Letteer Dog Training

08/24/2024

Lenny is the sweetest goofball. Please help us find a foster or adopter for him so he doesn’t have to go back to the shelter!

*I know people are going to ask, so I want to clarify that Lenny is not a student. We have never, and will never, send one of our board & train students back to a shelter after training. Lenny is here through Troubled Tails for a fair assessment in a low-stress environment. This program can not be sustained if we attempted to keep all of the dogs.

‼️ Lenny needs a foster or adopter ASAP‼️

We have completed our assessment of Lenny ❤️. We would love to see him go into a foster or adoptive home instead of back to the shelter.

The Decompress and Assess Retreat was created to give dogs who are at risk of behavioral euthanasia the opportunity to decompress a bit before being assessed in a low-stress environment. This allows us to see what type of home would be suitable and give fosters/adopters a more accurate picture of what they can expect. Lenny was losing his mind in the shelter. He was scared and alone and his behavior was a cry for help. This week, we got a chance to see the real Lenny and it is so far from the dog everyone saw at the shelter.

-Lenny LOVES people. All people!

-He is happy, sweet and goofy!

-He has not shown any type of human-directed aggression.

-He appears to be completely housebroken and crate trained.

-Lenny has shown fear reactivity with other dogs, so he needs to be an only dog for right now *or* go to a foster willing to crate and rotate until he becomes more comfortable around dogs.

-He has a high prey drive, so no small animal housemates.

-He is strong and needs help with leash skills.

-Lenny has handled bicycles, cars, scooters, children playing, lawn equipment, etc. SO well! Once his reactivity and leash skills are under control, we can definitely see him being a “take anywhere” type of dog!

We are happy to answer any questions and go over everything in-depth with a potential foster/adopter. Reach out to Central VA Friends of Petersburg Animal Care and Control to apply.

08/23/2024

These three squatty big heads started training this week. They are all newly adopted and each one stole my heart!

Lottie was adopted from Richmond Animal Care and Control

Ray was adopted from Petersburg Animal Care & Control

Buster Brown was adopted from Henrico Humane Society

08/16/2024

Caught Napoleon hanging out in the kitchen, falling asleep while waiting for a treat 😂 He looks nothing like him, but Napoleon reminds me of Lucky so much. 🥰 They both immediately figured out that counter surfing is a no-go and that the bed in the kitchen is the spot to be as soon as they enter. And both boys will do anything for a snack!

This good boy is adoptable though Hanover County Animal Control and Shelter 😉

08/15/2024

This proud face is the result of building skills and confidence through errorless learning ❤️.

We’ve had a huge influx of new students recently who have gone through aversive training. Pain has no place in training. There are far more effective, science-backed techniques that do not lead to learned helplessness, aggression, or fear.

08/13/2024

Stu keeps us entertained ❤️

08/13/2024

Still nervous, but Bentley has pep in his step today! He’s actually enjoying walks now and is responsive instead of just scanning for threats 🥰

08/13/2024

It’s going to take a while before Bentley is comfortable with seeing other dogs behind barriers, but Maple is showing him that it’s okay 🥰

Fun fact, Maple used to try to bite other dogs through barriers 🙈 and without barriers 😂

08/12/2024

Grateful for these two who help so many dogs with us ❤️

08/12/2024

Photo 1- Bentley didn’t think he had the courage to face a big dog.

Photo 2- victory walk after using his new skills to work through it. He’s so proud of himself ❤️

08/12/2024

Sometimes my lips gets stuck on my teef 🥰

08/12/2024

Stuart met the love of his life tonight! Daisy is a teeny tiny 30ish lb., 1 year old, super friendly, ADOPTABLE girl. Stu watched her car drive down the block and was so sad! Despite what the picture shows, she loved him too 😂

Daisy is adoptable through Central VA Friends of Petersburg Animal Care and Control

08/11/2024

Maple got overtime pay for this heat 😅 We also had to summon the little one for emotional support for Bentley. Whatever it takes!

This right here is why we don’t force reactive dogs to be still in front of a trigger. It only worsens the feelings going on inside and does absolutely nothing to improve the way they feel.

2 days ago, Bentley was terrified of Maple. Maple is pretty bombproof and loves to help (we pay her well 😉), so we do ask her to station when we need a less-intense trigger. That allows us to give Bentley all the space he needs to investigate and get comfortable in her presence. Today he worked up the courage for sniffs. No barking, lunging or growling 👏

08/11/2024

Perfect place to build confidence and de-stress!

08/11/2024

Bentley isn’t feeling well and he normally sleeps with his mama, so it looks like we have a cuddle buddy!

08/10/2024

This face!!! I love getting updates on Lucky. ❤️He is currently enjoying another vacation. His family has worked hard to keep up with all of his training and, as always, he’s being the best boy. This guy has been to hell and back, but you would never know it! I really don’t know how they do it, but dogs are so freaking amazing.

08/10/2024

Bentley LOVES the flirt pole! He has some anxiety, so we’re mixing lots of play and calming activities in to our days.

08/09/2024

This handsome man is here for a board & train for his reactivity. He may sound scary, but he’s a big baby 🥰 poor guy is even scared of our little Maple Bacon.

08/09/2024

I have been working on something near & dear to my heart for a while now and I’m excited to announce that it is ready for take off!

If you know me, you know that I am drawn to the dogs who need a little extra. Extra time, extra space, extra work, extra patience, extra compassion. We’ve had many of these dogs come through our home, many who have stayed, and some who are currently here❤️.

If you know anything about the current state of our shelter system, you know that there is a crisis. Every shelter is full. Every rescue is full. Dogs like Lucky, Napoleon, Molly, Juna, Stuart, Sophia and Tony are being euthanized every day because they can’t get the help they need. Now more than ever, because shelters are overwhelmed and still underfunded.

People are keeping potentially dangerous dogs because they love them but don’t have the means to get them help.

People are creating dangerous dogs because they follow the horrendous training advice on the internet.

We do what we can at Letteer Dog Training, but it is not enough. That is why I created Troubled Tails. The aim of the nonprofit is to:

Keep the community safe by providing humane training for dogs with behavioral issues when there is a financial barrier.

Reduce the number of dogs surrendered to municipal shelters.

Educate the community on safety, management and effective, humane training practices.

Provide behavioral assessments and training for dogs in underfunded municipal shelters.

How can you help rewrite their stories?

-Like & share our social media pages and spread the word. Instagram:
-Volunteer! We need volunteers for transportation, socialization and training.

Pictures of Lenny, the first dog coming through for our Decompress & Assess Retreat!

08/08/2024

This 👏 Especially if you have a reactive or fearful dog. A sitting dog does not automatically equate to a calm, confident, or comfortable dog.

08/07/2024

Izzy worked so hard while she was here and she’s ready to shine for her adopters! Reach out today if you are interested in this near-perfect girl!

08/05/2024

🥰 Please share our foster dog, Napoleon 🥰

This itty bitty blue brindle pitty is adoptable through Hanover County Animal Control and Shelter ! Napoleon is about 8months old, 43 lbs. and a total sweetheart. He is the epitome of a velcro dog and wants to be included in all of the things! He loves walks, toys, fetch, belly rubs, and snuggles. He is smart as a whip and has already learned sit, lay, come, drop, and leave it.

Napoleon was really struggling in the scary shelter environment and needs owners who will continue to boost his confidence. He is kid and dog friendly!  He has not been tested with cats.

Thanks to Salem's Light, he is neutered, vaccinated,  microchipped, and ready to start his journey with a family of his own!

07/31/2024

Meet Napoleon, our new foster puppy! We said no more puppies, but this guy was quickly going downhill at the shelter, which led him to be passed up time and again 😞. He’s amazingly sweet and just needs a big boost of confidence, social skills and some help managing his emotions.

If you have a session scheduled with us in the next couple of weeks (or just want to help), we could use some volunteers to meet Napoleon. He could also use some additional tolerant playmates, so we need some dog volunteers to help him out as well!

07/30/2024

This sweet, big headed hippo is still looking for a family! How? I truly have no idea, because she is the complete package. Her heart is as big as her head, she is always smiling, she’s amazing with kids, her social skills with other dogs are rock solid, she loves literally everyone, she has many skills, and she is such a good girl!

Izzy is looking for a home with:
-no small animals, no exceptions.
-Humans who adore her
-With or without doggy siblings
-Snacks. Lots of snacks.

Izzy was trained using positive reinforcement and her adopters will get to go through her training with us at no cost to them. It’s a fun and bonding experience & a great way to start off with a new dog.

Izzy is a 3ish year old, spayed American Bully. Richmond, VA.

07/29/2024

Please share if you cannot help. Can anyone foster this sweet girl?! She is barely a year old and needs a kind & patient foster home where she can overcome some fear issues. She has been subjected to aversive training for her fear issues and I need to find somewhere safe for her to go NOW. She is also available for a rescue transfer.

07/26/2024

Today we said goodbye to Molly. There are literally no words to describe what she meant to us, but I am positive that she knew. Thank you Richmond Animal League for giving her a chance and sending her here for the help she needed. Thank you Ring Dog Rescue for helping us navigate her intense medical issues. Without these two organizations, Molly would not have known kindness, safety, and comfort. Please support them so they can continue to help dogs like Molly, who was so deserving. We also owe a world of thanks to Molly’s medical team and her neurologist, Dr. Juliet Armstrong, for showing extreme compassion and kindness.

We will continue to be here for dogs like Molly, but we need a minute to deal with this incredible loss and will be closed until August 2nd.

Foster, donate and volunteer in honor of the most special dog who ever lived.

07/25/2024

Update: MONEY RAISED for his medical expenses! You all rock. We can’t wait to see this guy’s true potential and personality.

Salem's Light is raising money to get little Lenny vetted and neutered. He has been having a really difficult time in the shelter, so he will be coming here to decompress before we get a behavioral assessment on him and see what kind of home he would thrive in. Please consider donating to his medical expenses if you can. Only $145 to go 🤗

07/24/2024

I am beyond proud of this girl! instead of completely frantic and reactive, she has become so confident and really enjoys walks and even loves seeing people and other dogs. She had the BEST time practicing our flight cue & getting behind me.

07/23/2024

Some real gems today 😂😂