Testimonials

_______________________

Dear Michael,

Yesterday, Barney’s training helped avoid a bad situation chasing deer near a road. He listened, and came right back! Thanks again, you indeed taught this old dog some new tricks, and he loves the practice!                                                                                                                                  –Sue Fox-Golombek

______________________________

I can’t say enough positive things about Michael Nichols. He is an exceptionally skilled dog trainer, and we have seen the results of his work in our shelter facility.  Michael has spent countless hours volunteering with shelter dogs that arrived at our facility with a variety of behavior issues. Thanks to Michael’s patience, time, and training,  many of these dogs made great strides in their behavior, thus making them much easier to adopt into permanent, responsible and loving homes.  Michael has also worked with a sassy pig and unsocialized turkey at our request, and both animals ended up being adopted.                   Michael has fostered and trained countless puppies for us (all of which were adopted to wonderful homes), and has many times worked with special and difficult dogs who needed extra help.  Michael has also worked closely with our Humane Education Department to bring information and instruction to our local schools, presenting basic training and care information to young people, while demonstrating with his own dogs, WHS alumni Frankie and Rudy.                                                                                                                                                              Michael has a way of finding the best of every dog he encounters, of nurturing and developing them, and helping the world to see why each of them is special in their own way. In addition to his incredible work with our shelter animals, Michael is also my dog Zane’s trainer, best friend and very favorite person in the whole wide world.

—Laura Clark, Executive Director, Whatcom Humane Society

_________________________________________

For the past four years, Mike has been an extraordinary guest speaker for the Animal Studies and Outreach class at Sehome High School. He is able to combine theory with practical application in an interactive and quality manner that engages all students. Mike’s clear demonstrations with his dog, Rudy, enable students to learn effective hands-on training techniques that they can apply with their own dogs at home. He is highly skilled in providing practical solutions for “problem” behaviors. Also, he helps students understand the “why” behind dog behavior. Mike resonates a calm energy combined with humor that makes him the ideal dog trainer and speaker. If the students could give a best guest speaker award, Mike would definitely receive it! He has our highest recommendation!
Shannon Casey
Animal Studies and Outreach Teacher
Sehome High School

________________________________

Happy first birthday to the best small dog ever!!! Ebey has come so far from being the fearful little girl in December when we adopted her to the calm, loyal, house-trained little love bug she is now! Now she is Ebey Kobayashi (her middle name after Takeru Kobayashi competitive hot dog eater, as she used to get so many hot dogs when scared of meeting new people)!!! We Are having 10 people over to watch the game this week, and we aren’t even worried about it. A high five to The Dog Guy for showing us the right way to help her be awesome! Michael, you are a Magical Unicorn Prince!

___________________________________

We passed our CGC test!

I didn’t like tests because they have made me nervous in the past. It wasn’t that bad at all. Actually, it was quite fun!  I don’t think we could have had a more perfect instructor for our style than what we had with Michael.  He really let Louie and I do our thing while still giving us guidance. He helped me remember to practice often, and to be consistent in the way I talk to Louie and how I ask him to do things. That is extremely important. Louie wants to do what I ask of him, but he has to understand what I’m asking of him to be able to do it!.

–Lannie and Louie

http://lifewithblindlouie.blogspot.com

_________________________________

When we got Zach he was both scared and scary, with a tendency to lash out at other dogs and snap at us when frightened. Mike was instrumental in Zach becoming the happy, playful boy he is today! —Rachel

_____________________________________________________

Michael, what we saw you accomplish in our home with our 4 month old puppy today was incredible. Wow! Thank you so very much for the tools you taught our family. We are thrilled with how the session with Lewis went & look forward to using all the things you showed us. So very happy we called you. —Sara Joy

_____________________________________________________

Dear Michael,

Thanks so very much for yesterday’s lesson, despite the rain. This morning I took Barrister for his morning walk, and felt more prepared for the “just in case” situation, and wouldn’t you know it? The neighbor and her very excitable golden retriever came down the grass at the same time. Barrister was a champ, and quickly refocused on me! His looks at the other dog got fewer and farther between. It felt great… Then, as if fate was testing me, a man and his cocker spaniel came from the other side at the same time. Barrister was right on the edge of his threshold, but I was able to sense where he was at, retreat a few feet without pulling on him, using the “watch me” command and turning him with high-value food. What used to feel like an impossible situation felt very manageable this morning. Definitely a confidence booster for both Barrister, and me!  I know we have a long way to go, but now it feels like we are on the right track. Thank you again!

–Carrie B.

____________________________________________________

Dear Michael,

I have been working very devotedly on Hank’s leash walking. I have remained consistent every time. And of course, like every time you truly apply yourself to a training routine, your dog makes progress. In Hank’s case, it’s what I consider to be HUGE strides and in a relatively short amount of time (huge, calm, attentive strides at my side, I mean). I went on a 20 minute walk today with him by my side with not a single tug. He is doing marvelous. This is just a shout out to you, Michael. Thank you for your inspiration, your enthusiasm, and for making dog training fun. Even the hard parts. You rule.

Sincerely, Chris Cottingham and Hank

____________________________________________________

To Michael,

I’m Acadia’s (duck tolling retriever from the spring) owner. You were very kind to spend some great time with us regarding some heeling and training tricks.  I just wanted to make sure you got the message of thanks for your time and expertise. We have had a great summer of fun and adventures. I hope to be in another class this season with you to continue to work on things together.

Thanks!  Laura Curtis

_____________________________________________________

Mike,

On behalf of the Board of Director of the Burned Children Foundation as well as the Director, staff, and ‘campers’ of Camp Phoenix, we want express our sincere appreciation to you and Iggy for taking time out of your busy day to be with us and participate in Career Day at Camp Phoenix. Your presentation to the kids was ‘right-on target’ as evidenced by the interest of the kids and their numerous and challenging questions. We were particularly impressed by your ability and willingness to share personal stories coupled with your sincere interest in hearing and talking directly to the kids. We have learned through the years that kids cannot be easily fooled. It was evident to all that you and Iggy definitely like kids; our kids could ‘feel’ it, and our kids liked you. As an aside, this is an annual event and you and Iggy have an invitation to return next year to address our kids.

Again Mike, thank you and Iggy for your participation.

Rock Roth

Chairman,  Board of Directions Burned Children Recovery Foundation

_____________________________________________________

Dear Michael,

As you know, my husband and I adopted two Havanese pups three months ago. We have had several issues with the pups. We feel very lucky to have had your support. You have really gone “that extra mile” in helping us with generosity, passion and commitment in every single contact we have had — phone calls, several emails and the at-home visit — which was not only very useful but an incredible bargain! You even checked back with us to see how the four of us were doing.

We cannot say how grateful we are. We are so much enjoying our pups—Sasha and Rags— but honestly, I don’t think we could have kept them both if it were not for the we received from you. We look forward now to a long happy family life, canines and humans, and it is reassuring that we can call on you again as Sasha and Rags grow and develop.

Thank you so very much,

Eugenie Simpson

_____________________________________________________

Hi Michael,

First of all, we would like you to know that you have made a tremendous impact on our dogs, ESPECIALLY IGLOO, and we are very grateful.

I always felt that Igloo didn’t like me very much, at best he tolerated me. He has become a very loving dog, making a complete turnaround. Igloo and Finn both walk with backpacks now. (another one of your wonderful ideas!) Igloo loves it, it is his “job.” Speaking of walks, ALL 3 of the dogs wait patiently for their walks while Bill harnesses them all up, backpacks and all. You would be SO impressed!

We never could have made it this far without you, Michael. I am not hesitating to recommend you to my dog cronies, of which there are many.

You are worth your weight in gold…

Sincerey,
Carole Gainor