The training Gold Standard in the Intermountain West

About

Meet Your Trainers!

Samantha Chinchilla & Chase Thompson

dog family training

Meet Sam and Chase: The Heart and Soul of Ohana K9 Behavior Solutions

Sam and Chase are the driving forces behind Ohana K9 Behavior Solutions. Together, they bring a wealth of experience, passion, and dedication to everything they do.

Sam: A Journey of Learning and Leadership

With over 13 years of experience in the pet industry, Sam has worked across a variety of roles, including Vet Tech, Kennel Tech, Training Manager, and Small Business Owner. Her travels across the United States have allowed her to learn from the best instructors in the field, refining her expertise in dog behavior and training.

Sam holds an Associate’s Degree in Psychology and is currently pursuing her Bachelor’s in Psychology, with a minor in Business Management. This unique combination of knowledge and hands-on experience allows her to approach dog behavior with both scientific understanding and practical solutions.

Chase: A Passion for Canine Wellness and Sled Work

Chase’s journey in the canine world began with volunteering at local shelters before he joined Sam to build Ohana K9 Behavior Solutions. Over the past 4 years, he’s traveled the country to learn from top instructors, specializing in Canine Kinesiatrics and Sled Work.

Chase is known for his genuinely soft and calm nature, which makes him a favorite among dogs (and their owners). His ability to connect with dogs on a deep level has earned him a reputation as a trusted and compassionate trainer.

In his spare time, Chase works with a local Sled Dog Organization, combining his passion for sledding with his expertise in canine care.

The Ohana Rottweiler Rescue: A Labor of Love

In 2022, Sam and Chase founded The Ohana Rottweiler Rescue and Rehabilitation Program. Their goal is to help rehabilitate and rehome more challenging yet adoptable dogs, providing them with the training they need to thrive in loving homes. Since its founding, they’ve successfully placed over 50 dogs into new homes—an incredible achievement for an organization run entirely by Sam and Chase.

Beyond Work: Life Outside the Kennel

When they’re not working with dogs, Sam and Chase love to spend time in nature. Whether it’s fishing, camping, hiking, or off-roading, they enjoy exploring the outdoors and making memories with their close family and friends.

Professional Memberships and Certifications


Professional Member of the International Association of Canine Professionals (IACP). Read their Code of Conduct, we follow strictly at the link below:

https://iacpdogs.org/page/code-of-conduct-ethics


Certified JSDT Level 3 Trainer by Joel Silverman of Animal Consultants International Inc.


 American Red Cross Dog & Cat First Aid Certified (2023)


 Certified Canine Good Citizen Evaluation & Trick Dog Evaluator for the American Kennel Club (2023)


Pro Pet First Aid & CPR Certified (2024)



 Our Professional Memberships are ALWAYS GROWING! Keep checking back as these lists grow!

3D Workshop Dealing With Difficult Daycares Through K9 Lifeline (May 2016) 


Behavior Troubleshooting Workshop By Chad Mackin of Pack To Basics LLC. (August 2016)


3D Workshop Dealing With Difficult Dogs Through K9 Lifeline (August 2016) 


Canine Nutrition Workshop Through Sabine Contreras of Better Dog Care (August 2017)


Relationship Based Behavior Modification By Nelson Hodges of the Canine Human Relationship Institute (2017, 2019) 


Puppy Potential Workshop By Bethany Tracy of WCC's Bernese Mountain Dog's (2017, 2018, 2019)


Level One Workshop By Training Between The Ears, Mark and Stephanie McCabe (2019, 2020) 


Puppy Development Course By Logan Haus Kennels (2020) 


Dog Training For TV & Film Course 2 By Joel Silverman of Animal Consultants International Inc. (2020) 


Movement Markers Canine Kinaesthetic's Workshop By Maryna Ozuna of the Arizona Doggy Dude Ranch (2021) 


Fearful & Feral Dog Workshop By Nelson Hodges Of The Canine-Human Relationship Institute (2021, 2023) 


Puppy Development Workshop By Nelson Hodges of the Canine-Human Relationship Institute (2024)


Movement Markers Canine Kinaesthetics Workshop By Maryna Ozuna of the Arizona Doggy Dude Ranch (2024)




Our list of Professional Memberships, Certifications, Workshops, and Seminars is always growing! Keep Up To Date On How We're Learning How To Best Care For Your Dog!


 



 



What They Say About Our Training & Boarding!

Rebecca F
We have tried many pet sitters and Ohana Behavior Solutions is by far the best! We always feel comfortable leaving our sweet and shy dog with them. They know exactly how to care for him! They are professionally trained and we always know our dog will be safe with them. They do a great job sending pictures and updates of how our dog is doing as well. We’re so glad we found Ohana K9!
Anna D
Ohana Behavior Solutions is home away from home for our Siberian Husky boy Atlas! We feel totally at ease leaving him there because of the great care and attention he receives. We love getting updates, and if there are ever any concerns, they are always addressed promptly, professionally, and with care. Our pup does very well and we never had any problems. We feel like he gets to go on vacation! We highly reccomend it!
Jill G
Our dog Ziggy is our first dog so it has been a big learning curve for us, and we have really struggled with him. He has high anxiety levels and would bark incessantly at anyone (and everyone) that came to our door. It got to the point where it was very disruptive to our lifestyle and we knew we needed help from professionals. That is where Sam and Chase came to the rescue. We were referred to them and could tell from the very first time meeting them that they were extremely qualified and very experienced at handling dogs and their various issues. From the very start they could tell Ziggy would need care and attention to reset some of his tendencies. After this initial observation, they came up with an individual plan to help him (and us) with his specific needs. We signed Ziggy up for a customized program that was made up of a 3 week in house board and train. During the three weeks they would send supportive texts and pictures explaining Ziggy’s progress and even had us come on site to work with him in his training environment. We were so impressed with the attention and care that was given to Ziggy and how much he has improved since we did the training. Sam and Chase have been amazing to work through the entire process giving continued guidance and support even several weeks and months after we did the board and train. They are always quick to answer any questions and continue to do what they think will be best for Ziggy’s well being which we are so grateful for. We couldn’t be more happy with all they have done, and would recommend their services to any and all dog owners. It has been worth every penny!
Jessica C
Highly recommend Ohana Behavior Solutions! My boyfriend and I just adopted a 16 week Siberian Husky from them very recently and they have been incredible to work with in terms of training and resources. The dog came very well trained, even for a puppy and made integration into our lives that much easier and more pleasant. They are always well in communication and help us problem solve any questions we may have. It makes us feel like we aren’t alone as new puppy parents and have the right people to help us set up our dog for success! I can’t recommend them enough!
Tiffany M
Words cannot express how grateful we are for Ohana K9 Behavior Solutions. Our 10 month old cattle dog mix was suffering from OCD, Anxiety, and Agitation. He just had no clue how to relax or shut off his herding drive. Before we found Ohana, Bear was displacing all of his anxiety into light and shadow chasing, and I can't even describe how bad it got. We looked at multiple trainers and I just never felt good about any of them until we found Ohana K9. Sam and Chase have been amazing and we immediately felt like they were the right ones to help us, and we were right. We enrolled Bear in the PBBM Program and I'm so glad we did. Ever since graduating, we have been able to guide Bear into healthier outlets, and we have the tools to help him through his natural instincts. Ohana K9 has really become an extension of our family. They have treated Bear as one of their own, and continue to offer support and guidance. We plan on having all of our future dogs receive training with them as well. We look forward to working with them for years to come!
Zjanya A
I cannot recommend Ohana enough. My Akita-Chow-German Shepard mix of a dog has done a lot of training in her short little life, and she really always has been the best girl. However, when my ex-husband and I split, her problem behaviors SUBSTANTIALLY increased and it made it hard for me to walk her, take her on hikes - or really enjoy time with her outside of the home. Worse, I have an intensely busy schedule and an emotionally draining line of work - which left me often unable to implement tools I knew to be useful that could build a foundation for better behavior. On top of that, I moved across the country for residency and found myself taking on way too much alone. When I spoke with Ohana the first time, it was clear they were going to give my little Zola the best care and provide her with the tools to regulate her emotions and impulses better than I could. As a soon-to-be Dr in Clinical Psychology, I feel that other "bigger" companies often try to use pop-culture psychology terms to sell dog owners quickly - not the case here. Their team very clearly knows what they are talking about, and took time to explain rationale and procedures for everything they intended to do with Zo. The prices were BEYOND fair and I never once worried that Zola wouldn't receive quality training and care -- they even trimmed her nails (and she is not a happy girl during that ... lol). In sum, I would recommend Ohana to ANYONE. I'm incredibly thankful to have stumbled across such a quality dog training company in my new home and I will only ever trust my lil' zola girl with them here. GO OHANA!!!!
Crystal P
Our dog Lucy is a German Shorthair Pointer and has as much energy as Taz from the Looney Tunes. When we sent her in, I had little hope she was going to change, and I was at my wits end. She was with them for about 6 weeks for their PBBM Program, and they made sure to check in with us, answer questions, and email us progress pictures and updates every few days. We did have some concerns with Lucy, and they helped us understand that Lucy was a direct reflection of the time and effort we put into her. Now that we know what we are supposed to be doing with her, she is great! She was a whole new dog! After meeting with them for the first time I knew Lucy was in good hands, which is great, because she is my baby! Chase and Sam still reach out to see how she is doing. Lucy also got stung by a bee this last week and started having a reaction. They took our phone call right away and answered any questions we had!! Thank you Chase and Sam!! You Are Amazing!!

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