Today we’d like to introduce you to Debbie Tangen.
Hi Debbie, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I never thought I would be a dog trainer – I grew up with cats so why would I start training dogs? Well…
… in 2008, my family begged me to get a dog after I completed years of allergy shots. I liked dogs well enough but I didn’t grow up with them, I didn’t know much about them and I really didn’t want one because I suspected its care would fall squarely on me.
Anyhow, we acquired our Shiba Inu puppy, Kasey, at 8 weeks of age. She was a beautiful, round, fluffy furball with a black muzzle, pointy ears and a curlicue tail. Her face reminded me of an Ewok from Star Wars.
Of course, I fell in love with her and we bonded quickly. I took her to obedience training and read all I could to properly care for her.
However, I made many mistakes along the way:
• As a puppy, I placed her on the ground to be greeted by several friendly dogs at a park. Although they meant no harm, she was swarmed by them. That was a traumatic experience that I still regret to this day. She never learned to enjoy being around other dogs.
• I didn’t know socialization during her critical puppy period of accepting everyone and everything was of importance. She was afraid of nearly everything most of her life.
However, Kasey was my inspiration for starting my dog training business, because I didn’t want other people, especially people with new dogs, to make the same mistakes I did.
Prior to training dogs, I taught preschool music to 3-, 4-, and 5-year-olds. Holding a bachelor’s degree in Music, this was a good use of my education. I was in this position for 13 years. When my youngest child started college, I decided to do something completely different. I didn’t know exactly what I wanted to focus on, but I knew dogs would be involved. I researched professions working with dogs and decided upon dog training.
I attended an online dog training school, which required mastering 9 modules of study, ranging from how dogs learn to how to start a dog training business and everything in between. After each module, I took a test to determine my aptitude. Once I completed all 9 modules, the next step was volunteering my time at a local animal shelter, walking dogs and being mentored by the canine behavior staff.
An 18-week externship at a local dog training facility followed, working alongside a certified professional dog trainer. Once that was complete, I took the dog training school’s final exam and passed as an honor student!
After I completed all of the certification requirements required by the online dog training school, I began studying for my CPDT-KA credential, Certified Professional Dog Trainer – Knowledge Assessed, which I obtained in May of 2022. In March 2026, I received my CBATI-KA credential, Certified Behavior Adjustment Training Instructor – Knowledge Assessed. Both of these credentials required months of learning, studying and passing exams, however, they’re not required but they show a commitment to continued education.
(Note: There is currently no regulation of the dog training industry. No licensing or credentials are required, which means anyone can claim to be a dog trainer and charge for training, even though they may not know what they’re doing. If you’re planning to hire a dog trainer, research their training philosophies and read their reviews.)
Little did I know that working with preschoolers would come in handy for dog training. A preschooler and a dog share similar cognitive traits: they both have poor impulse control, short attention spans, and a constant need for attention. The difference is now I’m working with a different species!
As a private, in-home dog trainer who trains using only positive reinforcement, I offer a free consultation for people who live within the I-435 loop of the Kansas City, Missouri area. I go to clients’ homes because I believe dogs learn new skills better in familiar surroundings. I obtain specific information from the client, such as where the dog was acquired (breeder, shelter, found as a stray), approximate age if known, the length of time the dog has been with the client, what types of issues the client is experiencing with the dog, the client’s training goal for the dog and my observations of the dog’s behavior in the home.
I prefer to do a consultation before describing my training packages because I want to ensure I can help the client and the dog, based on the information provided, and ensure I’m a good fit for the client and the dog. A consultation does not automatically commit the client to train their dog with me. I consider the consultation a two-way interview.
Once I have all the information I need, I recommend one of my three training packages that I believe will achieve the client’s goal. If the client goes forward with my training, I perform the training in their home, neighborhood or location of their choice, based on what their goal is for their dog.
The best part of my job is being able to help clients manage their dogs in the best way that works for them.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Of course, nothing is smooth. There were, and still are, challenges. I’ve experienced many moments of self-doubt, wondering if I made the right decision by doing something I wasn’t totally familiar with. However, after 5 years of training dogs, I know that I’m in the place I want to be, because I absolutely love what I do!
As you know, we’re big fans of Pawsitively Polite Dog Obedience Training, LLC. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
I’m a one-woman dog training business. I handle all of my phone calls, scheduling, intake information and writing session notes. I advertise on Google, Facebook and in the Mission Hills City LIfestyle magazine.
As a positive reinforcement dog trainer, I don’t use aversive techniques to force a dog to comply. I use treats to lure a dog into the position I want (sit, down, etc.), then mark and reinforce what the dog did by rewarding it with the treats.
I’m known by my clients as patient, professional, gentle and on time. I get to know each dog I train so that I can design a training program that works for them, not a cookie-cutter plan. Dog training is not one size fits all.
I offer basic obedience training but I also offer behavior modification to help a dog learn or unlearn behaviors.
My specialty is decoding dog behavior, explaining to clients why their dogs perform inapprorpriate actions. It’s essential to know what happens immediately before a behavior occurs. Changing the thing that causes the behavior helps the dog learn new behavior.
I named my business Pawsitively Polite because I wanted to focus on teaching dogs good manners. Most dog humans will tell me they just want their dogs to be polite.
I don’t specialize in agility, conformation (showing), and other niche training. However, I can teach a dog to fetch keys or a pill bottle, turn on a light switch, etc.
What was your favorite childhood memory?
My favorite childhood memory is catching fireflies in early summer right before the sun set.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://pawsitivelypolite.com
- Instagram: dog_gone_polite
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/doggonepolite
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/debbie-tangen-cpdt-ka-45231019a
- Youtube: @pawsitivelypolitedogobedie3797
