About Debra

Debra (Deb) Duwe is owner-trainer/coach at Four Paws Dog Training.

She offers training for dogs and their people in North Idaho, Eastern Washington and beyond.  Her motto is “Catch them being good!”, which captures the essence of “clicker” and positive reinforcement training.  Her goal for her canine and human students is to gain skills to build a healthy cooperative relationship.  Methods are  based on “best practices” and force-free techniques.  In this way confidence is built for the dog and the owner.

Debra’s passion for teaching led her to a career with humans from infants thru adults  It included teaching, mentoring and coaching teachers, parents and school administration.  Having grown up in rural upstate New York for the first 9 years of her life, she was always in the outdoors with animals of one kind or another including family dogs.  Deb’s love for dog training began when training Piper, her  new family dog.   Inspired by taking a class at Canine Assistants, and by the echoes of praise for Karen Pryor Academy, she switched her focus to dog training and learning.

Formal training began in 2014 with Karen Pryor Academy Dog Trainer Foundations course. Then in 2015, she enrolled in Karen Pryor Academy Dog Trainer Professional Program.  She and Charlee (her female yellow lab) are proud to have graduated and to be KPA Certified Training Partners.  Debra’s education includes a BA in Sociology and Spanish, Lifetime Teaching Credential and MA in Education.

Debra teaches in-home 1-1 lessons and on-line training with individuals and groups. Also, during the year she teaches at North Idaho Animal Hospital in Sandpoint, Idaho, and Diamonds in the Ruff in Spokane, Washington.

Deb still loves the outdoors and being surrounded by the animal world.   She lives with her husband Rich, and their two labs, Piper and Charlee.  Piper and Charlee help her out as “demo and studio” dogs.  They all enjoy the pristine beauty of North Idaho and their home in Sandpoint, Idaho.