Good training should make everyday life with your dog better.
At Diamond K9 Dog Training, Kati and Joyce help owners build clearer communication, more reliable behavior, and a relationship they can enjoy. Based in Biddeford, Maine, we work with families across Southern Maine, from people getting started with a puppy to owners who feel stuck with challenging behavior.
You can love your dog completely and still feel overwhelmed by their behavior. Our job is to help you understand what needs to change and give you the skills to move forward.
Meet Kati Peppe
Owner, Dog Trainer & Podcast Host
Kati is the owner of Diamond K9 Dog Training and host of Off Leash and Unfiltered: The Truth in Dog Training. Her work centers on off-leash obedience, puppy training, and behavior modification, including reactivity, anxiety, aggression, and resource guarding.
For Kati, training is about more than whether a dog can perform a command during a lesson. She looks at the relationship and everyday habits surrounding the behavior: how the dog responds to distractions, handles boundaries, settles at home, and interacts with the people around them.
Teaching owners is a major part of that work. Kati explains not just what to do, but why it matters, so the training can become part of daily life rather than something that only happens when a professional is holding the leash.
Her straightforward teaching style also carries into Diamond K9’s educational videos, articles, and podcast, where she discusses real training questions and the challenges owners face.
Listen to Kati on Off Leash and Unfiltered
Meet Joyce
Dog Trainer · Composed Canine Private Training
Joyce works directly with owners through Composed Canine, our private training program focused on obedience, e-collar communication, and reliability around distractions.
Her sessions help owners learn how to teach their dogs what they want, communicate consistently, and address the overexcitement that can make it difficult for a dog to focus. The emphasis is on skills you can understand, practice, and use outside the lesson.
Composed Canine is an option for owners who want to learn alongside their dogs through private sessions. It is intended for dogs without serious behavioral issues or reactivity. For dogs with more complex needs, we’ll help you explore the other training options available.
Learn about Composed Canine and our other programs
Our Approach: Clear Communication, Consistent Expectations
We use a balanced approach to training: rewards to encourage desired behavior, clear boundaries, and corrections to address unwanted behavior. Depending on the dog and program, our methods may include slip leads, prong collars, and e-collars.
Tools are part of the process, not a substitute for teaching. We explain how we use them and why, and we want you to understand our approach before committing to a program.
We also pay attention to the individual dog. What motivates one dog may not motivate another, and the right training plan depends on more than a list of commands. The goal is clearer communication and a more manageable, enjoyable life together.
Read more about our training philosophy
Training That Continues Beyond the Session
Private sessions take place at our Biddeford training center. Our board-and-train programs use a normal home environment and include owner instruction to help you bring the training into your own household.
Your involvement matters in either format. Dogs are individuals, and progress depends on both the dog and consistent follow-through at home. We want you to understand how to maintain the training, recognize where things are getting off track, and use the support included with your program.
Read our frequently asked questions or hear from Diamond K9 clients.
Get to Know Us Before We Meet
You don’t have to wait for your first appointment to get a feel for us. The Off Leash and Unfiltered podcast covers training questions, case discussions, and the sometimes messy realities of life with dogs.
For a lighter conversation featuring both trainers, listen to Kati and Joyce on the weird, gross, and funny things dogs do. It’s a chance to hear us together and get to know the people behind the training.
You can also explore our dog training articles for more of the ideas and practical guidance we share with owners.
Let’s Talk About Your Dog
Tell us what’s happening, what you’ve tried, and what you’d like everyday life with your dog to look like. We’ll help you decide which training option is appropriate for your dog and your goals.
Diamond K9 Dog Training
432 Elm Street, Suite E
Biddeford, Maine 04005
Visits and private sessions by appointment.