Dear Michael, As you know, my husband and I, ignorant of any potential problems with taking two litter mates, adopted two Havanese pups three months ago. We took your class at Tails A Waggin’ and you have been an enormous help ever since. We have had several issues with the pups. And you have offered us a great deal of information, advice and support. 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 even 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
Rags and Sasha
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Hi Michael,
I just thought I would touch base with you and let you know how “the boys” are doing. 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. I bonked my head a week or so ago, and sat on the floor and whimpered a bit. He came off “his spot” over to me, licked my face and sat next to me. Oh my goodness! Never has he done anything like that before. He is surprising us constantly.
Speaking of “his spot”, he LOVES his spot! Good things always happen there!! Sometimes he shares it with Finn if he wants. Finn and Timber wish it was theirs!
Igloo and Finn both walk with backpacks now. (another one of your wonderful idea!) They are a bit tuckered after their walks now. They are hauling kidney beans! Igloo loves it, it is his “job.” Finn is not quite as enthusiastic, but he bears his load too.
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!
You are worth your weight in gold just for your gate idea. Why we couldn’t have just done that on our own, God ony knows. But you got the idea going, and not only does it increase curb appeal, there are no longer front door runaways. I no longer tense up every time somebody comes in/out.
Yes, there are still issues, and we will continue to work on them. You were right, Finn is the one who needs the training, big time! But I think his issues can be dealt with in a regular training classes. That being said, can you let me know when you are starting an appropriate session that I can bring him to?
So, I want to let you know again how much we appreciate your help. I don’t think we require private lessons to continue at the moment. I think we can take it from here. (For the moment, anyway.) We never could have made it this far without you, Michael. I am not hesitating to recomend you to my dog cronies, of which there are many.
Sincerey,
Carole Gainor
Timber, Igloo, and Finn: the Gainor Pack
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Hello Michael and Iggy,
Bellingham High School would like to extent a big THANK YOU for your involvement in our 2012 Love What You Do Career Conference.
Students are eager to share their experiences with us today as they come to claim their prizes. I have lost count of how many students have thanked us for having the event and how many have shared their stories about their morning.
Your community partners,
Gayle Copenbarger & The Staff at Bellingham High School
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Really wanted to thank you for doing the Canine Good Citizen demo at Paws and Claws this year. I enjoyed it and I’m glad you had the audience participate in your demo. Thank you for taking time out of your busy schedule to join us. I hope the experience was good for you and you might consider doing this again next year. From all of us at Alternative Humane Society, Thank you again.
Sincerely,
Treauna Cuthbertson The Alternative Humane Society
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We can’t begin to tell you how much we appreciate how you helped Maggie. You did a great thing for us and for her and we will alway be grateful. She is doing very well, back to 95% of her old people-loving, tail-wagging self.
–Jaime & Krisinda Plenkovich
Maggie and her pal
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“Michael has always been extremely reliable when transporting dogs, cats, rabbits and other animals for the Whatcom Humane Society. All of his transports have arrived safely. I know he falls in love with each of the animals in his care because he comes back with stories of what their new lives will be like at their rescue or new home. I’ve never hesitated to send an animal on the road with Michael. He is very dedicated and skilled at working with dogs. They just like him! I have trusted him many times with the care of Humane Society animals and I would trust him with the care of my own animals.”
–Emily Wyss, Volunteer and Foster Care Coordinator — Whatcom Humane Society
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“PJ is STILL tired after her play-date with you yesterday. So tired she’s not even excited to go on a walk. SUCCESS! Thank you!”
–Hollie Huthman, Owner — The Shakedown
PJ, in front, with Frankie and Iggy.
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“I highly recommend Michael Nichols to trust with your canine friends. I first met Michael in November of 2010 when he agreed to drive an 11 year old Siberian Husky from the Bellingham shelter all the way to Gig Harbor on the peninsula. He is an avid dog lover, and it is obvious by the looks on the dogs’ faces that they completely trust him. Any canine lucky enough to be in his care for daily walks and exercise would be a very happy canine upon their return home. Michael is also very committed to helping people with transporting their animals, whether it is an owner who doesn’t have a way to get to their pet to a vet or a rescue group that needs a shelter dog transported to another shelter or foster home.”
– Cyndi Michelena, Siberian Husky Rep — Seattle Purebred Dog Rescue
p.s. Michael, I certainly would trust you with any of my dogs and that is saying a lot because they are my kids!! 
Cyndi with Koda
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“I have worked with Michael for several years now. Driver, passenger and road safety are always among his top priorities! He has personally championed our vehicle safety program: Michael brought hands free phone systems to all delivery vehicles, researched load limits for our fleet, and increased our vigilance with general maintenance. He has shown excellent judgement in hazadous road conditions and has chosen to work on a Saturday rather than risk the drive in snow and ice. We happily partner with Michael in transporting rescue animals from time to time, and hearing the stories of a pet safely delivered to a new happy home warms my heart.”
–Janet E. Lightner, General Manager — Boundary Bay Brewery
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“Thank you so much for a perfect demonstration of the Pet Partners evaluation process — you helped the class and the students immensely. And thank you for all that you do for the Pet Partners program, and for your community. Also please thank Iggy for me — he is marvelous!”
–Rachel Wright, Program Manager – Delta Society Pet Partners
Thank you for coming into our PAWS class last friday! I learned so much about how to train dogs through positive methods, and certain methods that don’t work as well! I really appreciate the way you use treats and repeatedly do a certain action and use psychology to show the dog what action to perform! Thanks again!
-Kelsey
I really liked the presentation you did for our class room. I found it to be quite informative. What I really found interesting was the clicker. I never would have thought that you could train a dog to respond to a sound. Thank you for coming. Iggy and the little black dog were so cute!
Thank you so much for coming into our paws class! I learned a lot about being patient with my dog and always using positive reinforcement. You seem to be very knowledgeable and passionate with what you know about your dogs. Thanks! -Alexandra from Paws class
Dear Mike and Pia,
Thank you so much for coming in to the PAWS class. I really had a fun experience. I especially enjoyed earning the money with the clicker. I also really liked meeting Iggo. Thanks again.
Sincerely,
Nancy Seeger
i like how you show all of the dogs from the past who have done a good deed.
hey thanks for coming to our class and showing how to properley teach our dogs. oh yeah and thanks for the money!!
It was a great presentation and i really enjoyed it. I learned a whole ton of things that i didn’t know about dogs. and maybe next time i can be the example so i can get money.
Hello, I was in the PAWS class at Sehome High School when you visited last Friday. I want to say that I really enjoyed your presentation, and I thank you so much for bringing in Frankie and Iggy. I plan on using the clicker technique and the go out before the dog first technique later in life. Perhaps if I get a job working with animals in the future. Again, I would like to thank you so much for coming into our class and sharing your experience with all of us.
i enjoyede your presentation the training of nancy was funny
ok wait i didn’t finish… thanks for bringing in your dogs and demonstrating how you taught them. oh and you did very well. again thanks!!
The presentation last friday was very informative and helpful overall in the ways i will be trying to teach animals to become better to live with. Me and all of my fellow PAWS students thank you very much for coming to sehome and teaching us the waya of teaching animals. I very much appreciated your helpfulness.
Thank you for coming to sehome’s paws class last week! It was a good presentation! It was also very interesting, all the things you said about the clicker, and having them earn everything.