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Doggy daycare and dog parks carry a high level of risk and a very low level of benefit. What has become obvious to me over the years is that a lot of dogs don’t actually enjoy themselves in these environments but that it just isn’t always obvious. Until it is. And that is often post training because your dog is now used to being in environments where dogs are under control and someone is advocating for them. In this episode

Does your dog go crazy when people come over? Do they beg when you’re eating? Or maybe they are always getting into stuff or stealing socks out of the hamper or chewing your furniture? These are all reasons why people love using the place command. But experience has taught us that place doesn’t really “fix” these problems on its own. So why do we really love it? And why do we tell people to do it? Who benefits from it?

Some dogs can be super big babies. Big dogs and small dogs alike can fall into this category. People with these types of dogs struggle sometimes because number one it’s embarrassing, and number 2 they think they are hurting their dog. This often means staying stuck or being inconsistent. It helps to understand arousal and how vocalization can be tied to that. Love the show? Sign up to access our new exciting Xtra content! This content is unique and is

In this episode we are talking about a common household issue—kids not getting along with the dog! As a parent it is your job to advocate for both parties and set and enforce appropriate rules. How do we help people with this issue? What do we recommend? And why do we have such a high rate of success with such cases? We are giving all the deets! Love the show? Sign up to access our new exciting Xtra content! This

We love helping people! But… some folks just can’t be helped. This is the number one biggest challenge any dog trainer will face. Our clients are amazing! But every now and then we get reminded that there are people out there that think they will pay the fee and their problems will go away. In this episode I am talking about the reality of going through a training program and not getting the results. It is not my favorite thing

In this Off Leash and Unfiltered episode, Kati Peppe—owner of Diamond K9 Dog Training in Biddeford, Maine—tackles dogs who are stuck in obsessive, addictive loops: reactivity like a “drug,” shadow/light chasing, water or ball fixation, and destructive chewing. The fix isn’t more management or endless commands—it’s changing the dog’s state of mind through structure and real impulse control: clear No + meaningful correction, practiced all day (doors, food, kennel, car) and, for “sometimes-allowed” things like balls or swimming, using commands

In this Off Leash and Unfiltered episode, Kati Peppe—owner of Diamond K9 Dog Training in Biddeford, Maine—defines what “trained” actually means: first-time compliance, even with distractions. If your dog is “good… unless” (squirrels, people, dogs), you’re not finished. Kati lays out the finish line (reliable sit, down, come that hold until released), why bribes stall progress, and how adding fair accountability—rehearsed on a long line—turns optional commands into non-negotiables. Episode Highlights Minute-by-Minute Breakdown

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 Minute-by-Minute Breakdown

In this episode of Off Leash and Unfiltered, Kati Peppe—owner of Diamond K9 Dog Training in Biddeford, Maine—walks through a real consult: a recently divorced owner, a new trailer-park setting full of small off-leash “yappy” dogs, and an older, anxious German Shepherd who’s now reacting to daily triggers. After a door-slip incident where the shepherd pinned a small dog (no injuries), Kati lays out a frank, practical roadmap: accept accountability, install structure, teach automatic rules (doors, food, leash), and give

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. You’ll learn why prong-collar leash communication beats endless chatter, how neutrality prevents fear or conflict, and how fewer words make commands crisp, fast, and reliable. Episode Highlights Minute-by-Minute Breakdown