Meet Michelle

Michelle has always surrounded herself with animals. She grew up working with and riding horses from the age of 3. Her interest in dog psychology and behavior began in 2010 while experiencing difficulty in getting effective help for the behavior issues she was experiencing with her own dog, Cake. She saw 5 different professionals with Cake in search for help to make her a more balanced, social dog. They went through in-home training, group classes, obedience, e-collar work, Schutzhund, and balanced training. While Cake was the most obedient dog, her behavior issues and lack of social skills continued to be a problem. What was the big missing piece? Michelle was still not able to make Cake feel differently. On Michelle's journey, she mentored under and trained with Cheri Lucas, longtime right-hand woman to famed “Dog Whisperer” Cesar Millan, Simon Prins, Kimberly Artley of Pack Fit, and Nelson Hodges. 

Michelle found her niche in the dog world when she was introduced to the Fouche Way, a philosophy that examines the dog's perspective, our role in how we make a dog feel, and addresses the dogs emotionally and hormonally as individuals. Through these practices, Michelle is passionate about speaking to dogs as nature intended.

OTHER APPEARANCES:

The Hampton Road's show Creature Feature - A Dog Named Cake

It's Just a Piece of Cake - written by Melinda Brown

Meet Cake

Everyone says their dog is special and I don’t have a doubt it’s true. After all, what is dog spelled backwards? I’m biased, I know, but Cake was really extra special. I found Cake on the side of the road covered with ticks and filled with worms when she was about eight weeks old. Cake grew to be a complete terror, developing many behavior issues. You name it, she probably did it. Over excited urination, hyper, incessant barking, jumping on and body slamming people, leash reactivity, chasing anything that moved, counter surfing, stealing food, resource guarding, territorial aggression, biting other dogs and people. Needless to say she turned into an unsocialized monster. We had some really low moments together. Over 8 years I saw 5 different professionals with Cake in search for help to make her a more balanced, social dog. We went through in-home training, group classes, obedience, e-collar work, Schutzhund, and balanced training. While Cake became the most obedient dog, her behavior issues and lack of social skills continued to be a problem. Still I was determined that this was not her destiny and that I was missing something. I always deep down felt that I was misunderstanding her in some way and was determined to try to understand her. I found the biggest missing piece was that I was expecting Cake to think like a human when she was only capable of thinking like a dog. Once I began communicating to her from the concept of nature, I finally made sense to her. This required me to make some serious changes in my relationship with her and in myself, but the results of her being a more balanced, social, and overall happier dog were beyond worth it and life changing for us both. I learned so many things from Cake about dogs, people, myself, and life. Cake connected me to so many wonderful people. She literally shaped my life. Dog behavior and psychology became such a passion of mine that I started my business “Piece of Cake Dog Training and Behavior” to help more misunderstood dogs. Cake overcame so much, she was an active part in my business joining me daily for group socials and walks to help other dogs who have social deficits become more balanced and she joined me for private sessions. She had become such a delight that looking back on our hard times it’s almost easy to forget how difficult things were. Cake turned into a gem and now she could be shared with others. She helped my family and I gain a closer connection to my Dad who had Alzheimer’s. She brought him so much fulfillment and joy, it was truly magical to witness.

Cake was a gift. She was my heart dog and I know there will never be another like her. I’m telling you, I thought it was just me, but when I started working with a lot of dogs I found there was no one else like her! She lived every day to its fullest, even up to the end she enjoyed hikes, the beach, following us on trails with my horse, and the company of other dogs and her people. She was confident, witty, the smartest dog I’ve ever met, she was present, thoughtful, enjoyed every moment, was always up for adventure, loved food, and didn’t take any shit. She lived her senior years peacefully with a simple pureness that was humbling and magical. She was more than just a dog. She represented truth, consciousness, and loyalty. She brought awareness, knowledge, and hope to so many and will continue to do so. Cake left a legacy that will live on forever.

In memory + in honor of Cake, 2009 - 2020.