Deeper Message w/ Michael Burke

You can listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and all the other podcast platforms. New episodes post on Tuesdays.

Learning About Your Own Behavior, Through Your Dog

About The Episode

Growing up in the suburbs of Chicago as the youngest of six kids, Michael Burke’s parents added a dog to their family when he was around 10 years old. Of course, with their Irish-Catholic roots, his Dad insisted that it be an Irish Terrier. That dog was Corky, who only deepened Michael’s feelings that he could have a connection and understanding with animals - especially dogs.

Shortly after finishing college, Michael decided it was time to adopt his first dog of his own - a Collie Shepard mix named Cooper. At this same time, he was at a transitional point in his life and moved to Los Angeles shortly after. In the midst of figuring out his mid-twenties, Cooper became his rock. They went to Runyon Canyon to hike daily and it was a point of each day that he could count on as being special, no matter what else was happening. For the next 15 years, Cooper stayed as Michael’s constant companion, hiking together into her old age.

Michael’s life was changed by Cooper, his soulmate dog, but not only in keeping him active. He learned about sensitivity through her, and how the energy of others around her would have an impact - including his own. Once picking up on it, it began to sink in more that Cooper was mirroring Michael’s own subconscious feelings back to him. Things he was trying to suppress and not acknowledge, she was acting them out. It forced him to really think more about his behavior, and want to improve it both for her and for himself.

At the same time, he had been working in ad sales professionally but doing some life coaching on the side. He was drawing a lot of clients who were having challenges with their dogs, and he noticed that they too were having their own problems being mirrored in the dog’s issues. So through the combination of his own firsthand experience and then seeing it translated across others, he started to see patterns.

To deepen his knowledge further, he decided to get a dog training certification from the Animal Behavior College and improve his understanding of dog behavior and psychology. Afterwards, he went to train with Cesar Milan (“The Dog Whisperer”) at the dog psychology center he runs. Eventually, Michael became a member of the team there and started teaching classes at events and workshops. He even then became the Meditation Director there.

Through all of this work, including growing out his clients as a life coach and turning that full time, Michael realized how fulfilling it felt to him to finally feel like he was doing work that was inspiring and was helping people. Being able to be a translator to help people understand what their dogs are feeling and improve their own life while simultaneously helping their dogs felt like he had found his purpose.

The road of education, however, is also never-ending. Michael got another dog, a Pit mix named Harlow, who had a high sensitivity level that Michael had never experienced before, and it forced him to take his learnings to another level and realize there was more for him to understand. But he rose to the occasion and while Harlow helped him learn more, Michael helped Harlow become desensitized and more at peace.

Now, after being educated through a combination of Cooper and Harlow first hand, as well as his clients, Michael takes their lessons into his practice every day to help others. He also brings his experience into his current dogs – including Buddy, who came after Harlow and is very calm compared to either of them.

About The Guest - Michael Burke

Michael Burke is a dog behavior consultant and life coach with the mission of helping people better understand and communicate with their animals and overcome behavioral challenges. His unique approach combines his personal experience with his own dogs with his education in dog psychology, behavior and training, and energy healing. He currently has three dogs: Buddy, Dasher, and Atticus.

Featured Links

InterviewJack SommerPeople Working w/ Dogs