PumpkinPups Dog Training Inc.

"I can't say enough good things about Viviane. She is a true professional. She put us completely at ease and was able to break down the training into very simple terms. She made everything seem like common sense. She has wonderful tactics, great techniques and is a natural with dogs.

With three daughters, Viviane assessed our situation and was able to adapt the training in accordance with our needs. Looking back,  Viviane didn't train our dog... She actually trained us! We are forever grateful."
.....Nadia, Kola and family, Park Slope, Brooklyn

 "At the beginning our goofy, excitable dog was so wound up he could barely learn a thing in class.  Viv was endlessly patient and imaginative in coming up with ways we could work to get his attention, and help him get hold of himself.  By the last class, he was a model student, and of course those skills have carried over into "real life" in countless ways!                  ……Sara, Robert & “Buce,” Ft. Greene

Peanut has always been obsessed with food, and her pantry raiding was very frustrating.  Viviane’s close questioning revealed the possibility that perhaps Peanut’s behavior was driven by a real need for more calories and higher quality nutrition and was not simply an annoying habit. Since we changed her to a better quality food that is higher in protein and fat, we have noticed a pretty significant change in Peanut's behavior.  Peanut has been calmer and generally seems more satisfied with her meals; she doesn't try to steal the ferret food at every opportunity, and has been less interested in our food at meal times. 

I think the other major factor responsible for her amazing behavior change (including no pulling on leash) was our excursion to the beach this weekend.  I have never seen her so happy or so tired.  I almost can't believe the difference we've seen in her.  We've always known exercise is very important for dogs, and thought we were doing a good job, but Viviane pointed out that Peanut has a much higher need for exercise than most dogs!  Seeing her so happily exhausted; we are going to try our hardest to get her out much more on the weekends.  Hopefully it will get cooler next month and it will be easier to do a few more mountain climbing trips.  In the meantime, she will have to settle for long walking tours of other, less humid cities in Taiwan!

We will certainly keep you posted on Peanut's adventures.
Lots of love from all of us!.........Jessie, Jenny & Peanut, Taiwan

 "I had forgotten just how challenging raising and training a puppy could be.  I felt that in addition to "training" Sunny, my husband and I needed support and encouragement not only to train her properly, but also to experience the joy of having a new 4-legged creature living with us.

As soon as Viviane came to our house to work with Sunny, we felt a sense of relief and joy.  Sunny immediately fell in love with her, and Viviane's response to Sunny made us love our puppy even more.

Viviane is a very generous, knowledgeable, and skillful trainer who has an instinctive understanding not only of the ways of the dog, but of the needs and personalities of their owners.

Working with Viviane we experienced an immediate positive change in the way we interact with our puppy, and in our confidence in training her."  

                                    ........Regina, Midwood, Brooklyn

 “Viviane’s Basic Obedience class at PumpkinPups Dog Training was a great start to my puppy's learning good manners.  The environment is a relaxed one where she felt like she was just having fun. She learned to sit, lay down, we reinforced go-to-bed, the 'drop' cue for garbage or shoes, and she is starting to be more reliable about coming to me when I call when she's off leash. Viviane and her assistant Kim were skilled and patient in teaching the humans as well as the dogs. I highly recommend PumpkinPups classes.” 

                     …..Lorena & Mia, Windsor Terrace, Brooklyn 

"When our baby was born, our friendly little dog Fiona

started acting out in some alarming and unexpected ways. Our sweet Wheaten Terrier started attacking pit bulls!

Viviane helped us first to recognize when Fiona was likely to get into trouble, and then to work with her on

and off-leash so that now we can get control of her before trouble breaks out. She also gave us exercises to do to help Fiona realize that big brown dogs were not an instant threat to her.

Not only is Viviane great with dogs, she taught us to think like teachers for our dog, offering us the tools necessary to understand Fiona and have success. 

We are amazed at how fast the training is working; Fiona is well on her way back to her friendly and goofy self!"
                        .......Simone & Reggie,Park Slope, Brooklyn

"In the six months since we adopted Frosty, our 1 year old pit bull, we have taken a group class with Viviane and had private sessions; both have been extremely helpful for our puppy's behavioral development. Through Viviane's gentle techniques and clicker training, Frosty, who was somewhat anxious when we rescued him, has turned into a very happy and responsive dog! In addition to her classes and private sessions, Viviane has been more than generous with her time, advice and reassurance whenever we have had questions or concerns. We highly recommend her for help adapting to life with your new companion!"

.......Tony and Jen – Windsor Terrace, Brooklyn

"I always wanted to learn to groom my own dog and Viviane turned out to be the perfect teacher.  She is knowledgeable and patient.

In addition to teaching me how to groom Buster, and giving me advice on the equipment I would need, she provided me with valuable training tips on how to help Buster stay calm and have a positive grooming experience.

Viviane is a continuing source of support and inspiration; Buster and I always look forward to seeing her."  
          .......Diana,  Park Slope,  Brooklyn

 
"Riley and our family loved working with Viviane. She is gentle but straight-forward in her training advice and suggestions. I feel that I can always call on her to ask for more help if I need it. She is very accessible and truly interested in helping all dogs become calmer and more responsive to their owners cues. And the classes were a lot of fun!"

…….Cornelia, Dana, & Greg, Windsor Terrace, Brooklyn