Tammy Smith is the owner of Pawsitive K9 Trainer. She graduated from Washburn University in 1999 with a psychology degree and worked at a veterinary hospital in the Kansas City area starting in 2001. She was mentored by two dog trainers who re-ignited her love of dogs. After her time at the vet hospital, she studied under Dennis Bastian, one of the Midwest’s premier dog trainers. She also earned her title of Certified Professional Dog Trainer-Knowledge Assessed (CPDT-KA). In 2010, she started her own business, Pawsitive Transport, which slowly evolved into Pawsitive K9 Trainer. She worked with Dennis Bastian for over a year-long apprenticeship prior to going out on her own. She also worked for a week-long intense study with a national trainer, Nicole Skeehan owner of Philly Unleashed. She was inspired to help other people and their dogs by certifying two dogs for Canine Good Citizen (CGC) and certified one dog as a R.E.A.D. (Reading Education Assistance Dog).
Training Philosophy
Tammy Smith believes in a positive, fun, and encouraging approach to dog training. She emphasizes building a better bond between dogs and their owners through effective communication and respect.
Services
Pawsitive K9 Trainer offers a variety of services, including:
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6 Week Puppy Class:
$250.00
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Private Lessons (package of 4 Lessons):
$400.00
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Pawsitive K9 Workshop:
Workshops are available to help you work on different topics to help you build a better bond with your dog. Sessions are an hour and a half long and offered by the number of people interested at different times throughout the year.
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Private Lessons (VIA Zoom):
Package of 4 lessons. These private lessons offer the same information and can also be tailored to meet the needs of older dogs.
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Puppy Classes:
Puppy lessons consist of 6 one hour lessons. The first meeting is an orientation for just the owners. (No puppies please at the first lesson unless of course, we are virtual) We will cover the following: House training, basic commands such as sit, down, stay, loose leash walking, and more.
Certifications
Tammy Smith is a Certified Professional Dog Trainer-Knowledge Assessed (CPDT-KA) and is certified by the Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers. She is also certified to give the Canine Good Citizen test by the AKC and is a member of the National Association of Canine Scent Work (NACSW).
Specializations
Puppy training, basic obedience, loose leash walking, Canine Good Citizen (CGC) certification, R.E.A.D. (Reading Education Assistance Dog) certification
Training Methods
Tammy Smith uses positive reinforcement methods, focusing on rewarding desired behaviors and building a strong bond between dogs and their owners.


