Off Leash And Unfiltered: The Truth In Dog Training

Kati Peppe

Kati Peppe, owner of Diamond K9 Dog Training, is passionate about dog training and behavior, and even more passionate about sharing the truth even though so many people get their panties in a twist about it.If you've ever struggled with your dog or wondered why the dog training advice out there doesn't seem to work, this entertaining and thought provoking, yet brutally honest, podcast is for you!  Served with a little salt and lots of love.

  1. 4d ago

    One Of The Biggest Fallacies In Dog Training—Extinction

    Send us Fan Mail You don't need to be a dog trainer to be familiar with this term. If you've ever done a cursory internet search on stopping jumping (or anything else), you've probably seen this as the recommended course of action.  "Extinction" is the elimination of a behavior caused by a lack of reinforcement. Sounds logical right? Or does it? Do you stop running races because you don't win? Do you stop flipping the light switch when the power goes out? Does the dog stop chasing squirrels even though he never catches them? No. What if you got a static shock when you flipped the light switch? So now there are no lights (no reinforcement) but there's also a stronger negative consequence? That behavior, that habit, will fade faster. The fact is old habits die hard. Even if you KNOW it won't be reinforced, you'll still do it out of habit for a while. And even once the habit dies down, you'll likely try "just to see".  There are also things we do simply because we are wired to do them. They just come naturally. They aren't for any type of "reward". So what then? You can't remove a reward that doesn't exist.. So called "extinction" can even work against you and build more drive in the dog when they become adrenalized and frustrated trying to attain something. Think of a dog behind a fence trying to chase the neighbor's cat. The chasing behavior isn't going away...it's getting stronger. For this reason it's important to attach contingent negative consequences to the behavior. This facilitates the fastest results as the brain will inhibit the old neural pathways and this provides a catalyst for it to begin forming new ones. The new ones can then be positively reinforced and built up and cemented.  The negative consequence isn't about showing the dog who's boss. It's science.  The strongest modifications to behavior are usually made by implementing a combination of punishment and positive reinforcement appropriately. Support the show Love the show? Sign up to access our new exciting Xtra content! This content is unique and is ONLY available to our paid subscribers.  Subscriptions are only $3/month! You can also just sign up to make a small donation monthly if you want to support the podcast. Or, if you can't do that right now, just hit subscribe in your favorite app and tell a friend about the show!  Any support in any form from our listeners is sooo appreciated! We count on listeners like you to help us keep putting out content. Visit the link below to subscribe or donate. https://www.buzzsprout.com/2124912/support I want to hear from you! Email me directly to ask your questions and suggest topics for the podcast. Kati@diamondcanine.com Visit our website where you can purchase our online course for only $99 and get started with e-collar training today! Work at your own pace. This is a very beginner friendly course. You can also sign up for training with Kati and Joyce, visit our shop for our branded merchandise and purchase E-collar Technologies collars. https://www.diamondcanine.com Visit our social media for free training videos and to connect with us! https://www.facebook.com/diamondk9dogtraining ...

  2. Sep 11

    How To Unleash The Worst Version Of Your Dog

    Send us Fan Mail This is sort of a list of recommendations in reverse. A list of what not to do, so to speak. I recently had a boarding visit from Finn and it inspired me to do an episode on dogs like him. It's more common than you'd think. These dogs can be full of monkey business and even down right nasty. But the second they see that you are an entity worthy of respect they snap right into being a little angel.  It's like night and day! The good new is, these dogs are more "savable" than most. Some dogs continue to struggle even after the best training. Or they require a lot of management. But these dogs don't. They just need to know there are standards. And that's it.  So what "standards" are typically missing? What is it people are doing, or not doing, that results in dogs going right off the rails and sometimes even needing to be rehomed (or worse)? Well, we are discussing that today. If your dog has a genetic proclivity already toward the nastiness and you combine that with too much freedom, too much softness, a lack of boundaries (not knowing how to communicate and enforce them), and no negative consequences, you have the perfect storm brewing. Support the show Love the show? Sign up to access our new exciting Xtra content! This content is unique and is ONLY available to our paid subscribers.  Subscriptions are only $3/month! You can also just sign up to make a small donation monthly if you want to support the podcast. Or, if you can't do that right now, just hit subscribe in your favorite app and tell a friend about the show!  Any support in any form from our listeners is sooo appreciated! We count on listeners like you to help us keep putting out content. Visit the link below to subscribe or donate. https://www.buzzsprout.com/2124912/support I want to hear from you! Email me directly to ask your questions and suggest topics for the podcast. Kati@diamondcanine.com Visit our website where you can purchase our online course for only $99 and get started with e-collar training today! Work at your own pace. This is a very beginner friendly course. You can also sign up for training with Kati and Joyce, visit our shop for our branded merchandise and purchase E-collar Technologies collars. https://www.diamondcanine.com Visit our social media for free training videos and to connect with us! https://www.facebook.com/diamondk9dogtraining ...

  3. Sep 4

    This Ecollar Training Is Too Intense For My Dog

    Send us Fan Mail This was our last option.  Boy I get tired of hearing that! 🤣 Why am I everybody's last option? The truth is I'm not. We do get lots of folks who just know they want a well-trained dog and they start here and that's great. But we get lots of folks that don't. And the reason being is that there's a narrative out there that tells you you shouldn't need to. You should never need to punish anything, you should never need to use any tools. You should never need to use an e-collar. You should never need to use a negative consequence. And it's all just rubbish.  The idea that only stubborn dogs, only stupid dogs, only bad dogs, etc. Need negative consequences is stupid. It's a lie! And it makes people think they are crazy.  And a lot of people are hesitant because their dog is so "good". They are so friendly, they are so social, they love everybody, etc. But the fact is good. Good training is for any and all dogs! I don't by any means think anybody should feel obligated to train their dog (unless you're off leash around others!!) But if you want your dog to listen to you, if that's important to you, then you need real dog training. Training. And no good training program will leave out the use of negative consequences. There is no dog on this planet that will be reliable without them. Period.  Luckily, the tools we use put all of the control in all of the intensity in the handler's hands. This means we can tailor everything to the specific dog. Rather they are super sensitive, super soft, super nervous, super anxious, super pushy, super obtuse, super aggressive, super reactive, it doesn't matter!  Even good dogs benefit from real good dog training. I would say the training is perfect for every dog. If it's too intense, then it's too intense for you, not the dog.. jus' sayin' Support the show Love the show? Sign up to access our new exciting Xtra content! This content is unique and is ONLY available to our paid subscribers.  Subscriptions are only $3/month! You can also just sign up to make a small donation monthly if you want to support the podcast. Or, if you can't do that right now, just hit subscribe in your favorite app and tell a friend about the show!  Any support in any form from our listeners is sooo appreciated! We count on listeners like you to help us keep putting out content. Visit the link below to subscribe or donate. https://www.buzzsprout.com/2124912/support I want to hear from you! Email me directly to ask your questions and suggest topics for the podcast. Kati@diamondcanine.com Visit our website where you can purchase our online course for only $99 and get started with e-collar training today! Work at your own pace. This is a very beginner friendly course. You can also sign up for training with Kati and Joyce, visit our shop for our branded merchandise and purchase E-collar Technologies collars. https://www.diamondcanine.com Visit our social media for free training videos and to connect with us! https://www.facebook.com/diamondk9dogtraining ...

  4. Aug 31

    Do You Use Enough Contrast When Training Your Dog?

    Send us Fan Mail You have to remember when you are training your dog to start slow and build up and tweak and shape the behavior over time. So we expect much less and guide much more in the beginning. As we advance through the non compliance phase of training or the "messy middle" we begin to expect a little more, so we may start experimenting with various levels of accountability, but we still give guidance as needed!  In addition to that it is so important to be clear with your dog about what is correct and what is incorrect. Some folks struggle with this because they are flat in their tone, flat with their consequences (meaning they use a reward the dog doesn't  care about or a negative consequence that the dog doesn't hardly even notice). The earlier in the training you are, the more important it will be to "help" the dog. This might be leash guidance, but since most of us want to move away from the leash, you really need to incorporate body language, spatial pressure, and changes in your tone and energy.  Be firm when needed. Push the dog back with your body when needed. Be excited to communicate a job well done. Vary your tone to send clear messages and just to keep your dog engaged. We always say when we start teaching recall, especially to a puppy, if you are as exciting as lawn furniture, it's going to be a long road. In the end you should have a command and the dog just does it. No theatrics or gymnastics required on your part. But the process of getting there will require you to be a clear communicator and know how to motivate your dog if you want to be efficient.  Links to related episodes about training and markers: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2124912/episodes/18766052 https://www.buzzsprout.com/2124912/episodes/18740177 Support the show Love the show? Sign up to access our new exciting Xtra content! This content is unique and is ONLY available to our paid subscribers.  Subscriptions are only $3/month! You can also just sign up to make a small donation monthly if you want to support the podcast. Or, if you can't do that right now, just hit subscribe in your favorite app and tell a friend about the show!  Any support in any form from our listeners is sooo appreciated! We count on listeners like you to help us keep putting out content. Visit the link below to subscribe or donate. https://www.buzzsprout.com/2124912/support I want to hear from you! Email me directly to ask your questions and suggest topics for the podcast. Kati@diamondcanine.com Visit our website where you can purchase our online course for only $99 and get started with e-collar training today! Work at your own pace. This is a very beginner friendly course. You can also sign up for training with Kati and Joyce, visit our shop for our branded merchandise and purchase E-collar Technologies collars. https://www.diamondcanine.com Visit our social media for free training videos and to connect with us! https://www.facebook.com/diamondk9dogtraining ...

  5. Aug 28

    Dog Training Dirty Words: Force, Punishment, Tools, And Suppression

    Send us Fan Mail Buckle up buttercup! Today I'm on a rampage, and I'm talking about all the terms that have been hijacked to make you think you're doing it wrong. All of these terms are being represented as being synonymous with abuse, and that couldn't be further from the truth. A dog that is allowed to display antisocial  behaviors will inevitably be locked up or discarded. It is one hundred percent in that dog's best interest to have undesirable behaviors suppressed through the use of punishment. Which, by the way, literally means to stop a behavior.  So by definition, NO MATTER HOW YOU DO IT, if you stop a behavior, you've punished it.  A leash is a form of force. A treat is a tool. An ecollar can save a life. You can't redefine terms so that they serve your agenda. But yet, that is what is happening, and the fear mongering keeps people confused and frustrated and stuck.  So listen up! Stop letting the idiotic narrative that these things are harmful get in your way. We never want to harm a dog in any way. And we never do! None of these terms are synonymous with abuse. And anybody that says they are CANNOT train a dog to any real level of reliability. No, there aren't exceptions. No, there aren't dogs that can be trained to a truly reliable level without punishment. No, your dog isn't difficult, stubborn, or stupid. They're normal. We're being gaslit by the sanctimonious who portray themselves as  morally superior. And I will never shut up about it.  Support the show Love the show? Sign up to access our new exciting Xtra content! This content is unique and is ONLY available to our paid subscribers.  Subscriptions are only $3/month! You can also just sign up to make a small donation monthly if you want to support the podcast. Or, if you can't do that right now, just hit subscribe in your favorite app and tell a friend about the show!  Any support in any form from our listeners is sooo appreciated! We count on listeners like you to help us keep putting out content. Visit the link below to subscribe or donate. https://www.buzzsprout.com/2124912/support I want to hear from you! Email me directly to ask your questions and suggest topics for the podcast. Kati@diamondcanine.com Visit our website where you can purchase our online course for only $99 and get started with e-collar training today! Work at your own pace. This is a very beginner friendly course. You can also sign up for training with Kati and Joyce, visit our shop for our branded merchandise and purchase E-collar Technologies collars. https://www.diamondcanine.com Visit our social media for free training videos and to connect with us! https://www.facebook.com/diamondk9dogtraining ...

  6. Aug 23

    How Should I Handle Off-Leash Dogs?

    Send us Fan Mail This might be my least favorite topic to discuss. BUT it is by far one of the most common questions we get: How do you handle off leash dogs? Here's the thing, you will never be able to avoid them completely (unless you just stay home). So I'm going to cover the most important things for you to do before heading out into the wild with your dog for an off leash adventure. Like knowing how to really tighten up your recall by pairing a high correction to it so that you can trust it when the shit hits the fan, so to speak. You need gravity attached to that recall. And that needs to be done now, before you go on your outing. You'll never be able to control other people (I know...it sucks!) so the absolute most important thing to do that you actually can do, is train your own dog! You'll hear that common thread over and over again for every scenario. You and your dog are the things that are in your control. So we always look at those first. I'll also give you some tips so that you have something to do besides just panic when you see the dreaded off leash dog heading right for you. Having a plan will enable you to execute in the moment. It happens fast, so you need to already know what to do. You can't really think in the moment and you certainly can't assess the other dog's intention. Don't even try. It is your job to protect your dog. Nobody else is going to do it for you! I don't like to make people nervous or panicked. Don't forget, most dogs aren't going to harm or kill your dog. But a lot of dogs could and some certainly would. There's no way to know. So just having a rule structure you stick to will help keep everyone safe and you sane.  I will ask the owner to call their dog, but they often won't or can't. Posturing at the other dog will often work to deter them. If neither of those work, use physical means to keep them away from your dog. No, that's not extreme. And no, it's not fun, but it's not your fault. They chose to go off leash with no respect for others or proper training to keep their own dog safe. That is on them. Period. Consider carrying dog mace or spray vinegar with you. Or at least a slip lead so if the worst case scenario (a proper dog fight) erupted you could use the slip lead to get the offending dog to let go. Support the show Love the show? Sign up to access our new exciting Xtra content! This content is unique and is ONLY available to our paid subscribers.  Subscriptions are only $3/month! You can also just sign up to make a small donation monthly if you want to support the podcast. Or, if you can't do that right now, just hit subscribe in your favorite app and tell a friend about the show!  Any support in any form from our listeners is sooo appreciated! We count on listeners like you to help us keep putting out content. Visit the link below to subscribe or donate. https://www.buzzsprout.com/2124912/support I want to hear from you! Email me directly to ask your questions and suggest topics for the podcast. Kati@diamondcanine.com Visit our website where you can purchase our online course for only $99 and get started with e-collar training today! Work at your own pace. This is a very beginner friendly course. You can also sign up for training with Kati and Joyce, visit our shop for our branded merchandise and purchase E-collar Technologies collars. https://www.diamondcanine.com Visit our social media for free training videos and to connect with us! https://www.facebook.com/diamondk9dogtraining ...

  7. Aug 14

    After A Dog Training Program—Are All These Go Home Protocols Really That Important?

    Send us Fan Mail Yes, maybe. There, is that clear enough?  We want to give our customers the best chance of success so we leave nothing out. Results matter to us. Your success matters to us. And we wouldn't ask you to do anything that we didn't think was potentially a necessary piece to the puzzle.  Every dog and every family is so incredibly unique, that the fact is, no two dogs need exactly the same thing. But you could say the same thing for water. There are dogs out there that hardly drink any water. But nobody is going to just assume that there dog is great with 1 cup of water a day and hope for the best. You're going to give them what you know is plenty. Right? And if they don't need it, great! But this way we don't risk potential dehydration and illness. Okay. Weird analogy. But it works. I would rather have too much, than not enough. It's the same with dog training. We cover all of the bases, and some of them are extra, who cares? This gives all of our clients the best chance of success. And in our one on one lessons we absolutely can discuss in depth with people what we feel is particularly critical in their situation with their dog and their lifestyle.  But things that can affect the necessity for these protocols are things like the dog's ability to learn and inhibit the undesirable behaviors, how long they've been practicing them, how they view their family members, how naturally pushy or submissive or nervy are they? And let's not forget about the humans. How naturally does handling the ecollar come to them? How naturally (or not) can they lead and be the decision maker and stick to setting boundaries. How motivated are they? How nervous are they? You need to be comfortable, and confident, and consistent with clear feedback. The four big C's.  If these things are lacking at all, then all the little moments become much more important because they help you to get better and more comfortable and they help amplify the new relationship dynamic so your dog can see you as a relevant entity with clear consistent rules.   Support the show Love the show? Sign up to access our new exciting Xtra content! This content is unique and is ONLY available to our paid subscribers.  Subscriptions are only $3/month! You can also just sign up to make a small donation monthly if you want to support the podcast. Or, if you can't do that right now, just hit subscribe in your favorite app and tell a friend about the show!  Any support in any form from our listeners is sooo appreciated! We count on listeners like you to help us keep putting out content. Visit the link below to subscribe or donate. https://www.buzzsprout.com/2124912/support I want to hear from you! Email me directly to ask your questions and suggest topics for the podcast. Kati@diamondcanine.com Visit our website where you can purchase our online course for only $99 and get started with e-collar training today! Work at your own pace. This is a very beginner friendly course. You can also sign up for training with Kati and Joyce, visit our shop for our branded merchandise and purchase E-collar Technologies collars. https://www.diamondcanine.com Visit our social media for free training videos and to connect with us! https://www.facebook.com/diamondk9dogtraining ...

About

Kati Peppe, owner of Diamond K9 Dog Training, is passionate about dog training and behavior, and even more passionate about sharing the truth even though so many people get their panties in a twist about it.If you've ever struggled with your dog or wondered why the dog training advice out there doesn't seem to work, this entertaining and thought provoking, yet brutally honest, podcast is for you!  Served with a little salt and lots of love.