Puppy Classes
Puppy Essentials and other puppy classes are primarily designed for puppies 20 weeks and younger, though older puppies (up to 6 months) may be accommodated based on their specific need for fundamentals like house training, nipping, and chewing. Puppies over 6 months are generally directed to our Manners 1 or other classes here.
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Puppy Essentials
A six-session hybrid course (Zoom + in-person) for puppies under 20 weeks, designed to give you and your pup a solid foundation, real-world practice, and free monthly puppy socials.
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Puppy Socials
Join us for free monthly Puppy Socials at Dogtopia Myrtle Ave—no registration needed, just bring proof of vaccinations and let your pup play under trainer supervision.
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Got A Puppy? Don't Panic!
This virtual class is specifically designed for families and puppy guardians who are looking for immediate, practical support with house training, nipping, chewing, sleep routines, and day-to-day puppy care.
PUPPY ESSENTIALS - HYBRID CLASS
For puppies under 20 weeks of age at the start of class sessions. Everything you and your puppy need to know to survive the early months in 6 one-hour sessions.
Our goal is to set you and your puppy up for success. With our hybrid class model we can give you and your pup a strong foundation on what you need to know and then help you apply your knowledge outside in a safe and appropriate environment.
Classes 1, 2, and 5 are virtual on the Zoom Platform and Classes 3, 4, and 6 are in-person at the City Animal Veterinary Center in Windsor Terrace at 284 Prospect West.
This class also includes FREE supplemental in-person Puppy Socials! These occur on the fourth Saturday of each month at Dogtopia on Myrtle Ave (504 Myrtle Ave) in Brooklyn.
Wednesdays or Thursdays at 6pm.
Space is limited to 4 pups per class!
Puppy Essentials: Foundation for a Lifetime of Partnership
Welcoming a new puppy into your home is a profound milestone, full of joy and unique responsibilities. This comprehensive introductory course is structured to provide both you and your canine companion with a seamless transition during these formative early months. Designed specifically for puppies younger than 20 weeks, our curriculum focuses on proactive socialization, the mechanics of positive reinforcement, and the cultivation of essential life skills. Throughout this course, we will navigate the critical developmental windows that help shape your puppy’s future behavior. You will learn to establish clear, force-free communication pathways, ensuring your puppy develops confidence, resilience, and an enthusiastic willingness to cooperate.
Key Learning Pillars
Behavioral Foundations: Master the mechanics of marker training to effectively communicate boundaries, capture desired behaviors, and establish a reliable response to core cues such as attention, sit, down, and polite leash awareness.
Proactive Socialization: Navigate managed exposure to novel stimuli, varied surfaces, sounds, and unfamiliar handling. This structured approach builds environmental neutrality and prevents the development of fear-based behaviors.
Essential Management Skills: Gain practical, stress-free protocols for cooperative care, crate conditioning, house training, and addressing common developmental behaviors such as mouthing, jumping, and adolescent boundary-testing.
The Art of Focus: Cultivate engagement under mild, controlled distractions, teaching your puppy to prioritize connection with you over competing environmental reinforcers.
By investing in these foundational pillars today, you are not merely teaching obedience; you are optimizing your dog's long-term behavioral health and laying the foundation for a harmonious, lifelong partnership.
Our next sessions run on the following dates:
Wednesdays @ 6pm: 10/7, 10/14, 10/21, 10/28, 11/4, 11/18, (11/11 skipped)
Thursdays @ 6pm, 10/29, 11/5, 11/12, 11/19, 12/3, 12/10, (11/26 skipped)
With the hybrid class model, classes are a combination of Zoom & in person.
Classes 1, 2, and 5 are virtual on Zoom. The trainer will send out a Zoom link prior to the class.
Classes 3, 4, and 6 are in-person at the City Animal Veterinary Center in Windsor Terrace at 284 Prospect West.
Space is limited to 4 pups per class!
Once you receive a payment confirmation, you have reserved a spot in class. You will receive a welcome message to the email address you provided with your payment 24 - 72 hours before your class is scheduled to start.
In the event of rain, certain outside classes will be postponed to the rain date. Please ensure you can attend that date as well. Vaccination records are required for all in-person classes and events. Refunds are subject to a $25 processing fee.
TRAINING FUNDAMENTALS & COMMON PUPPY ISSUES:
How to deal with common issues: nipping, chewing, jumping, barking
Diet & exercise
Handling at the vet and groomer
House training & crate training
Appropriate socialization & play skills
Polite manners: sit, down, trade, and more
Coming when called
Walking nicely on a leash
And much more!
Free Puppy Social
LET'S PLAY!
Free Puppy Social LET'S PLAY!
PumpkinPups Dog Training in coordination with Dogtopia will host a monthly Free Puppy Social at the Myrtle Ave location in Brooklyn, NY
Happens on the 4th Saturday of Every Month at 1pm
No pre-registration required. Just show up! Must bring proof of up to date vaccinations to attend. This is not a class, but an opportunity to socialize your puppy with other dogs while supervised by certified professional trainers.
GOT A PUPPY? DON’T PANIC!
You think your puppy is the absolute best, and so do we! We've been right where you are: puppies are amazing, hilarious, and endlessly fun. They are also a lot of work and bring a whole lot of chaos with that cuteness.
This virtual class is specifically designed for families and puppy guardians who are looking for immediate, practical support. Bring your highest-priority questions and concerns—your instructor will give you the personalized answers and actionable strategies you need to feel confident and relieved.
Examples of topics we cover:
What Puppy 'Stuff' Do You Really Need?
Essential gear versus unnecessary hype.
The food puzzle toys that really work
Safe Socialization
Mouthiness, Nipping & Chewing
House Training Tips That Work
Class Details & Format
Format: Live 1-hour virtual session via Zoom.
Cost: $125 for a one-hour virtual session.
Curious about the class but not ready to dive in? Click here to learn more.
In the event of rain, certain outside classes will be postponed to the rain date. Please ensure you can attend that date as well. Vaccination records are required for all in-person classes and events. Refunds are subject to a $25 processing fee.
You think your puppy is the absolute best, and so do we! We've been right where you are: puppies are amazing, hilarious, and endlessly fun. They are also a lot of work and bring a whole lot of chaos with that cuteness.
This virtual class is specifically designed for families and puppy guardians who are looking for immediate, practical support with house training, nipping, chewing, sleep routines, and day-to-day puppy care. Bring your highest-priority questions and concerns—your instructor will give you the personalized answers and actionable strategies you need to feel confident and relieved.
Examples of questions you might have
What Puppy 'Stuff' Do You Really Need?
Essential gear versus unnecessary hype.
The food puzzle toys that really work
The safest carriers, slings, & wraps for young pups.
The "Karl" stuffed-toy technique for safe, appropriate wrestling and play outlets.
Safe Socialization
Early noise desensitization
Safe outdoor socialization before full vaccinations are complete.
What to watch for when meeting dogs and people of all ages
Mouthiness, Nipping & Chewing
Redirecting sharp puppy teeth away from hands, clothes, and furniture.
Managing evening energy spirals and overstimulation.
Training appropriate behaviors instead
House Training Tips That Work
Building a reliable potty schedule and reading subtle pre-potty body language.
Transitioning smoothly between pee pads, balcony grass boxes, backyards, and outdoor sidewalks.
How and when to introduce an effective "go potty" cue.
Crate or No Crate?
Finding the right setup for your home (crates, playpens, or puppy-proofed rooms make puppy life easier).
Solving night-time crying, sleeping struggles, and early isolation distress without creating long term anxiety.
Class Details & Format
Format: Live 1-hour virtual session via Zoom.
Class Size: Strictly capped at 4 students per session to guarantee dedicated, individual attention for every participant.
Structure: Open-discussion format focused directly on answering your specific questions.
Commitment: Single-meeting session—no homework, no multi-week series, just quick and direct guidance when you need it most.
Cost: $125 for a one-hour virtual session.
In the event of rain, certain outside classes will be postponed to the rain date. Please ensure you can attend that date as well. Vaccination records are required for all in-person classes and events. Refunds are subject to a $25 processing fee.
All our classes are based on positive reinforcement methods.
We’ll show you how to apply what you learn in class to your everyday life.
Start training from the very first lesson! You’ll receive the tools you need to help your pup practice good behaviors right away.
Our positive reinforcement trainers and assistants make sure every pup has a positive experience and learns at their own pace.
We provide homework after every class and offer email support between multi-session classes for questions that can’t wait until the next session.
You’ll also receive comprehensive training materials covering everything taught in class.