Emily Kaminski, owner
The name Kindred Canine reflects what this work means to me: family, connection, and the deep bond we share with our dogs. They bring us joy, comfort, endless entertainment, and companionship; they deserve training that honors their place in our lives. Many behaviors we call problems are simply natural dog instincts that don’t fit neatly into the human world. My role is to help bridge that gap, offering your dog the support they need to succeed while helping you create workable routines.
For me, dog training isn’t just about teaching behaviors, it’s about listening, learning, and adapting. Every dog I work with teaches me something new. Their unique personality, confidence level, and learning style help shape the training plan that fits them. What works for one dog might look completely different for another, and that’s what makes this work so rewarding. Just like people, dogs have different personalities, needs, and motivations.
I’m just as invested in understanding why behaviors happen as I am in reinforcing the behaviors we want to see because the key to lasting change lies in tailoring the process to each individual dog. I’m endlessly curious about how dogs experience the world. Understanding the why behind a behavior is the first step in coming up with a game plan.
My passion lies in simplifying the process for you, making training feel doable, not overwhelming. I’m here to help you tune in to your dog’s needs, find that balance between freedom and structure, and create a relationship built on mutual understanding.
Every dog, family, and household is unique and so is the bond you share. You have the closest view of your dog’s world, I’ll help you make sense of what you’re seeing. My role is to respect that connection while, at the same time, translating your expectations into a language your dog can truly understand.
What is positive dog training?
Positive dog training uses science-based training methods rooted in how dogs learn to create lasting behavior change in a motivating and enjoyable way.
It’s letting your dog be a dog, but with clear expectations! The philosophy behind modern dog training is all about the idea setting your dog up for success and teaching them the skills they need to succeed.
Research shows us that positive training produces dogs who offer “good” behaviors more readily. Aversive or punishment based methods often cause stress and anxiety that can lead to more unwanted behaviors.
Positive training does not mean training without consequences - there is always a consequence to every behavior! It does mean training without intimidation, fear or pain (no use shock collars, prong/choke collars, physical domination etc.). It is much easier to change behavior than it is to suppress it and it will lead to lasting results.
Meet Stout
My journey into dog training began with my American chocolate Lab, Stout. Like many dogs, he trots through the world with lots of excitement and even bigger responses! Basic obedience came quickly, and we even had lots of fun tricks to show off with —but as time went on, it became clear that we needed more than sit and stay.
What started as a commitment to being the best pet parent I could be, soon turned into a deep dive into canine behavior and the science of learning. I completed my certification through the Victoria Stilwell Academy, where I studied canine cognition, learning theory, and all about modern, compassionate training methods while working hands-on with shelter dogs and fine-tuning my skills across a wide range of canine temperaments and needs.
I’ve spent years volunteering in shelters and working as a kennel assistant—experience that gave me real-world understanding of dogs in transition. I bring that same empathy into every session, especially when working with rescue dogs or those still adjusting to life in a home.
Learning alongside Stout gave me something no textbook could: the insight that comes from going through the process yourself. He helped me understand how layered behavior can be, and just how powerful understanding of the canine experience is when it comes to reaching your training goals.
Kindred Canine is run by Emily Kaminski.
Emily is a VSA-Certified Dog Trainer (VSA-CDT) located in Wilmington, NC.
Before transitioning to dog training, I earned a B.A. from UNC Wilmington and built a strong foundation in corporate environments, including HR onboarding, recruiting, event planning, and employer relations.
