Testimonial – German Shepherd/Husky mix owner

On May 2, 2013, we received a wonderful thank you card from Ashley Deford of Whitmore Lake, Michigan after having worked with her and her German Shepherd/Husky mix via on site private dog training sessions at Michigan Dog Training.  Here is what she had to say:

“Michael- Thank you for helping me train Andie, my 7mos old German Shepherd- Husky mix! I really appreciate all of your patience, time and hard work into helping me train her.  I learned a lot and she is steadily improving! I also thank you for the card- the picture on it was so cute!! Thanks again!     Take care, Ashley Deford”

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Testimonial – German Shepherd allows guests in house

German Shepherd allows friends in house

Raven allows friends in the house now.

On March 31, 2013 the Michigan Dog Trainer received a wonderful update via a facebook post from Mandy Wagner about her dog Raven, a German Shepherd Dog. We recently worked together via in home dog training sessions.

Raven was so fearful that she would bark aggressively toward strangers and even close friends who entered her house. Mandy learned how to desensitize Raven to the sight of guests so she wouldn’t be so afraid, counter condition her to pay more attention to her and increased her obedience so she would have more control of Raven’s behavior.

Raven is very lucky to have Mandy in her life.  With lots of commitment, love, and patience shown by Mandy; Raven is much better able to coexist with home guests.  Here’s a copy of her update:

“Michael Burkey, I just want to say thank you for all the help with Raven. Finely after all this time Raven now coexists with our guests!” ….Mandy Wagne

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Help bring Cruiser home for his 9th birthday

CRUISER, 150 lbs Mastiff

CRUISER, 150 lbs Mastiff

Cruiser’s 9th birthday is tomorrow and he has been missing from his Whitmore Lake, Michigan home since March 14, 2013. His family misses him terribly.  He weighs approximately 150lbs and is a very friendly dog.  So if you see him, please call his mom, Sheila.  Her phone number is on his collar or if he is no longer wearing the collar, you can contact Michael Burkey at 734-634-4152 or info@MichiganDogTrainer.com.

Michigan Dog Trainer has a special connection with Cruiser as he and his mom were students of mine when he was just a little adorable puppy.  As you can see he is much bigger now but he is still a sweet heart and so adorable.  I am asking for folks to repost this announcement on their facebook pages and discussion forums to help bring him home.

Also, to support Sheila and to honor Cruiser, please copy and paste one of his pictures to your profile and/or banner picture for the day.  Happy Birthday Cruiser and I pray you come home soon.  Everyone misses you so much!

Thank you for helping to spread the word.  Remember to:

1.  Share this story

2. Post his picture on your pages.Cruisersleeping

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Home away from home dog boarding

dog training, MIchigan Dog Trainer, Michigan Dog Training

Sonic

I am presently attending a training seminar out of the country until February 24, 2013. During my brief absence, Michigan Dog Trainer remains open for business as Amy our Administrative Assistant, is available to take calls, schedule board and train for K9 Campers and in home appointments as well as sign folks up for group classes that start on March 11th in Livonia and March 12th in Ann Arbor. Additionally, she and Jenny are providing Home Away from Home Services (personalized boarding) for our VIP clients dogs.

It has been a while since I have taken a business trip that did not allow me to take my dogs with me. Thus, I am often asked whom I board my dogs with while I am away from home. My dogs go to the Michigan Dog Trainers Home Away from Home program, of course. : )   I am very fortunate to have the help of two very trusted friends and employees, Amy and Jenny, who assist me with the Home Away from Home program.  Both are long time dog owners, long time on-going students of mine, and they treat the dogs as if they were one of their own. They are awesome and  I trust both of them with my personal dogs!
I found it especially hard to leave my dogs this time as it was a first boarding experience for Kaboom and Sonic. However, they are in very experienced hands. So I know they are doing well. This empty feeling of leaving them reminded me of  what our clients feel when they need to board their dogs. And, that is why I am so happy that we, at Michigan Dog Trainer, take the extra effort to post pictures of their dogs on our FaceBook page. We know how it feels. Therefore, we want to remove clients lonely feelings with pictures showing their dog having fun. This way, they can enjoy their trip without a care in the world.
So the next time you plan a trip, think Michigan Dog Trainer as the one to not only care for your dog during your absence but also the one that removes your fears and allows you to experience adventurous and relaxing trips.
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Listing of students and their dogs’ accomplishments

Michigan Dog Trainer (MDT) is proud to showcase its’ students and their dogs’ accomplishments. To read about individual accomplishments and see their pictures visit the category of CGC Stars or Trick Dogs.

TRICK DOGS

Novice Trick Dog (NTD)

  1. 2/15/12, Kalin Turri and Oakley, Standard Poodle
  2. 2/15/12, Barbara Schilke and Maggie, Belgian Malinois
  3. 3/1/12, Jennifer King and Sakima, Doberman
  4. 5/4/12, Kiley Spade and Titan, German Shepherd
  5. 5/16/12, Jennifer King and Ranger, German Short Hair Pointer
  6. 7/15/12, Ellen Urda and Troy, Border Collie
  7. 8/7/12, Michelle Baum and Kiaya
  8. 8/23/12, Maxine Wood and Clifford, Belgian Malinois
  9. 10/12/12, Michael Burkey and Starbuck, German Shepherd
  10. 11/19/12, Jared Spade and Gryphon, German Shepherd
  11. 11/29/12, Jennifer Dick and Mary, Corgi
  12. 11/29/12, Rebecca Anthouard and Nala
  13. 11/29/12, Chris and Jess Kopacz and Porter
  14. 11/29/12, Kaycee Artman and Ruby, All American
  15. 1/20/13, Stacy Grzywacz and Maverick,
  16. 2/7/13, Melissa Clive and Brinks, Mastiff
  17. 2/7/13, Michelle Melis and Kayleigh

Intermediate Trick Dog (ITD)

  1. 5/4/12, Kiley Spade and Titan, German Shepherd
  2. 5/9/12, Kalin Turri and Oakley, Standard Poodle
  3. 5/6/12, Jennifer King and Ranger, German Short Hair Pointer
  4. 8/23/12, Maxine Wood and Cliiffortd, Belgian Malinois

Expert Trick Dog (ETD)

  1. 11/26/12, Jennifer King, German Short Hair Poitner
  2. 12/31/12, Kiley Spade, German Shepherd
  3. 12/31/12, Kalin Turri and Oakley, Standard Poode

Championship Trick Dog (CTD)

  1. 12/7/12, Wendy Bemis and Fleetwood, Beauceron

 

 

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New title earners: Novice Trick and Canine Good Citizen

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JAZZ, NTD, CGC

On February 7, 2013, several Michigan Dog Trainer students and their dogs earned the Novice Trick Dog title (NTD) and Canine Good Citizen (CGC) title at the Humane Society of Huron Valley in Ann Arbor, Michigan. The dogs were evaluated by Michael Burkey, who is a professional dog trainer at Michigan Dog Training LLC. The trick titles are done through Kyra Sundance’s “Do More With Your Dog” program and the CGC is through the American Kennel Club (AKC).

To earn their  Novice trick titles, dogs had to do fifteen tricks at the Novice and/or Intermediate levels such as hoop jump, crawl, spin, etc. To earn the CGC, dog teams had to do complete ten components such as come, sit, down, stay, walk nicely on a loose leash, greet friendly strangers and other dog teams appropriately, etc. Your dog too can become a trick dog or Canine Good Citizen.  For information about attending a circus class in Livonia or Ann Arbor, Michigan, contact the Michigan Dog Trainer or to sign up for dog training classes at HSHV.

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KAYLEIGH, NTD, CGC, All American mix

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PEPPER, NTD, CGC, Black Lab

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BRINKS, NTD, CGC, English Mastiff

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CLAUDE, NTD, All American mix

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New trick stars big and small

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On January 28, 2013 Teresa and Riggs, German Shepherd; Stacy and Maverick, Dachshund; and Carrie and Canja, German Shepherd earned their Novice Trick Dog Title  through the Kyra Sundance “Do More With Your Dog” program and witnessed by Michael Burkey, professional dog trainer at Michigan Dog Training LLC.

To earn their titles, they had to do fifteen tricks at the Novice and/or Intermediate levels such as hoop jump, crawl, spin, etc. Your dog too can become a trick dog.  For information about attending a circus class in Livonia or Ann Arbor, Michigan, contact the Michigan Dog Trainer.

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