Nakama Dog Training

12/21/2024

Do your homework; your trainer will know if you haven't!

Posted •

12/16/2024

Not a good pic of me but a pic of me doing a good deed. This is when I met Kuru & Kurumi and busted them and their siblings out of the hoarding situation.

Kuru has been renamed Isabella & they're both doing great; they went to their first adoption event yesterday! They & the rest of their siblings will be available in a few weeks!

That being said, I need more photos of myself with dogs!

12/14/2024

Repost from

If the only training your dog is getting is when the trainer comes to visit, you're not going to get very far! And yes, we can tell if you've been practicing!

12/10/2024

Posted • There is almost nothing that frustrates me more than Instagram videos of trainers crowding or trying to handle dogs who are showing signs of distress. There is absolutely no reason for this.

Yes, it can be more effective for me to demo skills for clients, but with experience, I’ve learned to take a hands-off approach to coaching. Sometimes we even have to talk on the phone at first while working at a distance so I don’t come closer than your dog can handle! This is what’s best for your dog. Not only can pushing a dog past their comfort zone make the problem worse, but it’s likely you’ll get a bite on their rap sheet, creating liability for you!

So if a dog trainer ever insists that they must handle, come into close proximity with or touch your stressed dog to demonstrate, do yourself a favour and look elsewhere.

12/04/2024

This Giving Tuesday, please consider donating to !

Your donations will go directly to help my new foster puppies, Kuru and Kurumi! They were rescued from a hoarding situation along with their 4 other siblings and need their puppy shots, food and potty pads.

Of course there are many other dogs that need help; Charlotte and Meredith, the other puppies from the hoarder, are still in foster, as well as 15 other dogs. New dogs are always coming in!

11/30/2024

The holidays are officially here; it's Small Business Saturday!

I just want to take a moment to say THANK YOU to all of you who’ve trusted me to work with your pups this year. It’s been such a joy to see your dogs grow and thrive, and I’m so grateful to be part of their journey.

Give the gift of dog training this holiday season, whether a loved one is getting a puppy from Santa or you're shopping for your own dog!

11/27/2024

Posted • A new study from Clive Wynne (who also took part in another abusive study with pro-punishment, anti-science, anti-medication Ivan Balabanov where some of the dogs reacted so poorly from constantly being shocked by shock collars they had to be removed from the study.) was recently released that basically discusses what equipment is best to stop your dog from pulling. But here is the thing - your dog isn't pulling. Not like you think they are. Not like we've been led to believe by those on both the balanced (punishment based) and f+/force free (reinforcement based) sides.

What is missing from many of these conversations is WHY your dog is "pulling", or appears to be pulling. Your dog has four legs. The majority of dogs walk faster than we do. We historically walk our dogs on leashes that are too short to allow them to walk naturally, and at their own pace. The result is a dog at the end of a tight leash the majority of the time. This looks like pulling. This feels like pulling. This is your dog trying to walk normally.

This is your dog trying to walk normally and follow their nose. Their nose that is THOUSANDS of times more powerful than ours. Not just that, but their sense of smell is linked to their sense of SIGHT. They are trying to see with their nose.

They are trying to see with their nose and walk at their normal, natural pace.

And your six foot (and sometimes shorter) leash is restricitng this. This is why your dog "pulls". We don't need to prevent them from doing it. We need to figure out the best and safest way to allow them to walk naturally, and engage in their natural behaviors while out on that walk - like sniffing and peeing on all the things.

Studies like this will make people think these are problems. THESE ARE NOT PROBLEMS.
Your dog isn't pulling. YOUR DOG IS TRYING TO BE A DOG. And to be honest, I'm really tired of BOTH SIDES seemingly ignoring this fact.

11/24/2024

🆘️ URGENT! IMMEDIATE FOSTERS OR FOREVER HOMES NEEDED!

These 4 dogs are currently living in a hoarding situation and need to get out! Their guardian is cooperating with but they need a warm and safe space as soon as possible. Every dog is neutered and fully vaccinated.

Loki is a year old(?) shepherd mix who nervous of strangers, but should form a strong attachment once he gets to know you. When I met him today he was frustrated with another dog through the fence and redirected onto his brother Rocky (snapping, no bites), so he would probably do best as an only dog or possibly with a friendly, calm dog. He is tolerant of his guardian's grandchildren but was scared of their rougher handling, so no kids or older kids would be ideal.

Maggie is an adult shepherd mix who is very attached to her people. She is sweet, but froze up when I tried to take her for a walk around the property and would only move when someone she knew came with us. She will need someone with fearful dog experience and could probably use a friendly dog in the house. Dog-savvy older kids or no kids would be best.

Rocky is a year old lab (?) mix who is cautious, but curious and wants to be friends with everyone. He is being ganged up on by the other dogs in the house but still wants to play, so he would do great with a friendly dog. Older kids or no kids because he is a jumpy, pully guy when he gets excited!

Achilles is a 10 month old shepherd mix who is friendly, treat-motivated and ready to learn! When I took him for a walk he was ready to go without hesitation, and in 20 minutes already started picking up on check-ins and not pulling. Did I mention it was his first leash walk ever?! He would do great with another dog to play with and dog-savvy kids.

If you're interested in helping these pups, please contact for more information!

11/22/2024

Let's get Meredith a home for the holidays!

Meredith, like her brother Lewis & sister Charlotte, is a 5.5 month old Boxer mix who escaped a hoarding situation. She is shy and needs her space to warm up to people, but once she chooses you as her person she will be your constant companion.
Meredith prefers to sit back and take it all in in public spaces, but at home she's full of energy and puppy spunkiness! She'll need an active family, preferably one with fearful dog experience so they can help her learn that new things aren't scary. She could live with older children and could be either an only dog or be with a friendly dog who will give her space when she needs it and allows her to be queen of the dog toys.
Interested in Meredith? Contact for more information!

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11/07/2024

A palate cleanser for your IG feed!
Here are pictures of Hime from our hike around Clear Lake last month, where she was on her best behavior for all 4.6 miles of it.
She is insanely pretty & I love her ❤️

11/05/2024

Sadie the Chow Mix is working on her leash manners! Since Mom's health prevents her from getting the walks she needs, I'll be doing training walks with Sadie where we will focus on pulling, squirrel chasing and handler focus. As Sadie is a mix of very independent dog breeds, this should be an interesting case! Good thing the independent thinkers are my favorite!

11/02/2024

Repost

10/29/2024

Always use a harness!

https://phys.org/news/2020-05-collars-neck-injuries-dogs.html?fbclid=IwY2xjawGORtpleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHZnrqRXUUpUHVZV-QPmNxF5CzalsM7hPmUax8CwjZSLRNJUJp_EvWg26fA_aem_-jnZgLunsH5IcjC72K560w&sfnsn=mo

A study led by a canine scientist at Nottingham Trent University looked at the potential impact of pulling on the lead and the related pressure on the neck, using a variety of of collar-types and styles.

10/29/2024

Oops! Looks like Auggie has to take a break from training!
Auggie the Mini Goldendoodle was signed up for puppy training a month before he even got home and was doing great before he took a tumble.
After he heals up we'll continue his socialization, basic obedience and leash manners. Get well soon, Auggie!

10/23/2024

Annie the Black Mouth Cur Mix has spent most of her life afraid of strangers and reactive to other dogs, but that ends today! She will be working on allowing things to go by the house unaccosted and staying calm on her walks (so she doesn't knock Dad over again!)
Stay tuned for updates!

10/21/2024

Posted •

10/17/2024

Coco the Dachshund Mix and Wrigley the Vizsla Mix are running their guardians ragged! Barking at noises outside, uncontrollably jumping and climbing on guests, pulling on walks and barking & lunging at dogs and strangers on walks.
We've had a few sessions so far and even though their mom doesn't always have time to practice, they are already doing so much better! Yesterday we had a successful walk without any barking!
With more practice and fading out their prong and bark collars, Coco & Wrigley will be brand new dogs. Stay tuned for updates!

10/15/2024

An update on Piper!
Piper has made huge progress in her frustration reactivity, and we were able to have a successful practice session at the farmer's market! She was able to relax enough to lay down without being asked!
Piper still needed some space from other dogs, but this was after being trigger-stacked by multiple dogs on the walk over. She can ignore most dogs now if they're not too close and barely even looks up when she hears barking.
Great job, Piper!