Explore every episode of the podcast Paws and Reflect: Dog Behavior & Real-Life Training

Bringing home a new puppy is one of the most exciting moments in a dog lover's life - but what happens in those first few weeks can make or break your pup's future behavior. In this episode, Certified Professional Dog Trainer and author of The ABCs of Dog Training, Penny DiLoreto, breaks down why giving your new puppy free range of the house is one of the most common - and costly - mistakes new pet parents make.

Penny shares what too much space too soon does to a puppy's developing mind, why it derails housetraining, and how simple boundaries can actually help your pup feel safer, calmer, and more confident.

Whether you're bringing home your first puppy or your fifth, this episode i packed with practical guidance you can use from day one,

I'd love to hear from you-reach out with your questions, stories, or topics you'd like me to cover in future episodes.

Welcome to Paws and Reflect, where we explore the heart, science, and soul of living with dogs.

I'm Penny DiLoreto - certified dog trainer, behavior specialist, and lifelong dog lover, here to help you build a calmer, kinder, more connected relationship with your dog.

Thank you so much for spendin this time with me of Paws and Reflect. If this episode resonated with you, I'd love for you to share it with a friend or fellow dog loer - it's one of the best ways to help ore dogs and their people.

Ad if you haven't already, please be sure to follow the podcast so you never miss an episode.  I'll see you next episode,

“Thanks for spending time with me today on Paws and Reflect.

If this episode helped you see your dog in a new way, be sure to follow the podcast and share it with a fellow dog lover.

Until next time… stay kind, stay curious, and give your dog a little extra love today.”

The ABCs of Dog Training book is suitable for all experience levels, from those bringing home a new puppy to owners of older dogs who need behavior adjustments. Penny DiLoreto brings her extensive background as a Certified Professional Dog Trainer and AKC evaluator to the text, ensuring the methods are humane and grounded in the science of operant conditioning.

In addition to the training guide, the book includes a glossary of terms and a curated list of resources—including books, podcasts, and organizations—for owners who wish to deepen their understanding of canine psychology.

I'd love to hear from you-reach out with your questions, stories, or topics you'd like me to cover in future episodes.

Welcome to Paws and Reflect, where we explore the heart, science, and soul of living with dogs.

I'm Penny DiLoreto - certified dog trainer, behavior specialist, and lifelong dog lover, here to help you build a calmer, kinder, more connected relationship with your dog.

Thank you so much for spendin this time with me of Paws and Reflect. If this episode resonated with you, I'd love for you to share it with a friend or fellow dog loer - it's one of the best ways to help ore dogs and their people.

Ad if you haven't already, please be sure to follow the podcast so you never miss an episode.  I'll see you next episode,

“Thanks for spending time with me today on Paws and Reflect.

If this episode helped you see your dog in a new way, be sure to follow the podcast and share it with a fellow dog lover.

Until next time… stay kind, stay curious, and give your dog a little extra love today.”

The Phil and Amy Show on WebinarTV brought their signature energy and broke down the tips, takeaways, and everything in between from my receint webinar titled, “Is your dog struggling “ You don’t want to miss this podcast 🐶😊

I'd love to hear from you-reach out with your questions, stories, or topics you'd like me to cover in future episodes.

Welcome to Paws and Reflect, where we explore the heart, science, and soul of living with dogs.

I'm Penny DiLoreto - certified dog trainer, behavior specialist, and lifelong dog lover, here to help you build a calmer, kinder, more connected relationship with your dog.

Thank you so much for spendin this time with me of Paws and Reflect. If this episode resonated with you, I'd love for you to share it with a friend or fellow dog loer - it's one of the best ways to help ore dogs and their people.

Ad if you haven't already, please be sure to follow the podcast so you never miss an episode.  I'll see you next episode,

“Thanks for spending time with me today on Paws and Reflect.

If this episode helped you see your dog in a new way, be sure to follow the podcast and share it with a fellow dog lover.

Until next time… stay kind, stay curious, and give your dog a little extra love today.”

You've learned why your dog isn't bad — they're coping. You understand the science behind their behavior. But now you're probably asking the most important question of all:

What do I actually do about it?

In this episode, certified professional dog trainer and owner of Hot Diggity Dog Resort, Penny DiLoreto, brings the full series together and takes you beyond awareness — into action.

Because insight without action doesn't change behavior. And your dog deserves more than understanding. They deserve to be taught.

In this episode, you'll learn:

• Why understanding your dog is step one — not the finish line
• What the "skill gap" is and why it's behind most behavior problems
• How to replace unwanted behavior instead of just trying to stop it
• Why your dog keeps failing — and how to fix the setup
• How to build consistency through small, daily wins
• Why your role as your dog's teacher matters more than any tool or technique

💡 "Dogs don't need harsher corrections — they need clearer communication."

If you've been following this series, this is the episode where everything becomes actionable. Because understanding your dog changes how you feel. Teaching your dog changes how they live.

Paws and Reflect is hosted by Penny DiLoreto, certified professional dog trainer and owner of Hot Diggity Dog Resort.

I'd love to hear from you-reach out with your questions, stories, or topics you'd like me to cover in future episodes.

Welcome to Paws and Reflect, where we explore the heart, science, and soul of living with dogs.

I'm Penny DiLoreto - certified dog trainer, behavior specialist, and lifelong dog lover, here to help you build a calmer, kinder, more connected relationship with your dog.

Thank you so much for spendin this time with me of Paws and Reflect. If this episode resonated with you, I'd love for you to share it with a friend or fellow dog loer - it's one of the best ways to help ore dogs and their people.

Ad if you haven't already, please be sure to follow the podcast so you never miss an episode.  I'll see you next episode,

“Thanks for spending time with me today on Paws and Reflect.

If this episode helped you see your dog in a new way, be sure to follow the podcast and share it with a fellow dog lover.

Until next time… stay kind, stay curious, and give your dog a little extra love today.”

Episode 5: How to Create a Calm, Confident Dog

Every dog owner wants the same thing — a calm, well-behaved, confident dog. But what if calm isn't something you force... it's something you build?

In this episode, certified professional dog trainer and owner of Hot Diggity Dog Resort, Penny DiLoreto, brings together everything from the series to reveal the real secret behind calm dog behavior. Spoiler: it's not about your dog's personality — it's a skill that can be taught, practiced, and reinforced.

Penny breaks down the three key ingredients that create lasting calm — clarity, consistency, and environment — and shares a real-life story of a dog who couldn't settle at home and the simple routine that changed everything.

You'll also learn:

• Why calm dogs aren't just "born that way"
• How to shift from making your dog calm to teaching your dog what calm looks like
• What a simple calm-building daily routine looks like
• One easy thing you can start doing today to reinforce calm behavior

If you've been following this series, this is the episode where it all comes together. 🐾

Paws and Reflect is hosted by Penny DiLoreto, certified professional dog trainer and owner of Hot Diggity Dog Resort.

Sonnet 4.6

I'd love to hear from you-reach out with your questions, stories, or topics you'd like me to cover in future episodes.

Welcome to Paws and Reflect, where we explore the heart, science, and soul of living with dogs.

I'm Penny DiLoreto - certified dog trainer, behavior specialist, and lifelong dog lover, here to help you build a calmer, kinder, more connected relationship with your dog.

Thank you so much for spendin this time with me of Paws and Reflect. If this episode resonated with you, I'd love for you to share it with a friend or fellow dog loer - it's one of the best ways to help ore dogs and their people.

Ad if you haven't already, please be sure to follow the podcast so you never miss an episode.  I'll see you next episode,

“Thanks for spending time with me today on Paws and Reflect.

If this episode helped you see your dog in a new way, be sure to follow the podcast and share it with a fellow dog lover.

Until next time… stay kind, stay curious, and give your dog a little extra love today.”

If your dog seems constantly "on" - barking, reactive, unable to settle - you might think they have too much energy (sometimes referred to as the Zoomies)

But what if the real issue is too much stimulation?

In this episode of Paws and Reflect, Penny DiLoreto breaks down what overstimulation really is, how it shows up in everyday behavior, and why doing more can actually make things worse. You'll learn how modern environments overwhelm dogs, the signs to look for, and a simple way to create calm through balance - not constant activity.

I'd love to hear from you-reach out with your questions, stories, or topics you'd like me to cover in future episodes.

Welcome to Paws and Reflect, where we explore the heart, science, and soul of living with dogs.

I'm Penny DiLoreto - certified dog trainer, behavior specialist, and lifelong dog lover, here to help you build a calmer, kinder, more connected relationship with your dog.

Thank you so much for spendin this time with me of Paws and Reflect. If this episode resonated with you, I'd love for you to share it with a friend or fellow dog loer - it's one of the best ways to help ore dogs and their people.

Ad if you haven't already, please be sure to follow the podcast so you never miss an episode.  I'll see you next episode,

“Thanks for spending time with me today on Paws and Reflect.

If this episode helped you see your dog in a new way, be sure to follow the podcast and share it with a fellow dog lover.

Until next time… stay kind, stay curious, and give your dog a little extra love today.”

"Maybe he just needs more exercise."

It's one of the most common pieces of advice dog owners hear - but is it actually true?

In this episode of Paws and Reflect, Penny DiLoreto breaks down the myth that more physical exercise is the solution to behavior problems. While exercise is important, it's often not the missing piece - and in some cases, it can even make certain behaviors worse.

You'll learn why behavior issues like barking, jumping, pulling, and reactivity aren't simply a result of "too much energy," and what your dog truly needs instead. Penny shares a more balanced science-based approach that focuses on meeting your dog's mental, emotional, and training needs - not just wearing them out.

If you've ever felt like you're doing everything right and still not seeing results, this episode will help you understand why - and what to do differently.

In this episode, you'll learn:

• Why exercise alone doesn't solve most behavior problems.
• The difference between physical and mental enrichment.
• How too much exercise can sometimes backfire.
• What your dog actually needs to create lasting change.

Because a tired dog isn't always a trained dog, but an understood dog is a happier one.

I'd love to hear from you-reach out with your questions, stories, or topics you'd like me to cover in future episodes.

Welcome to Paws and Reflect, where we explore the heart, science, and soul of living with dogs.

I'm Penny DiLoreto - certified dog trainer, behavior specialist, and lifelong dog lover, here to help you build a calmer, kinder, more connected relationship with your dog.

Thank you so much for spendin this time with me of Paws and Reflect. If this episode resonated with you, I'd love for you to share it with a friend or fellow dog loer - it's one of the best ways to help ore dogs and their people.

Ad if you haven't already, please be sure to follow the podcast so you never miss an episode.  I'll see you next episode,

“Thanks for spending time with me today on Paws and Reflect.

If this episode helped you see your dog in a new way, be sure to follow the podcast and share it with a fellow dog lover.

Until next time… stay kind, stay curious, and give your dog a little extra love today.”

What if the biggest mistake you're making with your dog is something you don't even realize you're doing?

In this episode of Paws and Reflect, Penny DiLoreto uncovers one of the most common - and costly-mistakes dog owners make when trying to change their dog's behavior. It's a mistake that can lead to frustration, confusion, and even worsen the very problems you're trying to fix.

But here's the good news: once you understand it, everything can change.

Penny breaks down what's really happening beneath the surface, why traditional approaches often fall short, and how a simple shift in your approach can create calmer, more reliable results - without force or punishment.

If you've ever felt stuck, overwhelmed, or unsure of what your dog needs from you. This episode will give you clarity, direction, and hope.

In this episode, you'll learn:

• The #1 mistake dog owners make when addressing behavior.
• Why this mistake often makes problems worse.
• What your dog actually needs from you instead.
• Simple, practical ways to start fixing it today.

Because when we change how we show up for our dogs... they change too.

I'd love to hear from you-reach out with your questions, stories, or topics you'd like me to cover in future episodes.

“Thanks for spending time with me today on Paws and Reflect.

If this episode helped you see your dog in a new way, be sure to follow the podcast and share it with a fellow dog lover.

Until next time… stay kind, stay curious, and give your dog a little extra love today.”

Episode 1: Welcome to Paws and Reflect

Welcome to Paws and Reflect! In this first episode, certified dog trainer Penny DiLoreto introduces a kinder, science-based approach to understanding your dog. Discover why behavior is communication—not defiance—and how shifting your perspective can transform your relationship with your dog.

I'd love to hear from you-reach out with your questions, stories, or topics you'd like me to cover in future episodes.

“Thanks for spending time with me today on Paws and Reflect.

If this episode helped you see your dog in a new way, be sure to follow the podcast and share it with a fellow dog lover.

Until next time… stay kind, stay curious, and give your dog a little extra love today.”