Enjoy the dog you knew you had.
Maybe it's the walk that turns into a tug-of-war, the doorbell that sets off five minutes of barking, or a new puppy who hasn't read the manual. You love your dog, and some days it's still exhausting. Penny DiLoreto, a Certified Professional Dog Trainer (CPDT-KA) and Certified Animal Behaviorist, comes to your home and helps you both find a calmer way, with kind, force-free methods that last. Not local? Her online courses, books, and podcast teach the same approach.
Your dog isn't stubborn.
They're trying to tell you something. Penny helps you understand it, and then change it.
Start wherever makes sense for you.
Some families want Penny in the living room. Some want to learn at 9 pm after the kids are asleep. Some just want a good book to start with. Every option uses the same science-based, force-free approach, so there's no wrong place to begin.
Private in-home training
Penny comes to your home in North San Diego County and works with you and your dog one-on-one. Each session is built around your dog, your household, and what you want life to look like. The AKC Canine Good Citizen and S.T.A.R. Puppy courses are taught this way too.
Online courses
Self-paced courses written by Penny: puppy manners, reactivity, crate and potty training, calm around strangers, snake avoidance, service dog foundations, and more. Work through them on your own time, with your dog right there beside you.
Books and podcast
Not ready to commit? Penny's free eBooks come straight to your inbox, and her podcast, Let's Paws and Reflect, talks through the questions owners ask her most.
The behaviors that keep owners up at night.
If you've tried other approaches and nothing stuck, you're not alone, and you haven't failed your dog. It's easy to start skipping walks, or to put the dog in the back room when friends come over, and then feel bad about it. Penny looks for the reason behind the behavior, then gives you a plan you can actually follow at home.
Leash reactivity
Lunging, barking, or freezing on walks. Penny helps you spot the moment your dog starts to tip over, and change the pattern at the root instead of just shutting it down.
Anxiety and fear
A scared dog isn't being defiant. They're upset. Force-free methods build real confidence rather than punishing the worry.
Separation anxiety
Chewed doorframes, nonstop barking, or panic when you leave. Penny works on how your dog feels about being alone, not just the damage they leave behind.
Aggression and guarding
Growling, snapping, or guarding food and toys usually comes from insecurity, not dominance. Once you understand the cause, you'll know how to respond.
Puppy foundations
Potty habits, nipping, socialization, and clear, loving boundaries from day one. What your puppy learns now shapes the adult dog you'll live with for years.
Excessive barking
Some barking is normal. All-day barking wears on everyone. Penny helps you figure out what your dog is saying and teach them a calmer way to say it.
Stranger sensitivity
For dogs who bark at, hide from, or back away from new people. Small, positive steps teach them that visitors are safe and predictable.
Basic obedience
Sit, down, stay, come, and loose-leash walking, plus polite greetings at the door. The everyday skills that make life together easier.
Why one-on-one works.
Group classes are great for socialization. Private training gives your dog Penny's full attention, with no distractions and no one-size-fits-all plan.
It helps most with dogs working through:
- Aggression
- Leash reactivity
- Separation anxiety
- Excessive barking
And because the sessions happen at your house, Penny sees the behavior right where it shows up, and you practice the fix in the same spot you'll need it tomorrow.
Penny DiLoreto. She wrote the book.
We get it. When your dog is struggling, it's easy to feel like you're the one doing something wrong. Penny has worked with a lot of owners who felt exactly that way. She co-owns Hot Diggity Dog Resort with David DiLoreto, and our team is trained to her standards. Her approach is simple: understand what your dog is trying to tell you, then teach with kindness and clarity.
- Certified Professional Dog Trainer (CPDT-KA)
- Certified Animal Behaviorist
- Master Groomer
- Veterinary Assistant and Certified Pet First Aid Trainer
- Author of books on dog training and behavior
- AKC evaluator for Canine Good Citizen and S.T.A.R. Puppy
- Host of the Let's Paws and Reflect podcast
Three steps to a calmer dog.
- 1
Pick your path
Send a training inquiry for in-home sessions, choose an online course, or start with one of Penny's books.
- 2
Learn together
Penny shows you what your dog is really saying and what to do about it. You practice together, in small steps your dog can handle.
- 3
Enjoy your dog
Picture a walk on a loose leash, a doorbell that doesn't start a riot, and a dog who settles at your feet in the evening. That's the goal, and it's probably closer than it feels right now.
Official AKC recognition in six weeks.
Two private courses, taught in your home by Penny, an AKC evaluator. Each one is six one-hour sessions, once a week. When your dog passes, AKC awards a medal and packet, and you get to be a little bit proud. Your dog wears a collar or body harness of your choice: no electronic, choke, or pinch collars.
AKC Canine Good Citizen
A recognized standard of good manners, and a great step for dogs heading toward therapy work.
- Sits and downs on command, and comes when called
- Walks on leash with you
- Free of aggression toward people and other dogs
- Lets you hug or hold them (depending on size)
- Lets you take away a treat or toy
AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy
Socialization, Training, Activity, and Responsibility. A great start for a puppy on their way to becoming a well-mannered dog.
- Sits and downs on command, and comes when called
- Walks on leash with you
- Free of aggression toward people and other dogs
- Lets you hug or hold them (depending on size)
- Lets you take away a treat or toy
To book either course, call our office at (760) 745-9900.
10 moments your dog is most likely to "test you."
We've all been there: the sudden selective hearing, the jumping that "came back," the growl that catches you off guard. Before we call it stubborn, it helps to look again. Most dogs aren't testing our authority at all. They're reacting to stress, confusion, growing up, or a need that isn't being met.
1. When the routine changes
Dogs love predictability. A new work schedule, houseguests, kids going back to school, even a time change can throw them off. What looks like acting out is often just a dog adjusting.
2. During adolescence
Teenage dogs (roughly 6–24 months, depending on breed) often seem to "forget" their training. They haven't. Their brains are still developing, especially impulse control. Staying consistent now pays off later.
3. When they're overtired
An overtired dog can look hyper, nippy, or reactive. Zoomies and poor choices often mean they need rest, not more stimulation.
4. When they're overstimulated
Busy parks, family gatherings, playdates: it all stacks up fast. A dog who "won't listen" may simply be too overwhelmed to take in what you're asking.
5. Around high-value items
Food, toys, a favorite sleeping spot, even a favorite person can feel very important to a dog. Guarding usually comes from insecurity, not dominance.
6. When rules aren't consistent
If jumping sometimes gets attention and sometimes gets ignored, your dog will keep trying. As far as they can tell, persistence works.
7. After big life changes
Moving, a new baby, another pet: big changes can shake behavior for a while. Dogs feel change deeply.
8. When something hurts
Sudden growling, snapping, or pulling away can be a sign of discomfort or pain. Behavior is often the first symptom.
9. When they're unsure of boundaries
If different people in the family have different rules, your dog may just be trying to figure out which ones are real. Clear, consistent rules help them feel sure of themselves.
10. When a need isn't being met
Mental stimulation, exercise, connection, time to decompress. When those needs go unmet, behavior fills the gap.
A gentle reminder. When we shift from "How do I stop this?" to "What is my dog trying to tell me?" we move from frustration to understanding, and that's where real progress begins. If you're seeing one of these patterns at home, especially guarding or reactivity, or in a multi-dog household, you don't have to figure it out alone. Penny DiLoreto, CPDT-KA
Hear it from the families.
Hannah's training
Warren and Amy talk about why they chose Hot Diggity Dog Resort to train Hannah.
Mishka's story
A Corgi adopted at three, and how training changed life at home.
Your dog isn't broken. They just need the right guidance.
Tell us about your dog and what's going on at home, the good days and the hard ones. Penny will be honest about what your dog needs and which path fits best. You can also email Penny at penny@hotdiggitydogresort.com, or call (760) 745-9900 to book an AKC course. Not quite ready? Sign up for our newsletter, and new clients get 10% off their first service.