The Virtuous Dog

10/23/2024

October is National Pitbull Awareness and Education Month. I’d like to point out that my Pitties are only aggressive about kisses when taking selfies. Pitties are my jam. ❤️ The Virtuous Dog

07/04/2024

Happy 4th from The Virtuous Dog! Keep your pets safe and indoors.

06/12/2024

Being specialized in fear and aggression is not always easy. Heartbreak is just part of the job some days. But…. then there are sweet, gentle souls like Loki who just need a little guidance and a new opportunity after shelter life. It’s in these moments I remember exactly why I do what I do. ❤️

05/23/2024

04/30/2024

Until the public stops funding these breeders, the wheel of cruelty will continue to turn. A very high percentage of the behavior dogs I work with are coming from these very same farms. It is not just how you raise them. 😔

When police asked John Stoltzfus Jr., of Lancaster County, why he put the Sheepadoodle puppies to sleep, he said “We have a good way of doing it. We took good care of them.”

04/10/2024

⚠️PSA‼️ DO NOT greet (or kiss) an unfamiliar dog by putting your face in the dog’s face. Parents, teach your children this rule as well.

I’m sad that I’m even having to write this post but it seems necessary as I have had not one, but two calls this week alone about a young person being bitten in the face while greeting an unfamiliar dog inappropriately.

While some dogs enjoy kisses and snuggles from family and friends, there are many dogs that are extremely uncomfortable with that level of contact and invasiveness into their personal space, and especially by a stranger. The best way to greet a dog is to remain still and allow the dog to say hello to you if and when the dog is ready. And don’t bother putting your hand out for a sniff either. The dog can smell you from 20 feet away. The dog who is social and friendly will actively approach you to say hello. The dog who is shy and remains at a distance has already communicated discomfort. RESPECT IT! Even after you have interacted with a new dog and the dog seems friendly enough, do not assume you are now best friends. You don’t know the dog well enough to understand what they are and are not comfortable with.

Also, body language can be a tricky thing to read especially in an unfamiliar dog. A wagging tail gets people into trouble more often than you might think. A wagging tail just means that the dog is stimulated, not necessarily happy. It is more important to look at the dog’s complete body language. I’m attaching an excellent body language reference below.

And while we’re on the subject, it is also dangerous to kiss a sleeping dog, even your own. “Let sleeping dogs lie” is not an old adage because one dog had a bad day one time. Animals come prepared with survival instincts including a natural defensive response to being awakened abruptly by touch, even if it is well-meaning. The bottom line here is keep your face out of a dog’s face unless you know the dog well and the dog is specifically soliciting that kind of contact from you.

Please share this message with friends and family. If this post prevents even one person from a facial injury, I’ve done my job.

iSpeakDog aims to strengthen the bond between dogs and their people by teaching how to read dogs' body language to understand their emotional states and why dogs do what they do.

01/17/2024

At only 2 years old, it’s hard to believe that this misunderstood little love has been bounced through countless homes already. No worries, buddy! I see you. Your amazing new guardians aren’t giving up and we have a plan.

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01/08/2024

⚠️Warning ⚠️ Cuteness overload alert with this weekend’s training clients! 😍Boxer, Newfie, Sheppy, Rotti, Poodle oh my! All positive, all the time.

12/24/2023

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays from The Virtuous Dog! May your days be blessed and filled with the love of family, friends, extra wags and lots of snackos. ❤️🐶

06/20/2023

Had to break my old girl out of retirement to coach a youngin. ❤️ Day-training fun with this little sweetie and his Staffie mentor.

05/17/2023

Thank you to everyone who took the time to vote for me. With 55,000 votes cast for the best positive trainers across Pennsylvania according to Sniffspot, I was ranked at number 6. I am proud to be a force-free solution for even the most challenging dogs. 🥰
Sniffspot

05/08/2023

Here is a helpful review of the best pet insurance plans that are available.

https://www.forbes.com/advisor/l/best-pet-insurance-2021/?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=paidsocial&fbclid=IwAR13eVX7p_Dq45ekKWEDgqefprl3s-L-3VYald_jLEF2LOiwCfQ88zWPExo_aem_th_AQ0FGSzRMtaiRUHDSKClscsneupHBPgh4ee7A-IaZDHjmcXnsNGaS1Auo0CJlYNK4lsEF9mprsPHS5u07lB6B1jD7sNzt0hwcsxKfc18haiVWA&mibextid=cr9u03

We evaluated plans to help you find the best pet insurance. What Is Pet Insurance? Pet insurance is a health insurance policy for your pet that pays for medical expenses and sometimes other costs. Pet insurance plans are typically reimbursement-based, meaning you pay up-f

03/15/2023

My life!

03/02/2023

The Virtuous Dog will be taking a break beginning Wednesday, March 1st until Sunday, March 12th. If you are interested in learning more about the services I offer or scheduling an evaluation and training, please visit me online at: https://www.thevirtuousdog.com/ and fill out a brief questionnaire that will help me get back to you more efficiently. Please note that calls and scheduling will resume again on Monday, March 13th. Thank you!

02/28/2023

Hello friends! I was listed by Sniffspot as one of the Best Positive Reinforcement Trainers in Pennsylvania last year. I am proud to be recognized and it is important to let others know that there are positive solutions for even the most challenging behaviors. Please help me hold that title by taking a few moments to vote here. Thank you for your support! https://www.sniffspot.com/blog/dog-trainers/contest

11/20/2022

The results are in and Jerry is NOT a German Shorthair Pointer and only 2% Labrador. Jerry is, in fact, a perfect Mutt consisting of 16 different identified breeds, or as I like to call him, a purebred Tennessee Treeing Terrier. His list ranges in size from Chihuahua to Great Dane.

So why is DNA important? As a behavior specialist, the biggest problem I run into with clients everyday is that they fell in love with a dog who appealed to them visually, but they had no understanding of their dog’s biological needs and drives. Breeds exist because dogs were selected for traits and tendencies to perform a job. If your dog is not able to perform the job they are programmed to do, frustration develops.

The beauty of having DNA tests available for rescue dogs is because it allows us to apply targeted, breed-specific training plans and also anticipate better placement with adopters. For example, don’t adopt a Husky if you’re a couch potato.

So, all of that said, I’m celebrating Jerry’s impressive DNA results and our training continues until he finds his perfect forever home.

If you are interested in adopting Jerry, please apply at: https://www.2muttslove.com/

The Virtuous Dog 2 Mutts Love

10/30/2022

So today my family welcomed the sweetest little guy from Memphis, Tennessee as a foster pup. His shelter name was Hollis but it didn’t quite fit. I love music and was thinking of a music theme. Originally I was thinking Elvis (because of the Memphis connection) but that wasn’t quite right either. Turns out this little sweetheart is a hugger and I could hear “Crazy Arms” in my head by Jerry Lee Lewis (RIP.) So, Jerry Lee it is! Welcome, baby boy! The world is better with you in it. ❤️ Jerry will be available soon from 2 Mutts Love rescue after some well-needed decompression.

2 Mutts Love The Virtuous Dog ,