The K9 Coach FL

Mike Harvey is truly an amazing trainer! I sought out training (help) when my dogs were in a brutal dog fight (WITH EACH OTHER!) Not only has he done wonders for my girls but I’ve seen very aggressive and antisocial dogs completely change! One month they are foaming at the mouth to attack and the next month they are actively participating in group events with other pups!!!! He is the real dog whisperer!!!! I am thankful that we found him!

I visited Michael on the suggestion of my vet at Hagen's Pet Resort. We had our assessment on a Saturday morning in the large pen at Hagen's and I told Michael my primary concern, along with training my dog was socializing her. She was abandoned and doesn't seem to have spent a lot of time around dogs. Michael had his two dogs in the pen and they were obviously obedient and well-trained. However, Michael attempted to introduce my dog to his while mine was leashed and his were left off-leash. Even with the electronic collar on my dog this resulted in a minor canine confrontation and my dog now carries a permanent scar on the top of her head. While I do not doubt Michael's knowledge or ability, the several trainers and dog owners I've spoken with since the incident last month all say the same thing, an introduction never should have taken place under these circumstances: his dogs off-leash in their familiar pen while mine was leashed and in their space. It seems even pros can make mistakes when they're overconfident perhaps.

Just when you thought your puppy had no chance of being a Good Boy....along comes Mike to the rescue! He has not only trained our German Sheppard but has successfully trained we the owners as better parents. Our handsome, loving and gentle young man is now two years old and has successfully graduated from this most prominent Sarasota K-9 Ivy League finishing school as an obdient loving and social butterfly. Thank you Coach Mike. We are so greatful.

Working with Mike Harvey these last few weeks has been just what we were looking for for our small (but mighty) rescued Terrier mix Goose. We found Goose after he had been dumped on the beach in the Caribbean; after several weeks fending for himself, he was uncertain, anxious and, at times, aggressive. While several months of living in our home calmed many of these issues, he still was dog-aggressive and suffered from separation anxiety. While visiting Sarasota for the summer, we wanted to do what we could to get these issues under control and after researching MANY options in the Sarasota-Bradenton area, we were happy to schedule a free consultation with Mike. Mike arrived promptly and explained his own history with dog training and detailed his system before taking us outside to see his own dog Missy. Typically, when confronted with another dog, Goose goes into a frenzy (lunging, baring his teeth, growling). However, in this situation, wearing one of Mike's test collars, Goose stayed focused and listened to my directions despite a new dog running all around him in "his" yard. This was supposed to be a demo for us to see how well-trained Missy was, but I was sold by seeing how well my dog had responded. We scheduled our private lessons (2 at home, 1 out with Mike's dogs) and have been attending his group classes now that we have completed all of the basics. Training has been as much about my boyfriend and I learning how to command Goose properly as it has been about him learning how to respond they way we want. Mike was flexible with our schedule and our budget and worked with us being that we are not Sarasota residents (or snowbirds). I only wish we were more permanent residents so we could take advantage of his "group lessons for life" package! We owe a big debt to Mike and truly appreciate what he has done to make the future look brighter for Goose. A Note about E-Collars: I was mildly apprehensive before discussing them with Mike and seeing them in action myself. E-Collars have evolved quite a bit over the last few decades so take the time in the consultation to ask questions and feel the collar on your palm. Goose's anxiety caused him to become so overwhelmed that he lost the sense of everything going on and would act out accordingly. The e-collar has been amazing for keeping him focused so that he is better able to listen when we give him a command (whether it be to sit when we are at home, or more importantly, to heel when there is a dog he would much rather go investigate when we are out and about). It has been an unbelievable training tool for us and know that for a dog like Goose, whose anxiety and aggression overwhelmed any reaction to a treat or a clicker, it was the right choice.