Group Classes & Seminars

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 starting in January. January dates are 1/3, 1/10, 1/17, 1/24 and 1/31
Prerequisites: Consultation with Elise or approval from Elise

Ready to get started?

register for wednesdays at 4pm in january

Tweens class 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
Instructors: Kayla Bailly

Prerequisites: None

Got a dog between 6 months and 24 months old? This might be the class for you! When you lose your sweet puppy to the teenage months, it seems like suddenly they forgot everything they ever learned!

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 Tuesdays from 4:15-5:15pm
Cost: $35 per class
Instructors: Sam Mimitz, CPDT

Prerequisites: None

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 $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. 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.

register now

Is your dog between the ages of 6 months and 18 months? If so, and you've wanted to have your dog play but it's been hard to find the right mix - this is the class for you. Focusing on low arousal, maintaining control, supporting healthy interactions and building friendships is what we are all about!

This is NOT a class to rehab or work on aggressive behavior.

Class is drop-in and meets on Tuesdays (exact times and dates available by clicking registration button).

Instructor: Sam Mimitz, CPDT.

Register Now!

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

saturdays at 11:30am starting january 20th

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: Starts October 18th at 4pm and runs for 6 weeks
Instructors: Elise Gouge, CPDT-KA, CABC, CGC, CFFT

Prerequisites: Advanced Foundations or approval from Elise

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: 2 weeks (November 11th and 18th from 2:30-4pm)

Cost: $100

Instructor: 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!  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.

Kayla Bailly

Sam Mimitz, CPDT

Deane Silsby

Prerequisites: None

Classes are held in our heated training room!

Finished Foundations and ready for the next step? Time for Advanced Foundations! This class builds on the previous one and uses those building blocks to teach more useful skills. We'll continue to practice leash walking, impulse control, and the rest--but also add more advanced work on stay, go to your mat, coming when called, polite greetings, and other important behaviors. Continue your dog's education with 6 more weeks of the core curriculum!

Duration of class: 6 weeks
Cost: $200

Instructor: Sam Mimitz CPDT and Linsey Wenzel
Prerequisites: Foundations

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 11:30am starting december 2, 2023

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

saturdays at 11:30am starting 10/7/2023

register for 11:30am starting march 9, 2024

Check back soon!

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!

register now!

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

Check Back Soon!

Mini-Intro to Swimming

Introduction to Swimming

Duration of class: 4 weeks
Cost: $150
Instructor: Sam Mimitz, CPDT

Prerequisites: Foundations or instructor approval

Register for Saturdays in September at 9am

Mini-Dock Diving

We know you are eager to get back in the water and we are trying to get started as early as possible. We'll be running a short 3 week class, starting in May, to get flying off the dock and back into the water. Registration is very limited so sign up now to be the first one in the pool! Must have previous dock experience either here or another dock diving pool.

Duration of class: 3 weeks
Cost: $115
Instructor: TBD

Check back in 2024 for next year's dates!

Introduction to Dock Diving

Duration of class: 4 weeks
Cost: $150
Instructor: Sam Mimitz, CPDT

Prerequisites: Foundations or instructor approval

Register for Saturdays in August at 10:15am

Intermediate Dock Diving

Prerequisites: Introduction to Dock Diving or instructor approval

Duration of class: 4 weeks
Cost: $150
Instructor: Sam Mimitz CPDT

Prerequisites: Beginner Dock Diving

Register for Saturdays in August at 11:30am

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

registration TBA

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.

Check back soon!

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