Welcome to Hot Diggity Dog Resort Online Training Courses — where science, compassion, and connection come together to help you bring out the very best in your dog.
These courses were created by Penny DiLoreto, CPDT-KA, to bridge the gap between dogs and their people. When you understand how your dog thinks, communicates, and learns, everything changes. Stronger bonds form, behavior improves, and life becomes more enjoyable — for both ends of the leash.
All training courses offered through Hot Diggity Dog Resort are built on positive reinforcement, humane methods, and real-world strategies you can use every day. Whether you're raising a new puppy, navigating behavior challenges, or simply looking to deepen your relationship with your dog, these courses are designed to be easy to follow, self-paced, and accessible to pet parents at every experience level.
The Hot Diggity Dog Resort training philosophy is grounded in:
+ Science-Based Learning
Force-free, evidence-based techniques that support long-term success.
+ Empowerment
Practical tools that help dog owners become confident teachers and advocates for their dogs.
+ Compassion
Respect for every dog, every family, and every unique training journey.
This is a learning environment where progress matters more than perfection, mistakes are part of the process, and every step forward deserves recognition. Thank you for trusting Hot Diggity Dog Resort Online Training Courses to be part of your dog's training journey.
We're excited to help you and your dog learn, grow, and succeed — together. 🐾
If you dread walks because your dog pulls, lunges, or freezes — and you've tried everything but nothing sticks — this program helps you understand why your dog reacts… and how to change it with science-based, force-free, real-world methods.
⭐ What People Actually 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?
+ Six weekly one on one virtual meetings
+ 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.
Many dogs struggle around strangers — barking, lunging, hiding, or freezing when unfamiliar people approach. These behaviors are often rooted in fear, uncertainty, or lack of positive exposure, not 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
Whether your dog has trouble walking politely, gets overwhelmed in public, or just needs better manners at home, this program gives you the step-by-step path to real-world results — and the AKC CGC test 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 doesn't have to mean whining, barking, or guilt when you leave the house.
When done correctly, a crate becomes a dog's safe place — a quiet retreat where they can relax, sleep, and self-soothe.
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.
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 through guidance, consistency, and positive 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
Bringing a new puppy home is exciting — and overwhelming. The first days and weeks matter more than most people realize, setting the foundation for confidence, behavior, and trust.
The Introducing Your Puppy course guides you through this critical transition with clear, practical instruction that helps your puppy feel safe, supported, and ready to learn.
Who This Course Is Designed For
+ New puppy parents preparing for their puppy's arrival
+ Families welcoming a puppy into their home
+ Puppies adjusting to new people, environments, and routines
+ Owners wanting to prevent early stress and confusion
+ Anyone committed to positive, force-free training
What You'll Learn
+ How to prepare your home for a new puppy
+ Establishing routines for feeding, sleep, and potty training
+ Safe introductions to people, spaces, and household sounds
+ Creating calm first experiences and boundaries
+ Building trust and confidence from day one
+ Preventing common early behavior challenges
How the Course Works
Module 1: Preparing for Your Puppy
Setting up your home, supplies, and expectations before arrival.
Module 2: The First Day Home
Guiding your puppy through their first hours and first night.
Module 3: Establishing Routines
Creating predictable schedules that support learning and security.
Module 4: Socialization and Exposure
Introducing new experiences safely and positively.
Module 5: Handling and Household Manners
Teaching gentle handling, boundaries, and calm behavior.
Module 6: Setting the Stage for Training
Preparing your puppy for future manners, obedience, and confidence.
Give Your Puppy the Best Possible Start
The first experiences shape everything that follows. This course helps you guide your puppy through their early days with confidence, structure, and care — setting the foundation for a happy, well-adjusted dog.
Enroll in Introducing old dog to new puppy
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.
Successful potty training doesn't rely on guesswork. This course gives you the structure, timing, and tools needed to guide your dog toward consistent, accident-free habits.
Enroll in Potty Training
Protect your dog, reduce your anxiety, and enjoy every outdoor walk — even in snake season — with a science-backed, force-free snake avoidance program.
🧠 Why Snake Avoidance Is a Valuable Niche Course
Snake avoidance training is becoming increasingly relevant where venomous snakes are common — dogs get bit because they don't recognize the danger, not because they intend to harm themselves. Teaching dogs to identify the sight, sound, and smell of snakes — and to avoid them — can literally save lives. It's not just "another training class." It's safety-critical education.
Leading veterinarians estimate thousands of pets suffer snakebite injuries each year — we train dogs proactively so they learn to avoid snakes rather than react to them.
📅 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 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 encounters can happen in backyards, on trails, or during everyday outdoor activities. Knowing how to reduce risk and prepare your dog to avoid snakes 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 both dogs and their people.
Penny DiLoreto is a Certified Professional Dog Trainer with decades of experience helping families keep their dogs safe through education and proactive training. Her work emphasizes ethical methods, real-world application, 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.