PumpkinPups Dog Training 

Viviane Arzoumanian

Certified Professional Dog Trainer (CPDT-KA). 

My interest in working with dogs and their owners started in 1999 when I learned to groom our Standard Poodle, Shadow.   Admiring comments about Shadow’s haircut quickly grew into a grooming business, which led to my boarding the occasional dog.

When Shadow presented some challenging problems when off-leash in Prospect Park, my interest in training was born.  I read everything I could get my hands on and worked with two wonderful trainers, Deb Manheim, CPDT-KA and Polly Hanson. Shadow’s behavior turned around, and that’s when my obsession with dog training started in earnest.

My (ever continuing) Education:

Soon I was attending seminars and workshops around the country, soaking up knowledge.  While dogs have been some of my best teachers, I’ve also taken advantage of several intensive learning experiences including three week-long internships working with shelter dogs with Pat Miller at Peaceable Paws, LLC and two semester-long online courses through the Harvard Extension School.  These were the Cognitive Dog (the evolution of the domesticated dog from wolves and how dogs perceive and operate in the world) and The Learned Dog (an in-depth study of learning theory).  Most recently (June 2009) I attended a full day seminar given by Dr. Karen Overall, DVM entitled Pharmacological Treatment for Troubled Canines, and a workshop on Assessment of Canine Aggression and how to determine chances for successful behavior modification with Sarah Kalnajs, CDBC in November 2009.

The other canine members of our household:

Toby, our Silky Terrier, joined the household in May 2006,  because he had too many “issues” to live anywhere else….read this last statement as:  every behavior problem I was likely to see in any of my clients’ dogs wrapped up in one, very cute (luckily for him), 14 lb. package.   They do say practice makes perfect….well Toby isn’t perfect…but he keeps me in practice every single day.

Our most recent rescue addition is Pasha, a Silver Standard Poodle, whose calm, playful demeanor, is our gift from the universe in recognition of our patience in helping Toby become a much happier and fun dog.

My Volunteer work:

In the fall of 2007, I was enlisted as a volunteer trainer by The Safety Net/Pet for Life Program, part of NYC’s Animal Care & Control shelter system and the HSUS. The program helps pet owners keep their pets by providing reduced cost vet care, foster arrangements, and training assistance.  In January 2008, I also began to volunteer at Sean Casey Animal Rescue in Windsor Terrace.

When not working with dogs; my husband & daughters and gardening & quilting get squeezed in.

 Toby helping empty the dishwasher

 Nica and Shadow

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