About Poodles to Pit Bulls Dog Training

Poodles to Pit Bulls Dog Training works out of Astoria by appointment and, on its own account, serves Brooklyn, Queens and virtual clients. The site's plain description of itself is a supportive coaching practice rather than a class franchise: "From daily walks to complex behaviors, we're with you every step of the way."

Who runs it

The owner introduces herself on the About page as Ettel, a certified dog behavior consultant who started the business "to help dogs and their people truly understand each other." The same page states she has been an expert witness on a dog bite case, has handled several dangerous dog cases with the Department of Health, and has worked for a veterinary behaviorist clinic. It also records that in 2018 she began offering group classes and private sessions free to the public through New York City Animal Care and Control's Community Pets Program.

What the practice takes on

The published focus is the hard end of pet dog training: building confidence in fearful dogs, fear and aggression cases, reactivity, and creating positive vet and groomer experiences. Alongside that sit the ordinary Queens problems the site groups under manners for city life, the kind of thing that decides whether a morning coffee run with the dog is pleasant or exhausting. Puppy training has its own section.

Method

The method statement is unusually specific for a small practice. The site says the work blends Applied Behavior Analysis, fear-free techniques and Karen Pryor clicker training, and describes the environment as judgment-free for the owner as much as for the dog. The business also states that it is recommended by veterinarians and groomers, on the grounds that it addresses difficult behavior without damaging the relationship between the dog and the family.