PumpkinPups Dog Training Inc.

I love the PumpkinPups team because they guided me on how to have a successful walk with my dog through the sensory overloaded city environment. I adopted a frightened schnauzer mix puppy and the team have helped me nurture Ozzy into the confident dog that he is today. The trainers are fantastic in person or on Zoom. Each one of the trainers is insightful, creative, and inspiring in finding ways to support or motivate dogs. I highly recommend people consult PumpkinPups because they will help your dog learn how to relax, be handled, enjoy tricks, scent work and so much more! I keep returning to their weekend Ask the Trainers because it is a joy to hear their advice. Thanks PumpkinPups for making life enriching for Ozzy and I.

I have been a professional dog trainer for over 15 years and have known Viviane for about a decade. She has always been the person I have gone to to discuss anything from business-related issues to tough behavior cases. I always come out of our conversations with new ideas or new angles from which to approach situations - I cant overstate how essential this is being in a field where we are often so isolated by the independent nature of our work. And most significantly, I trust and respect Vivianes input as a kind and ethical person with decades of experience and knowledge which she shares so generously. I recommend Viviane without hesitation to any professional trainer looking for such an invaluable resource.

UPDATE: The owner, Viviane, reached out to me personally to check in after I left my review and to offer a private training class with her. This to me was above and beyond, and my pup and I took her up on her generosity just this past weekend. I feel like I learned a ton from her and would consider seeing if she is available for future private training. She seemed to really get the breed (treeing walker coonhound and not as prevalent in these parts as the doodles lol) and made me feel adept in training our Hubie. It was an unexpected surprise to hear from the business owner herself and learn from her some training skills.I am only writing based on one class. Did the recall class with my puppy and it was just ok. Nothing groundbreaking and I probably learned a couple of things, though I definitely could have learned those same things from a YouTube video and not by spending $125. I know everything in this city is expensive and companies need to charge what they need to charge to stay afloat, but I can’t recommend the class for the price. Not a good value. And I was disappointed that they said they’d be following up with an email and then never did! I think there are better options in Brooklyn.

I am a canine behavior consultant in San Jose, CA. I had a consultation coming up and wanted to get a fresh set of eyes to look over this dog’s behavior history. Viviane’s assessment of how she would proceed with this case was just the ticket. She gave me a new perspective of how to approach this in an empathetic way to connect more deeply with the client. The consultation went smoothy and I now have a new client who is looking forward to working with me to help their dog turn into a good canine citizen. If you feel you are in quandary or just want to see things from a fresh perspective, I highly recommend Viviane as a coach. She will build your confidence and share her knowledge with you. You will come away with new tools that will help your clients.

I would highly recommend Pumpkin Pups Dog Training. The Puppy Essentials classes me and my pup participated in was extremely helpful, in spite of the class being on zoom I felt connected to the instructors and participants. I was able to practice the skills, and get specific feedback from the instructors. I love how caring and gentle they were. The techniques taught are all based on positive interactions. I learned skills that I carried out with my pup in patience and love. Puppy learning especially potty training can be a challenge, but I got really good tips and was reminded consistently that she is a puppy and that she is learning. it helped ease my sense of impatience with the process. over all 5 stars!! The trainers also provide at no cost, a Zoom Ask The Trainer session on Saturday morning at 11am. It is so helpful, all are welcome (FREE) no strings attached ,to ask any dog related questions. I am so happy to be part of the Pumpkin Pups community.

Pumpkin Pups Training School is a gem in the world of puppy training, and I cant recommend it highly enough. My experience with the Puppy Essential Training Course, led by the incredible instructors Alison and Jess, was truly instrumental in getting off on the right foot with building my relationship with my 3 month old puppy.From the moment I reached out to Pumpkin Pups, Vivian, the owner, provided unwavering support that was critical to the wellbeing of my puppy and to my success as a puppy parent. Her dedication to ensuring a seamless transition for my puppy from home to the training environment was invaluable. Vivians personal touch and approach to training made me feel confident that I had chosen the right training school for my puppy.The Puppy Essential Training Course exceeded my expectations. Alison and Jess are not only knowledgeable professionals but also passionate about what they do. Their enthusiasm made each class engaging and effective. The course covered essential training skills and handling and even provided insights into understanding my puppys needs better. In addition, the course fostered community and helped my arrange puppy playdates to support my puppys socialization.What sets Pumpkin Pups apart is the personalized attention and support offered. Vivians commitment to the success of every pup and owner is evident, and her guidance has been instrumental in overcoming challenges. Thanks to Pumpkin Pups, my puppy has blossomed into a well-behaved, happy companion. If youre looking for a top-notch training school with a supportive community, Pumpkin Pups is the place to go!

I attend the virtual trainer Q&A on Saturdays for advice for my different foster dogs (breed, ages & challenges vary). The PumpkinPups team not only gives actionable steps to take but insight to why the dogs behavior may be happening which makes me a more compassionate foster mom. Im so thankful for this wonderful group of trainers helping pups and their humans.

As a trainer starting out in the industry, Ive already found the PumpkinPups Pros membership to be incredibly valuable. Its an affordable monthly rate but has already offered so much to me in just a week of being a member.Ive also loved getting the watch the recordings of their really acool Ask the Trainer event they have every single Saturday, totally free. Its an incredible thing for dog owners, rescue workers, professionals, and everyone in between to get a glimpse into some beautifully skilled trainers who have a way with words and offer FREE support to so many who need it. What an amazing effort! So grateful I discovered PumpkinPups for so many reasons!

My husband and I worked with Viviane at Pumpkin Pups when we adopted a dog with separation anxiety. She spent time with us in our home and although wed had dogs in the past, was helpful in explaining what we might do with this particular dog to overcome the problem. She put together a binder for us with general info as well as info regarding our particular case. She also recommended a book for us to read on the topic of separation anxiety.I now have another dog and although there are no issues will introduce him to Viviane to see what she thinks of him because I value her opinion.

Viviane was my first introduction to dog training and Im very grateful that she was. I knew nothing about positive reinforcement training and thought training was more along the lines of sit and stay. Truthfully, it was a little confusing at first because like anything, positive reinforcement training, especially with a traumatized dog like I had, takes time and effort. But within 8 weeks, the strides we saw were unbelievable. I do not believe there is any leash or collar that could have brought us more significant results. Viviane has an incredible eye for detail and notices everything. She is also the rare trainer that cares as much for the dogs as she does for the humans caring for them. She checks in, takes phone calls, and truly goes above and beyond to make sure that everyone can do their best in the most supportive environment possible. Were very grateful.

Even dog trainers need the help of a dog behavior professional from time to time. I worked with Viviane virtually for help with my dog. She helped me clarify the basic issue I was struggling with, and together we came up with the solution that had been eluding me. She was compassionate and kind and completely honest with me. She really listened to everything I said, asked me questions, and took the time to answer all of my questions. She made sure I had all that I needed by the end of our consultation. 10/10 I recommend Viviane and Pumpkin Pups!

Viviane has been mentoring me for 7 months now, but it feels like years of learning already even if were worlds apart. I live in the Philippines and all our interactions are virtual. We meet weekly via Zoom and she sends me all kinds of resources to study. Because of her guidance, I was able to start taking in clients of my own and help them manage their dogs using force-free, positive reinforcement methods. Viviane also made it possible for me to get my certification from Kim Bropheys LEGS Applied Ethology Family Dog Mediation, which opened a new world of understanding of dog behavior. Viviane is a kind, compassionate mentor who is very generous in sharing her wisdom, training tricks, and insights on an array of behavior issues. She also loves connecting you with people she knows you can learn from, including trainers from PumpkinPups. I can say that my progress wouldnt be this fast and significant if it werent for Viviane and her mentoring skills. Really grateful for the relationship we have! :)

Love the whole Pumpkin Pups team! I’ve taken several of their Zoom classes, individual webinars, and private lessons. I’ve worked with most of the trainers at this point and I find them all to be wonderful. They really know their stuff, they’re truly educated about dog behavior and care about their clients, both human and canine. Also the whole team is always responsive to email and really works to help with any concerns or challenges you’re facing. Love this training community and I highly recommend their services!

I am a dog trainer upstate. I owe my career to this team. Several years ago I reached out in desperate need of help and mentorship. This team took me under their wing and taught me SO much. They teach humans as they teach dogs - with high standards and compassion. Whether you are a trainer looking to learn more or are searching for a trainer for your pup, I cannot recommend Pumpkin Pups enough!

Love all of the Pumpkin Pups trainers so much and have learned with and alongside them for years. As supportive of humans as they are dogs, and do all kinds of great things like a FREE ask the trainer zoom every saturday and FREE puppy socials at Dogtopia in Fort Greene. Recommend them without hesitation to all friends with pups!

I am so glad I made the decision to enroll in the Manners One class at PumpkinPups. Being a first time dog owner, I went into training with many questions and concerns. Every trainer was knowledgeable, kind, and understood that every dog is different in how they learn and adapt. I loved that my class was 4 dogs total, so it was a calm setting for training where my dog was not overwhelmed. Each class felt like it went by so quickly because I was so immersed in learning and training each session. I cannot recommend PumpkinPups highly enough, and I will definitely be going back for more training in the future.

Viviane’s mentorship has been so valuable to me in more ways than I can count! First off, it’s really helpful to speak with someone in the industry that has so much experience helping clients, and can help you decide on the services you should offer as you start your new business or expand an existing business. Because of all her credentials and experience, she is such a valuable resource to discuss difficult cases with. Sometimes you just need a listening ear to confirm the ideas you had on how to go about solving a particularly difficult case, or need new suggestions if you don’t yet have the experience of working with a variety of cases yet. She’s phenomenal at pointing you to continuing education resources as well that are exactly what you need for any area of dog training you feel you need to grow. She also takes the time to go over your website and marketing material and gives such helpful feedback to perfect it so you can be confident and proud to share it with the world! We all need support and guidance and Viviane is so knowledgeable and kind in her approach to helping others. You can’t go wrong with Viviane as your mentor!

My senior dog just graduated from Manners one class yesterday and I’m so proud of the progress she’s made since taking classes at PumpkinPup. I can’t thank our instructors Alison and Julie enough for their guidance throughout the training program. I’m a first time pet owner having recently adopted a dog that never had formal training. I knew she would benefit from classes, but wasn’t sure where to begin or what she was capable of given her age. I’m glad I found the team at PumpkinPups who taught me that it’s never too late to late for a dog to learn.The great thing about their program is that classes are flexible, made up of only four dogs,and led by two instructors. My dog received plenty of individual attention and practice during each session. Classes were engaging and the instructors were so knowledgeable about dog behavior. Practice and learning were also fun and easy to do. The instructors here want your dog to succeed. They’re caring, very practical in their approach, and great at explaining techniques and reasoning. The best thing about the sessions are that although classes follow a set curriculum, dogs are encouraged to learn at their own pace and the instructors aren’t afraid to get creative with their techniques! I highly recommend and am so grateful to now have the tools I need to continue training my dog.

We recently rescued a puppy from Sean Casey & learned about Pumpkin Pups through them. We are new to pet parenting & had some burning questions that we must have Googled a variety of times. It was comforting to have these questions be answered by folks who do these professionally & at minimum are more expert pet guardians than us via their free Ask A Trainer Zoom Session. In many ways, we had our own instinctive ideas and POV, but having a 3rd party non-generalized Google Search response was just what we needed.Above & beyond, so grateful that you exist in the community and that you are all so gracious with your time and generous to share your respective calling 🙏

Viviane at PumpkinPups was wonderful and we were able to coordinate a training session virtually as I live across the country. I heard about the company through a good friend who had nothing but wonderful things to say. Since virtual zoom meetings are so easy, it seemed smart to go with a trainer who had good reviews rather than trying to find someone local. I have a very sweet but large dog (Bernese) who has some strange habits that I felt required a one-on-one training as her needs wouldnt necessarily be discussed as part of a group class. She lays down in the middle of the street during walks, hates to jump in/out of the car or use ramps/steps, and has started to react to strangers when she never used to (but I havent been able to pinpoint what about the stranger makes her reactive.) Viviane was able to describe training ideas and talk me through actions I could implement on our walks. These small changes have made a world of difference. Great company who cares!

PumpkinPups trainers are amazing! We did two classes and two private sessions that helped transform our crazy puppy into a beloved family dog. They are super-educated and professional and very responsive to our constant questions!

Pumpkin pups was amazing! The instructors are professional and friendly and they were super helpful in answering questions by email and in person. I highly recommend them as a place to get your puppy training. The class was most beneficial to us as puppy parents and we have learned a lot. Looking forward to our next set of classes!

PumpkinPups has been critical to the success of my adopted dog, Tarot. When my partner and I got her, she was extremely scared and anxious, but after some great advice and strategies from PumpkinPups, Tarot slowly but surely came out of her shell. Recently, during the pandemic, shes been exhibiting some new, odd behavior, so we returned to PumpkinPups for more help. In short, Viviane and her crew at PumpkinPups are the absolute best, I dont know what wed do without them.

Viviane worked with my 85-lb VERY CRAZY but highly intelligent (reactive yet fearful) German shepherd mix several years ago. I am very experienced with dogs - Ive been a professional dog walker for 13 years -- and yet I still learned quite a bit about how *I* as his human could improve with his handling. Ive since recommended PumpkinPups to several of my customers, and all of them have been very pleased. Highly recommend, including with virtual training that is going on now with covid-19

Ive been meaning to post for a while about how grateful I am for the PumpkinPups community and their ability to really understand where my pup is coming from. We took their Puppy Essentials class (remote) and it was a fun and engaging way to set Tato up for success. I do wish we were able to practice around distractions/other pups in person, but COVID had other plans. That said, our pup was able to enjoy the safe and educational environment of Puppy Socials to learn how to be a dog around other pups -- now hes a total social butterfly around other dogs.Overall, I think what has really stood out to me is how willing their team is to help us along our puppy raising journey, even if were no longer actively in a class. Ive sent worried emails to Alison, one of their trainers, about a moment of resource guarding, concerning potential compulsive behavior, and just general why is my puppy doing this thing and their team, especially Alison, has always been so incredibly receptive in helping me understand my wild bean. Ive also very much loved the Facebook group community to help support one another as well, with periodic check-ins from the entire trainer team.All this to say, PumpkinPups is great. Everyone is knowledgeable, even being remote you feel like youre truly learning about your dog and their quirks. After trying a couple other trainers for in-person classes, I am continuously coming back to PumpkinPups (now, for good) because the team just understands pups SO much better and communicates in the most constructive way.Tato loves you all and says thank you for helping his mom!

I just joined a free Ask the Trainer seminar and it was incredibly insightful. There were 5 trainers present and they gave such thoughtful responses to people’s questions. Will definitely be seeking out more events and support from PumpkinPups!

Amazing trainer and all around person.I called Viviane when I was having some big issues with my new puppy. She immediately put me at ease on that first phone call & went above and beyond by sending me links to address the issues ASAP. I really liked that Viviane genuinely wanted to help me. I never felt like she was just sell me her services (which are amazing btw- great trainer!)I would recommend pumpkin pup training to anyone - I wish I had know about it sooner.

Pumpkin Pups is absolutely amazing!!! My dog Tallulah has grown leaps and bounds with each training and every training session. They have really taught me how to properly train my dog in a loving, fun, and positive manner- it is BY FAR the best decision I have made regarding my puppy. I cannot recommend them enough!

The free online meeting was really helpful! It was a small group of puppy owners asking questions and the trainers answered each question and provided specific and general information to help with training. It was very informative, helpful, and supportive.

I have attended two webinars by Pumpkin Pups and they have been tremendously helpful! The trainers are knowledgeable, caring and they offer a free weekly Ask the Trainer forum! I highly recommend their services for anyone who would like to strengthen their relationship with their dog.

Viviane is a fantastic and very knowledgeable dog trainer. She helped us immensely when our adolescent dog became increasingly people and dog reactive while on leash. We really appreciated her positive, rewards-based approach and she had some great advice for us regarding adapting different training tools to our very crowded Brooklyn neighborhood. For example, many dog training books recommend the look at that game to help create positive associations with triggers and Viviane gave us some really helpful advice on how to use the game but ensure that our dog doesnt become more anxious scanning the environment for triggers. Although we only met with her once, she has continued to be a great resource for us, including helping us find an excellent dog walker/boarder in our neighborhood and connecting us with other dog owners in our neighborhoods (we now have a regular walking buddy - our dog helps her deal with scary noises and she helps our dog deal with strange dogs).

Viviane from Pumpkin Pets worked magic with our dog Vinny and with our whole family. Walks had become really hard with 50 lb Vinny pulling on the leash- and Viviane taught us how to communicate with him in a firm, positive way. Walks are now so enjoyable! Viviane also spent so much time getting to know all of us & Vin, and even helped us enrich Vin’s play time & eating time. Vivian was perceptive, smart, kind, and helpful to us all.

An amazing and compassionate group of trainers. I’ve been to two ask the trainer sessions and I’ve left feeling such relief with the information and support they offer.

We went to them, prepandemic, and really enjoyed the classes. Since the pandemic began , PumpkinPups transitioned to a Zoom call every Saturday morning at 11, called Ask The Trainers. The calls are great! The group is warm, friendly, fun and full of information. Our questions are answered in a friendly manner. We have been on most if the calls, and we get answers to questions we didnt know that we had. We highly recommend PumpkinPups Dog Training!

Pumpkin Pups is the absolute best. The teachers are professional, highly skilled and they genuinely care about your pup. My sweet boy graduated from Puppy Essentials and he and I loved our experience. They are the best!!!

We were about to give our dog up he was so unmanageable. We had done puppy socialization classes and level 1 and 2 group obedience courses with a reputable dog trainer. These helped with some of our dogs bad behaviors, but were not helping us with how to actually LIVE with our dog outside of a walk in the park, obedience and tricks. Our dog is very smart, learned the tricks but also was on alert and had other bad behavior triggers that made being at home unbearable. Before we gave up we decided to give one last try with private training sessions with Viviane @PumpkinPups. She gave my husband and I immediate changes to help manage his bad behavior that included biting, growling, aggressiveness, general puppy anger. She also helped us long term to understand what was going on with our pup and to better recognize what he was communicating.3.5 years later Viviane is still a resource if a question arises or we need a connection in the dog world. There are very few people we trust when it comes to the care and well being of our dog. Viviane can be trusted and shes proved this to us time and time again.I would recommend going to Viviane for her puppy classes if you have a young pup and also using her in a smaller setting as a private trainer. She gets dogs AND people.

Viv has trained with some of the best dog trainers on the East Coast and is a very honest, thorough and seasoned dog consultant, trainer and coach. Viv helped us evaluate a Corgi rescue, which turned out to be even better than her hes a good dog assessment. Viv has also helped us through the process of thinking about either adopting, fostering or buying a big dog or big dog puppy. And while we have not yet gotten our big dog we will not proceed without input and guidance from Viv. When it comes to dogs, Viv does not tell you what you want to hear, she tells you what you NEED to hear as a responsible dog owner. I have seen first hand how she has successfully helped clients overcome bad habits that their dogs have acquired. I highly recommend her services.

I have had the pleasure of working with Viviane as she is my mentor for dog training and behavior. I highly recommend Viviane as she is extremely knowledgeable in all areas of dog training and behavior modification. I am so fortunate to know one of the most experienced trainers in NYC! If you are looking for results, and professionalism then Viviane is for you. Viviane uses only positive reinforcement training techniques. She makes learning fun, and engaging.Anthony De Marinis

Just finished a training session with our dog and Im very impressed, all the solutions were very simple, yet effective. Viviane was incredibly patient with our dog and took the time to answer all of our questions, we will definitely continue our training sessions with pumpkinpups.

Viviane is a truly gifted dog trainer. Indeed, to call her a trainer is too constricting a term. Yes, Viviane will help you train your dog to be a wonderful and collaborative companion in life. However, Vivianes expertise goes well beyond that. She is more of a dog psychologist, applying her knowledge in thoughtful, creative ways with all dogs, and having exceptional talent in working with anxious and/or aggressive dogs. We love and live with a very anxious dog. Viviane has been nothing short of brilliant with her, and a supportive, steady guide in helping us to work with her. If you want to train your dog, or work through an issue around anxiety or aggression with your beloved dog, do not hesitate to give Viviane a call. She is the best.

Viviane is kind, patient and brilliant- with people AND dogs. I can’t sing her praises enough for having helped me with my stair- phobic older gentleman dog Albert. She knew how to read him, understood both his limits but also his eagerness to please and used those insights to help Albert succeed. Bravo and thank you Viviane!! Albert is finally napping happily on his own bed at home.

Learned about the free virtual Q&A thru one of the rescue orgs involved in our foster dog’s placement. These ladies were super helpful in answering our questions about reactivity on walks and leash pulling due to excitement. They are fun, knowledgeable and non-judgmental. Thank you for providing this service!

Loved the trainers here and the class we took. Puppy Essentials got our new pup started off right, and taught us a ton of fun tricks for making her training process easier.

We brought our big, anxious and more-recently-very-leash-aggressive dog to Viviane. Id been warned by a few others that, to be effective, wed need harsher methods than she espoused, and we came in desperation, half hopeful and two-thirds skeptical. My Plan B was a no-nonsense dog bootcamp, the idea of which stressed me to no end, and which I was trying to make peace with in advance. I didnt want to consider Plan C.Viviane expressed confidence in both Lennys and our own abilities to learn and do better. In two sessions, first at her place and then at ours, she armed us with information, suggestions and encouragement. (One of the many ideas I would never have come to own my own: dont distract Lenny with a treat before he spots the potential trigger, but give Lenny a treat once he has seen the trigger, so he will come to associate scary person with treat.)We have practiced, practiced, practiced. For a long time, taking Lenny out, armed with all the new tools from Viviane, was still a heart-pounding experience. But we learned to be more vigilant and more pro-active with Lenny on walks and in other possible trigger situations, such as houseguests. It has gradually become easier for all three of us and, with successful experiences, we are more relaxed. Though we will always need to be watchful and keep up our training, we know that Viviane is available should we have a question or require a refresher session.We heartily recommend her!

Really great trainers!! They are so kind and knowledgeable. We really enjoyed their Manners 1 Class!

We started the puppy essentials class just a week after getting our pup. At first we thought it might be too soon but instead we found ourselves thrilled that we didnt wait a day longer. The class provided us with a ton of helpful information and hands on experience. Our puppy was able to socialize with other dogs and over the course of the class gained so much confidence. We have just signed up for Manners one and cannot recommend Pumpkin Pups highly enough.

They know how to train humans to train dogs 😁 helped me out with my dog and were super kind to my kids, even when they were helping *really hard*.

Viviane and PumpkinPups were INVALUABLE in helping us navigate a very difficult dynamic with our territorial cat and our new rescue puppy. They are passionate, empathetic, knowledgeable, professional trainers and behaviorists that truly care about you and your animals ability to connect and communicate. I truly consider Viviane our animal/pet therapist, she helped us reframe our thinking in order to be more helpful to our pup in his training and behavioral struggles. Completely changed the game in how we think about our pups behavior and how we can set him up for success and help him be more confident in his environment. Highly recommend Viviane, PumpkinPups, and all of their trainers!

Pumpkin Pups is the best! I highly recommend them.

The best, without reservation.