Visit my website at ghdogs.com and fill out my webform for a quick response!
Due to the sheer volume of training requests I regularly recieve, I rarely use Bark.com to connect with potential clients anymore. If you are interested in hearing back from me, please go to my website and fill out my webform at the bottom of the page.
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20 customer reviews
Gretchen Barrett
Dog Training
Never got a call. Got a confirmation that they would call . Never happened! Disappointing.
Reply from Gray House Dog Training
Hello Gretchen, I apoligize for not giving you a call and any inconvenience this may have caused. My call scheduling system has been broken for about a week or so (customers can schedule calls and receive automated reminders for them, but I receive no notification or information on my end) and I am still in discussions with the call scheduleling company to get it fixed. I am happy to schedule a call with you directly if you are still interested, and again, I apologize for the inconvenience.
Lucie Pentz
Amazing trainer!!! Lots of practical guidance, skills but also great at giving the big picture of the importance of dog training. I apply her wisdom and expertise beyond the dog training. So glad we are working with Virginia. Our little pup loves her too! More...
Reviewed on Facebook
Shelley de Tweede
these people know what they're talking about! they had 5 stars before the Nala post so they clearly know what they are doing. please continue what you're doing!
Reviewed on Facebook
Dan Hunt
Highly professional people with sensible methods.
Reviewed on Facebook
Ashlei Jackson
Clearly a smart and intuitive trainer
Reviewed on Facebook
LaKeysha Stewart
Virginia is awesome! She’s helping get our Labradoodle well mannered! And quickly!
Reviewed on Facebook
Britta Willms
To make a long story short - on a trip to Brazil last August we saw a lot of abandoned cats and dogs on our walks. We decided to feed them and one dog in particular always crossed our path. I believe our pets choose us and Dez definitely chose us. Thru a miracle we were able to fly her to PA. Here we were with a large dog who only understood Portuguese and had probably never been in a house and we also own 2 gift shops???????? We needed help ASAP! And then we found Virginia! I had never worked with a dog Trainer before so I was mesmerized watching her interact with Dez. Virginia is very confident and knows what she is doing. She uses both positive and negative reinforcement and shows you how to implement what she teaches. If you practice the exercises she gives you the bond with your dog will continue to get stronger. Thanks to Virginia we now have an adorable, loving , well behaved dog who has learned to navigate around tight tables with breakable gifts and understands English.???? More...
Reviewed on Facebook
Michelle LaClair
Working with Virginia was a great experience. She had a very straightforward, but empathetic style that I really appreciated. When we first started I couldn't have imagined that we would make as much progress as we did on our dog's behavioral issues. Virginia is a great trainer and a valuable resource. Her knowledge of dog behavior and training provided valuable insight throughout the process. She was always available to answer questions that came up between sessions and helped us to modify or approach when our stubborn pup stopped responding to certain methods. I would highly recommend her to anyone who is considering training for their dog! More...
Reviewed on Facebook
Jen Orendorff
Virginia graciously donated her time to help us out with our Dog Portrait Mini session fundraiser events with Orendorff Studios this past weekend (and this coming Saturday). We had worked with her before, but are always impressed by her incredible knowledge of dog training - for both the pups and their humans. If your dog is struggling with any behaviors, or just needs a little refresher, we highly recommend reaching out to her for a consultation and to see how she can help you. ❤️????❤️ More...
Reviewed on Facebook
Alexandria Keener Hammond
I can't recommend Virginia enough! She's fantastic to work with and takes the time to listen to your concerns and observe your dogs behavior.
Reviewed on Facebook
Vicky Richards
Virginia is wonderful and has been so great with helping get my pup under control. She's helped with training videos on top of advice (since I'm at a distance a few states away) and provided easy, step by step instructions for me to take with my baby boy.
Reviewed on Facebook
Nick Powers
Virginia did an amazing job showing us how to curb our puppy (Sadie) aggressive tendencies towards our older dog. She also helped train us how to have her place in a specific location on command and to goto a specific location when the doorbell rings or when we have people over. She aided us with ensuring Sadie would walk beside us and not pull or fall behind on walks as well. I would highly recommend her for any and all training needs. More...
Reviewed on Facebook
Eric Zvirman
Virginia is professional, talented, experienced, and most importantly invested in the dogs she trains. Her training sessions are very organized and effective. I highly recommend Gray House!
Reviewed on Facebook
Sarah Santana
our experience with gray house dog training was exceptional. Virginia is extremely knowledgeable and patient. She was also genuinely concerned for our pets well being. She also was very gracious and flexible with setting up payment plans for services. All around outstanding, and our pup is so kuch better off after her training. thanks so much! More...
Reviewed on Facebook
Helen Venesky
Highly knowledgeable, professional and it is obvious that she truly loves what she does!
Reviewed on Facebook
Carol L. Troxell
Virginia did a great job with our dogs. We have more harmony in our house and the knowledge to continue training to get the results we want. Our dogs responded very well to her. We look forward seeing her in about a month for a follow up visit. I would recommend her to anyone. More...
Reviewed on Facebook
Andrea Damon Smothers
Virginia helped me 3 years ago with my dog Zoey. She came the whole way to Lancaster several times a week and was so professional and she really knows her stuff!
Reviewed on Facebook
Katie Regester
We very highly recommend hiring Virginia as your dog trainer. We needed help with our 8 year old pit bull Olga who started acting out and having extreme separation anxiety after we moved to our new house. We tried everything and were desperate to help our baby who was very obviously stressed out since she never had issues with going to the bathroom indoors or with destructive behavior before we moved. We just didn't understand what was going on with her or how to help her. Virginia explained that it was extreme anxiety rather than what we thought was resentment. She showed us an incredible amount of training methods on how to communicate with our dogs and how to clearly ask them for what we want. She explained the process of building trust and communication so that Olga will trust that she doesn't have anything to be anxious about. She has stopped acting out completely and listens so well now! We feel like we have gotten to know our dogs so much better with Virginia's help, and we know more fully how to be excellent doggie parents for our babies! More...
Reviewed on Facebook
Suzanne B
Reviewed on Facebook
Teeba Al-Ghazawi
Reviewed on Facebook
What do you love most about your job?
Dog training brings the two things I'm most passionate about together - dogs and helping people. For me, it's not just about helping the dog and teaching it new things, it's about creating a family, about helping owners learn how to understand and help their dogs. I truly want to make every home I visit a Gray House, a house where dogs and humans come together to be a family they can love and cherish.
What inspired you to start your own business?
In 2016 I lost one of my best friends, a dog I fostered since he was 6 years old and was one of the best dogs I've ever known. In the process of adopting a new dog, I went through depression and chose to help myself by helping others. I had trained under experts while fostering years ago, but had never attempted to make it a living. Now, I offered my services as a small side job, but the need in the area for a personalized approach to dog training, especially one offered in the owner's home, was a niche I could fill. The work ended up filling not only that niche for my clients and their dogs, but filled my own heart with passion and happiness.
Why should our clients choose you?
The best interest of both you and your dog is my priority. That means I don't just train your dog, I educate and coach you on the why and how of training your dog so that you can take the reigns of your dog's training and move forward. I work with both you and your dog on an individual level to establish a basis of communication you both can understand and appreciate. This communication is the foundation of your relationship and helps your dog learn to trust and respect you.
Can you provide your services online or remotely? If so, please add details.
Dog training involves a lot of nuance and feel which cannot be translated over voice and video only; it must literally be felt out in-person. Although I do offer online support for my clients, I do not offer strictly online training programs. That being said, I do my utmost to uphold safety standards while working with my clients one-on-one.
What changes have you made to keep your customers safe from Covid-19?
I will wear a filtered mask for the entirety of every training session with my clients. As often as possible, lessons will be held outside, at times in second location as to ensure social distancing for as much of the lesson as possible and to reduce the amount of contact I have with the owner's household and belongings. Upon request, I will wear disposable gloves during training lessons, which will be safely discarded after each lesson.
Standard In-Home Training Programs
My standard in-home training programs consist of a set number of in-home weekly training sessions, training equipment, a set number of free follow-up sessions after the main program is complete, and access to my private Facebook client community.
Standard programs include hands-on work between trainer and dog, as well as extensive coaching for the owners to develop a fundamental understanding of training and how their dog thinks.
Some training goals achievable through the standard in-home program may include potty training, crate training, leash training, household manners and developing good behaviors, and functional basic obedience.
Dog Walking / Leash Training Program
Leash walking is one of the most common issues I tackle with my standard in-home clients. So to give an extra helping hand, I developed a more comprehensive program specifically for those who consider this their top priority.
The Dog Walking / Leash Training Program provides a comprehensive deep-dive for both you and your dog into teaching, conditioning, and proofing good leash manners. Your dog will receive private training sessions one-on-one with an experienced professional, while you will hone your own training skills on the days in between. You will experience regular coaching sessions along the way, to ensure you and your trainer are keeping your dog on the same page throughout the process.
Puppy Primer Program
Exclusively for puppies between 2-6 months old, this program is specifically designed to start you and your puppy off on the right paw.
The Puppy Primer is customized to you and your puppy. We go over crate and potty training, leash training, socialization, body handling in prep for the vet and the groomer, the basics of obedience work, general manners and our Unspoken Rules of the Universe, and the basics of building a trusting and respectful relationship with your puppy.
