Dog Guy

Private Lessons are tailored to address common and uncommon behavioral issues, or to teach new skills and increase reliability. They are available virtually via Zoom or phone, with in-person lessons not accepting new clients as of February 2025. The “Friends & Family Special” is a custom-designed class for a group of 3-5 dogs, typically 4-5 weeks long, focusing on basics, manners, obstacle course, leash walking, heeling, impulse control, or specific tricks.

The “Objects & Obstacles Class” is a 5-week program designed to help dogs and handlers work as a team, refine communication, and provide mental and physical exercise using agility and exercise equipment to create indoor obstacle courses. This class also covers basic/advanced handling skills and tricks, and requires dogs to be fairly social. Tutoring, or day training, involves direct lessons between the dog and trainer at the client’s home or in real-life settings, typically purchased as a package (e.g., 10 lessons over 3 weeks). Common topics for tutoring include loose-leash walking, mat training, wait, stay, and basic behaviors. Video updates and emails are provided, with the final lesson including the human clients.

General training topics covered include manners, aggression, house-training, fearfulness, sit, down, stand, settle, watch, heel, kitchen manners (counters), spin, rollover, barking, greetings, reactions to sound, recall, resource guarding, and puppy training.

Pricing Summary

Private virtual lessons are $75 per session (approx. 1 hour). In-person private lessons are $100 per session, but new clients are not being accepted as of February 2025. The “Friends & Family Special” class costs $100 per class meeting, divided among the group, with a minimum of 3 weeks and 3 dogs, and a maximum of 5 dogs. The “Objects & Obstacles Class” costs $125 for a 5-week session. Tutoring (day training) is typically purchased in a package, such as 10 lessons over 3 weeks (3x per week), with pricing not explicitly stated.

The Dog Guy is a dog training business led by Michael Nichols, who began training his own dogs in the 1980s and opened his business in 2011. He provides kind and effective animal training, emphasizing force-free methods that avoid pain, fear, physical force, or compulsion-based techniques. His goal is to help dogs become well-behaved, happy, and polite community members with engaged minds.

Services include private lessons, group classes, and tutoring. Private lessons are customized to address behavioral issues or teach new skills. Group classes like the “Objects & Obstacles Class” focus on teamwork and physical/mental workouts, while the “Friends & Family Special” offers custom curricula for small groups. Tutoring, also known as day training, involves the trainer working directly with the dog at the client’s home or in real-world settings.

Michael is also involved in community work, including transporting animals for shelters, fostering puppies, and providing humane education in schools. He has received awards for his animal welfare contributions, such as the Whatcom Humane Society’s Woof & Whiskers Award, and his dog Iggy received a posthumous Lifetime Achievement Award for therapy work.

Accomplishments

Michael Nichols graduated from WWU’s Fairhaven College in 1998 with a BA focusing on education, communication, and writing. He was awarded the Whatcom Humane Society’s Woof & Whiskers Award in 2010 for his work transporting animals between shelters and rescues. His dog, Iggy, received a posthumous Lifetime Achievement Award from the Whatcom Humane Society in 2013 for therapy work in local schools, hospitals, and the WHS Library Reading Program.

Michael has volunteered extensively with shelter animals, including dogs with behavior issues, and has worked with other species like a pig and a turkey. He has fostered and trained numerous puppies for adoption and collaborated with the Humane Education Department to provide instruction in local schools. Testimonials highlight his expertise, gentle and effective training techniques, and his ability to help dogs with reactivity, obedience, and confidence.

How to Get Started!

To get started, clients are generally directed to complete an online form specific to the desired service (private lessons, Friends & Family Special, or tutoring) or to register via email for classes. For private lessons, scheduling is done via phone after form submission. General inquiries can be made via phone or email.