Frequently Asked Questions
What is your training style?
All of our techniques are based on positive reinforcement and understanding the dog's triggers and motivations for behavior. We pride ourselves in focusing on the best welfare possible for people and their dogs.
We are all Family Dog Mediators and use Kim Brophey’s ethology based model of LEGS, which looks at the Learning history, Environment, Genetics and Self for the dog and family we are helping. This helps us create an optimal environment to allow for new more appropriate responses to situations that are challenging for you and your dog. Our training is structured to be enjoyable for both the dogs and humans, making practice and learning fun and easy to do!
Group Classes
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• Certified trainers in every class
• 50 - 60 minutes of curriculum instruction - depending on the class
• Individual coaching for every student
• Emphasis on applying class skills in real life situations
• 10 optional minutes of Q&A after each class - depending on the class
• Clear, actionable, written homework each week - including a training manual and other materials
• Email access to our all trainers between class meetings
• Discounted private session rates with our trainers
• Community support via our closed Facebook group and weekly Ask the Trainer Zoom
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Click here for more info!
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Puppy Essentials Online focuses on house training, nipping/biting, chewing, socialization, recall foundation, go to place, cooperative care, intro to leash walking and more.
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Manners One Online helps your pup work on skills such as leash walking, polite greetings, relaxation, drop it, recall, leave it, stay with distance and more. We also begin to add distractions to continue leveling up your dog's skills and leave room to help troubleshoot ideas for other behaviors.
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Puppy Essentials is generally geared toward dogs who are 20 weeks and younger. Manners One is for dogs older than that.
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After reviewing the topics covered in both Puppy Essentials and Manners One, ask yourself which you need the most help with. A good baseline is if you need help with housetraining, nipping/chewing and basic manners, then Puppy Essentials would be a good start. If you already have those basics down and are ready to level up your skills, then consider Manners One.
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Yes! If you have a new adolescent rescue that does not have a background in house training and basic manners, you are welcome to join Puppy Essentials.
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Please read through our past blog post here. The post is geared toward private sessions, but the same rules apply to group classes, minus the behavior history form.
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Maximum of 6 dogs.
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Each class has at least one Certified Professional Dog Trainer (CPDT-KA) and most classes have an assistant trainer.
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All of our classes are recorded and shared with class participants after each class. If you are absent, you can watch the recording on your own time to get up to speed prior to the next class. If you have questions about the covered content, you can reach out to your trainers via email for clarification or attend Ask the Trainer between classes!
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Though our group classes are not in person, socialization is of the utmost importance. It's good to keep in mind that socialization is much more than just puppy play - it includes all the sights, sounds, textures, smells, etc. that your puppy will interact with in their life. We teach how to safely introduce your puppy to these various scenarios with the goal of creating positive associations for your pup that lead to lifelong comfort in their world.
In regards to puppy play, we have a network of other people looking for in person playdates, therefore, we always recommend connecting via our Facebook Group - PumpkinPups Dog Training - Clients & Friends to find each other and coordinate schedules. When you complete the request to join the group you MUST answer all the questions to be admitted - no exceptions, not even if you think we know who you are!
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Yes. Our trainers have worked with clients in this capacity before. It may be a little more difficult for you to watch them on a smaller screen, but clients have had success joining on smaller devices.
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Yes! Having family members involved in training is always recommended!
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Yes! We would recommend missing no more than two classes before joining. Since all of our classes are recorded, you can catch up on your own time prior to participating in class. This can be especially beneficial for puppies who we recommend start training sooner than later. You could also join the first class without your puppy if they haven't arrived home with you yet.
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No, classes are not pro-rated. All of our classes are recorded and shared with class participants, so you still receive the content from every class and email support between classes if you have questions.
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Yes. We will work with you to make the switch happen by matching you with a trainer to help with your training needs.
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Un-neutered male dogs of any age may attend classes. Un-spayed female dogs under 7 months of age may attend in-person classes. Female dogs that are intact and over 7 months of age may attend in-person classes as long as they are not in heat or giving off pheromones that will attract male dogs. If you are taking a class and your female dog comes into heat they will need to miss the in-person classes. We will continue to provide homework emails and email support as we do for other class participants.
More information to help you understand when your female dog may be coming into heat can be found here.
Private Sessions:
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PPDT has a tight knit team of highly trained and experienced behavior consultants who teach our classes and take private clients through their own businesses.
When your email comes into us, we match clients with trainers taking a number of factors into consideration. Those factors include but are not limited to - your training goals, trainer availability so we can serve you quickly, and where you live relative to the trainer.
While you will be working with a trainer through their personal business, you are supported by the PPDT team as we are all always available to each other and to any client who comes through PumpkinPups. We aim to ensure that each client gets the very best and most complete help possible.
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After an initial virtual session, in-person sessions can be scheduled based on need and location.
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Yes, if you're located outside the borough of Brooklyn or fall outside our trainers' Brooklyn travel zones, in-person sessions are possible by traveling to one of our trainers.
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No. Many clients think that we need to see the behavior in person in order to help them. In many instances it isn't the case and in some it's just not safe. For dogs who have a high level of arousal, an in home visit is not helpful for a few reasons. It may not be safe for the trainer, it may cause the dog to be sensitized to the trainer which can slow down the progress of work once in-person sessions are called for, and trying to explain training and modification techniques to guardians while their dog is having a big reaction in another room is stressful for everyone involved and can be counter productive.
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Part of the trainer's job in this case is to assess how profound the dog's fear is and where the training and behavior modification needs to start. This usually starts with a virtual session, which is a wonderful tool for dogs who are afraid of outdoor environments. Based on what is revealed in that first virtual session families often need to work on foundational exercises indoors and very close to home while the trainer is present via video conference. Those exercises are aimed at building enough comfort that, when the dog is ready, in-person sessions can be structured so that the family is set up for success.
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No, not necessarily, and not right away. If a dog is reactive outside, training must start in an environment where they feel safe and with the fewest triggers.
In order to help your trainer understand the behavior, they may ask you to take video clips (30sec - 1 min) and send them before meeting.
After the initial intake, your trainer helps determine a training plan and decide when (or if) in-person sessions are best suited for your pup.
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Due to high demand, our trainers tend to book 1-2 weeks out. We work with you to find places where your schedule meshes with your trainer's.
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The time in between each session is based on what your specific training goals are. You are always welcome to email questions and/or concerns to your trainer in between sessions and they can provide feedback or let you know if it needs to be covered in a session.
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Join Ask The Trainer which we host every Saturday at 11am EST (except some holidays, please check our website for details). It is our FREE zoom Q&A. Here you can ask questions and receive live feedback which can be really helpful while you are waiting to see a trainer. You may also request an emergency consultation for an additional fee.
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Yes! We have trainers who are Certified Dog Behavior Consultants (CDBC).
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After reading through our trainers' package options, you may have a feel for which is right for you. However, during the initial consultation, your trainer can help lay out a training plan and if you both feel a different route would better suit your dog's needs, your package choice can be adjusted. Our trainers always have your dog's best interests in mind.
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Payments are coordinated directly with your trainer for private sessions. Accepted forms of payment include Venmo, Zelle, Paypal or check.
