The Training Contrast: Training Puppies Versus Adult Dogs
In this episode of Off Leash and Unfiltered, Kati Peppe of Diamond K9 Dog Training breaks down the crucial differences between training puppies vs. adult dogs.
With the recent addition of her own 9-week-old puppy, Kati shares insights into puppy training fundamentals, explaining why it’s a completely different process than training an adult dog. Many new owners expect their puppy to walk nicely on a leash, obey commands, and avoid bad behaviors—but Kati emphasizes that puppy training is about foundation-building, not perfection.
She stresses the importance of management, using tools like crates, playpens, and leashes to prevent unwanted behaviors rather than constantly correcting them. While adult dogs require clear boundaries and corrections for disobedience, puppies need positive reinforcement, engagement, and structured guidance to develop the right habits.
Kati warns against wasting time on ineffective leash-walking techniques for young puppies, explaining that no amount of reward-based training alone will produce a perfect loose-leash walker. Instead, she encourages short, structured walking drills and emphasizes timing, patience, and realistic expectations.
She also discusses when and how to introduce corrections, noting that puppy corrections should be minimal and focused on serious issues like excessive whining in the crate or extreme mouthing. In contrast, adult dogs require clear consequences for unwanted behaviors to ensure lasting results.
The key takeaway? Puppy training is about shaping behaviors, building a relationship, and creating the right mindset—but it won’t guarantee a perfectly behaved adult dog. Owners must understand when to focus on guidance and reinforcement versus when to introduce accountability and corrections.
Contact Kati Peppe or read more about her philosophy. Read more about E-Collar technologies here.