social skills while they are still young.
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.
Playgroup meets weekly and is run by Sam. It includes handling exercises, playtime, and more! Our playgroup is run week to week but you must register at least 48 hours ahead of time. Classes are $40/hour.
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 and rabies (if old enough). Bordetella, Lepto, Hepatitis, Adenovirus and Parainfluenza are optional.
Formerly Adolescent Manners
Got a dog with some big feeelings about things? This might be the class for you!
This drop-in class will focus on helping your dog calm dog when they are out of their mind with excitement, teaching you tools for managing out of control teens and all their big feelings, finding ways to maintain a positive connection, being able to work around other dogs and handle distractions.
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 5:15pm-6:15pm
Cost: $35 per class
Instructors: Sam Mimitz, CPDT
Prerequisites: None
Foundations I is the perfect place for dogs who have graduated from puppy playgroup but still need to learn how to behave in a distracting environment (before we teach the formal commands). This fantastic class emphasizes all the real-life manners such as taking treats softly, not jumping on people, helping your dog relax in distracting places, getting leash walking on the right track and more! We want you to have a great relationship with your dog so training and obedience feel fun!
Duration of class: 6 weeks
Cost: $200
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! Foundations teaches you and your dog how to communicate and work together, making learning any other cue so much easier. (And yes, we'll still teach them to sit!)
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 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. This class is appropriate for dogs who already have a good grasp of basic obedience and are ready to put it to use!
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.
register for saturday, sept 28, 2024 at 11:30am!
Just looking for the test? We occasionally offer CGC and Tricks testing for people and their dogs. Our next one is schedule for August 8th, 2024 for $15. Preregistration is required!
sign me up for the cgc test in august!
Rally Obedience is a super fun way to work on obedience after you and your dog have the basics down. 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. For over-achievers, you can even be timed to see how fast you and your dog can get through the course! This class will teach you all of the novice signs (commands), how to navigate a course, and all the necessary information if you are interested in competing. Whether just for the relationship, the practice, or because you want to compete, Rally is a really fun and engaged way to work with your dog!
Duration of class: 6 weeks
Cost: $200
Instructor: Sam Mimitz, CPDT
Prerequisites: Advanced Foundations
Dog Swim I
Duration of class: 4 weeks
Cost: $200
Instructor: Sam Mimitz, CPDT
Prerequisites: Swim class or instructor approval
swim i | starts tuesday, june 4, 2024 6:15pm
swim i | starts saturday june 8, 2024 | 9am
swim i | starts saturday july 13, 2024 | 9am
swim i | starts saturday august 17, 2024 | 9am
Dock Diving I
Duration of class: 4 weeks
Cost: $200
Instructor: Sam Mimitz, CPDT
Prerequisites: Swim class or instructor approval
dock diving | starts saturday june 8, 2024 | 10:15am
dock diving | starts saturday july 13, 2024 | 10:15am
dock diving | starts saturday august 17, 2024 | 10:15am
Dock Diving II
Prerequisites: Dock Diving I or instructor approval
Duration of class: 4 weeks
Cost: $200
Instructor: Sam Mimitz CPDT
Prerequisites: Dock Diving |
dock II | starts saturday, june 8, 2024 | 11:30am
dock II | starts saturday, july 13, 2024 | 11:30am.
dock II | starts saturday, august 17, 2024 | 11:30am
Cost: $175
Instructor: Kayla Bailly
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".
Register now for the 5pm class!
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Are you looking to take your training to the next level? In this class, we will be working on advanced training concepts that will help to build a more robust training relationship between you and your dog. Whether you are hoping to do dog sports with your pup, or are just looking for more ways to communicate with your dog in a clear and concise way, the skills that you and your dog gain from this class will help support you along the way!
Drop-In meets weekly and is run by Sam. Our class is run week to week but you must register at least 48 hours ahead of time. Classes are $35/hour.
Please note: before attending your first session, you must provide vet records, including DHPP and Bordetella, and complete our class questionnaire and contract. No children under the age of 12 are permitted at class please. ALL records must be confirmed at least 48+ hours prior to class.
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Are you looking for the next steps with your dog's obedience now that you've completed the basics? Do you love the way it looks when a dog is TOTALLY focused, heeling perfectly and working for their owner? Beginner Novice is the class for you!
Beginner Novice is an AKC class comprised of five exercises - come when called, heeling on leash, figure 8 heeling, sit for exam, sit-stay. Whether you plan to compete and earn some ribbons or you just want the precision and focus that comes with advanced obedience work, the BN class is the perfect place to start!
Duration of class: 6 weeks
Cost: $200
Instructor: Sam Mimitz, CPDT
Prerequisites: Advanced Foundations
Curious about agility, nosework, rally, competition obedience or other dog sports? This 6 week course will introduce you to some of the wide variety of sports out there and help prepare your dog with the necessary foundations to succeed!
Duration of class: 6 weeks
Cost: $150
Next session: TBD
Instructor: TBD
Prerequisites: Foundations or instructor approval
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!
The holidays are coming, and this can mean lots of opportunities for your dog to socialize and get presents—but also to jump up on an elderly relative, steal treats, and generally cause mayhem! This two week class is designed to help you and your dog practice the skills needed to have a smooth holiday season. You’ll work on polite greetings, impulse control, and management techniques and tips to make it through so you and your dog can have the best holiday season possible!
Duration of class: TBD
Cost: TBD
Instructor: TBD
Prerequisites: None
This class is an excellent opportunity to build precision, fluency, reliability and confidence for both handlers and owners. Using a series of exercises performed in a predictable sequence, instead of worrying about learning and listening to new exercises during class everyone is able to work on the same skills to get better...and better and better! Some classes rely on creativity and novelty, this class relies on predictability and consistency.
This class is appropriate for people considering competing at some point, for owners that expect and want highly reliable behavior from their dogs at home and in the community, and people who have completed the basic classes and are looking for a class where it's possible to take the time to get practice in with the eyes of an experienced trainer available to guide you and your dog.
Duration of class: 6 weeks
Cost: $200
Next session: 6 weeks
Instructors: Elise Gouge, CPDT-KA, CABC, CGC, CFFT
Prerequisites: Advanced Foundations or approval from Elise
Duration of class: 6 weeks
Cost: $200
When: Next session TBA
Instructor: Elise Gouge, CPDT-KA, CDBC, CCBC
So, you've completed the basics and you are enjoying training, enjoying the relationship with your dog...but now what? This class is the answer to that question! We will spend our time focusing on quality and precision of your skill set. We will look at what you'd like for goals and work towards them whether it's competing in dock diving, having a bomb-proof off-leash recall, having people over without your dog being a nuisance, doing emotional support work or, of course, just being a good dog at home.
Are you an experienced breed handler, or just starting your journey? Come practice and learn at our drop-in breed handling and conformation practice class! This class will help you improve your skills, gain more experience, and give you and your dog a safe place to practice for the shows!
Cost: TBD
When: TBD
Instructor: TBD
Boredom Busters: Enrichment for Dogs
We will work with you and your dog so you can leave with a bag of tricks to conquer any boredom behaviors like digging, stealing trash, counter-surfing, and more! Join us for this workshop on curbing boredom with your dog, stop problem behaviors before they start, and have fun all at once!
Cost: TBD
Duration of Workshop: 2 hours
Time/Day: TBD
Instructor: TBD
Prerequisites: None
Leash Walking
Want to learn how to manage and prepare for distractions on walks? Would you like to learn new exercises to help your dog check in with you more often on walks? In this one session, hour and a half workshop, we'll discuss all this and more. If you'd like to learn more about leash manners and fine tune your skills, this beginner workshop is for you!
Cost: TBD
Duration of Workshop: 2 hours
Time/Day: TBD
Instructor: TBD
Prerequisites: Your dog must be comfortable working around other dogs and people. If your dog is reactive or frightened around other dogs, we are happy to help you with a private lesson instead!
Trail Walking and Coming When Called
Cost: TBD
Duration of Workshop: 2 hours
Time/Day: TBA
Instructor: TBA
Prerequisites: None
My Dog Won't Train for Food!
Do you have a dog that won't take food when stressed or overly excited? You've tried training where you're told "feed them for doing x" but it doesn't work because your dog won't eat the food! Regardless of whether your dog is too scared/stressed or excited to eat food, there are effective and fun ways to train without food.
Bring your dog for a fun, educational Saturday afternoon workshop!
Cost: TBD
Duration of Workshop: 3.5 hours
Time/Day: TBD
Instructor: Elise Gouge, CPDT-KA, CDBC, CCBC
Prerequisites: None
Reactive Dog Seminar
Our Reactive Dog seminar is a great option if you:
- Want to work on your dog's reactive behavior in a condensed, one day format versus a weekly class
- Want the most economical option for working on reactive behavior.
- Want to get a jumpstart on your dog's behavior before joining weekly reactive class.
- Aren't ready to bring a dog but want to learn how to address your dog's reactive behavior.
- Need a refresher!
- Just like to take advantage of every opportunity to practice!
Reactive Seminars meet for 3.5 hours on a Saturday. The time is a combination of working dogs and lecture. We cover management, dog body language, the human side of dealing with reactive behavior, setting goals, making training plans, and more!
You MUST have worked with Elise or have permission to work a dog in the seminar before signing up for one of the limited working spots. Auditing spots are for people that just want to observe without a dog.
Cost: TBD
Duration of Workshop: 3.5 hours
Time/Day: TBA
Instructor: Elise Gouge CPDT-KA, CDBC, CCBC
Prerequisites: Consultation with Elise or instructor approval
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!