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.
Listen to Off Leash & Unfiltered
Browse the latest episodes below for discussions, Q&As, training advice, and deeper dives into common dog behavior and training challenges.
Top 3 Training Principles: Be Physical, Be Neutral, Be Quiet
In this episode In this episode of Off Leash and Unfiltered, Kati Peppe—owner of Diamond K9 Dog Training in Biddeford, Maine—shares the three principles that work across almost any dog: clear physical guidance, emotionally neutral handling, and staying quiet. #2 Be Neutral: Correct without anger; unstable energy (rushing, yelling, frustration) creates anxiety in soft dogs and conflict in pushy dogs. In this episode of Off Leash and Unfiltered, Kati Peppe—owner of Diamond K9 Dog Training in Biddeford, Maine—shares the three
Stop the Trade Game: How to End Bribes, Teach “Out,” and Fix Resource Problems
In this episode In this episode of Off Leash and Unfiltered, Kati Peppe—owner of Diamond K9 Dog Training in Biddeford, Maine—dives into the “trade game” most owners play when a dog won’t give up an item. She explains why bribing with food reinforces the very behavior you’re trying to stop, when to correct directly (for never-allowed behaviors), and how to teach a clean, accountable out so your dog drops and moves off resources on command. In this episode of Off
Behavioral Issues: They Rarely “Start Suddenly” — Read the Signs, Not the Story
In this episode In this episode of Off Leash and Unfiltered, Kati Peppe—owner of Diamond K9 Dog Training in Biddeford, Maine—explains why most behavior problems don’t appear out of nowhere. Stop chasing a single cause: You don’t need a root-cause story to change behavior; meet the dog where they are and train. In this episode of Off Leash and Unfiltered, Kati Peppe—owner of Diamond K9 Dog Training in Biddeford, Maine—explains why most behavior problems don’t appear out of nowhere. Owners
“My Dog Needs a Refresher” — Or Do You?
In this episode In this episode of Off Leash and Unfiltered, Kati Peppe—owner of Diamond K9 Dog Training in Biddeford, Maine—reframes the classic request for a “refresher.” Dogs don’t usually “forget” training; they renegotiate rules when accountability fades. Effectiveness over endless consistency: Good training changes behavior so you don’t have to micromanage forever. In this episode of Off Leash and Unfiltered, Kati Peppe—owner of Diamond K9 Dog Training in Biddeford, Maine—reframes the classic request for a “refresher.” Dogs don’t usually
Q&A: Obedience “Second Chances,” That One Person Who Makes Your Dog Bonkers, Doorway Sits, and More
In this episode Down mix-ups: Dogs learn sequences; teaching “sit then down” can condition some to auto-down on “sit.” Fix with leash guidance and clean reps—and choose your battles in stressful contexts. No “second chances” after training: If the dog knows it, hold them accountable on the first command; repeating teaches delay. In this Off Leash and Unfiltered Q&A, Kati Peppe—owner of Diamond K9 Dog Training in Biddeford, Maine—answers five common obedience headaches: dogs that lie down when told to
The Pitfalls of Punishment: How Not to Fail Miserably
In this episode In this episode of Off Leash and Unfiltered, Kati Peppe—owner of Diamond K9 Dog Training in Biddeford, Maine—spells out why many owners (and even trainers) fail when trying to stop problem behaviors. Commands don’t erase misbehavior: Don’t try to command your way out of jumping, counter surfing, or trash-raiding—stop the behavior directly. In this episode of Off Leash and Unfiltered, Kati Peppe—owner of Diamond K9 Dog Training in Biddeford, Maine—spells out why many owners (and even trainers)
Consultation Files: My Daughter Is Taking Her Badly Behaved Emotional Support Dog to College
In this episode In this Off Leash and Unfiltered consult, Kati Peppe—owner of Diamond K9 Dog Training in Biddeford, Maine—talks through a common modern dilemma: a small, adored ESA dachshund that barks when left alone, fights nail trims, sleeps in bed, and ignores commands around distractions—yet is slated to live in a college dorm. In this Off Leash and Unfiltered consult, Kati Peppe—owner of Diamond K9 Dog Training in Biddeford, Maine—talks through a common modern dilemma: a small, adored ESA
Transforming Chaos to Calmness with Simple Leash Work
In this episode In this bonus episode of Off Leash and Unfiltered, Kati Peppe—owner of Diamond K9 Dog Training in Biddeford, Maine—shares the single habit that flips a dog from chaotic to calm: clear, consistent leash communication. Make thresholds Day One work: Leash and prong go on before crate/door opens; pattern calm exits and entries. In this bonus episode of Off Leash and Unfiltered, Kati Peppe—owner of Diamond K9 Dog Training in Biddeford, Maine—shares the single habit that flips a
The Top 5 Ways We Use an E-Collar
In this episode In this episode of Off Leash and Unfiltered, Kati Peppe—owner of Diamond K9 Dog Training in Biddeford, Maine—lays out the five core ways she uses the e-collar: as a low-level communication tool, to secure compliance around distractions, to add real accountability to finished obedience, to stop unwanted behaviors fast, and to lower arousal/interrupt fixation so dogs can relax and learn. In this episode of Off Leash and Unfiltered, Kati Peppe—owner of Diamond K9 Dog Training in Biddeford,
Internet Inquiries: “My Dog Won’t…”
In this episode In this episode of Off Leash and Unfiltered, Kati Peppe—owner of Diamond K9 Dog Training in Biddeford, Maine—types “My dog won’t…” into the browser and breaks down the internet’s most-asked worries: won’t eat, won’t drink, won’t poop, and won’t let me cut nails. Avoid training your dog to demand toppers; reduce portion size and watch body condition. In this episode of Off Leash and Unfiltered, Kati Peppe—owner of Diamond K9 Dog Training in Biddeford, Maine—types “My dog
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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.