Michael Burkey, Dog Behavior Expert

Michael is the CEO and Dog Behaviorist at Michigan Dog Training, a highly successful dog training corporation whose aim is to provide behavior solutions so your dog can become a well mannered family member.  He is a Professional Dog Trainer, Dog Behaviorist, Expert Witness on Dog Behavior, Service Dog Trainer, Certified Canine Good Citizen (CGC) evaluator for the American Kennel Club (AKC), and former Police K9 Officer, Search and Rescue (SAR) K9 Training Director and SAR K9 Handler, obedience and rally competitor and social worker. 

For many years, he volunteered as a Dog Behaviorist for the Humane Society of Huron Valley, in Ann Arbor, Michigan.  He was a founding member and Certified Dog Behavior Consultant (CDBC) of the International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants (IAABC) and served as their Ethics Committee Chairman for many years. Michael specializes in working with dogs who show fearful and/or aggressive tendencies or are of high energy in southeastern Michigan (metro Detroit area):  Oakland County, Washtenaw County and Wayne County.

 
Michael Burkey's CV

Michael works with all breeds, temperaments, and sizes. He is highly regarded by veterinarians, rescue organizations, and clients.  Many dog trainers refer their aggression cases to Michael and veterinarians choose him to train their personal dogs. Michael Burkey is also a former social worker.  This unique experience of consulting and training (people and dogs), sets Michael apart as the one to rely on to help you solve your dog training problems.  He will teach you how to :

  • Modify your dog’s behavior
  • Train your dog the right way, the first time and
  • Have fun with your dog.

Dog training is a complex science and art requiring knowledge of behavioral science and learning. You can rely on Michael and his Staff experience, teaching methods, and integrity. Learn more about Michael’s awesome staff.

Get Started

Michael's Personal Dogs

Michael trains and loves all breed of dogs, temperament and sizes. His personal dogs have included: 6 Belgian Malinois (plus two litters of puppies), 4 German Shepherds, 1 Dutch Shepherd, 2 Standard Poodles, 1 Labrador Retriever, 1 German Shorthair Pointer, 1 Miniature Schnauzer, and 1 Beagle/Rat Terrier mix.

Current Dogs

Kaboom du Loups du Soleil APR BH
is a Belgian Malinois bred by Michael Ellis. Kaboom is being trained in IPO (German protection sport formerly called Schutzhund) and narcotics detection.

Kaboom du Loups du Soleil APR BH

Sonic
is a Belgian Malinois that was adopted from the Lenawee Humane Society. He was a stray that no one came looking for and due to lacking impulse control, he could not be adopted out to a family. Thus, Michael adopted him and he is being trained in Nosework.

Sonic

Hunter
is a German Shorthair Pointer that Michael adopted due to his extremely high energy not making him an ideal family dog. He is being trained as a Search and Resuce Dog and a Bed Bug Detection dog. Hunter also helps reactive dogs learn to play with other dogs.

Hunter

Simba Du Michigan Dog Training BH​
is a Belgian Malinois who is being trained in IPO.

Simba Du Michigan Dog Training BH

Previous Dogs

Starbuck CGCA
German Shepherd and MDT's temperament test dog. Even in his elder years, he acted like a puppy and matched play styles well with various dogs from hard playing active dogs to timid puppies. He turned several aggressive dogs around so they could play off leash together with no problems. He entered Rainbow bridge on 2/5/18 at 8 years of age due to cancer.

Starbuck CGCA

Security K9 Hawkeye​
German Shepherd; Explosive Detection Dog, Handler Protection and Obedience.

Security K9 Hawkeye

Police K9 Simone, CD, R1, CGC
Belgian Malinois; Narcotic Detection, Tracking, Area Search, Building Search, Evidence Search, Search and Rescue Dog (Cadaver Detection), Therapy Dog, Obedience and Rally competitor and Canine Good Citizen. Rainbow bridge 2011 at 16 years of age.

Police K9 Simone, CD, R1, CGC

Police K9 Draco
Belgian Malinois; Narcotic Detection. Rainbow bridge 2011 at 14 years of age.

Police K9 Draco

Willow CD, CGC
Belgian Malinois; Therapy Dog, Obedience Competitor, Canine Good Citizen. Rainbow bridge 2011 at 16 years of age.

Willow CD, CGC

Falcon JET Fighter
German Shepherd. Trained and rehomed with a friend for his forever home.

Falcon JET Fighter

Nitro
Labrador Retriever; rescued from a shelter, trained and adopted out to a forever home.

Nitro

Zena
German Shepherd. Rainbow bridge 2011 at 10 years of age.

Zena

Princess
Beagle/Rat Terrier; first family dog who taught Michael how to talk. Rainbow bridge at an old age.

Princess

Michael Burkey, Dog Behavior Expert

“I have always felt a close kinship with dogs. As a young child, my inner ear canals were blocked due to environmental allergies. This condition went undetected for the first four years of my life causing me to miss hearing beginning language sounds. The result was that I wouldn’t try to talk with people. My parents initially thought I was learning disabled until I was correctly diagnosed.

The speech therapist advised my parents to obtain a dog that would sit and listen to me babble all day. The dog would have undying interest in my attempts to talk in return for non-stop petting. The allergist, of course, recommended against the dog. Allergies were what caused the ear blockage in the first place.

Fortunately, my parents listened to the speech therapist. They brought home a mixed Beagle/Terrier, named Princess that sat patiently each and every day, listening to me make beginning speech sounds as I petted my special friend.

So that is how a dog taught me to talk. I have enjoyed a special bond with dogs ever since.”

Michael