You’re Focusing On The Symptom And Ignoring The Problem
In this episode of Off Leash and Unfiltered, Kati Peppe, owner of Diamond K9 Dog Training in Biddeford, Maine, dives into the critical role of clarity and consistency in dog training. Many dog owners focus on fixing specific problem behaviors, such as difficulty clipping nails, leash pulling, or reactivity, without realizing that these are often symptoms of a bigger issue: a lack of clearly enforced rules and expectations.
Kati shares insights from a recent group training class, where a dog with defensiveness, nipping, and resource guarding issues highlighted a key lesson—dogs thrive on structure. This particular dog improved dramatically when given consistent guidance, but once home, some of her unwanted behaviors resurfaced. The reason? Her owners were unintentionally allowing small rules to slip, which eroded the dog’s understanding of boundaries and expectations.
The episode emphasizes how small moments matter. It’s not just about correcting a single behavior—it’s about shaping how your dog moves through the world. A dog that’s allowed to ignore commands, wander on walks, or test boundaries will eventually struggle in more serious situations. Owners often hyper-focus on the most frustrating issue, like nail trimming or aggression, instead of looking at the entire picture of their daily interactions.
Kati explains that dogs who lack clear structure can develop anxiety, uncertainty, and even aggression because they don’t understand their role. The key to a well-balanced dog isn’t just training individual commands—it’s consistently enforcing expectations so that your dog learns to trust and respect your leadership.
The takeaway? If you want long-term results, don’t just fix isolated issues—focus on your dog’s overall clarity, structure, and relationship with you.
Contact Kati Peppe or read more about her philosophy. Read more about E-Collar technologies here.