Understand your dog, one episode at a time.
Ever wonder why your dog barks at the same neighbor every day, or "forgets" everything the minute you're at the park? Let's Paws and Reflect is a dog behavior podcast hosted by Penny DiLoreto, CPDT-KA. Each episode helps you see what's really going on and gives you practical, humane ways to bring more calm into your house. It's free to watch, right here.
Your dog isn't bad. They're trying to cope.
If you've ever felt like you're doing everything right and your dog still isn't getting it, start here. It's a six-part series on why dogs do what they do, and how to turn that understanding into real change at home. Start at Episode One and watch in order.
Your dog isn't bad. They're trying to cope.
Penny introduces a kinder, science-based way to understand your dog. Behavior is communication, not defiance, and once you see it that way, a lot of things start to make sense.
The biggest mistake
One of the most common, and costly, mistakes owners make when trying to change behavior, and the simple shift that brings calmer, more reliable results without force or punishment.
Why exercise alone doesn't fix behavior
Exercise matters, but it's often not the missing piece. Why barking, jumping, pulling, and reactivity aren't just "too much energy," and what your dog needs instead.
The truth about overstimulated dogs
What overstimulation looks like, why doing more can make it worse, and a simple way to create calm through balance, not constant activity.
How to create a calm, confident dog
Calm isn't just a personality trait some dogs are born with. It's a skill, and it can be taught. Penny shows how to build it through clarity, consistency, and the right environment.
Now what? Turning understanding into real-life change
You know why your dog isn't bad and you understand the science. Penny brings the series together and answers the big question: what do I actually do about it?
Getting the start right.
A new puppy is a lot of joy and a lot of chewed shoes. These two episodes help you set things up so the good habits come first.
Why new puppies need boundaries
One of the biggest mistakes new puppy owners make has nothing to do with commands. Penny explains why puppies with clear, loving boundaries from day one grow into calmer, more confident dogs, and how to set them without stress or conflict.
Crate training, with Susan Light
Love it or hate it, crate training is one of the most talked-about topics in dog training. Susan Light and Penny cover how to introduce a crate, whether dogs actually like them, and whether we should use them at all.
Want a step-by-step plan? Penny's Crate Training for a Calm, Confident Dog course walks you through it.
More from Penny and friends.
The Phil and Amy Show
Phil and Amy of WebinarTV bring their signature energy to the tips and takeaways from Penny's webinar, "Is Your Dog Struggling?"
Communication, leadership, and emotional intelligence
Penny talks about why communication, leadership, and emotional intelligence matter so much in how dogs learn, and how her programs help people understand their dogs.
The right nutrition can transform your dog's health
Penny welcomes David DiLoreto, Certified in Pet Nutrition and author of The Ultimate Pet Handbook: Tailored Nutrition for Every Pet, to talk about how food shapes your pet's health and happiness.
Penny DiLoreto. Trainer first, host second.
Penny co-owns Hot Diggity Dog Resort and works with dogs and their families in their own homes. The podcast is her way of sharing that same kind, science-based approach with anyone who wants to listen, for free.
- Certified Professional Dog Trainer (CPDT-KA)
- Certified Animal Behaviorist
- Master Groomer
- Author of books on dog training and behavior
- AKC evaluator for Canine Good Citizen and S.T.A.R. Puppy
The podcast is the start. Training is the deep dive.
If an episode sounds a lot like your house, you don't have to figure out the rest alone. Penny offers private in-home training in North San Diego County, and self-paced online courses for anywhere else. Picture a walk where the leash stays loose and you both come home relaxed. New to Hot Diggity? Sign up for our newsletter, and new clients get 10% off their first service.