PumpkinPups Dog Training Inc.

Viviane Arzoumanian

Certified Professional Dog Trainer (CPDT-KA, CBCC-KA, PMCT-2). 

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 four 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).  More recently 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.

The current canine members of our household are:

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.

The Willow, a Heinz 57, small German Shepard mix, who arrived on January 18th 2011, through  Sean Casey Animal Rescue as a pregnant foster dog.  Willow delivered 7 healthy puppies on January 19th.  We adopted Willow when the puppies were 4 weeks old, and more recently adopted her daughter Greta.

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.

Our beloved dogs in memorium are:

Shadow, a black Standard Poodle, who died of chronic liver disease on August 5th, 2010 at the age 11, after a long and heroic effort to give him a full life despite his illness.  He was a miracle dog, vigorous and happy to the end.

We suffered a tragic loss on January 2, 2011.  When our rescue Pasha, a Silver Standard Poodle, drowned in the fog and ice on Propect Park Lake.  Pasha's calm, and playful demeanor, was our gift from the universe in recognition of our patience in helping Toby become a much happier and fun dog.  We were graced by her presence for a little over two years and will always carry her in our hearts.

 Toby helping empty the dishwasher

 Nica and Shadow

 BB