Nakama Dog Training

Nakama Dog Training Force-free, modern dog training in the Salem, OR area. Serving Albany, Dallas, Falls City, Independence, Monmouth, Salem, Silverton, Stayon and Woodburn.

Online sessions are available worldwide! I use force-free, science-based methods to help you and your dog build and maintain a healthy, happy relationship, with emphasis on balancing your dog's need to practice natural behaviors while also behaving politely in the human world. With positive reinforcement, your dog will learn faster, retain behaviors better and have lots of fun! I am an Accredited

Dog Trainer by the IAABC, a Predation Substitute Training Instructor and a Fear Free Certified Trainer. I have completed Michael Shikashio's Master Aggression Course and am working on a Family Dog Mediator certification. As such, I have proven my knowledge on canine behavior and training and have pledged to train dogs with the least invasive, minimally aversive methods possible. I will treat you and your dog with the utmost respect and compassion. This is why I will never ask you to train your dog in a way that makes you uncomfortable. I will never use a choke chain, prong collar or shock collar on your dog or ask you to "dominate", intimidate or hurt your dog in any way. I believe in continuing education, which is why I strive to research dog training and behavior from reputable, scientific sources as well as through hands-on experience. This is also why I train with positive reinforcement; studies show that reward-based training is the best way to build a happy, healthy bond with your dog. I am currently working on 2 more professional certifications. I believe in doing right by you and your dog; if at any time you are unhappy with my services or I believe that another trainer would be a better fit for you, I would be more than willing to work with you to find another trainer to fit your needs.

09/03/2026

Truly dangerous dogs are really rare. In the thousands I've interacted with over the years I've only seen about 5.
Trainers claiming they deal with "dangerous" dogs, then show off that they're calm and happy 2 weeks later (usually wearing a shock collar) did not have a dangerous dog. That flashy clip they showed of the dog trying to attack them was instigated by them for clicks and to make them look like miracleworkers, an old trick popularized by Cesar Millan. If they were actually skilled trainers they wouldn't need to trigger the dog at all.

08/17/2026

What, like it's hard?

I got this comment (which "mysteriously" disappeared) after criticizing the first video. They honestly believe a dog, a BORDER COLLIE no less, needs aversives to do this behavior.

Game time! Who can spot all the differences between the original video and mine?

08/10/2026

When training your dog, you get out what you put in. If you aren't going to try, you're wasting your time.

Hime had a rehab evaluation at SOAR and she's totally fine! She does need some strength and flexibility training in her ...
08/09/2026

Hime had a rehab evaluation at SOAR and she's totally fine! She does need some strength and flexibility training in her hips and shoulders so we will be starting those exercises.

Hime did very well with the extensive physical exam, though she wasn't happy when her legs were manipulated for an extended period of time. She also tried to cheat with the water treadmill and stand on the edge that didn't move.

And in typical Hime fashion, when we were trying the exercises she got bored after a couple reps and wandered off to sniff things.

Now that there is no physical reason she was super lethargic and became more reactive towards other dogs, I have to conclude it's behavioral and target reactivity in her training. The lethargy may have been a side effect of coming down from the hormone rush after her heat cycle.

It's not unheard of for Kishu to become reactive to other dogs as they grow older and their dog tolerance changes; Hime's threshold for ridiculous or threatening behavior from a strange dog has definitely decreased since she turned 2 and she will try to shut it down if she gets the opportunity. She of course is allowed to have her preferences and I don't expect her to love every dog she sees, but I want to make sure she doesn't get worse. I am happy that besides that one weird incident where she freaked out at a dog through the fence, she never starts a conflict herself.

08/04/2026

Now that you can post photos in the comments, post a pic of your dog if you've trained with me! An update would also be nice 🙂

Turkleton the Chug is new to his forever home and still figuring things out. He has some stranger danger, especially wit...
07/27/2026

Turkleton the Chug is new to his forever home and still figuring things out. He has some stranger danger, especially with men as his previous home had a scary man in it. But if you give him a minute to process and a snack, he'll be your buddy. Turkleton also has some FOMO when Mom goes upstairs to work and gets overexcited when he sees other dogs.
Turkleton will work on all those things and also take some training walks with me! He lives right next to a park so we have a perfect place to practice.

Henry James the Terrier Mix is getting a crash course in the basics, since Mom is a traveling nurse and will be going ba...
07/23/2026

Henry James the Terrier Mix is getting a crash course in the basics, since Mom is a traveling nurse and will be going back to the Midwest soon. He already has a great foundation, but that teenage soup brain is already kicking in and he lets his emotions take over sometimes.

Photo courtesy of Zoomie World who report that he is the bestest boy at daycare!

07/22/2026

Just one week ago, Teddy was constantly pulling on his leash; Mom couldn't even take more than 2 or 3 steps before he'd be rushing to the end and almost dragging her. Even the prong collar recommended by his last trainer didn't help. You see the remnants of leash pops in Mom's leash handling; she's working on fixing that habit!
Now, Teddy can walk on a much looser leash and has an easier time remembering there's someone else on the other end.
How did we get here? Having Teddy calm down before leaving the house, teaching him that a loose leash gets him further, and temporarily shrinking the space he walks in.
The further Teddy walked from the house, the more overwhelmed and out of control he got. By sticking closer to the house, he stays under threshold and is able to use his brain. Every walk he goes a little further out; this is how we make progress without pushing him too far.

Does this dog look dangerous to you? Linda the Bulldog Mix is leash reactive, but ONLY outdoors. She will bark at dogs t...
07/15/2026

Does this dog look dangerous to you?

Linda the Bulldog Mix is leash reactive, but ONLY outdoors. She will bark at dogs that bark first and people getting too close for comfort. Neighbors have accused her of being dangerous, and one even threatened her and her guardians! She does not have a bite history and has never even attempted to bite.

Her reactivity is purely defensive and is non-existent when she feels safe. This was her response to meeting me for the first time; up on the couch and demanding cuddles!

Once Linda's confidence is boosted she should do just fine on walks.

Teddy the Golden Mix's guardians thought Teddy was aggressive, as he would frantically bark at strangers and dogs on wal...
07/13/2026

Teddy the Golden Mix's guardians thought Teddy was aggressive, as he would frantically bark at strangers and dogs on walks and out the window.
They were advised to use a prong and shock collar to correct this by another trainer, but Teddy pushed through them anyway.
Teddy's people knew something wasn't right and contacted me instead. The Teddy I met wasn't aggressive at all; he was incredibly frustrated and defaulted to barking nonstop in an attempt to cope with his feelings. He struggles with any heightened emotion, even excitement and has been this way his entire life. He refuses treats as soon as his stress levels increase, which makes training more challenging. But he LOVES happy, excited voices and pets, so that is his reward for doing a good job.
In one session, Teddy was able to lay down quietly with a guest in the house and watch people walk by the porch without a peep.
With desensitization training, relaxation and breed-specific outlets for his energy he's on his way to a calmer baseline and a quieter house.

Address

Salem, OR
97301

Opening Hours

Monday 11am - 8pm
Tuesday 11am - 8pm
Wednesday 11am - 8pm
Saturday 11am - 8pm
Sunday 11am - 8pm

Telephone

+12073328365

Website

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