Michael Burkey's Canine Behavioral Training

New Blog format

2011-02-07T10:27:00.000-05:00

All future blog posts will be transferred to wordpress instead of blogger. Wordpress offers more searchable functions enabling readers to find past blog entries that interest them and I am able to enter the blog onto my website as well.

So please visit me at my new blog site, http://www.michigandogtraining/wordpress.com

Thanks,

Michael

For professional dog training in Michigan, contact Michael Burkey at http://www.MichiganDogTrainer.com, info@MichiganDogTrainer.com, 734-634-4152.

Remote Training Collar - Effective Communication Tool for your Dog

2011-01-31T15:44:00.007-05:00

The secret to training dogs is to develop a trusting relationship with your dog. That is the big picture to success, however, training tools can be extremely helpful to help get you there. One misunderstood tool, is the remote training collar or as some people refer to it as a “shock collar.” In truth, it really is not a shock collar when it is used appropriately at a low setting or as Robin MacFarlane of That’s My Dog, Inc. of Dubuque, Wisconsin coins as the “just right setting”. When used in this manner, it is a very effective and humane communication tool to teach your dog not only “what not to do” but more importantly, “what to do”.

When considering using a remote training collar, people commonly make three mistakes: 1. They buy an inferior collar that does not offer a wide range of stimulation so you can truly use the lowest setting that gets your dog’s attention, 2. They do not know how to lay the foundation work so the dog understands how to make the low level stimulation cease, and 3. They purchase the inferior collar unit without professional instruction.

Inferior collars are those that typically have low number of stimulation levels (7-15). Whereas, the Dogtra remote collars have 100-127 levels. This doesn’t mean that they are more powerful but instead offer much smaller steps between the levels so you can use the “just right setting” instead of having to go to a higher level too quickly. With the aid of a professional dog trainer who is a remote collar specialist; you can quickly learn how to teach your dog the foundation work necessary for your dog to understand the collar system. Board and Train or Personal in home instruction is the best way to learn but there are other options too: Remote Adventures Class in Garden City or at Walled Lake, Michigan or follow along Robin MacFarlane’s excellent “Just Right!” DVD instruction of training.

So if you want your dog to be all that he or she can be, build a trusting relationship with your dog and consider adding a remote training collar to your toolbox of training tools.

For professional dog training in Michigan, contact Michael Burkey at http://www.MichiganDogTrainer.com, info@MichiganDogTrainer.com, 734-634-4152.

New Year Resolutions for You and Your Dog, Part 3

2011-01-29T14:00:00.003-05:00

In Part 1 and Part 2 of this training article series, mention was made of resolutions being made for your dog(s) as well as for yourself. Family pets are very much a part of the family and their needs should be considered as well as how they fit into the family’s lifestyle. For example, if an active puppy or dog has not been taught good family dog manners, it is likely that he or she will repeatedly jump on guests and counter tops, barge out doorways, pull while on a leash, etc. Whereas, if a resolution was made to train the family dog to exhibit impulse control and good manners in the home, it would be so much easier to enjoy living with your dog. And, thus your dog would be able to enjoy more family activities.

The action steps necessary to accomplish this might look like this: 1. Enroll Fido in a board and train program, hire a professional dog trainer for in-home visits, or participate in a group training class, 2. Make time to train Fido twice a day for 15 minutes duration, five days per week, and 3. Adopt an everyday training philosophy of Prevent (don’t put fido in situations he/she is not ready to handle), Manage (fido’s environment), and Teach (alternative behaviors that don’t allow bad manners to be rehearsed and rewarded, e.g. a solid sit stay instead of allowing Fido to jump on people upon greeting them).

Planning and carrying out actions steps are crucial for accomplishing goals. However, the most important concept the public should understand is that "dogs are living breathing creatures that deserve to be treated with respect" according to Professional Dog Trainer Scott Williams of Beyond the Leash in north eastern Massachusetts. He elaborates by saying, "Train with kindness and choose your battles. It is infinitely more useful to have your dog do one thing well than many things without reliability. For example a solid down and stay will solve a thousand perceived problems".

Similarly, Professional Dog Trainer Robin MacFarlane of That's My Dog, Inc., in Dubque, Wisconsin reminds us that "dogs are not humans." She further states, "They don't think or rationalize anything like us. I believe it is a disservice for people to treat them or train them with those thoughts in mind. Dog's have their own motivations and ways of interpreting the world. They are intelligent creatures and amazing to work with, but it is sad when humans don't take the time to really understand more. Too often a dog's only purpose becomes to to fill a void in our own emotional needs. And when the "treating like human" doesn't yield the ease of relationship the person was expecting...they give up, get rid of the dog or relegate the dog to a very managed, boring lifestyle. The more we actually learn about canine instincts and abilities, the more we can then appreciate them for what they are and the easier it is to train them. Once people experience this trained relationship, it changes everything for the better."

For professional dog training in Michigan, contact Michael Burkey at http://www.MichiganDogTrainer.com, info@MichiganDogTrainer.com, 734-634-4152.

New Year Resolutions for You and Your Dog, Part 2

2011-01-17T23:07:00.006-05:00

Part 1 of this article discussed how New Years resolutions need to be concrete visions accompanied by actions steps instead of wishful thinking. So what goals do you have for your dog(s)? To gather ideas, listen to what two professional dog trainers have in store for their personal dogs this year.

Robin MacFarlane, Owner and Training Director for That’s My Dog! Inc. in Dubuque, Iowa says: “My resolution with my personal dogs is to go to more new places for our walks. Getting out to new areas for hikes and exploring makes it more fun for me and it motivates me to go more often. For the dogs, the benefits are more exercise and more mental stimulation with new things to see and explore. I also will put a trained retrieve on the newest pup, plus continue to teach her at least 2 new behaviors per month.”

Scott Williams, Owner and Training Director for Beyond the Leash in Boxford, Massachusetts related the following goals for himself and his dogs: “There is a French Ring Trial in Montreal Canada in May 2011 that I have put in my calendar and plan to compete with my dog at that trial. I have also just signed up for Flyball classes! I'm excited to learn more about this activity and possibly teach it in the later part of 2011. I will make a point of taking off leash hikes with my dog and just enjoy him for the wonderful creature that he is.”

Not everyone is interested in entering competitions with their dogs. However, it’s interesting to note that both trainers plan to hike with their dogs at more exciting locations which will provide their dog with physical exercise and mental stimulation. These are wonderful resolutions that would benefit every dog.

There are wonderful opportunities in the state of Michigan for you to explore new places with your dog. The MichiganDogTrainer meet up group is a fun socialization and dog walking group that is free to it’s members. They meet at various parks and trails to hike with each other throughout the whole year. It’s free, good exercise and fun times. If your pooch isn’t ready for group hikes, Michael Burkey’s Canine Behavioral Training offers board and train programs, in-home training, and group classes including a hiking class entitled Outdoor Adventures. Part 3 of this series, will focus on how to develop the action steps for accomplishing your dog’s New Years resolutions.

For professional dog training in Michigan, contact Michael Burkey at http://www.MichiganDogTrainer.com, info@MichiganDogTrainer.com, 734-634-4152.

New Year Resolutions for You and Your Dog, Part 1

2011-01-11T23:38:00.009-05:00

Another year has come and gone. It’s hard to believe that 2010 went by so quickly. Did you accomplish all that you wanted to during the past year? If not, make a resolution that you will start afresh and plan out your 2011 activities and goals, not only for yourself but also for your dog(s).

Some folks are apprehensive about making resolutions because they failed to keep them in the past. Did you make resolutions for 2011 but already found it hard to keep them. This is because the resolutions were wishful thoughts instead of concrete visions accompanied by the necessary action steps to stay on task and accomplish the goals.

When one can create, experience and believe in a vision or goal; it becomes reality rather than wishful thinking. To make it a reality, one needs to apply the action steps as if they were bricks placed on top of each other until a solid foundation is built. The wall will not be solid much less take the proper form if the bricks are heaped on top of each other. Instead, they must be properly laid with the correct mortar ingredients. And, from time to time, measurements must be taken to be sure the walls are being built at the correct angles much like taking inventory as to whether or not one is still on track with their action steps.

The first step though is to focus on your passions and decide what you want to change or improve in your life. There are the common lofty resolutions such as losing weight, improving family relationships, earning more money, saving more money, etc. However, these are not detailed enough by themselves. If one wants to lose weight, one needs to decide how much weight to lose, by what time period, and how they will accomplish it. For example, instead of resolving to simply lose weight, a person wanting to lose 50 lbs. overall might state their goal as, “My goal is to lose 50 lbs. within 52 weeks by doing A, B, and C. Another option would be to break down the goal of losing 50 lbs and determine what needs to be done to lose 25 lbs within six months. One would also set up checks and balances to ensure the action steps are being completed and to determine if different actions steps need to be put in place dependent upon the current situation. The same process can be done with developing resolutions and training goals for your pets.

Professional dog trainers are adept at setting new training goals and opportunities for their students and their dogs. Listen to what two renowned professional dog trainers have in store for their students this year: Robin MacFarlane, Owner and Training Director for That’s My Dog! Inc. of Dubuque, Iowa states, “For my students I intend to keep offering new classes. We are offering a scent class now and will be adding a problem solving class and more outings. The more I can offer varying opportunities, the more I can address the various interests that people have. This creates a win/win solution to getting people to do more with their dogs and truly discover how amazing the relationship can become.” And, Scott Williams, Owner and Training Director of Beyond the Leash in Boxford, Massachusetts plans the following, “As for my students, I plan on offering more exciting activities that keep them coming back and having fun. I would like to offer more entertaining activities for dogs and their owners. I will offer Nosework, Flyball and a new class that I am presently developing. My goal for my present and future students is to help them laugh at themselves a little more and enjoy the spirit of the dog”. Sounds like their students will have lots of fun in the new year. To locate similar fun classes in the state of Michigan, look for group dog training classes in Ann Arbor and Walled Lake. Part 2 of this article series will address the goals you have for your personal dog.

For professional dog training in Michigan, contact Michael Burkey at http://www.MichiganDogTrainer.com, info@MichiganDogTrainer.com, 734-634-4152.

3 New Canine Good Citizens

2010-12-17T17:01:00.001-05:00

On December 16, 2010 three new Canine Good Citizens and their parents earned the American Kennel Club's Canine Good Citizen certificate at the Humane Society of Huron Valley. Two of the new citizens, STELLA ARTOLIS, a Plott Hound mix, handled by Alison Chester of Ann Arbor, Michigan and SOPHIE, a German Shorthair Pointer, handled by Cathy Pianelli also of Ann Arbor, Michigan earned their certificates after completing Michael Burkey's Canine Behavioral Training's CGC/Intermediate Manners group class. The third new citizen was a walk in registrant, TURBO CHARGER, a Lab/Shepherd mix handled by Katelin Thomas of Plymouth, Michigan. Congratulations to all three new citizens!

For professional dog training in Michigan, contact Michael Burkey at http://www.MichiganDogTrainer.com, info@MichiganDogTrainer.com, 734-634-4152.

Easy Walk Harness May Now Be used in CGC Testing

2010-12-11T20:02:00.002-05:00

Previously, the American Kennel Club (AKC) did not allow dog teams taking the Canine Good Citizen (CGC) test to use a body harness such as the Easy Walk Harness The EW s a body harness in which the leash attaches to a clasp on the dog's chest instead of on top of his back. Doing so, the strap across his chest tightens slightly if he pulls forward. This redirects his attention back to you or places him slightly off balance making it easy for the handler to step in front of their dog and walk in the opposite direction. It will not pinch him nor totally restrict his movement but he is less likely to continue pulling forward with his shoulders turned sideways. The EW is sold for a nominal price at the Humane Society of Huron Valley (3100 Cherry Hill Road, Ann Arbor, Michigan).

I always found it puzzling as to why the EW was not previously allowed in the tests but yet a martingale style neck collar, also known as a premier collar, was allowed (also sold at HSHV). A martingale collar does not restrict forward movement but it does clasp tighter around the dog's neck when he pulls forward without choking him (note, a martingale collar is a very effective tool to ensure a dog does not slip out of a traditional snap together or buckle style collar and is more humane than a chain or sometimes referred to as a choke collar.) I attributed the reason why the EW was not allowed previously was probably because it was not yet developed or widely used when the test rules were developed. And, it appears I was correct.

As of November 4, 2010, the AKC changed the CGC test rules to allow the use of a harness such as the EW. Per the AKC website, "As of November 4, 2010, body harnesses may be used in the CGC test. The evaluator should check to make sure the harness is not of a type that completely restricts the dog's movement such that it could not pull or jump up if it tried." Thanks go to the AKC for updating their test rules as many owners find the EW to be a wonderful training tool. It helps manages the dog's pulling behavior (to reduce excessive pulling but it is not a replacement for professional dog training) while the owner teaches the dog to walk with them on a loose leash. It's also a great strength equalizer for many students with large dogs.

If you're interested in training your dog to pass the CGC evaluation, register for the "Canine Good Citizen / Intermediate Manners" group dog class held at the Humane Society of Huron Valley in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Evaluations are held upon the conclusion of each six week period class. If you want to see what a CGC test looks like, come observe the next testing scheduled for December 16, 2010 at 6:45pm.

For professional dog training in Michigan, contact Michael Burkey at http://www.MichiganDogTrainer.com, info@MichiganDogTrainer.com, 734-634-4152

Dog Meet and Greets, Who to Watch?

2010-11-25T23:50:00.000-05:00

The other day, a group of dog lovers and their dogs, the MichiganDogTrainer meet up group, met at Gallup Park in Ann Arbor, Michigan to participate in a group walk together. The dogs in the group are considered "green light" dogs, meaning they are friendly with other dogs and people. The group's intent is to provide ongoing socialization and exercise for their dogs.

During the walk, the group commonly pass other dog owners and their dogs that are unknown to them. A common exchange occurs such as asking if the dogs are friendly and if so can they meet each other. If the answer is yes, the dogs are allowed to meet and greet each other while on leash (due to park leash laws and the lack of a fenced in area). Many of the MichiganDogTrainer group members have previously participated in group dog classes or private dog training at Michael Burkey's Canine Behavioral Training program so they are well versed in recognizing stress behaviors in their dogs. If they see their dog exhibit stress behaviors such as muscles tensing, body posturing toward or away from other dogs, ear carriage going from normal relaxed carry to forward or back, breathing changing from normal to paused, etc., they know how to safely move their dog away from the other dogs to create a safety distance between them.

In this instance, the group member dogs were not stressed and they were enthusiastically and appropriately greeting an unknown dog. It was the unknown dog that was exhibiting the stress behaviors. However, it initially went unnoticed because the group members were focusing on watching only their own dogs' reactions. The group leader was present and requested the members to pull their dogs away from the unknown dog.

The greater distance between the dogs lowered the unknown dog's stress level and therefore, prevented the situation from escalating. And, it was an excellent learning opportunity for the group members. They took a moment to discuss the situation before completing their walk. They realized they didn't see the unknown dog's behavior change because they were looking at their own dogs. The moral of the story is that even if your dog is the most polite and outgoing dog there is, you must watch for behavior changes not only in your own dog but also of the unknown dog to keep every one safe and stress free. Not every dog is ready to go nose to nose with other friendly dogs. The unknown dog's needs should also be considered as to when it is safe for dogs to meet and greet each other.

For professional dog training in Michigan, contact Michael Burkey at http://www.MichiganDogTrainer.com, info@MichiganDogTrainer.com, 734-634-4152. Click here, if you want to join the meet up group to participate in fun walks with other dog lovers in Washtenaw, Wayne and Oakland counties particularly in the Ann Arbor and Canton areas.

Dog Behavior Photos

2010-10-23T21:00:00.007-04:00

Do You Have an Old or Current Behavior Photo of Your Dog, in Your Mind’s Eye?

Recently, I was working with two of my clients who have come so far with their reactive dogs (in these cases, dogs who show dog to dog aggression or toward other stimuli such as cars). The first dog, is a Border Terrier who would go from being calm and sweet in an instant to wanting to lunge, bark and bite at other dogs and passing cars who were at quite a distance from him. He is now able to attend dog seminars and be in the midst of 30+ dogs without being reactive, take loose leash walks with other dogs, and look to his owner when a car passes by instead of trying to apprehend the speeding vehicle. His training consisted of a board and train program as well as in home training sessions.

The second dog is an All American Shepherd mix, who enrolled in a Feisty Fido dog training class which is for dogs who are considered “yellow lights” and show aggression or reactivity toward other dogs. At the start of the class series, their dog had to be worked at the most remote corner of the training room to lessen his stress level and consequently his desire to bark non stop. A few weeks later, their dog was able to walk toward other dogs and be worked in close proximity to other dogs; while focusing on his owners rather than barking at the other dogs. He will soon be ready to participate in other group classes which will build his confidence and desire to work with his owners such as a new K9 Scent Detection Game class.

The owners of both dogs recognize the progress their dogs have made. However, they still had an old picture of their dog in their mind as to how their dog use to behave when challenging triggers presented themselves. For example, when a car passes the first dog, he now looks to his owner in a calm manner instead of reacting toward the passing car. However, the owner is still operating in the past with an old picture of her dog in her mind. The dog is no longer reactive toward the oncoming car but the owner still is. Her muscles stiffened, she forgot to breathe, and she yanked her dog to the side of the road instead of calmly walking with her dog, creating more distance between her dog and the car.

To bring the owner into the current moment, she used neuro-linguistic programing and visualized that old photo of her dog’s behavior and threw it in the virtual trash. She then looked at a digital camera and visualized taking a current picture of her dog’s calm behavior in above situation. The car was coming toward them and instead of voicing, “oh my gosh”, the new inner voice said, “oh good here comes a training opportunity”; snap goes the picture. So now when a car approaches, she will instantly look to that new photo in her mind’s eye of her dog’s calm behavior. Thus, she will remain calm and be able to take charge instead of panic in new situations. And, her dog will continue to make progress by leaps and bounds. So the question is, do you have an old or current behavior photo of your dog in your mind’s eye?

For professional dog training in Michigan, contact Michael Burkey at http://www.MichiganDogTrainer.com, info@MichiganDogTrainer.com, 734-634-4152.

Potty Training - Please Help!

2010-09-17T09:13:00.002-04:00

Nancy K.G. wrote:

Don't know if this consists of a behavioral issue, but here goes....I have a 10 week old Beagle mix puppy. I take her out to go potty then she comes back into the house and a few minutes later, goes again. Why is that and what am I doing wrong? Please, anyone who can help, please do!! Thanks in advance....

Hi Nancy,

Ohhhh, the delightful and frustrating perils of having a puppy. A puppy isn't able to reliably control their bladder and bowel until they are about 20 weeks of age, although you should see their control improve from 10-20 weeks of age. So in other words, it will probably get better with time.

Here are some quick tips regarding housbreaking:

Make sure your puppy has had enough time to do their business outdoors before brining her back in as maybe she just wasn’t yet done.
When you take her outdoors, make pottying the first order of business and then verbally praise her after she eliminates.
Take her on leash to the same spot for her to eliminate as the smell of where she has gone before will stimulate her to eliminate.
As she eliminates, name the behavior by saying “potty”, “break”, or another term.
When she comes back inside, keep a close watch of her in case she needs to go back outside again.
Keep a close watch of her by closing the door of the room you are in with her, attaching her to a leash which then is attached to your waist and by teaching her to rest comfortably on a dog bed, “place” command.
“Crate train” her so that when you can’t closely supervise her activities she can rest comfortably in the crate that is only large enough for her to lay down, stand up and turn around.
Take her outdoors often, much more often than you may think one should have to. This may mean hourly outings and certainly every time after a play session, upon waking up, and after eating or drinking.
Feed your puppy a high quality dog food, such as Life Abundance, that doesn’t contain by-products, corn and dyes.
Consult with a professional dog trainer for more advice as training questions are a challenge to answer within the confines of an email or blog entry. A trainer can help you make sure your puppy starts off on the “right paw.”
And if the situation doesn’t improve despite the above tips, take your puppy to your veterinarian for a wellness check.

For professional dog training in Michigan, contact Michael Burkey at http://www.MichiganDogTrainer.com, info@MichiganDogTrainer.com, 734-634-4152.

E-Palozza - Continuing Education for Professional Dog Trainers

2010-09-16T05:48:00.011-04:00

It's crucial for professional dog trainers to commit and be responsible for their own on-going personal development. As such, this week I'm attending the annual E-Palozza dog training program at "That's My Dog" training center in Hazel Green, Wisconsin.

E-Palooza is a gathering place for professional dog trainers who use remote training collars as part of their overall training program. "That's My Dog's" owner and Training Director, Robin MacFarlane states: "....As all things, the event (E-Palozza) has evolved over the years and the E in palooza represents much more than just the electronic collar. It is about, education, entertainment, enthusiasm, ethics…all the things that the people that gather here represent. It is about creating a higher standard for professional trainers." That program kickstarts starts tomorrow with an exciting group of featured speakers representing the medical field, dog training, business building and personal development specialities.

However, for the purpose of today's blog, I want to talk about the awesome opportunity I and two other business owners had by spending the day with MacFarlane. It was a personable focused introspection of our businesses and the steps we can implement to take our businesses to the next level, whatever that meant for each of us. Through discussion, questions and challenges; MacFarlane helped each of us develop a business plan that was highly personal and realistic to our individual needs and passions.

As with any goal setting program, there must be action steps that are developed and implemented in order to accomplish the goal. MacFarlane recommends limiting the core goals to just three at a time that can receive focused attention. Otherwise, it is too tempting to become distracted by other events and projects that result in our energy being applied elsewhere rather than on our core goals. Along with actions steps, she recommended that time frames be established for completion of the goals and action steps. It is also helpful for them to be shared with a partner or mentor to ensure accountability to the program.

Having been a social worker in a former career, goal setting comes second nature for me. And this is what we do with dog training clients every day; help them develop training plans that are effective, realistic, personalized and broken down into doable action steps for the client and their dog. And yet, today's session was extremely helpful for me.

With the guidance of a trusted and knowledgable professional, it provided me with clarification of what is important to me and what makes me happy. This in turn will enable me to become even more effective when servicing my clients and their dogs. Additionally, MacFarlane was an excellent sounding board to bounce our ideas of from. Drawn from her vast experience, she provided constructive feedback, imparted new knowledge and suggested ways to keep learning fun.

As I experienced with MacFarlane today, I recommend that you take some time for yourself and visualize the type of relationship you desire to have with your dog. With the help of a trusted and professional dog trainer, you can develop a personalized and realistic training plan for your dog (three goals at a time) that includes actions steps to be accomplished within agreed upon time frames. And, by consulting with an experienced dog trainer, you will learn new skills and build accountability into your program to ensure success of your core training goals. Now go have some fun training time with your dog!

For professional dog training in Michigan, contact Michael Burkey at http://www.MichiganDogTrainer.com, info@MichiganDogTrainer.com, 734-634-4152.

Dogs that Go Missing in Action

2010-08-08T22:37:00.001-04:00

Recently, my neighbor called me to help her return a dog that was sitting outside her fence gate. The unknown terrier mix , later identified, as Rudy, was attracted to her property because her dogs were in their back yard. Not knowing the history of the dog, she was afraid to approach Rudy. Fortunately, he turned out to be extremely friendly toward people and other dogs.

Rudy had a city registration tag on his collar but it was unreadable due to it’s age, 2002. A spot check of nearby homes did not result in finding anyone who knew to whom Rudy belonged. There wasn’t time to take Rudy to the humane society the same day, so I took a picture of him and uploaded it onto the shelter’s website. I hoped his owner would find the picture and know that Rudy was being well cared for during his absence.

The following day, I took Rudy to the Michigan Humane Society to have him scanned for a microchip. Hopefully, one would be found and I would be able to return Rudy to his owner without him having to spend any time in the shelter. Sadly though, he did not have a microchip. Therefore, I checked him into the shelter knowing that they would place a hold on him for four days, to give his owner time to find him before placing him up for adoption, provided he successfully passed the temperament evaluation. After having spent the night with Rudy and being a dog behavior expert myself, I knew he would pass such an evaluation with flying colors.

Fortunately, Rudy’s story has a very happy ending. As I waited for Rudy to be checked into the shelter, his owner entered the shelter lobby joyfully exclaiming, “you found my dog!” As it turned out, Rudy had travelled approximately ten blocks during his neighborhood exploration.

Early this morning, I saw two adult Rottweilers running loose on Wayne Road in Westland, Michigan. At first they would not come to me but with some encouragement, they jumped into my truck for a ride and some pet massages. Fortunately, they had stayed together during their outdoor adventure as one of them didn’t have any tags on his collar. The female Rottweiler had a city registration tag but no further identifying information. Therefore, I took them to the Michigan Humane Society in Westland, Michigan.

Due to it being a Sunday, the shelter was closed. However, have no fear, a Westland Police Officer saved the day. He appeared on scene and assisted me with placing the dogs in kennels and giving them food and water at the shelter. Due to the female having a city tag, I am sure they will be home with their owners tomorrow. It’s just unfortunate that they didn’t have a phone number on their collar. If so, I would’ve been able to return them to the owner on the same day.

These recent events point out how crucial it is to have identification on your dog so your loved one can be returned to you as soon as possible.

To protect your pet:

Place your cellular telephone number on your dog’s collar,

Ask your veterinarian to microchip your dog,

Ensure your dog’s outdoor play area is secure preventing your dog from jumping over or digging under the fence,

Spend more time with your dog when he/she is outdoors to prevent your dog from becoming bored and seeking an escape route, and

Train your dog to come, stay, and not to bolt out doorways by joining a dog training class or by hiring a professional dog trainer for in home training.

If you follow these tips, hopefully your dog will never become one of the missing. But if the unfortunate happens and your dog goes missing in action, you will have peace of mind that you took the steps necessary to aid your dog’s safe return.

For professional dog training in Michigan, contact Michael Burkey at MichiganDogTrainer.com, 734-634-4152.

Zeke, from highly excitable to a calm state of mind

2010-08-03T01:01:00.005-04:00

I recently had the distinct pleasure of working with Zeke, an English Bull Terrier and his loving parents, Dr. Glen and Mrs. McClure and their staff at Strong Veterinary Hospital, Livonia, Michigan. Zeke had the problem of becoming overly aroused when meeting people which resulted in him mouthing their hands, jumping on their legs and nipping their pant legs. Some people misinterpreted his behavior as being aggressive but it was not. Instead, it was pent up energy and a lack of appropriate meeting behaviors.

To modify Zeke's behavior, he participated in my board and train program. His behavior plan focused on preventing situations he wasn't ready for, managing his environment, and teaching him new alternative desired behaviors. Regular exercise was also introduced to Zeke via individual and group dog walks at local parks via my Outdoor Adventure and Remote Adventure classes. This exposed Zeke to new challenging environments with the distraction of other dogs being present.

Because of Zeke's high energy, the use of a remote training collar, used at a low setting was crucial to his training program. Zeke quickly learned how to self compose himself and offer appropriate greeting behaviors. The remote training collar (also known as a "shock collar") does not hurt the dog but instead is like a tap on the shoulder to get his attention. Through follow up sessions with the McClure's, the technical knowledge of how to utilize the remote collar correctly and humanely was easily transferred so that Zeke would also listen to his parents.

During a recent follow up session, Dr. McClure advised he is now able to relax and enjoy his evenings with Zeke, Zeke is much calmer in their home, and he now greets his veterinary staff with a much calmer demeanor.

For professional dog training in Michigan, contact Michael Burkey at http://www.MichiganDogTrainer.com, info@MichiganDogTrainer.com, 734-634-4152.

Train your Dog in No Time

2010-07-08T17:35:00.000-04:00

by Michael Burkey, Professional Dog Trainer

When acquiring a dog from a dog shelter or rescue organization, a lot of thought has gone into the adoption process such as: “Is the family at home enough for a dog?”; “What breed of dog would be best?”; “What age of dog?”; “Are the children mature enough to interact with a dog?”; “Will the new dog get along well with other household pets and vice versa?”; and “What kind of wholesome dog food should be provided?, etc.”

However, new owners often times forget that their dog will need to learn good household manners. They assumed their dog would naturally behave until it becomes apparent at about five to six months of age that that is not necessarily the case. Hence, the scramble to find a dog class or dog trainer to help them break their dog of bad habits and learn new manners. If this is you, no problem that is what professional dog trainers are there to help you do. If you’re lucky though, you preplanned the need for professional instruction and contacted a trainer before or soon after you obtained your new family member. Much like a child, it is far easier to train a puppy the “right way, the first time” rather than allowing the puppy to practice misbehaving.

A frequently asked question of dog trainers is, “how often should I train my dog?” The answer is: training is occurring all the time. Your dog learns during formal periods of training as well as during down times throughout the day. Learning, either “good or bad” is non ending. Dogs have short attention spans, even shorter than children. So they learn best by short and frequent training sessions. Short sessions keep the learning process fun for both you and your dog.

In the beginning (first four weeks), it is recommended that owners set up training appointments with their dogs for approximately 15 minutes, 2-3 times per day, 4-5 days per week. Scheduled appointments between you and your dog are necessary because “life happens.” Much like the plan to go to your local gym to work out, you are much more likely to make it there if you have it scheduled into your day.

After your dog has learned basic obedience skills, then one can replace the scheduled appointments with committing to practicing those skills throughout the day. It’s easy to make training a part of your daily activities:

While brushing your teeth, place your dog on a down stay.
While having dinner, practice having your dog go to his mat for a place command.
Invite friends over for a pizza party and practice your dog’s front door greetings.
While gardening or washing the car, practice your dog’s down stay.
While taking the kids to the park, practice your dog’s come command.
While washing clothes at the laundry mat, take your dog with you and practice obedience skills during the was/dry periods.

These are just some ideas to inspire you to train your dog in new places and times that make training simple to do. For example, just the other day, Bella, a German Shepherd Dog doing a board and train program, accompanied me to the laundry mat called the Laundry Stop in Westland, Michigan. During the wash and dry times, Bella had fun practicing her obedience skills outside in the nearby grass lawn. It also removed the boredom I experience waiting for clothes to wash and dry. An additional plus was that she met some very friendly strangers which greatly added to her training and socialization process. She practiced greeting strangers in the real world by being calm and sitting for attention.

For owners who had the fore thought of training their dog from the beginning but then found it difficult to find the time to follow through; a board and train program can be the perfect solution. At Michael Burkey’s Canine Behavioral Training, your dog learns good manners and obedience skills in a home environment away from home. Upon conclusion of the program, you learn how to continue your dog’s new learned skills. And, because time is a valued commodity, you are able to skip the formal scheduled training sessions.

By following the above dog training tips, you can train your dog in no time. For professional dog training, contact Michael Burkey of Michael Burkey’s Canine Behavioral Training at 734-634-4152.

***Side note, if you are in need of a clean, helpful, and friendly laundry mat; visit Ralph and his workers at the Laundry Stop. You’ll be amazed by their customer service! Additionally, they have free wi-fi, a nice television and a play area for children. So if you’re not training a dog during your wait, there are other activities to keep you entertained.

Laundry Stop

maps.google.com

725 South Wayne Road

Westland, MI 48186

(734) 728-2646

How to Prevent Heat Exhaustion in Dogs

2010-07-07T17:25:00.004-04:00

Dog Training Tips by Michael Burkey, Professional Dog Trainer

734-634-4152

Heat exhaustion in dogs is a very serious medical condition. It can happen suddenly making medical treatment necessary to save your dog’s life. What does it look like? A dog experiencing heat exhaustion will appear lethargic, listless, and almost drunk like. It’s tongue may be hanging out and he/she may not be able to stand. According to Dr. Richards, DVM of VetInfo.com, "Signs of heat exhaustion include heavy panting, hyperventilation (deep breathing), increased salivation early then dry gums as the heat prostration progresses, weakness, confusion or inattention, vomiting or diarrhea and sometimes bleeding. "

Dog Kisses: the Good, the Bad, & the Ugly

2010-07-05T11:44:00.001-04:00

--Dog Training Tips to Prevent Dog Bites

by Michael Burkey, Professional Dog Trainer
All Rights Reserved, July 2010.

The unconditional affection from a dog is an amazing thing and many times this includes wet dog kisses. Many people who pet your dog will allow and even encourage your dog to kiss them up and down the side of their face. For those who don’t mind this kind of interaction, it can make the child within an adult giggle with glee.

Some folks will advocate that a dog’s mouth is cleaner than a human’s mouth and compare it to antiseptic. My father is such a person. However, after observing dogs lick their private parts and ingesting their own stools; I don’t need to consult research studies to determine who has the most germs in their mouth. For this reason, a dog kissing your face is a “bad” idea.

The “ugly” part of dog kisses is what this article is really about. Loving affection can turn bad very quickly if the dog becomes stressed. And, how does a dog relieve stress and/or protect themselves? They use their teeth to make the stress trigger go away.

Each year many children are bit in the face simply because they tried to hug and kiss their family dog. The act of pulling a dog toward your face is many times unwanted social pressure for dogs similar to if a person stood a foot from your face while engaging you in unwanted discussion. If the dog can’t pull away, he/she may protect themselves by nipping or biting the invading person or child.

So it’s vital to teach your child how to pet a dog appropriately and forgo the dog kisses. Here are some helpful lessons to teach your child:

1. The child should ask permission from their parents before petting a strange dog.

2. After obtaining their parents’ permission, the child and parents should request permission from the dog’s owner before approaching to pet a strange dog.

3. The child should allow the dog to sniff their hand that is folded into a fist and held slightly out from their side. This gives the dog the opportunity to approach the child for the interaction rather than the child imposing himself/herself onto the dog.

4. If all things look positive, the child can then place their fist under the dog’s chin and start to pet the underside of their neck and then later move their hand around to the backside of the dog’s neck. Everyone tries to pet a strange dog by going over the top of a dog’s head thinking it is safer to do since the hand is further away from the dog’s teeth. However, it is not safer. In fact, it can cause the dog more anxiety as he/she can’t see where the hand is going.

The dog’s owner can also take steps to ensure their dog’s interactions with others are done safely:

A. If you know your dog doesn’t do well with greeting others, don’t place your dog in the stressful situation of being petted by strangers. If the person approaching your dog is insistent on greeting your dog, be just as persistent in telling the person to stay away from your dog. You are your dog’s guardian in the human world.

B. Contact a dog behavior expert if your dog is fearful or aggressive toward others. A professional dog trainer can train you how to use prevention, management and teaching to help your dog become more confident in social situations and therefore, less aggressive. Plus, it's an excellent idea to teach your dog not to give kisses.

C. Assuming your dog is comfortable in greeting others, instruct approaching strangers the proper way to greet a dog as listed in above lessons #3 and #4.

D. Some people who ask to pet your dog are actually afraid of dogs. To help them feel more comfortable, turn your dog’s head away from him/her. This enables the person to pet your dog’s backside so they aren’t anxious about being close to your dog’s mouth. Plus, many dogs love having their backsides scratched. It also allows you to control your dog’s head and therefore, prevent an unexpected and unfortunate snap from occurring.

By following the above dog training tips, you can ensure your dog’s kisses don’t turn ugly. For professional dog training, contact Michael Burkey of Michael Burkey’s Canine Behavioral Training at 734-634-4152.

May 2010 "Where's Your Dog" Contest Winner is Echo!

2010-06-06T18:45:00.005-04:00

Echo, a sable German Shepherd Dog belonging to Terri Goldstrom wins the honor of "Where's Your Dog" contest for the month of May, 2010. Terri and Echo honored the past and present troops by walking in a Memorial Day Parade. Upon conclusion of the walk, Echo loaded the Huey helicopter and performed a wonderful sit stay.

Terri formerly trained her Doberman to track with Michael Burkey's Canine Behavioral Training. Now she is teaching dog obedience classes in Western Michigan. Terri purchased Echo from Von der Haus Gill German Shepherds, a Police Dog training facility located in Ohio who import their dogs from Germany.

Congrats again to Terri and Echo! Thanks for honoring the troops!

Shock (Remote Training) Collars are Effective, Safe & Humane

2010-05-29T12:24:00.037-04:00

Remote training collars are effective, safe and humane training tools. The present day technology of remote dog training collars enable users to use low levels of stimulation that are the "just right setting" to get the dog's attention. It can be compared to tapping a person on the shoulder to get their attention. It can also be compared to the feel of a TENS Unit (Trancutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation).

Wikipedia describes a TENS Unit as "a non-invasive, safe nerve stimulation intended to reduce pain, both acute and chronic." Years ago, I suffered a shoulder separation during a Judo practice. Another black belt and myself were practicing our throws and take downs. Due to our competeitive nature, it really wasn't a practice but instead a sparring match. Well ok, truth be known we were screwing around as neither one of us was willing to submit to the other one which one should do to avoid an injury. So long story short, he had me in a one arm shoulder throw and instead of taking the fall safely like I was trained to do, I tried to avoid taking the fall. I didn't want to be pinned to the mat even though he was an experienced international competitor. Consequently, my shoulder was driven straight into the mat and separated. As part of my recovery, the physical therapist placed a TENS Unit on my shoulder which relieved the pain. It was not painful and instead I would describe the sensation as a stimulating massage.

Robin MacFarlane, a professional dog trainer and owner of "That's My Dog", has created a new website entitled "The Truth About Shock Collars". Her goal is to provide an educational resource on the web to dispel the commonly held negative myths about remote training collars. To this, I salute her!

MacFarlane's new website contains some helpful and thought provoking articles such as: "What Does Science Have to Say about Remote Collar Training?", "What Level of Stimulation is Needed When Training a Dog with an Electronic Collar?", "Can I Use a Shock Collar on a Small Dog?", various testimonials from remote collar clients, and more.

Why do clients consider using a remote training collar? It is because they need reliability in their training program that most family owners cannot achieve without the constant use of food treats or other rewards. It needs to be a system in which is fair and humane to the dog and easy to learn with the assistance of a professional dog trainer. Remote training results in excellent communication and more freedom for your dog.

Here are some of the most frequently asked questions I come across about remote collar training:

1. Will it hurt my dog? Answer: No. A remote training collar used at the "just right level" will get your dog's attention and serve as a reminder to comply with your direction. This could be life saving such as when calling your dog away from a passing car, calling your dog off from chasing the family cat or simply just improving your relationship with your dog. The collar does not burn the dog's skin nor cause any other type of injury. Additionally, some of Michael's clients include veterinarians who have used and endorsed the use of remote training collars with their personal family dogs and clients' dogs. We would not endorse the use of a training tool if it was inhumane.

2. Is it like a electronic fence collar? Answer: No. An electronic fence collar system is developed with a shocking intensity necessary to ensure a dog does not go through a permanent boundary. Additionally, it is used as a "positive punisher" which means a punisher is "added" to a scenario (leash corrections, electronic fence, etc.) causing the undesired behavior (going past the boundary) to decrease. Whereas, a remote training collar is used at "just the right" level that gets the dog's attention. Properly taught, the remote training collar is a "negative reinforcer" which means an adverse stimulus is taken away or stopped (the buzz of the vibration collar or the tingling sensation of the electronic collar) upon the dog complying with the desired command. This results in establishing an effective communication system with the dog instead of a punishing situation.

3. Can I still use food treats, verbal praise and/or physical praise with remote collar training? Answer: Yes. Combining the remote training collar along with positive reinforcement (a desired reward is given to the dog upon successful completion of a desired behavior) and negative punishment (taking a desired reward away until the dog does what you want such as placing his rear on the ground after being asked to "sit") provides reliability to your training program. The dog does what you want him to do in hopes of receiving a reward as well as to avoid feeling the tingling sensation.

4. Is there a potential for the collar to be used abusively? Answer: Not any more so than any other training tool. It's a tool, that's it. Some people who oppose using a remote collar instead resort to yelling at their dog, jerking their dog's collar, and in some cases even swatting their rear end. A remote training collar is not only not painful but it also removes you from being the bad guy in the scenario delivering the corrective action. Consequently, there is no need for you to become angry with your dog when he does not comply with your directions. It's nothing personal, it's just a training issue.

5. Can a novice dog trainer learn to use a remote collar effectively and safely? Answer: Yes, although I didn't use to think so. As a young trainer, I bought into the idea that a remote training collar should only be used by training professionals or serious dog competitors. The belief presented to me was that the novice dog trainer would not take the time or concern to learn how to use a remote training collar correctly. As my experience as a dog and people trainer increased, I realized this simply is not true. Family dog owners are intelligent people who are concerned for the welfare of their pet. While they do not have the professional experience and knowledge of training dogs, they are intelligent people in other fields. Therefore, they are very trainable. They are seeking professional instruction as how to train their dog the right way, the first time and to do it humanely. So they have already demonstrated their love and commitment for their dog. It is my job therefore, to provide them with professional training that will enable them to be successful with their dog.

6. Can an older person learn to use a remote training collar? Answer: Yes, many of my remote training clients are senior citizens, including my mother who is 73 years of age and recently learned how to train her high energy Miniature Schnauzer using a remote training collar. Some senior citizens may have physical limitations preventing them from being able to handle a strong willed dog but with a remote collar this is not an issue. In fact, a remote training collar is a very effective training tool for many senior citizens to use. After completing my Remote Dog Adventures group class, she sent me this very nice email:

"Dear Michael, thank you so much for having your dog class. Misty is so much better since working with the remote collar. I used it at a low setting, the "just right setting" and it did not hurt her at all. We can now enjoy our walks together. I learned a lot and had fun in class too. Thank you! Love, Mom (Beth Burkey)."

Many of my clients have been surprised to discover how effective, safe and easy remote training collars are to use. In fact, every client that has tried the collar on their own skin has learned first hand that remote training collars are not harmful to use.

Suzzane Antisdel's dog, Keller, an all American mix breed, use to pull so hard on the leash and lunge at squirrels that it was impossible for her to hold onto her leash and therefore, walks became non-existent. Food treats were not rewarding enough for Keller and management tools such as an "Easy Walk Harness" had little effect on her (although for most dogs an Easy Walk Harness can be a very effective management tool).

Using a remote collar, Suzzane was able to train her dog to walk nicely on a leash amongst multiple squirrel distractions. Keller also learned a super fast recall (come) with a sit by Suzzane's side that would put many working dogs to shame. It appeared as if Keller had a magnet in her rear as she quickly and happily returned to Suzzane's side and performed a lightning speed "sit". Suzzane happily supplied the following testimonial of her experience using a remote training collar:

"My dog, Keller, was a rescue dog, and terribly phobic when I got her at 8 months. She gradually adapted to life with me, and was relatively well-trained in a few months. But I could not get her to stop pulling when I took her for walks. When it came time for me to move out of my house and into an apartment where I would have to walk her instead of just letting her out the back door; I realized I'd better get her to stop pulling. I was worried about having to take her out on a dark, icy winter morning and being pulled over by her. Michael suggested the remote trainer, and when we began to use it, she responded like magic. The difference in her behavior was like night and day. I'm eternally grateful to Michael, and to the remote!" Suzzane Antisdel, Detroit, Michigan

And, here's another wonderful testimonial from Lisa Lagone regarding her dog Rocko and the use of a remote training collar. Rocko use to jump repeatedly on Lisa and he was quite a handful for her aids to walk him. Now, the jumping is resolved and Rocko can walk off leash and come when called despite outdoor distractions.

" I had never heard of a remote training collar ("shock collar") prior to Mike Burkey mentioning it to me. As I use a wheelchair to get around and also have limited use of my hands, Mike thought it made sense for me to obtain Rocco's (Bernese Mountain dog) attention, if needed.

At first, I was reluctant to use it, because I feared it would inflict pain. Turns out, it doesn’t. My caregiver uses it when Rocco is outside playing with his small group of friends (a practice he enjoys a few times a week). This has been a wonderful addition to not only the caregiver, but especially to Rocco, as well. It offers freedom and flexibility, which enhances the experience for all. The best part is, there is no pain to the dog. If anything, it appears to be the equivalent of a tap on one's shoulder -- -- a gentle reminder that it's time to pay attention.

It also gives me security in knowing that Rocco is safe. Overall, Rocco has become much happier and more obedient since Mike has entered his life.

Rocco and Mike first met several months ago when Rocco did a board and train program with Mike. Rocco continues to go for extended walks when Mike has the time. He sends pictures and an occasional short movie of the fun they are both having! This makes me smile, and Rocc is so happy and worn-out when he gets home!

I would recommend Mike Burkey to anyone who has a dog in need of training." Lisa Lagone, Ann Arbor, Michigan

Here is a video showing Rocko's freedom and improved good manners. He is a joy to walk with in the woods.

Remote training collars are very effective, safe and humane tools to use with most clients and their dogs. It enables dog owners to achieve the desired relationship with their dog, which is a happy and obedient family dog.

To learn more, check out MacFarlane's website, "the truth about shock collars" or contact Michael Burkey, 734-634-4152, a Michigan professional dog trainer who offers group classes and private instruction utilizing remote training collars as well as other positive training methods.

Rocko - Good Will Ambassador for the Dog Species

2010-05-23T20:23:00.003-04:00

Today, I was walking a client's dog, Rocko, a Bernese Mountain Dog in Ann Arbor and Canton, Michigan. We were doing our thing; first an off leash nature walk through the woods and then a trip to a fountain square at the corner of Independence and Cherry Hill Roads. Our purpose for going there was so Rocko could practice his sit and down stays despite distractions of cars, people and other dogs. To proof Rocko further, I wanted to see if he could maintain a stay while I introduced a new distraction; me eating delicious ice cream from the Cold Stone Creamery. Honest, me having ice cream on a hot day was solely for the benefit of proofing Rocko's training. : )

It's amazing though how sometimes we can be into our own worlds, and who wouldn't be while walking a dog and eating ice cream. Little did I know, there was a husband and wife with their five year old child watching us. Prior to us leaving, they approached and asked if they could pet Rocko and get a picture with him. At first, I assumed it was their child they wanted to get a picture with Rocko. But no, it was the wife who confessed she was afraid of dogs. She further commented, it was one of her life time dreams, to be able to pet a dog.

She took her time getting closer and closer to Rocko. She started off by standing behind Rocko who was sitting on a park bench. She then gathered up her courage and asked to sit next to him. It was a wonderful sight to see someone face their fear and overcome it. And, it was equally impressive that Rocko was so calm and still, allowing her to approach and pet him.

Prior to the board and train dog training program, Rocko would've jumped happily in her lap and kissed her face which would have reinforced her fear of dogs. Instead, he now could simply lay still and remain calm. The wife wanted to face her fear not only for herself but also because they are interested in adopting a dog for their child in the coming years.

It's amazing the positive impact we can have on other people's lives with little or no effort. Not only was this good training for Rocko, but in a chance meeting, the wife accomplished one of her life time goals of petting a dog. This will not only be helpful to her but will also allow her son to grow up liking dogs and to one day having a family dog companion. And, I think about the impact Rocko's owner, Lisa, had on this unknown family. Because of Lisa (having Rocko trained via Michael Burkey's Board and Train dog training program), Rocko was able to be a Good Will Ambassador for the dog species.

Contact Michael Burkey, a professional Michigan Dog Trainer, so your dog too can become a Good Will Ambassador!

Where's Your Dog? - April 2010 Winner

2010-05-08T23:54:00.005-04:00

Zoey, CGC - Contest Winner

April 2010, "Where's Your Dog?"

The April 2010 Winner of the "Where's Your Dog?" contest sponsored by Michael Burkey's Canine Behavioral Training, is Zoey, a lab mix and her human companion Kelly Brianna Rayes Velez of Jackson, Michigan. Zoey is pictured here demonstrating her "place", "sit", and "stay" commands on a large rock at the Jackson County Humane Society dog park.

Kelly learned a "place" command is helpful not only when answering the front door so guests are greeted calmly by her dog, but it also can be helpful for practicing "stay" and staging great photo ops such as pictured above. Kelly and Zoey learned these skills in Michael's group dog training classes at the Humane Society of Huron Valley in Ann Arbor, Michigan. There they completed the Basic Dog Manners and Intermediate Dog Manners classes. Upon completion of the Intermediate Manners dog class, Zoey and Kelly passed the American Kennel Club's Canine Good Citizen (CGC) evaluation. The CGC consists of ten different obedience stations that demonstrate the owner has good control of her dog and the dog demonstrates good manners in public settings.

The purpose of the "Where's Your Dog?" contest is to encourage dog owners to experience new adventures with their dogs and to demonstrate their dog's good manners in public settings. A big thank you to the other entries who submitted their pictures. Just because you didn't win this time doesn't mean all is lost. You still had a wonderful new adventure with your dog which is really all that is important. But for more fun, email your dog's photo for the May contest prior to May 31, 2010. A winner will be announced the following month.

Dog Stretching at Fit Dog-Fit Nation

2010-05-02T20:18:00.006-04:00

Ann Arbor: On May 2, 2010, Fit Dog-Fit Nation (created by Jt Clough, a professional dog trainer in San Diego, California) was celebrated all across the country with Michael Burkey's Canine Behavioral Training sponsoring the fitness celebrations in the state of Michigan. While the morning event in Northville, Michigan at Maybury State Park had to be rescheduled due to rain (alternative date pending), the afternoon session was held at Gallup Park, Ann Arbor, Michigan.

Jennifer Adas, owner and Certified Pet Massage Provider for Gentle Pet Massage of Walled Lake, Michigan was on hand to give a talk and demonstration of how to safely and effectively stretch your canine friend before participating in exercise. Stretching is not only vital for long term mobility for people but also for our pets. A regular practice of light stretching prevents injuries and makes exercise more enjoyable. And, it's especially important for our pets as there are several important stretches that they are unable to perform for themselves. With a little help, stretching improves their mobility, prevents potential injuries and increases the bonding relationship you have with your pet. For more information on the benefits of stretching and pet massages, visit Jennifer's website or call her at (248) 990-1203.

Following the demonstration, participants then enjoyed a walk together with their dogs at the beautiful Gallup Park. If you need help in teaching your dog to walk nicely on a leash, check out Michael's "Outdoor Dog Adventures" and "Remote Dog Adventures" group classes which begin again soon.

Michigan Dog Training Solutions
Michael Burkey's Canine Behavioral Training

info@MichiganDogTrainer.com

734-634-4152

New Hines Dog Park Opens

2010-04-25T20:14:00.001-04:00

Westland, Michigan; Hines Drive New Dog Park Opens: Beginning April 28, 2010 at 8:00 a.m., the Wayne County Park Office at Nankin Mills Building, 33175 Ann Arbor Trail, Westland, Michigan will begin accepting dog park registrations. Their office hours are Monday - Friday from 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. and Saturdays from 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Their office telephone number is (734) 261-1990.

You will need the following items to register:

* $5.00 cash or check

* Dog license from your city/township
* Vaccination records

If you registered (turned in your paperwork) after February 1, 2010, your forms will be at the front desk but you will need to go into the office to pay the $5.00 fee.

The new system for the dog park gate will be a punch code system. You will receive a membership card that you will need to have with you when you are at the dog park. The Wayne County Sheriff Department will be periodically checking to make sure that people at the dog park are registered.

To make your registration process efficient as possible, download a copy of the park rules, waiver of liability and registration form from the county's website. Fill them out and take them with you with the before mentioned three items: fee, dog license, and vaccination records.

The above information was provided by Kim Healy of the Wayne County Park Department.

Michael Burkey

Professional Michigan Dog Trainer

MichiganDogTrainer.com

info@MichiganDogTrainer.com

734-634-4152

What does it mean when a dog wags his tail?

2010-04-22T23:43:00.002-04:00

It is commonly believed that a dog who wags his tail is happy to see you and is therefore friendly. However, in many instances this is simply not the case. A dog who wags his tail means he/she is highly aroused and that arousal state could be good (friendly) or it could be bad (willing to bite).

Dogs trained in Schutzhund, a German protection sport, commonly wag their tails while anticipating the opportunity to bite a decoy who wears a burlap arm sleeve. The sleeve is commonly slipped to the dog as a prize for biting the sleeve. Police and protection dogs also learn to bite the sleeve and other equipment (leg sleeves and bite suits) but they have been conditioned to bite in the real world to stop an assault. They too will commonly wag their tails while warning a decoy to stay away via barking. The same can also be seen when two dogs posture toward each other in a threatening manner. Their tails may be held high and slowly wag prior to engaging each other.

The above examples demonstrate that a wagging tail represents high arousal and not necessarily how friendly they feel toward a person or another dog. So instead of observing whether the tail is wagging or not, notice how high the tail is being held compared to the dog's normal tail carry. Often, a tail held out fairly straight or relaxed from it's body represents a non stressed dog whereas a tucked tail indicates fear or lack of confidence and a high tail may indicate the dog is asserting it's dominance to obtain or retain a resource. Rather than relying on one body behavior (such as tail carriage) to cue you as to the dog's intent, it is more important to see what the rest of it's body is doing. Contact Michael Burkey, a Michigan professional dog trainer to learn how to recognize a dog's stress relieving behaviors and/or signs of a pending bite. He specializes in working with fearful, reactive and aggressive dogs.

Michael Burkey's Canine Behavioral Training
http://www.MichiganDogTrainer.com
info@MichiganDogTrainer.com
734-634-4152

Michael Burkey's Canine Behavioral Training: Where's Your Dog?

2010-04-22T22:45:00.000-04:00

Michael Burkey's Canine Behavioral Training: Where's Your Dog? Michael Burkey's Canine Behavioral Training http://www.MichiganDogTrainer.com info@MichiganDogTrainer.com 734-634-4152

Dog Training in the Real World is an Adventure!

2010-04-17T20:53:00.000-04:00

Ann Arbor and Canton, Michigan: Have you ever wished there was a specialized dog training class in which you could take the skills you learned in a traditional dog training class or add distractions/socialization of other dogs to lessons learned in private in home dog training and apply them to the real world? Well now there is, it's called "Outdoor Adventures" and it is taught by Michael Burkey, a professional Michigan dog trainer of Michael Burkey's Canine Behavioral Training.

It's purpose is to help dog owners improve their dog walking and dog obedience skills at local nature preserves, parks, and other fun places which offer beautiful scenery as well as real world distractions (wildlife, other dogs, people, various terrains, etc.) It's a four week class which is held monthly at various locations dependent upon where class participants live.

April 17, 2010 was the third week of the current monthly series and members visited the Cherry Hill Nature Preserve in between Canton and Ann Arbor, Michigan. It's a beautiful wooded area with winding and slightly hilly nature trails and has a nice open grassy area as well that can serve as a beautiful scenic picture as seen here. All of the dog teams have made great improvements in a short time. Additionally, many of the students have been exposed to beautiful nature areas to walk their dogs which previously they did not know existed.

Register for the next Outdoor Adventure now, as space is limited. The next four week tour begins on May 1, 2010, Saturdays at 4pm.

Fit Dog, Fit Nation

2010-04-16T19:19:00.010-04:00

May 2, 2010 is national "Fit Dog, Fit Nation" day in Northville and Ann Arbor, Michigan. Come out and celebrate with your dog and other dog lovers. There will be two locations in the state of Michigan: Maybury State Park, Northville, Michigan at 10am and Gallup Park, Ann Arbor, Michigan at 4pm. The local events will be hosted by Michael Burkey, a Michigan professional dog trainer, owner of Michael Burkey's Canine Behavioral Training.

Fit Dog, Fit Nation was created by Jt Clough, a professional dog trainer in San Diego, CA and Liz McDimtt DVM. It's purpose is to highlight the importance of our dog's health and fitness as well as our own. It's a great way to get started on a walking program with your dog and other dog lovers. Burkey's meet up group (MichiganDogTrainer.com), meet frequently at various locations with their dogs to enjoy nature, exercise and time with each other. And, Fit Dog, Fit Nation day is the perfect opportunity for you to embark on a health and fitness program for you and your dog. More information about Fit Dog, Fit Nation day is outlined below and can be found at: http://www.dogtrainingsandiego.com/fit-dog-fit-nation/

Fit Dog Fit Nation Day is Sunday, May 2^nd,2010 . Celebrate by taking your dog for a walk, a run, or some tail-wagging time in the sun.

Healthy dogs are happy pets and regular exercise is key to every fitness plan.

Exercise is so important for our four-legged friends that  “Pets and People -- Healthy Together”  is the theme of this year’s National Pet week, May 2-8, 2010, jointly founded by the American Veterinary Medical Association (Schaumburg, Ill.) and the Auxiliary to the AVMA, to promote responsible pet ownership, celebrate the human-animal bond, and promote public awareness of veterinary medicine.

Dogs are great workout partners. Studies show that our exercise programs are more successful when we take our dogs along.

For dogs, more time with you means less time home alone. Animal behavior experts agree that active dogs are less likely to become behavior problems.

Excess weight is a health hazard for all of us. Pudgy pets are at increased risk for osteoarthritis, diabetes, heart disease, and dental problems. They don’t live as long as their lean friends, either.

Fit Dog Fit Nation Day is one day to focus attention on the importance of fitness for our furry friends, but we invite you to put your dog’s health on your calendar every day.

Check out www.FitForDogs.com (coming May 2nd) for fitness information and daily pawsitive inspiration. Look up for weekly training plans, dog training tips, health and fitness plans for every effort level at www.DogTrainingSanDiego.com or sign up for a race with www.AllStarDogRun.com! (coming May 2nd)   More information on National Pet Week is available at www.avmaaux.org.

Make tails wag! Start National Pet Week 2010 with your best paw forward and take your dog for a jog by celebrating Fit Dog Fit Nation Day on Sunday, May 2nd.

Passion for Life

2010-04-10T15:11:00.002-04:00

PASSION FOR LIFE RUN: On March 27, 2010, Sammie, a German Shepherd and Michael Burkey, a professional dog trainer in Michigan, participated in the Passion for Life 5K Run Walk in Walled Lake, Michigan. Part of the shelter It was a fantastic day! First off, the weather was beautiful. Additionally, the walk was well organized, safely supervised by a friendly police force and coordinated by very helpful hosts.

Upon arrival, Sam and I reported to the Bayside Sports and Bar Grille where we received our race t-shirts. Sam commented on how beautiful the sports bar and grille was and that he would like to return sometime for dinner. I had to break it to him that this was a special event for him to be able to enter the restaurant and unfortunately, he wouldn’t be able to accompany me there later for dinner. He took it in stride and was happy to be so warmly accepted into a restaurant even for a special event. All the waitresses were happy to confer their verbal praise on him. After that, it was off to start the race.

While chilly, it was a beautiful sunny day for a walk with your dog especially around the picturesque Walled Lake. It was great seeing so many people walking with their dogs for the sake of health and pleasure alongside the racing competitors. If you would like to start a walking or running fitness program, contact Jt Clough of SitK9Sit, a 9 time Ironman finisher and professional dog trainer. If you need help training your dog to run with you, contact Michael Burkey, also a professional dog trainer. It's a great time to get fit with your dog. Check back for more information about Fido Fit Day in May 2010.

Rocko - Board and Train Update

2010-04-08T23:01:00.003-04:00

This is Rocko, a Bernese Mountain Dog and former board and train dog student. He spent two weeks with me and learned his basic obedience commands such as to walk on a loose leash, come when called, sit, down, stay and to wait at doorways rather than barging out. He excelled at learning new appropriate manners.

I like to keep in touch with my board and train dogs and their owner's to confirm how they continue to do after training. This video was shot during one of our follow-up training sessions. Rocko is doing great as you can see from his updated video.

Training a dog well not only takes a lot of time but also a lot of skill. To get your dog on the right training track so you can explore more outdoor adventures with your dog, contact Michael Burkey, a Michigan professional dog trainer for assistance.

Where's Your Dog?

2010-04-03T22:12:00.008-04:00

To support the idea of getting out with your dog to new and exciting locations, Michael Burkey's Canine Behavioral Training is sponsoring a new monthly contest entitled, "Where's Your Dog?"

Each month as you visit new locations, snap a creative picture of you and your dog and email it to Michael Burkey. The most creative, beautiful, funny, (or some other criteria) picture will win a prize.   Winners will win a prize and bragging rights for the month. And, honorable mentions may also be noted on the blog.

This photo of Rocko was taken at Mill Park in Ann Arbor, Michigan. They have great walking paths for you and your dog. While Rocko is a beautiful dog model (a pun meaning instead of a beautiful car or sales model) for this location, I'm sure you can come up with more creative poses and/or locations.

CONTEST RULES:

1) You and your dog must be in a lawful location. This means no sneaking onto private property without permission just for the sake of a picture. For example, it would be cool to have a picture of your dog on the White House lawn. But, don't do it! Not only is it a bad idea but it's illegal. You would be arrested by the U.S. Secret Service and perhaps as importantly you would be disqualified from winning a prize. : )

2) Your dog must be safe from potential harm or injury.  This shouldn't have to be said but you know for the sake of legalities and unfortunately some things just have to be spelled out for some people. This obviously wasn't written for you though, because you would never risk your dog's safety for the sake of a picture or prize.

While dressing your dog up in funny costumes may be psychologically damaging, they haven't been shown to cause long term harm and therefore are allowed. : )

3) The picture must have been taken during the month you are competing in. So if you're competing in say, for the month of June, and there is snow in your picture, you had better be vacationing with your dog in the north or south poles. : )

4) Other rules may be made up on the fly without prior notice by Michael Burkey's Canine Behavioral Training. This is a general catch all phrase meaning we run this fun contest and the rules can change at any time.

5) Decision of winners will be made by Michael Burkey's Canine Behavioral Training and are not subject to discussion. In other words, I don't want to have to fight over who gets the wonderful prizes and bragging rights. Afterall, this is a fun contest people and not a cut throat competition! : )

Prizes may change from month to month and will not be announced until awarded. These great prizes could range from a bragging right to an all expense paid.......yeah right! Seriously though, we will try to make the prizes "rememberable." (wow that leads it wide open to interpretation doesn't it?) : )

6) Winners must be residents of Wayne County, Eastern Washtenaw or Southern Oakland Counties in the state of Michigan or had been a client of Michael Burkey's Canine Behavioral Training anywhere in the world. While not eligible for a prize, non clients may still send in their pictures for the fun of it and perhaps win honorable mention.

Awh heck, one exception will be made...if you live in a beautiful foreign place and want to hire Michael Burkey to train your dog in your home with all travel and training expenses paid up front, well you just might win the prize automatically. Yes, I can be sure of that, just don't tell anyone. : )

7) Pictures submitted to Michael Burkey's Canine Behavioral Training become the property of Michael Burkey's Canine Behavioral Services and may be used on the blog, website or other mediums as desired by Michael Burkey's Canine Behavioral Services. This means you send it, it's ours. : )

8) Pictures including family members, friends, and/or strangers are assumed to have given you permission to send their likeness to this contest and Michael Burkey's Canine Behavioral Training will not pay any royalties or other compensation to "stand-ins." : )

9) Michael Burkey's Canine Behavioral Training dogs are not eligible to to be prize winners. Yes, Simone (Michael's dog), this includes you. In fact, this rule was written especially for you seeing how you like to hoard all the other dogs' toys in the Burkey household. Sorry girl. : )

10) And, the best rule of all, you must get out and have fun with your dog! : )

Be sure to email your photo prior to the end of each month.  Winners will be announced on/near the first week of the following month.

One additional rule: You cannot win the prize two months in a row. In other words, you can't be like Simone and hoard all the prizes for yourself. : ) Although, honorable mentions are not subject to this rule.

Oh Those Dreaded Dog Baths

2010-04-03T21:21:00.002-04:00

Spring time brings spring showers. And, with that comes dogs who love to frolic in mud holes. So how do you rectify a dirty dog but with a bath of course. Oh but you say your dog doesn’t like baths. No time like the present to desensitize and condition your dog to cope with bath time.

To do this, familiarize your dog with the bath tub by feeding your dog his/her meal while standing in the tub (with no water running). It’s an odd place for a dog to sit and stand. So get your dog accustomed to this strange surrounding before turning the water on.

Once your dog is comfortable eating his/her meal in the tub then start to hand feed your dog while he/she is in the tub and turn the water on slowly around his/her feet. With repeated positive exposures, gradually apply the water higher up on your dog’s legs and later on his/her body while he/she receives tasty treats. It is important to do this gradual association so that puppies and dogs come to view bath time as a pleasant experience. And, if you choose to have a groomer wash your dog for you, your dog and groomer will thank you for having positively conditioned your dog to bath times.

http://www.MichiganDogTrainer.com

info@MichiganDogTrainer.com

734-634-4152

Outdoor Adventure Class is a Hit!

2010-04-03T21:10:00.003-04:00

MichiganDogTrainer.com’s Outdoor Adventure dog walking class made an impressive debut on Saturday April 3, 2010. Six dogs and their owners meet at Rotary Park in Livonia, Michigan to refine their obedience and walking skills in the real world. First the dogs had the opportunity to meet and socialize with each other with the assistance of Michael Burkey, a professional dog trainer in Michigan. Then they walked together around the park’s large paved road and through the park’s wooded trails. As the students met unknown dog teams in the park, they had the opportunity to practice their sit/stay skills, allowing the unknown dog teams to pass by on the narrow pathways. During the walks, Burkey provided hands on personal instruction and offered dog management tips for walking dogs in public places.

All of the dogs knew their basic obedience commands which were learned in a previous group class or private training. However, all of them have the tendency to become easily stimulated (overly friendly and energized) or to be somewhat fear reactive toward other dogs. Therefore, the Outdoor Adventure class gave them the opportunity to socialize with each other and practice good manners in public places. And, just as important, it provided the owners with confidence that they can teach their dog to walk nicely on a loose leash amongst real world distractions. All of the dog teams made wonderful progress in just the first session.

One student commented, “this was such a good idea!”.....”we plan to graduate from this class (Outdoor Adventure) so we can participate in the (MichiganDogTrainer.com) Meet Up Group activities.” The “MichiganDogTrainer.com meet up group” offers dog lovers, with “green light dogs” (friendly with dogs and people), the opportunity to socialize together at various parks and activities. It’s a meet up group, not a training class. Participation in the Outdoor Adventure class will help dog teams prepare for the free meet up group activities also organized by Burkey.

During the coming weeks, the Outdoor Adventure class will meet at three other public parks. A new class series will commence monthly. It is only $90.00 for four weekly sessions and it fills up quickly. So don’t delay, register for the next class now.

http://www.MichiganDogTrainer.com

info@MichiganDogTrainer.com

734-634-4152

Mental "Switches" for Dog Training

2010-03-29T16:56:00.010-04:00

In a recent dog class, I was attempting to help an athletic male teenager raise the pitch of his voice and interact with his dog with more enthusiasm. Doing so is so important to convincing your dog to come to you rather than leaving you for other tempting environmental distractions. However, this seems to be a more difficult thing for men to do than women: 1), our voices are usually deeper and 2), we have been culturally trained not to act silly in front of others; so goes the saying, "act like a man" (whatever that means, LOL). He was unable to raise the pitch of his voice despite several attempts on my part to model the behavior for him which gave him permission to act silly with his dog. Fortunately, I remembered an excellent neuro-linguistic programming (NLP) training program I recently attended regarding "switches".

In February 2010, I attend an excellent NLP seminar (described in an earlier post) in Orlando, Florida put on by Larry Sonntag of Salty Dog Farms and hosted by Robin MacFarlane of That's My Dog, both of Wisconsin. Part of the training talked about "switches" which are mental images to form new experiences with events that occur in our lives. As a very simplistic explanation, a "switch" means you switch or change an internal thinking error into the desired mental image which then changes your experience, mental and body responses and consequently your thinking and performance.

So I asked the young man, what was the most fun thing he enjoyed doing. Without hesitation and with a sparkle in his eye, he exclaimed, "jumping on the trampoline!" I then told him to see himself jumping on the trampoline and calling his dog over to him. Immediately, he became care free, his pitch increased, and his dog came running to him with enthusiasm. It was a true delight to see this young man "get it". All it took was for him to blend, in his mind's eye, the fun experience of jumping on the trampoline with the training of his dog.

With another client, I helped her to refocus and build her confidence of walking her dog amongst other dogs at parks using NLP. Through training sessions, she learned better dog handling skills and she taught her dog better manners but she just needed to match that with believing in herself. Her confidence and dog handling skills have improved considerably.

Dog training requires not only knowledge, skills and good timing but also a belief in yourself that you can improve the relationship and working performance with your canine companion. Sometimes it takes a moment to calm the spirit and see yourself being successful with your dog or other times it could be as simple as visualizing yourself on a trampoline. Contact Michael Burkey , a professional dog trainer in Michigan to experience a similar positive coaching experience. He will will help you solve your dog training problems and help you build the relationship you desire to have with your dog.

http://www.MichiganDogTrainer.com
info@MichiganDogTrainer.com
734-634-4152

Exercising your dog

2010-03-28T13:51:00.006-04:00

Spring is finally here and I'm excited for the new opportunities it presents! After having braved the winter cold days, it's now a joy instead of a chore to get out and walk my dogs. For a dog to truly get the exercise they need; they need to run. So what does one do if you're not a runner yourself? Don't despair, it can be as simple as biking your dog.

On Youtube, there is a video of a New Zealand Bikjoring group that bike their dogs through the woods. Even if you're not an extreme biker, take a look at the video as it almost appears as if it is in 3D. They barely miss the trees in the woods. It's a rush just to watch them. They are using x back harnesses on their dogs which reduces the stress to their dogs' bodies as they pull the bikers through the woods. An x back harness is different than a walking harness (leash attaches on the dog's back as opposed to an Easy Walk Harness that attaches to the chest to prevent pulling) in that it is longer and distributes the pull over the dog's entire back including his powerful hips. Bikjoring is an excellent non-winter activity for a dog that is taught to skijor or to pull a sled.

For a dog that won't be doing skijoring or pulling a sled, than you will probably want to consider using a "Walky Dog " instead of an x back harness as it places the dog on your side instead of out in front of the bike. A "Walky Dog" prevents the dog from being able to run in front of or behind your bike. He/she runs comfortably out to the side of your bike ensuring there are no entanglements. It is recommended that you use the Walky Dog in combination with a regular walking harness (leash attaches on top of his/her back) so as to take the pressure off from the neck area that a regular neck collar would do. There are also step scooters on the market which look like skateboards with a handlebar but they tend to be a rather expensive investment. One can purchase a Walky Dog for only $37.95.

For those who don't bike but have a social "green light" dog, taking your dog to a dog park or doggie day care such as Lil Nell's Pet Salon in Walled Lake, Michigan; a few times per week, is also an excellent option so that your dog can get regular exercise running and playing with other dogs off leash. Or if your dog loves to chase balls, find an isolated area in which you can practice your dog's retrieving skills. Doing this at a dog park though is not recommended as it may be too stimulating for other dogs which could cause a dog fight over the ball.

Another option is to walk your dog. It's not running but it's still good exercise for your dog and for yourself. There are many interesting and fun places to walk your dog such as Maybury State Park nature trails, Cherry Hill Nature Preserve, Gallup Park in Ann Arbor, Rotary Park nature trails in Livonia, Kenningston Metro Park and many more. To experience these places with a group of fellow dog lovers, join the MichiganDogTrainer "meet up group" who meet up at these and more locations as a group.

If your dog still needs a little help with learning to walk on a loose leash then contact Michael Burkey, a professional dog trainer in southeast Michigan. He offers private dog training as well as group classes such as Basic Dog Manners, Outdoor Adventures and many others. And, if you've got the desire to become a runner with your canine companion, contact Jt Clough, a professional dog trainer and nine time Ironman competitor who also happens to be an excellent fitness dog training coach.

No matter your venue, the important thing is to get outdoors and enjoy fresh air and exercise with your dogs. Your dog will love you for it and you'll be healthier for it too.

Important: As with any exercise program, please consult with your medical doctor and veterinarian before embarking on a new exercise program for you and your dog.

New Canine Good Citizens

2010-03-16T15:57:00.001-04:00

On March 15, 2010, Jennifer Rutkiewicz of Ann Arbor earned a Canine Good Citizen (CGC) certificate with her second dog, Milo, a Beagle. A couple of months ago, Jennifer earned her first CGC certificate with her other dog, Hailey, an all American mix breed.

The CGC program tests dogs and their owners via ten different exercises to determine if they are good citizens in the dog community. Some of those exercises include: coming when called, sit stay or a down stay, walking on a loose leash, reacting appropriately to distractions, walking amongst a crowd without jumping on people, and more. To learn how your dog can become a good citizen, contact Michael Burkey, a professional dog trainer in south east Michigan. Group classes are held at the Humane Society of Huron Valley, Ann Arbor Michigan and at Lil Nell's Pet Salon in Walled Lake, Michigan. Michael also provides in home training and board and train programs for clients.

Congrats to Jennifer and Milo! They have earned it!

What to do on a Rainy & Dreary Day?

2010-03-13T21:12:00.002-05:00

After a long winter, spring is almost here. Michigan recently experienced a couple of sunny 65 degree days. But true to Michigan weather (wait a moment and it will change), the temperature dropped 20 degrees today and it rained or misted all day. So what to do on such a rainy and dreary day?

My first inclination was to stay indoors to train the dogs where I would remain warm and dry. But the dogs needed to get outdoors. My second thought was to at least take them to local pet stores where I could socialize and train them amongst distractions. However, I recently started a new fitness program with Jt McClough, a professional fitness coach, nine time IronMan finisher as well as a professional dog trainer. And, neither option would offer them nor I any benefit. So off we ventured into the cold wet misty air. (I'll save the trips to the pet stores for really windy and stormy days.)

It's interesting how much perception is a big part of our days. It wasn't that long ago that I was putting on a ski jacket, gloves and a hat to enjoy snowy walks with the dogs in freezing temperatures. Now that the snow has melted and the air has warmed, I almost choose not to go for walks today because of a little rain.

Well a little clarification, the morning walk was to help a client with her dog so that wasn't an option to go or not. However, the afternoon walk was up for grabs until I asked the dogs what we should do. As you can guess, they voted for the walk in the mist. Because, we didn't see many others outdoors, it was an awesome peaceful and quiet day. We had loads of fun walking together and it always delights me to see the joy on their faces that a little walk can give them. It was during this walk that I realized "life and the choices we make are all about perception."

As we walked past the Canton Summit Recreational facility, the dogs and I looked at the humans exercising indoors on the treadmills and stationary bicycles. It was a funny sight to look through the zoo like glass cage and see the humans running in place. I wondered if the dogs were curious as to why the other humans weren't enjoying the outdoors or were they feeling sorry for the humans. I'd like to think it was a little both and could imagine them thinking, "silly humans, won't you come out and play?".

Today was a rainy and dreary day and yet it was a wonderful happy day. If you're tempted to stay indoors because of a little rain, just ask your dog what you should do and you'll have your answer. Your dreary day will turn into a bright sunny day.

If you would like to venture out into the great outdoors for walks with your dog but need help with training your dog to walk nicely on a loose leash, contact Michael Burkey a professional dog trainer. He has a new fun class entitled, "Outdoor Adventures" which is held in southeast Michigan.

New Class - Outdoor Adventures

2010-03-08T12:29:00.002-05:00

Spring is fast approaching! To get ready for wonderful spring and summer walks with your dog, register for Michael Burkey's new dog training class called, Outdoor Adventures. The class is designed for dogs and their owners who want a transitional class after completing a Basic Manners dog class or personal training before going out in the world on their own.

Loose leash walking and obedience commands will be proofed amongst real world distractions at recreational parks, city parks and downtown areas in Western Wayne and Eastern Washtenaw Counties. Some of the locations will include Canton Recreational Trails, Livonia Parks, Gallup Park, and downtown Plymouth.

The 4 week course is limited to six dog teams and is only $90.00. It is led by professional dog trainer and behaviorist Michael Burkey. To learn more, visit Outdoor Adventures or sign up now at the registration page.

NLP Seminar - Life Changing Event

2010-02-28T12:23:00.000-05:00

February 25-27, 2010, 8 other professional dog trainers and myself participated in a Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP) seminar in Orlando, Florida. Wikipedia.org describes NLP as, "In contrast to mainstream psychotherapy, NLP does not concentrate on diagnosis, treatment and assessment of mental and behavioral disorders. Instead, it focuses on helping clients to overcome their own self-perceived, or subjective, problems. It seeks to do this while respecting their own capabilities and wisdom to choose additional goals for the intervention as they learn more about their problems, and to modify and specify those goals." The seminar was conducted by Larry Sonntag of Salty Dog Farms, a Hunt and Obedience professional dog trainer and a life/business coach who is certified in NLP. The seminar was hosted by Robin MacFarlane of That's My Dog.

It was truly a life changing event for myself and for many of the others. Larry presented amazing information in an intense but fun format which included break out sessions to practice the new skills. Immediately, we were able to see how the new skills would enhance our business relationships as well as personal relationships. It was truly an unique experience as Larry brought his experiences of life coaching and dog training to our trainer seminar.

Having come from a career of law enforcement and social work, I've used various counseling theories and techniques my whole career. However, I hadn't before been exposed to NLP. It is a very effective way to problem solve and gain confidence in new situations. And, I can see how valuable this can be for my dog training clients. By learning new dog handling skills, clients build their ability and confidence to better manage and train their dogs. However, some times clients are still left with self limiting beliefs as they focus on past experiences. By adding NLP to my tool box of dog training techniques, I can help clients design new life changing relationships for themselves, their dogs and others. To get started, contact Michael Burkey a professional dog trainer in Michigan.

Dog Lovers Enjoy Winter Morning Walk

2009-12-12T18:49:00.001-05:00

Michigan winter is upon us. It seems to have snuck up on us after such an unusually warm November. One week we’re enjoying the outdoors with mild temperatures of 50 degrees. And, the next week, the ground is frozen with a light dusting of snow and the air is bitterly crisp at 32 degrees. The thought of going for a Saturday morning winter walk with your dog can seem to be a bit daunting. However, that is just what five dog lovers and their faithful companions did on December 12, 2009.

Members of Michael Burkey’s Canine Behavioral Training “Dog Lovers Meet-Up Group” and their best friends gathered at 10:00 a.m. for a hour walk at Maybury State Park in Northville, Michigan. Talking about a shared interest, dogs of course, and taking in the beauty of the park; the weather didn’t seem cold at all. In fact, it was a beautiful winter morning for a stroll through the woods. The sun was shinning bright and the air seemed cool rather than bitter. And, enjoying the company of other dog lovers made it a great way to start the day.

This made me realize that many things in life are about perception and choices. One could choose to focus on the cold and convince oneself to sleep in longer cuddled under warm blankets. Or, one could choose to load up their faithful companion and venture out into the winter wonderland for fun, fresh air, mild exercise, and the opportunity to meet other dog lovers. What could be better than that? Well alright, a walk on a warm beach with your companion and other dog lovers would top it but let’s keep it real. : ) This is Michigan and rather than fearing the winter cold, one can choose to embrace the wonderful seasons our state has to offer. It is my hope that you will choose to make each day great and venture to the outdoors with your faithful companion, no matter the season.

You can join our meet up group for free by visiting MichiganDogTrainer.com. By becoming a fellow dog lover, you’ll receive emails about future meet up places and times. Or, if you’re a face book member, join Michael Burkey’s Canine Behavioral Training fan page to be advised of interesting dog related activities. And, if you’re afraid your dog isn’t ready to participate in activities with other dogs, contact Michael Burkey, a professional dog trainer and behavioral consultant.

Walking with a Purpose - New HSHV Program

2009-12-11T01:03:00.001-05:00

“Dog Walking with a Purpose” - New Program at HSHV

by Michael Burkey, Certified Dog Behavior Consultant

On December 9 and 10, 2009, the Humane Society of Huron Valley (HSHV) of Ann Arbor, Michigan commenced it’s new “Dog Walking with a Purpose” training program for it’s volunteer dog walkers. The program was developed by Helen DePinto, HSHV Director of Behavior Programs and endorsed by Tanya Hilgendorf, HSHV Executive Director.

Prior to the new shelter opening, it utilized volunteers who agreed to walk dogs at least two hours per week. The old program allowed dogs the opportunity to venture outside of their kennel approximately 3 times per day for about 40-60 minutes to relieve themselves, experience human companionship, and to receive a mental break from the unfortunate temporary confinement of their kennels.

The new program is expanded to include “Walking with a Purpose.” DePinto and professional dog trainer and behavior expert Michael Burkey of Michael Burkey’s Canine Behavioral Training are training volunteers how to teach shelter dogs to sit, come, walk on a loose leash, pay attention to the handler and other skills using positive based training methods. The volunteers will then train the shelter dogs during their daily outings. Teaching shelter dogs good manners not only makes them more adoptable but also provides the dogs with mental stimulation which relieves stress of being in a shelter.

After having attended the initial volunteer orientation; 21 volunteers successfully passed the intensive “Walking with a Purpose” two hour training program that covered topics such as: behavior modification, humane training equipment, specific issues related to shelter dogs, and dog training techniques. After the lecture and discussion period, the volunteers practiced what they learned with the shelter dogs in the shelter’s brand new training room. It was an impressive sight to see how quickly all of the dogs began to orient their attention toward their handler and learn good manners as opposed to focusing on the other dogs in the room. This was a direct result of the volunteers’ improved skill levels.

Does becoming a volunteer dog walker appeal to you? If so, the benefits are numerous. Number one, you will be performing an awesome service for dogs who are in need of learning good manners. Your contribution will help make dogs more adoptable and increase their likelihood of making a permanent positive adjustment to their new homes. And, you may just save the life of a dog who would not have been adoptable without a little training assistance from volunteers. What could be better than that?! Additionally, if you’re not careful, the shelter dogs and their loving personalities will forever touch your heart and make you a more caring and loving person.

Visit HSHV’s website to learn more about becoming a Volunteer Dog Walker (HSHV also is in need for volunteers in other areas). In a nutshell, you will need to complete a volunteer application and a screening process. If you are accepted, then you will attend an orientation and dog handling classes. As a volunteer dog walker, you will be expected to donate at least two hours per week of your time. If this interests you, then contact HSHV and apply to become part of the “walking with a purpose” team. The dogs will love you for it! If, however, you don’t have the time to become a volunteer but want to learn how to train your own dog, HSHV offers group dog training classes at the shelter, 3100 Cherry Hill Road, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48105.

New Board and Train Summary video

2009-12-09T01:57:00.002-05:00

Take a look at what is possible with board and train! Via Michael Burkey's Canine Behavioral Training, this reactive dog learned how to relax in the presence of other dogs, people and squirrels. She was a stray on the I-696 Freeway and was almost hit by a semi-truck. Her new owner saw her there and literally rescued her. However, her new loved companion was unable to go on day time walks due to her level of reactivity. In just two weeks, she made outstanding progress. For help with your dog, email Michael Burkey or call 734-634-4152. To see the video go to: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i7sIHHa6-dU

New Puppy STARS

2009-11-26T00:21:00.003-05:00

On November 18, 2009, the American Kennel Club's S.T.A.R. Puppy evaluation was conducted at the Humane Society of Huron Valley, Ann Arbor, Michigan by their professional dog trainer and S.T.A.R. Puppy program evaluator, Michael Burkey. All three puppy teams passed with flying colors: Kelly Rayes-Velez and her puppy "Zoey", a lab mix; Matthew Ross and his pup "Tank", a Pittbull; and Jennifer Rutkiewicz and her puppy "Haley", an All American mix.

During a six week Basic Manners group class, puppies and their owners are evaluated for Socialization, Training, Activity, and Responsibility ( S.T.A.R.). At the conclusion of the course, owners and their puppies are tested on various beginning obedience skills such as: coming when called, sitting, laying down, walking on a loose leash, willingness to be handled by strangers and more. Congratulations to Kelly, Matthew, and Jennifer and their new S.T.A.R. Puppies!

You too can train your puppy to be a S.T.A.R. Puppy. Enroll today in the next available Basic Manners group class held at HSHV. For more information, contact Michael Burkey at 734-634-4152.

New Canine Good Citizens

2009-11-25T23:43:00.003-05:00

On November 25, 2009, the the American Kennel Club's (AKC) Canine Good Citizen (CGC) evaluation was conducted at the Humane Society of Huron Valley of Ann Arbor, Michigan by their professional dog trainer and AKC CGC Evaluator, Michael Burkey. Both dog teams passed with flying colors: Toni O'Farrell and her dog "Bear", a Havense and Philip Ewing and his dog "Lola", a Cattle Dog.

The CGC evaluation is a ten step evaluation which tests a dog team's ability to show control and obedience in real world situations without the use of food treats or other motivators. In order to be considered a "Canine Good Citizen" a dog team must pass all ten stations which include: Accepting the approach of a friendly stranger, Sitting politely for petting, Willingness to be handled and groomed, Walking on a loose lead, Walking through a crowd, Sitting, Laying Down, Staying in Place, Coming when called, Behaving politely around other dogs, Remaining calm amongst common noise and visual distractions, and Remaining calm while separated from their owner.

You too can train your dog to become a "Canine Good Citizen." Enroll today in the December 7, 2009 Intermediate Manners group class held at HSHV. For more information, contact Michael Burkey at 734-634-4152.

Don't Leave Me! - Dealing with Canine Separation Anxiety

2009-11-24T22:37:00.001-05:00

“Donʼt Leave Me! - Dealing with Canine Separation Anxiety”

by Michael Burkey, Certified Dog Behavior Consultant

Separation Anxiety (SA) is a serious behavior problem for many companion dogs and their owners. The good news is that it can be prevented and in many cases it can be treated or at least better managed. First letʼs discuss what it is. Separation Anxiety is a behavioral condition in which the dog becomes stressed upon realizing he/she will be confined and/or left by their human or other animal companions. The stress levels may be mild in nature as evidenced by whining, turning in circles, excessive licking of their paws or crate door, etc. Or it may be extreme to the point where the dog injures him/ herself digging/biting at a crate door in an attempt to escape or if unconfined chewing and ingesting items to crashing through glass windows.

Another indicator for separation anxiety is if the damage is occurring within 15 minutes of your departure. If it is occurring later and is not triggered by your departure then it is probably boredom. You can also consider your dogʼs stress levels while being watched by a friend in your absence. If your dog appears relaxed in their presence despite you being away, it is probably not SA. True separation anxiety can be caused by many contributing factors. What is more important than the causes, is what do we do to prevent it and treat it.

In extreme cases where the dog is injuring himself/herself, it is vital that you discuss the situation with your veterinarian to determine if medication would be beneficial for your dog. Just as with humans, medication by itself, to treat anxiety is not a cure all. However, it is a very important component of the overall behavior modification plan. The correct medication and dosage prescribed by your veterinarian will not “drug” your dog but instead “take the edge off” so that behavioral training can be more successful. In extreme cases of separation anxiety, medication and behavior modification together offers the best chance for improvement.

Many times, what is thought to be separation anxiety is actually boredom. For example, if your dogʼs destructive behavior is targeted toward a couch (fun to chew apart-in the dogʼs mind) versus scratching at doors in an attempt to escape, it might be boredom. If the destruction is done to non personal objects such as wooden entertainment centers or kitchen floors versus personal clothing or other items containing your scent, it is probably boredom. In these cases, the solution is usually to increase the dogʼs physical activity levels, challenge him/her with problem solving games, hire a dog walker, take your dog to a reputable doggie day care center several times per week, and teach your dog to calmly rest in a crate during your absence. To learn about fun activities to do with your dog, join Michael Burkeyʼs Canine Behavioral Training Facebook fan page where outdoor outings are often announced.

If you have implemented the above suggestions, it is a case of boredom and your dog continues to bark in your absence; then you may need to consider humane positive punishers such as a citronella bark collar or a DogTra electronic bark collar. Having to resort to this is unfortunate but it will make your neighbors happy not to hear your barking dog as well as allow you to vacation with your dog (such as being able to leave your dog in your hotel room while you go out for dinner).The benefits of a citronella collar is that the plastic box is lightweight, it delivers a spray mist of citronella under your dogʼs chin to interrupt the barking and it can be worn for long periods of time. Itʼs drawbacks are the plastic box while lightweight is large, it uses special three volt batteries that are not available in local stores, one has to remember to turn the unit when it is not being used so the batteries donʼt drain too quickly, the spray mist has to be frequently replaced, and it will not be effective with some dogs.

While the DogTra collar utilizes electrical stimulation to interrupt the barking it is not a type of electricity which will burn your dog’s skin. You can set the unit to operate at just the right level that interrupts your dog’s barking and convinces him/her to cease barking to avoid the mild aversive stimulation. It is important to move the collar on your dog’s neck every few hours to prevent a rash from occurring. The potential for a rash is not due to the electrical stimulation but instead from air not being allowed to circulate underneath the prong if left snugly in the same position for a long period of time. This would be similar to if you left a snug fitting watch on your wrist and never moved it or took it off your wrist. The pluses of the DogTra collar include: it has a pager function that simply vibrates the collar unit upon the dog barking, if the pager function doesn’t convince the dog to stop barking then you can set the unit on increasing higher levels of stimulation that always starts with the pager function as a warning, the unit is small enough for even small dogs to wear it, the unit is rechargeable so youʼre not constantly purchasing hard to find batteries and it is a very effective humane way to cease obnoxious barking. Contact a DogTra distributor directly for more information.

An anti-bark collar should not be used on a dog with separation anxiety without consulting a behavior specialist. It may appear to work as the barking ceases but all it really has done is cure the symptom (barking). It won’t cure the underlying fear of being left alone which caused the barking.

Prevention: While it is very important for your dog to bond with you and itʼs household animal friends; it is also important that your dog learn that itʼs ok to be alone and nothing bad happens because of it. Many times, well meaning parents get a second dog to keep their first dog company and to get exercise via fun romps together in the backyard. In many cases, this keeps the first dog happily occupied as well as give the parents a break from their dogʼs constant insistence for human attention. However, prior to doing this, parents should be sure that they are satisfied with their first dogʼs level of obedience training. If the second dog is obtained before the first one is trained, it will be much harder for the parents to devote the necessary time to train both dogs at the same time. The result will be having two untrained dogs in the home. Assuming the first one is trained and the decision is made to add a second dog, it is important to introduce two dogs safely. Once the introductions are done, and the dogs get along pleasantly with each other, it is important to consider the amount of time the two dogs spend with each other. Dogs that are always together and never separated tend to bond so closely that they became stressed when separated. Ways to prevent this may include providing them with separate sleeping areas, short but frequent play times with each other, etc. Additionally, the dogs may choose not to listen to the human parents when asked to come inside the home as they are having too much fun playing with each other outside. To prevent this, it is vital that the parents devote individual private time (fun activities, massages, dog training, etc.) with each of the dogs so that they also bond with humans and not just to the other dog. Dogs who bond with their parents will happily come when called even though they are engaging in play with each other.

A dog who experiences fun and safe socialization activities at an early age will also be less likely to exhibit separation anxiety later in life. A dogʼs personality is usually set at approximately sixteen weeks of age. So it is crucial that you work with a dog training professional as soon as possible to not only teach your dog good manners but also to prevent unwanted behaviors from occurring later in life. If your dog is older than 16 weeks of age, donʼt despair. While the personality has been established, it is never too late to modify a dogʼs environment and behavior as well as teach him/her alternative life skills.

Modifying Separation Anxiety: The secret is to teach your dog that by imposing self control and remaining quiet, you will return to him/her soon. There are very effective dog training exercises that you can do with your dog to instill this lesson. To learn how to do this, contact a dog behavior expert. He or she should suggest ways you can prevent separation anxiety, modify your dogʼs environment, and teach your dog alternative behaviors as well as ways to keep your dog entertained during your absence.

Dogs who are mentally challenged with food dispensing safe toys tend to be calmer and less anxious. Kong products are an example of safe dog toys. One of their products is a hallowed out rubber toy in which food treats can be inserted. Kongs are made for various chewing intensities from puppies to senior citizens. Put some of your dogʼs dry kibble inside the kong and seal the ends with a Kong food paste. Then place it in a zip lock bag and freeze it. When the frozen Kong is given to your dog, it will last longer as it will take longer for your dog to lick out the frozen food paste. The most difficult time for your dog during your departure is usually the first fifteen minutes. Having a tasty Kong to lick when you leave, helps many dogs overcome the most difficult time of being alone.

The down side to separation anxiety is that your dog becomes stressed during your absence. The up side is realizing that your dog loves and trusts you. In the only way he/she knows how, he/she is trying to tell you, “Donʼt leave me!.” So instead of seeing your dog as acting badly by barking relentlessly or destroying household property, see it for what it is. Relish the relationship you have with your dog and help him/her learn to be calmer in your absence. For help with separation anxiety or other dog behavioral problems in Michigan, contact dog behavior expert, Michael Burkey of Michael Burkeyʼs Canine Behavioral Training at 734-634-4152.

New Movies

2009-10-23T18:08:00.000-04:00

Take a look! I just recently finished developing two new movies showing the results of how effective board and training programs can be for dogs. My last two campers were Annie, a Belgian Tervuren and Reese a Boxer/Pitt mix. Their new IMovies are located on my website at: http://www.michigandogtrainer.com/personaltraining/boardtrain.html.

Puppies Love Puppy Socials

2009-10-04T21:17:00.002-04:00

What is more cute than watching puppies play with each other? That's a hard question to answer isn't it?. LOL This evening started another session of puppy socials where pups got to play with each other and parents had the opportunity to ask Michael Burkey, a dog behavior expert their puppy raising questions.

It's an off leash class for puppies ages 8-20 weeks of age. They learn how to play appropriately with each other and experience being handled by friendly humans. Parents also learn what is appropriate play behavior and when it is time to intercede so play remains fun and safe.

To join the fun, bring your puppy to the Westland Veterinary Hospital, 7610 Wayne Road, Westland, Michigan 48185 on Sunday evenings 7:30 - 8:15 p.m. The cost for the October weekly sessions is just $20.00 or $10.00 per session drop in fee. Please bring verification of your pup's vaccinations to the first session you attend. You can trust in Michael Burkey's Canine Behavioral Training for the best dog training in Michigan.

Next Set of Classes - Walled Lake

2009-09-29T16:33:00.001-04:00

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

2009-09-28T10:04:00.001-04:00

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

2009-09-25T20:36:00.003-04:00

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

2009-09-25T20:12:00.002-04:00

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

2009-09-18T06:33:00.001-04:00

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!

2009-09-18T04:39:00.010-04:00

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

2009-09-17T23:41:00.000-04:00

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

2009-09-17T20:30:00.006-04:00

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

2009-09-07T15:14:00.002-04:00

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.

Eye Attention

2009-08-28T19:28:00.002-04:00

Eye Attention is the basis for teaching all obedience cues and modifying many behavioral problems. Here is how you can start teaching your dog "eye attention" (to pay more attention to you). http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TfLsNjjr-ak

More Pics of Zena

2009-08-22T21:04:00.005-04:00

Goodbye to Zena, German Shepherd and Friend

2009-08-22T20:03:00.002-04:00

Today, I had to say goodbye to an old friend, Zena a very loving German Shepherd dog. She was ten years old and stricken with cancer of the urinary track, lungs and possible bone cancer as well.

I picked her out of a litter of pups due as she was the first one to always play tug with a glove, retrieve it, and come to me. For the next year I trained her in obedience and basic bomb detection work. However, the bomb detection work wasn't going to work as she was very scared of slippery floors. However, she was a wonderful and very loving companion.

Her only down side was that while she loved to play with my other dogs (if I wasn't there amongst them), she would attack them if they tried to come to me for attention. Through behavior modification I made the situation manageable but I also knew she would be happier to be the only dog in the family.

A student of mine then introduced me to Joyce who was looking for a companion dog. She use to have Shepherds herself and was a very committed dog lover. So Zena went to live with her and was a wonderful companion to Joyce.

A few years ago I got to visit with Zena again and it was a wonderful reunion just like old times. It seemed she hadn't forgotten me at all. I remember her pressing her back into me so I could pet her chest while she kept a watchful eye on Joyce whom she adored. I was so thankful to Joyce for giving me that opportunity to reunite with Zena again whom I had missed.

Then yesterday, Joyce called me to let me know that Zena was stricken with cancer and had probably only a few months left to live at best. So today I went to visit her again and learned that Zena had turned for the worse last night after my telephone conversation with Joyce. Zena was again unable to walk on her front right leg. The medicine she was on was masking her pain and this was the third time that the medicine wasn't able to give her the relief we would want for her.

So today, Joyce and I took her to the veterinarian so she could be humanely put to sleep. Joyce and I held Zena while she was sedated and later when she was asleep I held Zena for the last time when the medication was injected to stop her heart from beating. She felt no pain as she was already asleep. Yet, it was so hard to see her go even though it was for the best to end her suffering. Even now, it is so hard to keep from tearing up while I write this goodbye to Zena.

To ease my own suffering, I remember the good times we had together and her joy of life. She loved to run along my bicycle as I tried to keep her from biting my front moving bike tire, how she would dig with her muzzle to get at my face when I layed on the floor face down, how she would always find me during games of hide and seek and how much she loved to lay in a kiddie pool full of water during the hot summer. She loved that kiddie pool so much that I called her Shamu due to her love of water and her mostly black colored fur. There was also another fond memory of her running toward me in a stream as I prepared to snap a picture of her. It's my favorite picture of her as I caught her in mid air extended in stride bounding toward me. What is so funny about that memory is that just before she reached me, I realized that she wasn't going to stop before reaching me and I was going to get soaked with water. It was just her way. : ) Shortly thereafter though, she learned a very quick sit and stay to avoid me from being water dunked in the future.

I am also so grateful to Joyce who gave Zena a wonderful life. At each of my visits, I could see the love in Zena's eyes for Joyce. She had a full and happy life with Joyce. I am also grateful and honored that Joyce gave me the final opportunity to share in saying goodbye to Zena even though it is a very tough thing to do. Thank you Joyce!

Ok so back to happy thoughts of Zena forever running toward me in a rock bed stream. I love you Zena. Your friend, Michael

Dog Returned Home 9 yrs later due to Microchip

2009-08-02T08:33:00.002-04:00

An Australian dog who was missing from it's home for nine years was returned to his owner due to cruelty investigators discovering the dog to be microchipped. The owners had given up hope for the return and safety of their dog. So this story shows how crucial it is to have your dogs microchipped. Michael Burkey, an expert dog trainer in Michigan recommends that you call your vet today and get your pet microchipped. It's a low cost procedure, painless for your dog and it just might save your dog's life someday. http://www.usatoday.com/news/world/2009-07-30-missing-dog-found_N.htm

Dog Steps and Ramps

2009-07-30T10:00:00.002-04:00

A friend and student asked me recently how she could get her large breed dog up onto a grooming table at home. PetSmart has several kinds of dog steps available to help dogs (large breed who are too heavy to lift, older dogs, and short legged dogs) walk up to where you want them by themselves (onto grooming tables, bathtubs, beds, etc.) and ramps to walk up into SUV vehicles. The best part is that they are very reasonably priced. To see them click the title above or go here: http://www.petsmart.com/family/index.jsp?categoryId=2767081&lmdn=Dog&f=Taxonomy%2FPET%2F2767081&fbc=1&fbn=Taxonomy%7CRamps+%26+Steps

Dog behavior quiz

2009-07-29T11:38:00.001-04:00

Here is a great dog behavior quiz for dog owners. It's educational and fun!

http://www.facebook.com/ext/share.php?sid=108270349476&h=3De7R&u=vCDuM&ref=nf

Dominance Theories Should Not Be Used to Train Dogs

2009-07-27T13:40:00.001-04:00

“Sadly, many techniques used to teach a dog that his owner is leader of the pack is counter-productive; you won’t get a better behaved dog, but you will either end up with a dog so fearful it has suppressed all its natural behaviours and will just do nothing, or one so aggressive it’s dangerous to be around.” To read the whole story on Science Digest, click the above link or go here: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/05/090521112711.htm

Dominance Controversy

2009-07-23T13:12:00.002-04:00

Dr. Sophia Yin does an excellent job explaining how dominance plays into and does not play into dog training. She also shows video clips from The Dog Whisperer, Cesar Millan showing how dogs are not trying to establish leadership or humans as purported by Millan and old style trainers. http://www.drsophiayin.com/dominance.php

Like Dr. Yin, Michael is a balanced trainer who focuses on rewarding desired behaviors and taking away rewards for undesired behavior to teach desired behaviors. In some cases, negative reinforcement can be an effective teaching tool.

Punishment in some situations may also be appropriate to stop undesired behavior. If a form of punishment is necessary, it should be done to stop the undesired behavior and not out of anger or to cause pain to the dog. It should also be done in consultation with a Certified Dog Behavior Consultant as it can have it's fall outs too.

However, if one focuses on teaching the dog "what to do" instead of "what not to do", the need to use negative reinforcement or punishment remains very low. To learn more about effective and humane dog training in Michigan, visit Michael Burkey's website at http://www.MichiganDogTrainer.com.

Dogs in Slow Motion

2009-07-11T19:03:00.001-04:00

Have you ever wondered why dogs have a hard time drinking water from a hose or water bottle? From this slow motion video of a dog drinking you'll see why those attachments to water bottles are so helpful to dogs when they drink. They use their tongue like a cup to lap in the water. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=63Ch2pNkZwU&feature=related

Dogs in Slow Motion

2009-07-11T19:00:00.002-04:00

Frisbee dogs are fast and cool but have you ever seen them in slow motion? It's even cooler in slow motion. Take a look and appreciate the art of dogs jumping in slow motion to catch frisbees in mid air. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qQluxk11KME&feature=PlayList&p=gKRws9efA9E

Aging Dogs

2009-06-27T22:54:00.002-04:00

Today, the girls (Willow, Draco and Simone) and I went for a walk at Kenningston Metro Park. It was a beautiful and hot summer day. Willow and Simone are 14 years old now and Draco is 12. I really don't know how they grew so old so fast.

While Draco and Simone are still pretty active and enjoy a spirited walk, Willow tires much more easily. My initial goal for today was to get some exercise and was prepared with plenty of water for the girls and taking shaded paths, etc. However, Willow just couldn't keep up so instead we took several breaks and enjoyed views of the lake and boats from shaded viewing points. We really didn't walk very far.

Sometimes it's hard to accept that they are growing older and just can't do the things they use to do. And, while exercise is important (even for Willow), it's also crucial to remember to only do what one is physically able to do and enjoy the scenary and remember the good times we have had throughout the years. Sometimes, we humans forget to take a break from daily life and simply remember and value the relationships we form with our pets and humans alike.

Dog left in car dies!

2009-06-27T22:51:00.000-04:00

It's hard to imagine that people still do this but then again.....so sad!

Young Black Lab left in Car Today Dies As Owner Goes to A Movie

Today at 12:48am

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Spokane County, June 26, 2009- A black lab is in critical condition today after its owner left it in his vehicle at the mall while he watched a movie. Customers spotted the dog in the car and called Spokane County Regional Animal Protection Service (SCRAPS). SCRAPS Animal Protection Officer Nicole Montano responded and when she arrived at the vehicle she could see the dog lying on the floor with all the windows steamed up from the heat. Unable to open the vehicle, or break the glass, she proceeded to cut the convertible top and climb in to rescue the dog. Officer Montano gave the dog immediate first aid and rushed the dog to emergency veterinary care. Even though it was a fairly mild Spokane summer day at 75 degrees, it was way too hot inside for the dog. The dog’s body temperature when it arrived at the veterinarian’s office was 111 degrees as compared to an average 101 degrees. The dog currently is in critical condition and it is unclear whether or not it will survive. The pet's owner is being charged with a felony animal cruelty, which carries up to a five year imprisonment sentence and up to a $10,000 fine. “People may think they mean well taking their pet with them as they shop, or run errands, but warm weather can turn a car into a death trap quickly,” said Nancy Hill, SCRAPS Director. SCRAPS is reminding all pet owners to leave their pets at home instead of in their vehicles this summer. Anyone who sees an animal left in a vehicle should call SCRAPS (509) 477-2532 or SpokAnimal (509) 534-8133 immediately. Donations are being accepted to help this black lab and others who need critical emergency care. Donations can be made on-line at www.spokanecounty.org/animal or by calling SCRAPS at (509) 477-2532. SCRAPS also has information and educational fliers available to help spread the word on their website. UPDATE: The one year old black lab did not survive.

Updated 21 hours ago

Simone & Willow Therapy Dogs

2009-06-25T17:05:00.000-04:00

On May 16, 2009, Michael's dogs Simone and Willow (both are Belgian Malinois, 14 years of age) again passed their Therapy Dog evaluations. Michael plans to hold a therapy dog class in September 2009 (date not yet set) so students can prepare to take the therapy dog evaluation with their dog.

Ian Dunbar

2009-06-25T11:32:00.001-04:00

Ian Dunbar, a Vet Behaviorist talks about using life rewards to train dogs how to show good manners.

Rottie parents wolf cub

2009-06-23T10:27:00.001-04:00

Here's a cute story about a young Rottie and a wolf cub. It'll make you smile for the day!