If You Like Staying Stuck Use Threats And Bribes
In this episode of “Off Leash and Unfiltered,” Kati Peppe, owner of Diamond K9 in Biddeford, Maine, delves into common mistakes in dog training, particularly the improper use of consequences to modify behavior. Kati emphasizes the importance of applying consistent and appropriate corrections to ensure dogs understand and adhere to desired behaviors. She highlights that while many owners excel at rewarding their dogs with treats, they often struggle with effectively using consequences to eliminate unwanted actions such as reactivity, aggression, or resource guarding. Kati explains that proper timing and the use of clear markers are crucial for dogs to associate rewards and corrections with specific behaviors, thereby fostering reliable obedience.
Kati also addresses the pitfalls of using threats versus meaningful consequences, clarifying that threats may work momentarily but fail to create lasting behavioral changes. She advocates for high-level corrections that are uncomfortable enough to discourage undesirable actions without being harmful, ensuring that dogs learn to respond reliably in various environments. Through her training approach and use of the E-Collar, Kati aims to build trustworthy and well-behaved family dogs by teaching owners to maintain consistent training patterns both during and after formal training sessions. This episode underscores Diamond K9’s commitment to providing honest, effective training methods that prioritize long-term behavior modification and the well-being of both dogs and their owners.