- Courses
Hi, we're so glad you're here.
Maybe you've started to dread the walk because of the pulling and the lunging. Maybe there's a new puppy in the house and you're not sure where to begin. Or maybe your dog is wonderful 90% of the time and you'd just like to understand the other 10%. Wherever you're starting from, you're in the right place.
These courses were written by Penny DiLoreto, CPDT-KA, to help you understand how your dog thinks, communicates, and learns. Once that clicks, a lot of other things get easier: the bond gets stronger, the behavior improves, and life gets more fun for both ends of the leash.
Every course is built on positive reinforcement, humane methods, and real-world steps you can use the same day. They're self-paced and easy to follow, whether you're raising your first puppy or working through something harder with a dog you've had for years.
Getting started is simple. Pick the course that fits your dog and click Add to cart (if you're new to Hot Diggity Dog Resort, you'll create an account first). We process every order within 24 hours and send the course to your inbox. Then you and your dog learn together, a little at a time.
Everything we teach comes back to three ideas:
- Science-Based Learning
Force-free, evidence-based techniques that hold up over the long run.
- Empowerment
Practical tools that help you become a confident teacher, and your dog's best advocate.
- Compassion
Respect for every dog, every family, and every training journey.
Progress matters more than perfection here. Mistakes are part of the process, and every small step forward is worth celebrating. Thank you for letting us be part of your dog's training journey. We can't wait to hear how it goes.
Behavior Adjustment Training
$200
Turn Reactivity Into Calm Confidence, at Every Walk, Doorbell, and Park Visit
If you've started timing walks to avoid the neighbor's dog, or you cross the street every time you see a stroller coming, you're not alone. Maybe you've tried everything and nothing sticks. This program helps you understand why your dog reacts, and how to change it with science-based, force-free methods that work in the real world.
What You'll Learn, Week by Week
Week 1 — Decode Your Dog's Signals
Body language, trigger thresholds, proactive planning.
Week 2 — Introduce Controlled Set-Ups
Create calm exposures to triggers so dogs learn at their pace.
Week 3 — Functional Rewards & Positive Choices
Not treats for obedience — rewards your dog understands (distance, sniffing, calm exploration).
Week 4 — Real-Life Practice (Walks, Parks, Visitors)
Step-by-step strategies to transfer calm behavior into everyday life.
Week 5 — Living With Triggers
Handling unpredictable environments and data-driven progress tracking.
Week 6 — Graduation & Ongoing Plan
Confidence to keep reinforcing gains and avoid relapse.
"We thought Max would never walk by another dog without barking. After Week 4, he stopped lunging — and I finally enjoy walks again."
– Sarah & Max, Escondido, CA
What's included?
+ One-on-one virtual sessions with Penny, available on request
- Certification of completion
- Instructional Videos
- Downloadable written PDF training material
- Online and telephone support
What causes fear, frustration and aggressive looking behaviors in dogs?
Genetics can be a factor in some dogs, but most dogs are not born with fearful, frustrated, or aggressive looking behaviors. Actions like barking, growling, and or lunging at other dogs or people are symptoms of some underlying cause that can include;
- Lack of early socialization.
A recent change in their environment causing anxiety.
- Bad experience with other dog and or humans.
How does this program help?
The dog's owner learns what to do and just as importantly what NOT to do when their dog exhibits actions, such as barking, lunging, growling, that indicate that he/she is fearful, frustrated, or aggressive.
The owner learns how to be proactive in eliminating unwanted behaviors instead of reactive to the actions of their fearful, frustrated, or aggressive dog.
Calm Around Strangers
$100
A positive, structured course that helps your dog feel confident and relaxed around unfamiliar people.
It's hard to relax when every delivery driver or dinner guest sets your dog off. Many dogs bark, lunge, hide, or freeze when unfamiliar people come close. Usually that comes from fear, uncertainty, or not enough good experiences with new people. It isn't defiance.
This course focuses on helping dogs learn that strangers are safe and predictable, using clear guidance, positive reinforcement, and gradual confidence-building exercises.
Who This Course Is Designed For
+ Dogs that bark, growl, or retreat around strangers
- Dogs that become overexcited or jump on unfamiliar people
- Owners wanting calmer walks and social outings
- Families with frequent visitors
- Anyone committed to force-free, humane training
What You'll Learn
+ Why dogs react to strangers the way they do
- How to read early stress and comfort signals
- Teaching calm behaviors around unfamiliar people
- Creating positive associations with new individuals
- Managing greetings safely and appropriately
- Preventing escalation and setbacks
How the Training Works
Module 1: Understanding Stranger Sensitivity
Learning common triggers and emotional responses.
Module 2: Foundation Skills for Calm Behavior
Building focus, engagement, and emotional regulation.
Module 3: Controlled Introductions
Introducing strangers at a pace your dog can handle.
Module 4: Real-Life Practice
Applying skills during walks, visits, and public settings.
Module 5: Managing Excitement and Fear
Reducing jumping, barking, and avoidance behaviors.
Module 6: Long-Term Confidence
Maintaining progress and handling new situations successfully.
What's Included
- Step-by-step video lessons
- Downloadable guides and exercises
- Real-world practice scenarios
- Clear troubleshooting strategies
- Lifetime access to course materials
Canine Good Manners
$160
Help Your Dog Become a Calm, Polite Companion, Ready for Everyday Life and Real-World Adventures.
Whether your dog has trouble walking politely, gets overwhelmed in public, or just needs better manners at home, this program gives you a step-by-step path to get there. The AKC CGC test at the end is the icing on the cake.
- Stop feeling embarrassed when your dog jumps on new people.
+ Walk through the park without tension on the leash.
- Say goodbye to chaotic greetings and hello to calm community outings.
- Gain a certificate that shows your dog is a welcome member of your community.
Week 1 — Calm Socialization & Stranger Manners
Understand the anatomy of polite dog-human greetings. Learn techniques to help your dog approach calmly, sit politely, and avoid jumping or barking.
Week 2 — Polite Greetings & Grooming Confidence
Turn everyday handling (ear rubs, brushing, nail trim) into moments of calm cooperation — so grooming and vet visits aren't stressful.
Week 3 — Loose Leash Walking Mastery
Teach your dog to walk respectfully beside you — no pulling, lagging, or tension — even around distractions.
Week 4 — Solid Sit/Down/Stay + Reliable Recall
Lock in functional obedience that works everywhere — not just in the living room.
Week 5 — Handling Distractions & Real-World Challenges
Practice calm responses to crowds, noises, and other dogs so your dog behaves like a model citizen in everyday environments.
Week 6 — Final Prep + Ear to Ear Confidence
Bring all skills together and be ready for the CGC test — or just enjoy life with a more harmonious canine companion.
FAQ: What are the foundational skills of a well-mannered dog
Answer: Accepting a friendly stranger. Sitting politely for petting. Walking on a loose leash. Sit and down on command and Staying in place. Coming when called.
FAQ: What is included with the Canine Good Manners Course?
Answer: The Canine Good Manners course is a ten-skill training program that's open to all dogs–purebred and mixed breed–that focuses on teaching the basics of good manners and obedience, instilling the values of responsible ownership, and strengthening the bond between you and your dog at home and out in the community.
FAQ: Is it a good idea to take the Canine Good Manners course and test if I want my dog to be a Therapy Dog?
Answer: Yes. All the skills you and your dog will learn during the Canine Good Manners course are skills also needed for the Therapy Dog Evaluation.
Crate Training for a Calm, Confident Dog
$30
A gentle, force-free crate training program that teaches your dog to choose their crate as a place of comfort, not confinement.
Crate training doesn't have to mean whining, barking, or guilt when you leave the house.
Done gently, a crate becomes your dog's safe place: a quiet spot where they can relax, sleep, and settle themselves.
This program shows you how to build that trust step by step.
This Course Is Perfect If:
+ Your dog whines, barks, or panics in the crate
- You want peaceful nights and calmer alone time
- You're house-training a puppy or retraining an adult dog
- You want your dog to be comfortable with travel, vet visits, or boarding
- You prefer positive, fear-free training methods
What You'll Learn
+ How to introduce the crate so your dog feels safe from the start
- How to build positive crate associations without force
- How to increase crate time without anxiety
- How to reduce barking, whining, and restlessness
- How to use the crate for sleep, travel, and daily routines
- How to troubleshoot common crate training challenges
How the Training Works
- Step 1: Setting Up for Success
Choosing the right crate, placement in the home, and creating positive first impressions. - Step 2: Building Comfort and Trust
Short, positive sessions that help your dog enter and relax in the crate willingly. - Step 3: Calm Alone Time
Gradually increasing duration while preventing stress and frustration. - Step 4: Nighttime & Daily Use
Helping your dog sleep peacefully and settle during normal daily routines. - Step 5: Real-Life Applications
Using the crate for travel, vet visits, and times when safety matters most. - Step 6: Long-Term Success
Transitioning the crate into a lifelong comfort space — not a requirement.
This crate training program is based on force-free, science-backed methods that respect your dog's emotional well-being. We focus on teaching your dog how to feel safe, not how to endure confinement.
Your dog learns by choice, not pressure.
Good Puppy Manners
$160
A positive, step-by-step training course that helps puppies grow into calm, polite, and confident companions.
Puppyhood is the most important learning stage of a dog's life. What your puppy learns now shapes their confidence, behavior, and relationship with you for years to come.
The Good Puppy Manners course focuses on building strong foundations through positive reinforcement, clear communication, and age-appropriate training that supports healthy emotional and behavioral development.
Who This Course Is Designed For
+ Puppies learning basic manners and life skills
- New puppy parents looking for clear guidance
- Families wanting to prevent problem behaviors early
- Puppies needing confidence-building and structure
- Owners committed to positive, force-free training
Skills Your Puppy Will Learn
+ Polite greetings without jumping
- Focus and engagement with people
- Basic cues such as sit, down, and come
- Leash manners and walking skills
- Calm behavior around people and environments
- Confidence through positive social experiences
How the Training Works
Module 1: Building a Strong Foundation
Understanding puppy development, learning styles, and setting realistic expectations.
Module 2: Engagement and Attention
Teaching your puppy to focus on you in a fun and rewarding way.
Module 3: Polite Manners at Home
Reducing jumping, mouthing, and impulsive behaviors through guidance and structure.
Module 4: Leash and Handling Skills
Introducing leash walking, body handling, and cooperative care.
Module 5: Social Skills and Confidence
Helping puppies navigate new people, environments, and experiences calmly.
Module 6: Lifelong Manners
Creating routines and habits that support long-term success.
Good manners don't happen by accident. They're built a little at a time, through guidance, consistency, and good experiences. This course gives you the tools to help your puppy grow into a well-mannered, confident dog you'll enjoy for years to come.
Enroll in Good Puppy Manners
Introducing old dog to new puppy
$50
A gentle, step-by-step course for bringing a new puppy home to the dog you already have, so they become friends, not rivals.
You love your older dog. You're excited about the puppy. And you're a little worried: will your senior dog feel pushed aside? Will the puppy pester them all day? The first few weeks set the tone for how these two get along for years.
This course shows you how to introduce them the right way, protect your older dog's peace, and teach your puppy some manners around their new big brother or sister.
Who This Course Is Designed For
+ Families adding a puppy to a home with a resident dog
- Owners of senior dogs, or dogs who aren't used to other dogs at home
- Anyone who wants the first meeting to go well, not just "okay"
- Homes where the older dog is already showing stress, grumbling, or hiding
- Anyone committed to positive, force-free training
What You'll Learn
+ How to prepare your home and your older dog before the puppy arrives
- How to plan the first meeting on neutral ground
- Reading both dogs' body language, so you know when to step in
- Setting up safe spaces and breaks, so your older dog can get away
- Handling food, toys, beds, and attention without jealousy
- Teaching the puppy to respect a senior dog's "no, thank you"
How the Course Works
Module 1: Before the Puppy Comes Home
Setting up your home, supplies, and your older dog's routine ahead of time.
Module 2: The First Meeting
A calm, planned introduction, and what to do in the first hours and first night.
Module 3: Reading the Room
Understanding play, warning signals, and stress in both dogs.
Module 4: Space, Stuff, and Sharing
Safe zones, separate meals, and managing toys and beds so nobody feels crowded.
Module 5: Everyday Life Together
Walks, rest, and time alone with each dog, so your older dog still feels like number one.
Module 6: Building a Lasting Friendship
Growing trust between them as the puppy grows up, and when to call for extra help.
Give Both Your Dogs the Best Possible Start
Picture it a few months from now: your puppy curled up next to your older dog, both of them relaxed. This course helps you get there with patience, structure, and care.
Enroll in Introducing old dog to new puppy
Potty Training Made Simple
$35
A clear, positive training course that helps your dog learn where and when to go, with less stress and fewer accidents.
Potty training is one of the first and most important skills a dog learns. When taught with consistency and positive reinforcement, it becomes a clear and stress-free process for both dogs and their people.
This course provides straightforward guidance to help you build reliable potty habits and prevent confusion, frustration, and repeated accidents.
Who This Course Is Designed For
+ Puppies learning house training for the first time
- Adult dogs needing potty training or retraining
- Owners struggling with frequent accidents
- Families wanting a clear, predictable routine
- Anyone committed to positive, force-free training
What You'll Learn
+ How dogs learn potty habits
- Setting up a consistent potty schedule
- Reading your dog's signals and timing needs
- Preventing accidents before they happen
- What to do when accidents occur
- Transitioning from supervision to reliability
How the Training Works
Module 1: Understanding Potty Training
Learning how age, environment, and routine affect success.
Module 2: Setting Up for Success
Creating schedules, designated potty areas, and clear expectations.
Module 3: Teaching the Right Behavior
Reinforcing correct potty choices with timing and consistency.
Module 4: Managing Accidents
Reducing setbacks through supervision and prevention strategies.
Module 5: Expanding Reliability
Helping your dog generalize potty skills to new situations.
Module 6: Long-Term Success
Maintaining good habits as your dog matures.
Potty training goes a lot better without the guesswork. This course gives you the structure, timing, and tools to guide your dog toward consistent, accident-free habits, and get your weekends back.
Enroll in Potty Training
Protect Your Dog This Snake Season
$85
Protect your dog, worry less, and enjoy your walks again, even in snake season, with a science-backed, force-free snake avoidance program.
Why Snake Avoidance Matters
If you live where venomous snakes are common, you probably already know the feeling of watching your dog's nose disappear into the brush. Dogs get bitten because they don't recognize the danger. Teaching them to notice the sight, sound, and smell of a snake, and to move away from it, can save a life. So this isn't just another training class.
This course teaches your dog to avoid snakes before a close call happens, rather than react once they're face to face with one.
What You'll Walk Away With
Week 1 — Recognizing Risk
Your dog learns visual cues of snake shape and movement.
Week 2 — Scent & Sound Recognition
Scientific methods help dogs connect snake smell or rattles to a safe avoidance response.
Week 3 — Avoidance Behavior Foundation
Teaching choice-based avoidance (move away calmly → rewarded).
Week 4 — Real-World Application
Controlled outdoor exposure builds confidence and reliability.
Week 5 — Owner Skills
You learn how to read dog signals, reinforce the avoidance behavior, and safely practice during hiking/yard time.
Week 6 — Mastery + Maintenance Plan
Strategies to keep the behavior durable during snake season and beyond.
- No more fear of walks in spring and summer.
+ No sleepless nights worrying about a bite.
A confident dog that stays safe AND listens to you.
Service Dog Training
$299
A structured, force-free training program designed to build reliable skills, confidence, and focus for future service dogs and their handlers
Service dogs play a vital role in supporting their handlers' independence, safety, and quality of life. This course provides a strong foundation in the core skills, behaviors, and communication needed for service dog work.
Whether you are beginning the journey toward service dog training or strengthening an existing foundation, this program focuses on clarity, consistency, and humane, science-based methods that support long-term success.
Who This Course Is Designed For
- Individuals preparing a dog for future service work
- Owners building foundational obedience and task readiness
- Dogs with stable temperaments ready for advanced training
- Handlers seeking structured, ethical training methods
- Those committed to positive, force-free training approaches
(This course provides foundational skills and does not certify a service dog.)
What You and Your Dog Will Learn
- Focus and engagement in distracting environments
- Reliable obedience cues with duration and precision
- Calm behavior in public and unfamiliar settings
- Impulse control and emotional regulation
- Clear communication between handler and dog
- Foundational task-training concepts
How the Training Works
Module 1: Foundations of Service Dog Training
Understanding expectations, temperament, and training goals.
Module 2: Engagement & Focus
Building attention, responsiveness, and working mindset.
Module 3: Public Manners & Neutrality
Teaching calm behavior around people, animals, and distractions.
Module 4: Reliability & Duration
Strengthening cues with consistency and clarity.
Module 5: Introduction to Task Foundations
Breaking tasks into achievable steps using positive reinforcement.
Module 6: Long-Term Development Plan
Creating a personalized roadmap for continued service dog training.
Snake Avoidance for Dogs eBook
$25
A practical, easy-to-follow eBook that teaches you how to help your dog recognize and avoid snakes safely and humanely.
A snake can turn up in the backyard, on a trail, or on an ordinary evening walk. Knowing how to lower the risk, and how to prepare your dog to steer clear, can make a life-saving difference.
This Snake Avoidance eBook provides clear education and practical guidance to help dog owners understand snake behavior, reduce exposure, and begin teaching safe avoidance skills using force-free methods.
Who This eBook Is Designed For
+ Dog owners living in snake-prone areas
- Hikers, campers, and outdoor enthusiasts
- Families with yards, open spaces, or rural surroundings
- Owners wanting proactive safety education
- Anyone seeking humane, non-aversive methods
What's Included
+ Comprehensive downloadable eBook
- Easy-to-understand explanations
- Practical checklists and safety tips
- Force-free training guidance
- Lifetime access after download
Our Approach to Safety
This eBook promotes humane, science-based education focused on awareness, prevention, and choice-based training. The goal is to help dogs learn to avoid danger without fear, pain, or punishment.
Safety begins with understanding, for dogs and their people.
Penny DiLoreto is a Certified Professional Dog Trainer (CPDT-KA) and Certified Animal Behaviorist who helps families keep their dogs safe through education and proactive training. Her work is built on kind methods, real-world practice, and clear communication.
This eBook provides educational guidance and introductory training concepts. It does not replace veterinary care, professional evaluations, or emergency services. Individual results may vary based on environment and implementation.
Not sure which course fits your dog? Send a training inquiry or email Penny at penny@hotdiggitydogresort.com, and she'll point you in the right direction. If you live in North San Diego County, she can also come to your home for private in-home training. Not ready to buy yet? Start free with Penny's eBooks and podcast, or sign up for our newsletter and new clients get 10% off their first service.
Here's to calmer walks, a quieter house, and a dog who's a joy to be around.