Next Set of Classes - Walled Lake

The next set of dog classes to be held at Lill Nell's in Walled Lake will commence October 18, 2009.  The Canine Good Citizen class (Intermediate Manners) will be held at 3:30-4:25pm and the Basic Manners will be held from 4:30-5:25pm.  The class runs for six weeks.  Dogs come to all six sessions of the CGC class whereas there is a people orientation without dogs for the Basic Manners class on the first night of class.  You can register online and reserve your spot in the class at http://michigandogtrainer.com/groupclasses.html

Introducing a Second Dog to the Household

by Michael Burkey, CDBC All Rights Reserved. 2009. If you were to compare your dogs to a traffic light, would you say they are “green light”, “yellow light”, or “red light” dogs?  A green light dog is friendly with all dogs and people and has appropriate meeting behaviors.  Yellow light dogs are those that are friendly but you should use some caution in managing their interactions. Whereas, red light dogs are very reactive toward other dogs and/or people.  This reactivity is usually aggressive looking.  However, with some dogs, it is friendly but extreme excitement that  would cause most dogs to attack them due to their out of control, over the top, excited approach. You probably know which traffic light color your current dogs are as you have observed their interactions with others in many different situations.  If a current dog or the new dog would be considered a “red light” dog, you should not introduce them without the assistance of a dog behavior expert.  Most aggressive red light dogs will lead happier lives being the only dog in the household and it is not worth the risk of injury to try to introduce them with other dogs in the household.  Instead, the goal should be to work with a consultant one to one, so that the red light dog can become a yellow light dog enabling you to walk your dog in public places. When introducing the new green light or yellow light dog to the household, consider him or her to be a “yellow light” dog before assuming the dog to be a green light dog.  The secret to introducing dogs is for the interactions to be frequent and safe.  Introduce the new dog to each of the current household dogs individually rather than putting them all together at one time.  The first interaction(s) should occur in a neutral area for both dogs. Every situation and dog is different so it is difficult to prescribe the best way to introduce dogs to each other in every situation and in the context of an article.  A professional dog trainer will help you identify and learn the dogs’ body behavior clues to ensure the interactions are done as safely and effectively as possible.  However, in general terms it is recommended to have both dogs on long lines (10’-20’ long) instead of six feet leashes.  The long lines allow dogs to do play bows toward each other, go away from each other if desired, and prevents opposition reflex (a dog becomes frustrated by a tight leash and pulls forward into the collar from feeling tension on a leash). After observing the dogs’ interactions toward each other at a safe distance, allow them to approach each other in an arching circle.  If their behaviors continue to be friendly and non-stressed toward each other, allow them to meet.  You should remain holding the long lines in case you have to pull the dogs apart but there shouldn’t be any tension in the lines.   The next step is to allow them to meet subsequent times in other neutral settings to play with each other off leash, to receive treats with the other dog present (be careful to have the dogs tethered so that they cannot grab the treat from the other dog and teach them to be patient while waiting for their treat), to go for walks together, etc. If you are unsure if the dogs should be allowed to meet, you might place a muzzle on each dog for their safety.  However, unless both dogs have been accustomed to wearing a muzzle gradually over time, placing a muzzle on them simply for this exercise is not likely to be effective as the dogs will probably spend their energy trying to remove the muzzles.  Dogs who show fearful and/or aggressive tendencies should always be worked sub-threshold.  This means working them at a distance that they are able to tolerate and be successful. After several neutral interactions with no concerns, you are ready to try it within the household.  Bring the household dog outdoors to meet the new dog slightly off the property.  With another positive interaction completed, walk the dogs together into the house and continue to supervise their interactions.  Do not allow the new dog to enter the house to greet the household dog within, as some dogs become anxious upon seeing another dog come toward them through a narrow entry way such as a doorway, hallway, or out of a crate. During times you are unable to provide close supervision, you may choose to separate the dogs via a babygate, tethering them in the same room in which you are supervising them, or isolating them to a crate or another room from each other.  Until you are sure that they have bonded with each other (which means that they not only enjoy being with each other but also do not fight over resources such as food, toys, resting places, etc.), it is best to provide close supervision or temporary isolation so that aggressive behavior is not rehearsed.  Calm behavior and positive experiences should be rehearsed and reinforced constantly. By following the above dog training tips, one may be able to determine if a new dog can be introduced into a new household of dogs.  Go slow with the process and ensure safety for the dogs and people present at all times.  If the dogs do not respond well with each other at any point of the process, stop the introduction and consider a different home for the new dog or contact Michael Burkey, a Certified Dog Behavior Consultant in Michigan for assistance at 734-634-4152, http://www.MichiganDogTrainer.com.

Send A Card to Someone to Show Them You Care

Everyone loves to receive a card.  It shows you care.  There is a great new product that I have to share with you.  It's called Send Out Cards.

Instead of having to go to the store, look through a store for the "right" impersonal card, find a stamp to put on the envelope and then take it to the post office or mailbox....you could quickly find the "perfect" card online, personalize it and send it to that special someone for next to nothing and in a fraction of the time.  How great is that?!

I'm not a salesman, in fact I hate selling products.  But I love this product and you will too.  Send out Cards have sample cards online that you can choose from and include personable messages.  What is really cool is that you can upload a picture of yourself, your kids, your dogs, etc. and send a highly personalized card to that special someone.  It's easy to do, quick, fun and highly personable.  In fact, I can't wait for one of my friends to send me a card back.

So if you love mailing out cards, own a small business and need a way to say thank you or keep in touch with customers, or you are a person who needs reminders when to send out cards to loved ones (come on men, you know you could use a little help in this department, lol); Send Out Cards is awesome.  You can set reminders in the program that will let you know when to send your next card due to the person's upcoming birthday/anniversary date, etc.  Think about it, never again will you have to send out a "belated birthday" card.

I just started using this product myself for my business, Michael Burkey's Canine Behavioral Training at http://www.MichiganDogTrainer.com.  Here are some of the cards I just sent out myself:

*  my dad is in the hospital so I sent him a cute get well card with a personable message to perk him up;

*  I sent thank you cards with personal messages containing my business logo to the instructors of a seminar I recently attended;

*  I sent a thank you card to a photography instructor that I recently talked with containing a cute photograph of a dog I personally photographed in Iowa;

*  and, I uploaded a cute picture of my five year old nephew and created a Birthday card for him that the company will mail out a week before his birthday.  This way, I won't forget to mail the well intended impersonal regular birthday card that would have otherwise been sitting at home on the shelf.

So you can see the ideas are endless.  Having Send Out Cards publish and send out your personable cards via regular mail is fun, cost and time effective and very special.  Give it a try for yourself.  I'm positive you will enjoy it as much as I do.  I'm so positive, that you can send out a card for free on me by emailing me at info@MichiganDogTrainer.com and I'll show you how to do it for free.

A High Quality Dog Food Promotes a Healthy Dog

Although you may think all pet food manufacturers have your pet’s best interests in mind, this is not always the case. Current pet food regulations allow manufacturers to use ingredients that you would never knowingly give to your pet. In fact, you may be shocked to learn what some brands of pet food really contain.  

Many store bought foods are made with fillers such as corn, which cannot be digested by your dog.  This results in your dog pooping more and not receiving vital nutrients.  Additionally, many store bought foods include “by product meals”, which with chicken means the extra parts such as beaks, feet and feathers.  Look at the ingredient panel on your current dog food brand.  If it contains corn, processed rice, wheat gluten, or by-products, you are not feeding your dog a high quality dog food.

Michael highly recommends and feeds his own dogs the all natural pet food,  “Life's Abundance.”  It is a high quality dog food that is grain free, filler free, and additive free!  It was formulated and developed by Dr. Jane Bricks who is a highly respected and nationally recognized holistic veterinarian, author of three national books on pet care and nutrition and has served on professional boards. 

Life's Abundance dog food is made weekly and not shelved for a year like many store bought dog foods.  It is not sold in stores.  Instead, it is shipped directly to your home, ensuring it’s freshness.  Additionally, you can receive a discounted price on the food by opting to have it “auto-shipped” to your home.  You control how often it arrives based upon your dog’s eating habits.

Quality nutrition is crucial to your dog’s health.  Feed your dog Life's Abundance!

Click here to learn more about holistic dog food and to place your first order of Life's Abundance recommended by expert Michigan Dog Trainer, Michael Burkey, CDBC.

Pictures from That's My Dog Seminar

Here are some pictures of Reese (Pit Bull & Boxer mix) I am training as a Board and Train client.  It was her lucky day when I decided to bring her to the That's My Dog seminar instead of my own dog.  Reese has been working hard, learning a lot, running and playing in nearby Dubuque Iowa forest and streams, and enjoying the high life of staying in a fancy Holiday Inn Hotel.

"That's My Dog" is Superb!

From September 12-16, 2009 I attended an Advanced Trainer's Seminar with Robin MacFarlane of http://www.ThatsMyDog.com and JT Clough of http://www.SitK9Sit.com in Hazel Green, Wisconsin.  Robin and JT are excellent instructors who offer continuing education for trainers "who seek higher skill levels and deeper understanding of techniques utilized in solving behavior issues."

The 40 hour course included hands on training with dogs as well as classroom presentations regarding consultation skills, personal development, and business management.  There was also time for "real world training" as our class took the dogs to a neighboring city and forest for adventure outings.

Robin has an excellent eye for reading dogs and an unique ability to break lessons down into easy to understand steps for the  human and dog students alike.  This creates a fun and low stress learning environment.  JT brings with her a California flair as she is based in San Diego, CA but travels to Wisconsin to partner with Robin for the Instructor seminars.  If you need assistance with business coaching, JT rocks!  And, having completed the Ironman NINE TIMES, you know she  brings tremendous energy to her presentations.

If you're a dog trainer and/or dog behavior consultant, you will want to attend Robin and JT's Instructor programs.  They will push you (gently but consistently) to step outside yourself for personal development which will ultimately better your business and the welfare of dogs and their guardians.

If you're a dog guardian living in the tri-state area desiring high quality dog training instruction, then you must enroll in one of "That's My Dog" training programs.  Robin's head instructor, AnnAlissa Johnson is non-stop with humorous training analogies.  Her analogies easily put students at ease and increases their confidence levels.  When contacting That's My Dog, you'll probably have the wonderful opportunity to speak with Robin's business manager, Liz.  Her friendly and exceptional customer service makes everything appear to run flawlessly.  Whether you're a new dog training student or an instructor wanting to increase your skills, "That's My Dog" is the place to be!

It's been a wonderful  experience for me as it's been a time to:

*  learn,

*  reflect,

*  make new friends with other trainers, and

*  plan new exciting ways to expand dog training for client's and their dogs.

This weekend, the learning continues as I stay on for another training program called E-Palooza.  "That's My Dog" describes it as,  "a gathering of training professionals dedicated to educating and enhancing the world of dogs."  Forty to fifty training professionals are scheduled to attend.  It should be another fun and valued learning experience!

Therapy Dog Class

The new Therapy Dog Class has been posted....it starts October 13, 2009!   For more information, see http://www.MichiganDogTrainer.com/groupclasses/therapydogclass.html

Back to School Even for the Dogs

Hi Everyone, it's back to school time even for the dogs.

Michael Burkey's Canine Behavioral Training has a new set of group dog training classes in Westland, Michigan starting September 30, 2009. The classes include: Basic Manners, Intermediate Manners/Canine Good Citizen, Advanced Manners, and Feisty Fido (a class for dogs who tend to be reactive toward other dogs).

Classes are filling up quick. For more information go to www.MichiganDogTrainer.com/groupclasses.html

Reese, a Boxer/Pitt Mix pictured above is a current Board and Train student. She is learning a lot, becoming well mannered and enjoying life! Today she had a blast romping around on the shoreline of a large pond while we worked on off leash obedience. Look for her story in future posts.

New Therapy Dog Class

I'm excited to announce that I just posted a new group class, Therapy Dog Prep. class. Many dogs and owners are not quite ready to take the therapy dog evaluation after having passed their Canine Good Citizen test. Therefore, I've developed a high quality Therapy Dog Prep class to fulfill the needs of students, their dogs and patients who deserve to have visits from well trained therapy dog teams. The class will be offered only a few times a year and the first one starts in mid October 2009.

So if your dog loves people, consider training him to be a therapy dog. For more information, see: http://michigandogtrainer.com/groupclasses/therapydogclass.html.