Off Leash & Unfiltered

Real conversations about dog training, behavior, relationships, and what it takes to create lasting change.

Off Leash & Unfiltered is the dog training podcast from Kati Peppe, owner and head trainer of Diamond K9 Dog Training in Biddeford, Maine.

Kati takes a practical look at the questions dog owners actually struggle with: reactivity, anxiety, aggression, obedience, boundaries, e-collar training, puppy raising, problem behaviors, and the often-overlooked relationship between a dog and its owner.

There is no single technique that explains every dog or every behavior. The podcast explores the reasoning behind training decisions, why certain approaches work for some dogs and situations but not others, and how clearer communication and consistent expectations can help dogs succeed in the real world.

Whether you’re working through a difficult behavior, raising a new puppy, or simply want a better understanding of how dogs learn, Off Leash & Unfiltered offers practical advice drawn from Kati’s experience training dogs and coaching their owners.

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Browse the latest episodes below for discussions, Q&As, training advice, and deeper dives into common dog behavior and training challenges.

The “Rescue Dog” Fallacy

In this episode The term "rescue" is attached to virtually every dog not purchased from a breeder. There is a reason behind this word choice, and it's not because such a high percentage of dogs are being tied to railroad tracks or came within inches of being chomped on by a crocodile. The term "rescue" is attached to virtually every dog not purchased from a breeder. There is a reason behind this word choice, and it's not because such a

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“Leave It” Is The Most Useless Command

In this episode Are you using the command "leave it"? Is it really as beneficial as you think? It might depend on how you're using it. Are you using the command "leave it"?  Is it really as beneficial as you think? It might depend on how you're using it. If you ask 10 people what it means, you'll get 10 different answers.  Most of the time it is a total waste of breath. Take a listen. Episode transcript Read the

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Commands Will Not Fix Your Problems!

In this episode Kati Peppe, host of Off Leash and Unfiltered and owner of Diamond K9 Dog Training, delivers an episode filled with frank and direct advice about handling dog behavioral issues. Instead, she advises that these behaviors need direct correction to persuade the dog to choose behavior modification in the future. Kati Peppe, host of Off Leash and Unfiltered and owner of Diamond K9 Dog Training, delivers an episode filled with frank and direct advice about handling dog behavioral

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Are You Sending Your Dog Mixed Messages

In this episode Touching, Talking, and even simple eye contact can be encouraging to a dog. So why do we do all of the above when our dog is doing something we don't like? Do you always follow through with things you supposedly "expect" from your dog? Touching, Talking, and even simple eye contact can be encouraging to a dog. So why do we do all of the above when our dog is doing something we don't like? Human nature!

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5 Red Flags That Your Dog Is Worse Than You Think

In this episode If your dog is a little nutty, chances are good that you've noticed there is room for improvement. But usually the things we notice are the things that are really problematic for us, not the things that actually indicate the dog is really unbalanced. We notice things that inconvenience us…like the dog won't listen or chews your shoes or the dog is "afraid" of people, etc. If your dog is a little nutty, chances are good that

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Are You Doing These Critical Things With Your Puppy?

In this episode Customers consistently tell me they are blown away by the changes in their dog and how much better their behavior is at the end of a board and train. We risk making all kinds of common mistakes if we don't have a plan when it comes to raising our puppies. A lot of this could apply to any new dog, not just puppies. Customers consistently tell me they are blown away by the changes in their dog

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A Rant About A Local Issue- Get A Load Of This.

In this episode This ties nicely into all the off leash talk lately. There's a local issue here where I live surrounding off leash etiquette for a specific individual. We live in a world where dogs are treated as teddy bears and we have no respect for our fellow humans This ties nicely into all the off leash talk lately. There's a local issue here where I live surrounding off leash etiquette for a specific individual. My thoughts on the

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Should You Trust Your Dog Off Leash?

In this episode Off leash is something most people want to be able to do with their dogs. However, this often results in people taking unnecessary chances with their dogs when they don't have the proper training. Not only is this a safety risk, but it potentially creates a lot of conflict with other people and dogs in the vicinity. Off leash is something most people want to be able to do with their dogs. However, this often results in

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Kennel Magic

In this episode You think the crate is just where you put your dog to keep him or her safe, but you are giving your dog a gift you're not even aware of!! Or maybe you're not…If you can't bring yourself to crate your dog, you need to listen to this one. Stop feeling guilty about crating your dog!! The crate is sooooo much more than just a "cage". The benefits are probably so much more than you imagine. You

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The Magic Of Allowing Your Dog To Make Choices

In this episode If you've ever wondered why some trainers seem to be able to modify behavior so quickly and teach the dog to do things differently so easily, you need to hear this. So many people bark commands at their dog constantly. Addressing your dog's state of mind does not have to be a mystery. If you've ever wondered why some trainers seem to be able to modify behavior so quickly and teach the dog to do things differently

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Need Help With Your Dog?

Listening can give you a better understanding of what’s happening, but some problems are much easier to solve with individualized help.

Diamond K9 offers private training, behavior modification, board-and-train programs, puppy training, and other options for dog owners in Biddeford and throughout Southern Maine.