The Top 7 Phrases Kati Hates Hearing in Dog Training
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In this episode of Off Leash and Unfiltered, Kati Peppe—owner of Diamond K9 Dog Training in Biddeford, Maine—counts down seven common phrases that quietly sabotage training and safety. From “I don’t mind that” to the internet’s favorite hedge, “when used properly,” Kati explains why these lines keep owners stuck, how they mask real problems (arousal, management, lack of accountability), and what to say—and do—instead.
Episode Highlights
- #7 “I don’t mind that.” Small allowances (door barking, casual jumping) often fuel the very reactivity you want to stop. Cut the feeder behaviors.
- #6 “My dog is good… unless/until.” If your dog only works when nothing’s happening, the training isn’t finished. Reliability = works with distractions.
- #5 “He’s not aggressive.” Aggression is a spectrum; every dog has teeth. Don’t deny risk—install rules, structure, and consequences.
- #4 “I don’t want to break his spirit.” Calm, accountable dogs aren’t “depressed.” Rules lower anxiety; consequences remove chaos—not personality.
- #3 “Don’t worry, he’s friendly.” Off-leash approaches are never okay. Train recall/heel; control your dog’s access to people and dogs.
- #2 “Just let dogs be dogs.” “No rules” creates danger (bolting, biting, injuries). Real freedom comes from reliability and handler priority.
- #1 “When used properly.” Stop apologizing for effective tools. Proper use includes meaningful follow-through that ends dangerous behaviors.
Minute-by-Minute Breakdown
- 00:29 – Who we are: Diamond K9—off-leash obedience, behavior modification, puppies.
- 01:48 — #7 “I don’t mind that.” Why tolerating arousal/jumping/alert barking feeds reactivity; you can’t have it both ways.
- 04:44 — #6 “My dog is good… unless/until.” “Half-trained” isn’t trained; stop qualifying—finish the work so cues hold anywhere.
- 08:38 — #5 “He’s not aggressive.” Every dog has a threshold; context can flip the switch. Treat it as normal dog behavior to manage, not a moral failing.
- 14:18 — #4 “I don’t want to break his spirit.” Structure ≠ cruelty; accountable calm is peace, not a “sad” dog.
- 24:02 — #3 “Don’t worry, he’s friendly.” Off-leash greetings are a no; prevent access, don’t shout disclaimers.
- 27:28 — #2 “Just let dogs be dogs.” Teddy-bear fantasy vs. real dogs; rules keep them (and others) safe so you can include them more.
- 34:59 — #1 “When used properly.” Ditch the hedge. Tools are for clarity and consequences—including high levels when safety demands it.
- 44:41 – Wrap: Own your choices, stop defending obvious truths, and train for reliability.