Real Dog Training Cases
Across Melbourne

Reactive barking and lunging at passers-by in a Schnoodle, plus stopping jumping on people.

We are thrilled with all the techniques we learnt from Diona. Our beloved Schnoodle needed extra help for his reactivity and overall stressful behaviours. And after just 1 month we can say that he is a changed dog and we are changed owners. It’s a lot of work and will be an ongoing process but we are currently sitting at a cafe with a relaxed dog that no longer feels the need to lunge at other people or dogs. He is happier and we are also happier doggy parents. Thank you Diona.

Settling at home with visitors and not barking at people in cafes in a 14-month Mini Dachshund.

We couldn't recommend Diona more! Our 14 month old dachshund had become reactive to numerous triggers and we were struggling with how to help her. Diona's incredible and undeniable passion, knowledge and understanding of dogs, their behaviours (and their owners as well) has helped us put into practice simple yet very effective techniques that have truly transformed our little family's experience. Our in person sessions were so informative as well as having ongoing contact in between via a WhatsApp group meant we were able to get timely feedback which was invaluable and a clear expression of Diona's dedication to her clients. All her methods, tailored specifically to our pup and well beyond basic obedience training, have continued to deepen our connection with and understanding of Audrey and we only wish we had of worked with her sooner. Diona is an exceptional dog trainer - her support, guidance and communication are above and beyond - with lasting results to back it all up! Thank you so much Diona - Hayley, Thomas and Audrey :)

Managing two Boxer dogs with very different energy levels and reactivity, plus recall and play drive.

We had two dogs with very different personalities and a number of issues including reactivity that honestly felt impossible to solve, even after trying other training centres and methods. Diona has such a practical and realistic way of working with dogs to change their behaviour for the long term. Her knowledge and insight gave us a deeper understanding of our own dogs and how to socialise them correctly and let them process the world to prevent issues before they start. We feel way more confident and now have stronger bond with our dogs because of this. For anyone who feels stuck or like nothing is really working, I couldn’t recommend Diona highly enough. We are over the moon with her work and are glad we invested in a future with happy dogs!

On-leash reactivity and barking at the postman and door knocking in a Pembroke Corgi.

Training our dog with Diona was so worth it! We wished we have gone to her earlier for help. Our dog is a totally new dog now. She helped us understand our dog so much better and the training tips were so simple to follow and apply and most importantly they worked straight away! Highly recommended Diona!

On-leash reactivity to other dogs and the inability to enjoy a calm walk after trying every kind of lead.

Diona is absolutely fantastic and I can't recommend her more highly. We came to her because we had tried every type of lead but our dog pulled so much he was very hard to walk. Through 5 sessions with her we now have a dog who walks calmly beside us. He is also overall calmer and better adjusted through the work with Diona. We are also working on having him off leash (which I never thought would be possible as he is a hound) and generally having a more well adjusted dog who can handle cars and social situations much better. Her methods are kind and clever and show a deep understanding of dogs and how to effectively bond and work with them. Our dog loved the training sessions and adored working for Diona, as did we.

Reducing aggression to strangers and other dogs at home in a reactive German Shepherd.

Working with Diona has been a game changer. She’s helped us truly understand our reactive German Shepherd—her triggers, body language, and what she needs to feel safe and succeed. This deeper understanding has made walks so much smoother and has improved our overall relationship with our GSD. Diona is professional, clear in her communication, and genuinely committed to helping both dogs and their people. We’re looking forward to continuing with her for ongoing guidance. Highly recommend!

Helping a rescued German Shepherd Cross who became highly anxious and struggled to self-regulate.

We can’t thank Diona enough for helping us to see how our energy and behaviours had to change before we could give our dog everything she needs to flourish. She gave us wonderful advice and really useful strategies to support our highly anxious German Shepherd Cross, who struggles to regulate herself when highly aroused by the world around her. Diona’s techniques have helped us to make a significant difference to our lives. We understand that we still have a lot of work to do, but the changes we have seen in such a short time are wonderful. We both wish we had asked for Diona’s help much sooner.

Jumping on people, chasing cats and birds, and treat guarding in an English Cocker Spaniel.

We love Diona and her training. Our almost 3 yo cocker spaniel was still launching himself at us, rushing at birds and cats, and generally being very reactive. Thanks to 4 sessions with Diona, Tux is like a different dog. He is calm and relaxed while still being our favourite furry friend. I feel so confident in walking out and about with a long loose lead with him. We 100% recommend as long as you have the time and commitment to completing your homework! (PS, Diona trains you and not your dog most of the time 😂)

Loose-leash walking, settling at night, attention barking, and nipping in a 10-month Cavoodle.

Diona is an amazing trainer. She worked with our 10-month-old cavoodle and over just four sessions she taught my partner and I so much. Our dog is calmer, less reactive and sleeping better. It's so much more enjoyable to walk him now as we're not worried about his pulling on the lead or lunging at other dogs. We would recommend her to anyone with a dog!

Loose-leash walking, jumping, and attacking feet and legs in a Pug.

Our nearly 12 month 25kg puppy Mav was getting strong and pulling on the lead, jumping and lunging at other dogs, people and birds while out walking and it was becoming a problem for our family and making our walks and outside family time not enjoyable. Thankfully a lady saw us walking him one afternoon (yes he was doing everything he shouldn't have been doing!) and asked if we were training our dog. We discussed that we had but weren't getting very far. She suggested we get in contact with Diona which has been the best advice since we got our puppy 9 months ago. After 5 amazing lessons with Diona, our lovely dog is now behaving (and so are we) and is much calmer and we now know so much more about him. He is now 1 and we can now take him for walks and even sit and watch our son play tennis with a happy dog. Thanks Diona for making us all happier and giving us the tools to keep up the training!

Aggression to smaller dogs, leash pulling, lunging at cars, and obsession with reflections in a Border Collie.

Diona helped me so much from my sweet border collie that was pulling at the lead, over excited at shadows and reflections, lunging at FWDs and motor bikes to a calm, controllable, non pulling, no -lunging dog that listens to me and that I enjoy walking every day and being with so much so I am planning trips away with my puppy. Diona gave me little tips and tricks around the house that has made my and my puppies home life so much calmer. Diona was such a pleasure to work with that I looked forward to our weekly training sessions. Thanks a bunch Diona

Years of leash reactivity and lunging at other dogs that other personal trainers and facilities couldn't fix.

For the last four years, we’ve been scared to walk our dog, Franklin, past other dogs, visit cafés, or go to see the world with him without worrying about reactions, lunging and anxiety around other dogs. We’d tried personal trainers and dog training facilities. The training would work for a few weeks before his reactivity would go back to the way it was…again. It sucked. We wanted Franklin to experience the world with us, but no one had helped us create LASTING change. That all changed when we met Diona. From the initial consult to our final session, she’s equipped us with the knowledge and context to truly understand how Franklin thinks and operates. She taught us how to set him up for success, around his triggers, for all environments. To say Franklin is a completely different dog isn’t an exaggeration 😭 It’s simply our reality now, a reality that is actually sticking! Our friends and fam have also noticed the change in his behaviour too, which never happened with other trainers. We are SO grateful to Diona for her time, energy and expertise. We lost four years of experiences and memories with Franklin before finding a trainer who genuinely took the time to understand his unique personality and teach us how to give him a fulfilling life. We were actually so so sceptical after heaps of disappointments, but honestly, Diona is the real deal. We highly recommend her and gosh, your doggo will be forever grateful for the investment 🫶🤍

Loose-leash walking and helping a Border Collie feel comfortable around new people.

Diona was fantastic! she helped us better understand our dog and get him to a place where walks are not a stressful experience for both him and us.

Loose-leash walking and recall off-leash in a Border Collie that pulled and reacted on every walk.

Diona was very knowledgeable and methodical. Our training program was immediately effective, especially improving walks with our pulling and reactive dog. Diona provided clear instruction and advice, stressing the need for us to commit and work hard to fix the issues we were having with our dog. I liked that the approach is based on the dogs desire to be good, and on educating the owners to provide an environment in which the dog can be relaxed and happy. The program gave us many strategies to keep working on improvements and keep our dog happy. It has changed our world!

Loose-leash walking, recall, and stopping a Cocker Spaniel from eating everything off the floor.

I’m so grateful we worked with Diona to train our dog. Much of what we’d learned in regular puppy schools and with other trainers was about getting our dog to do tricks (e.g. sit) and used a lot of treats but this wasn’t helpful when trying to get him to walk on a loose lead, improve his recall or with barking. Diona taught us exactly what to do and, with patience and hard work, it worked! I now enjoy walking with Benji and feel way more bonded with him 💕 if you’re on the fence, please go for it because Diona’s methods get results ☺️

Loose-leash walking and reactivity to other dogs in a Border Collie cross who couldn't be taken to a cafe.

We love our beautiful dog, Molly, but the situation with her pulling on the lead and her overreaction towards other dogs made our lives very challenging. We had attended different dog training sessions in the past, and although the trainers had good intentions, we had little if any success. So we are immensely grateful to Diona for teaching us the skills to train Molly and to help us understand her individual needs as well as those characteristics related to her breed. The results from the training have been transformative! Therefore, without a doubt, we would highly recommend Diona to set you and your dog on the path to a happy and content life together.

Calming a Blue Staffy who pulled and barked excessively before and during walks.

We have just recently finished a 5 week training block with Diona for our 3 year old blue Staffy Pippa. We have noticed a huge difference in Pippa’s walking and arousal in just a short amount of time- before Pippa was pulling excessively on walks with a harness on and now she is able to walk next to calmly us with no harness. Diona not only taught us how to read Pippa’s cues and ensure success in her training but how to change our actions that were having an effect on Pippa’s behaviours. There is still more practising to be done but we are very thankful for Diona’s strategies and tips!

Stopping barking and lunging plus reactivity around young children in a Toy Poodle cross.

We reached out to Diona for help with our dog, and it’s been such a great experience. Diona really took the time to understand Koko and me, tailoring the training to fit our needs. Her clear communication made everything easy to follow, and I’ve learned so much about reading Koko’s body language. She’s become much more relaxed outdoors, and we’ve built a stronger bond through the process. I’m truly grateful for Diona’s help and highly recommend her to anyone!

Ensuring children's safety around a misunderstood rescue German Wirehaired Pointer.

We are so grateful to Diona!! She is highly recommended by us. I have used dog trainers before and none came close to how effective Diona and her methods are. She literally saved our rescued dog from being completely misunderstood by us and potentially needing to be rehomed again. Now Zia is a very happy and cherished part of our family and always will be. Thanks to Diona! P.S. she was also amazing with our young kids and got them work with Zia too.

Stopping leash pulling, lunging, and growling at strangers in a Dachshund.

No need to look anywhere else, you’ve found an awesome trainer in Diona. Diona’s 4 week program has helped put our Dachshund Willow onto a much calmer and confident path moving forward. She has provided us with all the tools for continued success. Thanks Diona!!

Reactivity and pulling on the leash in a Cavoodle who reacted to boats, bikes, trucks and other dogs.

Diona did an amazing job at teaching us the tricks and tips to train our dog Bailey. We struggled with reactivity & pulling on the leash which was becoming extremely difficult to walk our little boy. Triggers were anything from boats, trucks, trailers, bicycles, people but mainly other dogs. Diona helped us with her thorough training and overall understanding which made the process easier, she was there every step of the way and goes above and beyond to ensure you and your dog get the support you need. Bailey still has a long way to go however he has improved significantly in the 5 weeks I have trained with Diona. Diona has also taught me to look for dogs on my walk rather then avoid them completely. I cannot thank her enough! Highly recommend for anybody struggling with their dog!

Managing a 1-year-old Golden Retriever's humping, biting, digging, and aggression so a single owner could cope at home.

Since we started working with Diona around 6 weeks ago, we have seen tremendous improvements with our 1 year old, Robbie. He is now a pleasure to walk and it is not a stressful experience to take him out and about! I am so surprised at what we have been able to achieve, especially in such a short time frame. With continued practice of the skills Diona has taught us we can’t wait to see what else we can achieve with Robbie.

Reactivity, fear of strangers, and snapping at people during interactions in a 5-year-old Spoodle.

I can’t recommend Diona enough! She has worked absolute wonders with my 5-year-old dog, Bodhi. Before starting, we could barely get through a 10-minute walk without him being spooked by something. In just 4 sessions, the transformation has been incredible - we now walk for 30 minutes or more, and while Bodhi can still get scared at times, I’ve learned how to read him, decompress him, and adjust how I handle situations. What stood out to me is how Diona tailored everything to Bodhi and to me as his person. She showed me how to understand his signals, read other dogs and their people, and handle situations with confidence. Because of her guidance, Bodhi now trusts that I’ve got him, and that’s changed everything for us. I finally have a walking buddy, and I couldn’t be more pleased. A big thank you also to her lovely dog Murphy, who was such a calm and helpful presence in our training. I can’t recommend Diona highly enough for any training. I have full confidence she would be able to help anyone with their dog’s concerns.

Reliable recall and confident off-lead behaviour at the dog park for a rambunctious Border Terrier.

Diona has been fantastic in helping us train our rambunctious border terrier who loves the world and other dogs! It does require a lot of work and commitment from everyone in the household to make sure everyone understand the rules of the pack - but if you put in the effort and trust the process and you will have a new and stronger relationship with your dog.

A 4-year-old Mini Dachshund who refused to walk and constantly stopped on the leash.

Diona was fantastic at helping me with my 4year old mini dashie who constantly stopped, sniffed and refused to walk. Within one day she had improved so much. Now we can enjoy our walks together. I would highly recommend Diona,she is amazing.

Loose-leash walking, reactivity, settling, recall, crate training and trigger barking in a Toy Cavoodle.

Diona has changed our lives! She really knows her stuff and I knew this as soon as I got off the enquiry phone call with her. Prior to our training sessions with Diona, we had been to a number of obedience and one on one classes, without seeing much result. One of our main issues was leash pulling and it was important to us that we didn’t have to bring treats on every single walk to “bribe” our dog to listen to us. Diona progressively taught us her techniques in order for us to have a well behaved dog on walks. She also did the same to our other issues such as reactivity to other dogs and controlling behaviours. Her techniques are unique and also incredibly effective! The difference between Diona and other trainers is the constant support and advice she gives to you between sessions via a WhatsApp group. She analysed every video we sent (and believe me, we sent HEAPS!), and told us if we were doing it correctly or needed adjustments. The feedback given by Diona gave us the peace of mind that we were doing the exercises correctly. Diona, thank you for your hard work and efforts in helping us to raise a much better behaved and contented dog!

Stopping jumping up, loose-leash walking, and recall in a Boston Terrier.

We can’t thank Diona enough for her time training Lottie (and us!). We now have a much more contented, well behaved and a pleasure to be with dog. Diona has given us the skill set and training knowledge that we needed and lacked and it has made such an impact on all our lives. What a difference a few weeks has made. Thank you again Diona. I highly recommend if anyone is thinking of dog training, Diona is the lady to choose.

Excessive barking and lead-pulling in two West Highland White Terriers.

Diona was amazing for our spoodle puppy Chester made such a brilliant dynamic change to our family! We have a calmer dog that we know how to handle better! Has made a big difference and really improved things for our family! Definitely recommend

Severe separation anxiety in a Toy Poodle that triggered neighbour complaints in a new apartment.

Diona is absolutely amazing. Literally amazing. As a first time dog owner I was struggling with how to deal with unwanted behaviours from our dog, the worst being that we couldn’t leave her alone anywhere for even 5 seconds without non-stop barking. These behaviours were making life difficult. Diona got to work straight away. Her training methods get results quickly and she explains things so clearly. It’s hard work and you have to put in effort, but Diona is always there for support. The changes in our dog in a matter of weeks have been incredible. We enjoy our dog now, she brings happiness rather than stress. Diona is amazing from a training perspective but the thing I appreciated most was that she doesn’t judge or blame. She doesn’t focus on or blame you for what might have gone wrong in the past - instead she entirely focuses on how as a team, she can work with you to achieve your goals with your dog. She has a great sense of humour and communicates exceptionally. From the first contact I found her to be professional, reliable and relatable. She is very experienced and it shows. I wouldn’t hesitate to work with Diona again. If you need a dog trainer, you need Diona. If I could give her a million stars, I would. Thank you so much Diona you have changed our lives!

Loose-leash walking, recall, jumping up, and what was thought to be separation anxiety in a 1-year-old Labradoodle.

Can't recommend Diona enough. She's very nice to work with and was so helpful with our 1 Year old Labradoodle Charlie. He had a range of things we wanted to work on like his walking (Long and Short leads), jumping up on people, taking things that weren't his to chew (like socks), jumping on the couch etc, and what we thought was Separation Anxiety. Diona was able to help us with all of these things! It has more generally changed his temperament from being 'a control freak' to being much more obedient and as an upside actually more affectionate. I really liked that Diona has a lot of tried and tested 'hacks' for achieving the results you are after that you won't find from Google. Am already making a list of things to work on with Diona next as he grows through his teenage years ;-)

Loose-leash walking and confidence-building in a strong young Labrador.

“HIGHLY RECOMMEND DIONA (The Dog Whisper) - YOU’RE THE BEST” We cannot thank Diona enough for our experience and training sessions. Diona has a natural understanding of dog habits, behaviours and abilities. I first met Diona when I was out walking Ruby and she was kind enough to pull over introduce herself and give me tips on how to stop Ruby pulling on the lead. I was currently enrolled in obedience school which was going OK but just felt wasn’t working for me. Ruby is a big, strong Labrador who had pulled me over a couple of times - ouch! Anyway I enlisted the help of Diona when Ruby was 10 months old and in the short 2 months :- • I have rebuilt my confidence. • Ruby & I have learnt how to read each other’s body language. • Walking is an absolute pleasure- loose lead, no lunging, no barking. •Ruby is calm and well mannered with my 4 grandkids aged 18mths to 7 years. I love and recommend Diona’s style of training, it is all about communication, trust and being calm between Owner and Dog.

Loose-leash walking and stopping barking at other dogs in public in a Lhasa Apso.

Hunter 🐶 and I say thank you for the teaching!!! Brilliant!!

Reducing reactivity and building confidence so a Mini Dachshund could be neutral around other dogs and people.

My dachshund and I had the most eye opening and wonderful experience working with Diona. Rather than giving us generic solutions, Diona took the time to help me understand my dog’s body language and made me feel confident in handling situations for my dog. Our walks are now so stress free knowing that Diona has equipped me with the knowledge to assess how my dog is feeling and how to act accordingly. I cannot recommend Diona enough and there’s no other trainer that I would rather have to help my dog overcome his fears. Thanks again Diona! I’m so happy to be able to enjoy life with my best friend again!

Understanding an anxious and easily-overwhelmed Jack Russell x Kelpie who was reactive with other dogs.

a year in and my dog Rosa is unrecognisable (in the best way!) all thanks to Diona. before, she was anxious, reactive with other dogs, deeply afraid and easily overwhelmed by her surroundings. now, she can share an open field with other (well-trained) dogs, play even in high-stress environments (like train stations), calmly enjoy journeys on the train/car, walk on windy/rainy days, wait and settle when other dogs pass. she doesn't bark, lunge, or drag, just walks calmly with me or checks to see what we're up to when uncertain. Diona's taught me how to advocate and protect Rosa while ensuring she has a fun and fulfilling life. she also shared some fun tidbits about Rosa's personality, like how she is determined to excel at WORK (exactly like her momma XD) Diona's recommendation to switch Rosa's food from kibble to meal prep have also been a game changer. investing an hour every two weeks for this has transformed Rosa's body. no odour, no shower needed (unless she's played in muddy, rainy days!), clean teeth and glistening coat. she is much more alert, energetic, playful. bonus, even with the crate installed, she's much more cuddly! because she knows she always have her own 'room' to relax in. despite a challenging first two months (i'm an emotional dog-mum and had a few cries from overwhelm & guilt & impatience XD), i assure you Diona and her program is worth every penny. my bond with Rosa have transformed just from a year ago. if you're on the fence, this is your sign to book a trial with her & commit to the program. thank you Diona for changing our lives <3

Leash walking, lunging at dogs, and excitement at doorbells in a young Bernedoodle puppy.

Diona has been absolutely wonderful! She’s patient, supportive, and explains everything in such a clear, practical way. We’ve learnt so much in just a few weeks and feel much more confident with our puppy’s training. She genuinely cares about both dogs and their families, and it shows in everything she does. Our puppy Stormi absolutely adores her and sees her as part of the pack! 🥰 Diona truly goes above and beyond — we couldn’t recommend her more highly.

Reliable recall in a friendly Cockalier who avoided being put back on the lead at the park or beach.

Diona helped our dog Pinot so much! Has changed our life and pinots! As a very friendly dog was so easy to over look so many behaviour issues with our little pup! But Diona has taught us some amazing techniques that were easy to adopt and super effective. Very experienced and effective rainy couldn’t recommend more highly!

An adopted 5-month puppy with chewing, nipping, jumping, crate-barking, cat chasing, and refusal to walk outside.

We contacted Diona for help with our 5 month old puppy Barley, that we had adopted. Barley was adorable, but chewing furniture, nipping us constantly, jumping up at us, barking incessantly if we tried to put him in the crate, chasing the cats, and refusing to walk outside despite running around doing zoomie's inside moments before. I was constantly looking on the internet for tips to help him, and had been to a standard puppy school program, but nothing I had tried made any kind of impact. Diona is an incredible trainer. She has helped us to read Barley behaviour, and understand what he was communicating and what his needs were, and what we needed to do to have a happy calm fulfilled dog as part of our family. Diona was incredibly kind and patient with Barley and us, and her communication is excellent. And while I still think the cats preferred life before Barley came along, they now all co-exist harmoniously!

Home-alone training in a Labrador who couldn't be left in the apartment without barking.

Diona's training was life changing! We now have a happy dog who we enjoy walking and can confidently leave at home. It was clear from our first meeting the Diona knew what she was doing and we trusted her process. I highly recommend her!

Loose-leash walking and reducing barking when visitors arrived or the family left with their newborn.

Diona helped us train our very first assistance pup and I couldn’t recommend her enough. She knows a lot about dog behaviours and takes the time to explain her techniques so you can confidently go home with your dog to put them into practice. She communicates well, and she was always able to come up with personalised solutions that worked not only for our pup, but also for me, in line with my situation/environment/lifestyle. Diona is very dedicated, loves working with dogs but more importantly, she loves teaching dog owners and empower them with her skills and knowledge.

Greeting visitors calmly without barking or growling in a demanding Miniature Schnauzer.

I could not recommend Diona enough!! She has helped us immensely with our very demanding miniature Schnauzer Pippa. She's helped us understand Pippa's needs, and created realistic methods for us to deal with situations that used to bother all of us. She truly took the time to understand Pippa's needs and more importantly, understanding us as her humans and how to train us to be the best for Pips. We learnt SO much in each training session and we now have tools and a much deeper understanding on how to handle trickier situations – and a much happier and fulfilled dog! We wish we had met Diona years ago – we cannot thank her enough for her work and the change we've seen in Pippa.

Building confidence and social skills in a Cavoodle who lunged and barked at strangers and other dogs.

Diona is a fantastic dog trainer. She is very thorough and teaches you as the owner how to set boundaries with your dog. She has given us the ability to understand our dog, and to help others understand and respect her. We feel so much more confident in going for walks and taking our dog out socially thanks to Diona. I honestly could not recommend her enough!

Foundation training for an Italian Greyhound.

Incredible work with our little Biscuit! Thank you Diona!

Reactivity and anxiety in a Mini Dachshund, plus visitor barking and on-lead lunging.

Diona is a lifesaver! My 4yo dachshund and I worked with Diona over four sessions to address her reactivity and anxiety. After just one session I felt like I understood so much more about my dog’s behaviour. We’re so lucky to have started working with Diona when we did because shortly after, my dog had major spinal surgery and was in recovery for weeks, but using the skills we learned in our first session with Diona meant I was able to manage my dog’s recovery so much better. Over the following three sessions we were able to work on all sorts of issues. My bond with my dog is much deeper, we play and have fun so much more often and I have the confidence and skills to manage my dog and advocate for my dog’s needs in all sorts of situations. Diona’s methodology and ongoing support is incredibly effective. You get out what you put in, so doing the homework Diona assigns is super important but I couldn’t recommend Diona more highly. Thank you Diona!!

Severe car anxiety, on-leash reactivity to other dogs, and never being able to settle in the house.

If you're wondering if you should book Diona or not, please save yourself the hassle and book her immediately. We saw results within days of our first training session for our dachshund who had severe car anxiety and would lunge whenever a car went by. We are now 6 weeks in and walking him is actually a task both my wife and I not only look forwards to but one we absolutely love. Diona is patient, provides crystal clear instructions and explains the why. It's made us much more informed in how we manage our doggo not only with his reactivity but other elements of his life. Dionas knowledge is evidence based which resonated extremely well with us. One word of warning DO THE HOME WORK! It pays off!!! Thank you for everything Diona!

Preparing for a new puppy and training a clinical team to work with Rue in a community healthcare setting.

My partner and I were very anxious about welcoming a new puppy into our home, as we didn’t want to mess it up or feel overwhelmed. But Diona’s dog training classes have truly put us at ease. She is warm, knowledgeable, and incredibly supportive. Thanks to her guidance, we now feel confident and well prepared to bring our 8-week-old puppy, Rue, home next week. Diona has equipped us with practical skills, helpful resources, and the reassurance that we have the tools needed to help Rue grow into a happy, well-adjusted dog. We’re so grateful for the time and care Diona puts into her training, and we highly recommend her to anyone feeling nervous about getting started with a new puppy. Her classes have made such a difference, and we’re excited to begin this new chapter knowing we have her support behind us.

On-leash reactivity, lunging and barking at other dogs and people in a Mini Dachshund.

Diona does not just remedy behaviours but tries to understand and educate us on why our dog behaves the way he does. We wanted help with reactivity and after the first few sessions we were given practical training methods to help with the unwanted behaviour. Her tailored training programs also helped with his overall temperament and as a result it eliminated other unwanted behaviours such as barking at the vacuum and barking when left alone. Our dogs reactivity has reduced a lot and with the knowledge and methods taught by Diona we are hopeful that we can continue his training to get more results. Highly recommended!

Separation anxiety so severe a Dachshund couldn't be left alone without howling and toileting inside.

We cannot recommend Diona highly enough. At 3 years old, our groodle started experiencing excessive barking and being highly reactive when walking on the lead. After only 2 sessions with Diona, we now have our beautiful doggo back who is always on his best behaviour when out in public. A good reminder that training with our pups never ends. We have a great framework in place to keep us as owners in check, to make sure we are setting our dog up for success to be happy and relaxed without having to use any special toys or treats.

Reading a sensitive Mini Dachshund's body language and managing fear and reactivity on walks.

Diona doesn’t just train your dog, she also teaches you. With my explosive sausage we’ve made huge progress: there are still challenging days, but I feel much calmer knowing I can now manage them. Her guidance has helped me read my dog better and truly commit to the process. The reward of seeing the changes has been amazing. I am deeply grateful for everything.

Lunging and barking at other dogs on walks plus aggressive biting at feet and hands during attention seeking.

Client testimony from Lil Beefy himself: 'I used to be the biggest bully to my nanny G when they were on crutches. Thanks to Diona, I learned to regulate and make better choices. Every day, I strive to be a good boy. My nannies reward me with really fun play sessions. I've never been more fulfilled in my life.'

On-leash anxiety so severe the family walked at dawn to dodge other dogs.

Diona's care and understanding of dogs behavior took us from being pulled down the road, with Peanut crying and shrieking at any dog he saw; To walking beside us and choosing us, over other dogs. She helped us with bonding and trust, transforming our relationship! Thank you Diona

Rebuilding confidence so a Long-haired Mini Dachshund could walk past other dogs without freaking out.

Diona is a wonderful trainer and we are so happy we met her and completed her training program. Our beloved mini dachshund is calm, relaxed, and like a different dog on walks! Diona is full of wisdom and thoughtfully explains why dogs may be triggered and how to make them feel more confident and comfortable. We've noticed such a positive change and we feel at ease knowing we will continue to implement her training in our everyday life. We would highly recommend working with her!

Walking two energetic dogs (a Kelpie and a GSP) without being dragged, plus reactivity, jumping, and barking.

Thank you so much Diona for setting us on the right path with our 2 energetic dogs. We were lost. I really struggled with our kelpie and GSP reacting at other dogs and I was scared to walk them both together, well more like get dragged behind. Barking, pulling, getting underfoot, jumping, you name it! Now after 8 weeks of hard work and the tools Diona gave us, they are much more calm, entertained, less barking and jumping, and I feel comfortable walking them both together! And our GSP will actually sit and relax when I talk to strangers on our walk! We still have a continuing journey of training ahead of us, but we now have a solid foundation of consistency!! Thank you Diona!

Loose-leash walking, reactivity, and impulse control in a Kelpie x Maremma.

Diona was my third trainer I resorted to for my over reactive dog. Although the initial consultation was based on correcting the over reactivity, Diona quickly realised that there was much more going on at home than I had truthfully opened up about. Now I have a dog that is absolutely a pleasure to have inside the home. Walks have become more fun and less stressful, reactivity has diminished. The knowledge, tips and technique Diona has taught me has changed my life.

Stopping reactive barking and biting risk at house guests in a Labradoodle.

Can’t recommend Diona highly enough. Her skills and guidance have helped our dog Winnie in leaps and bounds. A previously reactive dog to guests in the house and dogs outside, she is now able to work through her fears. It will always be a work in progress but I feel confident with the techniques Diona has taught us to keep up the work and consistently improve

Lunging and barking at other dogs and children, jealousy with affection, and resource guarding food.

We owe Diona a massive THANKYOU for her help and support with making us better dog-parents for our little Benji (mini dashchund), giving him the best chance to feel more calm, content and balanced on a day to day basis this in turn enabled us to feel calm and content in moments where we typically became unsettled and anticipated Benji's unwanted reactivity in certain situations. We learnt SO much during our sessions (and had laughs) with the immense amount of knowledge and experience Diona has in successfully reducing and eliminating unwanted behaviours. Diona is incredible at what she does and is fueled with such passion and commitment to her clients achieving positive results. She knows how to break things down and deliver the information and strategies in a way that is simple, understandable and targeted. We are extremely grateful for Diona and how much she has helped us and Benji, she has equipped us with a toolbox of techniques and strategies to use on a day to day basis and when potential triggers arise. We highly recommend Diona and if we had a our time again with Benji as a puppy, we would not think twice about skipping Puppy School and going straight to Diona!

Leash reactivity and pulling that other trainers couldn't fix in a Labradoodle.

We’ve worked with other trainers to help us with our staffy, but he was still reactive on his leash, always pulling, etc. By the end of the first session with Diona, we knew this would be different. By week 4, he is much more relaxed and rarely reactive on his leash. We feel well equipped to keep working on things and know that it will just keep getting better and better. We’re so grateful to have met Diona!

Reliable recall, loose-leash walking, and keeping focus on the owner around distractions.

I had engaged Diona’s services in attempt to improve my dog’s recall with the 2-week Reliable Recall program. Apart from teaching me how to correct my dog’s focus on me as part of the recall, she had gone above and beyond the program and helped address several concerns I had - specifically with my dog wanting to greet other dogs and being overly excited. Overall the sessions I had with Diona were very effective, and the skills she has equipped me with will definitely go a long way with helping me train my dog. Thanks again Diona!

On-leash reactivity and confused walking in a Labrador.

Diona has been amazing in coaching us how to break up techniques to deal with Mocha’s reactivity and confused walking. She gives clear instructions to follow and breaks down techniques step by step all the way. Clear boundaries and consistency is what we needed for Mocha. Practice makes perfect!😍

Stopping growling and barking at other dogs and people in an Australian Shepherd puppy.

Can highly recommend Diona she was absolutely amazing with both myself and my puppy and really worked with helping me to understand dog behavior. Diona had multiple solutions for every challenge that we presented with and as a result helped me to raise a happy well behaved puppy, thanks again Diona we couldn’t have done it without you🤗

Leash pulling and barking at people and dogs in a Bernedoodle that needed a tailored one-on-one approach.

One of the best Investments we’ve made! We can't recommend Diona the Trainer highly enough, simply put - she is the BEST at what she does! After trying group training without success, we knew we needed a more tailored approach—someone who would work with us one-on-one and truly understand our dog’s needs and his sweet nature. That’s exactly what we found in Diona. Her training methods align perfectly with our values: understanding, respect, and clear communication with our dog. No forceful or unpleasant training methods! Before working with her, walks were stressful—filled with pulling and anxious behaviour. Now, we genuinely enjoy walking with our boy. He’s calmer, more confident, and we feel empowered knowing how to advocate for him and make sure he feels safe and protected. We are so proud of him! Diona helped us shift our mindset—focusing on what our dog enjoys and is comfortable with, rather than what we thought we should be doing (like busy social environments). It’s been a game-changer. In just a few sessions, the progress has been incredible. Beyond the sessions themselves, Diona's ongoing support has been outstanding—far beyond what we expected. Having a professional trainer we could reach out to for guidance and encouragement made all the difference. If we could give Diona 6 stars, we would. Truly one of the best investments we’ve made for our boy and we are so grateful for her amazing work and insights. Thank you Diona (and sweet Murphy), we miss you and reminded of you both daily when we celebrate Onslows small wins! 🥰🐾

Hyper-vigilance and anxiety at dog shows in a Dandie Dinmont Terrier.

So impressed with the help Diona gave me today. Although I’ve had many dogs over the years, Diona’s insights into where I was letting my dog Malcolm down and failing to help him feel safe around other dogs has profoundly helped me better communicate with and build bonds with all my dogs going forward. So looking forward to our next session and adding new skills to my tool kit! Thank you so much 🙏🙏🙏

Loose-leash walking in 4- and 10-year-old Labradoodles.

Diona was fabulous! Highly recommend. Our dogs are 4 and 10 years old and Diona showed me they were not too old to learn better ways! Thanks Diona

On-leash reactivity that developed during COVID in a Black Labrador, plus leash pulling.

Diona has been a great support to my family. After 7 years of being frustrated with our 2 energetic labradors, Diona has helped us better understand their needs. Sam is a new doggo on the lead and reactivity is improving. Lucy will soon be as well when she does her sessions! Diona regularly checks in and provides extra support between sessions to troubleshoot which is a great addition. I have highly recommended to my friends and family.

Teaching a Mini Dachshund to walk on a leash from scratch.

Diona is an amazing trainer with a wealth of knowledge. She explains each step you take when training your dog and will show you how to fix any issues. She guides you through the whole process to insure that after you finish training with her you have the skills to keep your dog at the training standard you desire. I now have the confidence to tackle my dogs unwanted behaviours to make a safe and enjoyable life for the both of us. Thank you Diona!

Jumping up and over-stimulation around other dogs in a friendly Hungarian Vizsla.

Working with Diona has truly transformed our relationship with our Hungarian Vizsla, Maggie. From our initial consultation it was evident that Diona was not only a professional but a genuine dog lover with an incredible knack for understanding canine behaviour and human needs! Beyond just improving our dogs behaviour on walks, we’ve learnt to communicate and build trust with our dog resulting in a more harmonious household. In particular we struggled with our dogs over-stimulation and Diona was able to provide a training program tailored to addressing this & the personalised strategy has been pivotal in our dog’s improvement. We can’t thank Diona enough! Highly recommend!

Loose-leash walking, recall, and reducing over-interest in other dogs in a Cavoodle.

We had 5 sessions with Diona that completely transformed they way I approach my dog and in result her behavior. My dog was pulling on the lead every time we went out, she would cry and demand play at the park and would bark at home at random noises. Diona thought us strategies and ways of approaching my dog, we are now using what we learned from her and have very pleasant walks every time we go out, my dog is no longer demanding in parks and is overall much calmer at home because her needs are being met!

Stopping leash pulling, jumping on people, and food begging in a strong Staffy.

Diona was amazing. I have a very strong Staffy who loves to pull when walking. We learned out to calm him down before walks then used a system to stop pulling. Training was very clear, concise and friendly.

Loose-leash walking and stopping jumping on people in an American Staffy mix.

Diona is so knowledgeable and experienced! She instantly recognized my dog’s challenges and gave us really helpful tips! She’s taught us how to better cater to his needs which we’re so grateful for.

Stopping pulling on the leash and jumping on visitors in a 12-month Dalmatian.

Before seeking Diona’s help, I wasn’t able to walk our 12 month old dog due to the pulling and bad walking habits, now I am able to go for lovely walks with our calm and good walking boy! She also helped with his indoor behaviour and all our friends and family have even commented on the difference with our dog when they visit. Thank you Diona for your patience, informative tips and being accessible at all times to help us along our journey! Really appreciate your help :)

Loose-leash walking and reactivity to other dogs, bikes and runners in a European Doberman.

Diona was the second dog trainer we reached out to following puppy school. My partner was sceptical of it being successful based on our previous experience. Reaching out to Diona was the best thing we did. My Doberman started pulling a lot on the lead and was reactive with other dogs, bikes, runners, little kids basically anything that would move quickly he wanted to chase. We had four sessions with Diona and it has completely changed the way we are with him and how he responds to us. We can now walk in a busy area without worrying about the over reactivity or being pulled down the street. My dog no longer even acknowledges runners or bike riders. The most important change for me was trusting my dog off the leash which I now do confidently. Four sessions has made such a big difference and we will continue to work on improving using the skills we have learnt.

Walking nicely, calmness in cafes, and indoor toileting in two Mini Dachshunds.

Diona is the best trainer we’ve ever worked with, not only that she was able to help us learn the basic understanding what a dog threshold was all about, she was able to teach us how to be a better dog parents. We came to her with a long list of problematic behaviours, lunging, excessive barking, over-excitement, aggression, lack of boundaries. Over the course of 4 sessions we were able to start with the fundamentals, and increasing the complexity of the training slowly but consistently. The training came with a lot of homework that’s worth it, if you dedicate yourself. Ultimately, Diona showed us that no dogs are bad by nature, and how much work we put into raising a balance dog is solely on us.

Loose-leash walking, jumping on people, and recall in a Cavoodle that wouldn't listen without treats.

Diona has changed our lives! She really knows her stuff and I knew this as soon as I got off the enquiry phone call with her. Prior to our training sessions with Diona, we had been to a number of obedience and one on one classes, without seeing much result. One of our main issues was leash pulling and it was important to us that we didn’t have to bring treats on every single walk to “bribe” our dog to listen to us. Diona progressively taught us her techniques in order for us to have a well behaved dog on walks. She also did the same to our other issues such as reactivity to other dogs and controlling behaviours. Her techniques are unique and also incredibly effective! The difference between Diona and other trainers is the constant support and advice she gives to you between sessions via a WhatsApp group. She analysed every video we sent (and believe me, we sent HEAPS!), and told us if we were doing it correctly or needed adjustments. The feedback given by Diona gave us the peace of mind that we were doing the exercises correctly. Diona, thank you for your hard work and efforts in helping us to raise a much better behaved and contented dog!

Reactivity to other dogs in a Labrador after multiple unsuccessful trainers.

Working with Diona has been an incredible experience. Been to many trainers prior and no one was able to help me more than Diona. She tailors the experience to the owners needs and wants with their dog and their dogs. Amazing trainer, couldn’t recommend her more.

Reducing fear and aggression toward other dogs on the leash in a Mini Schnauzer.

Diona trained me to recognise and respond to Alfie’s cues, and as a result we’ve been able to enjoy our walks sooo much more. His recall is also absolutely fantastic, I have absolute confidence that he’ll rocket back to me in any situation! Thanks Diona!

Pulling, jumping, and barking at other dogs in a strong 12-month Labradoodle.

Our nearly 12 month 25kg puppy Mav was getting strong and pulling on the lead, jumping and lunging at other dogs, people and birds while out walking and it was becoming a problem for our family and making our walks and outside family time not enjoyable. Thankfully a lady saw us walking him one afternoon (yes he was doing everything he shouldn't have been doing!) and asked if we were training our dog. We discussed that we had but weren't getting very far. She suggested we get in contact with Diona which has been the best advice since we got our puppy 9 months ago. After 5 amazing lessons with Diona, our lovely dog is now behaving (and so are we) and is much calmer and we now know so much more about him. He is now 1 and we can now take him for walks and even sit and watch our son play tennis with a happy dog. Thanks Diona for making us all happier and giving us the tools to keep up the training!

Separation anxiety, barking at people, bikes and other dogs, plus recall in a 4-year-old Mini Dachshund.

My 4yo mini Dachshund Monty was very reactive to other dogs, bikes and people. After a consultation w Diona, I wasn’t able to decide as I’ve had dog trainer in the past and didn’t see much improvement. However Diona kindly let me contact her previous clients W Dachshunds and got some great feedbacks made me go ahead with Diona. During our 4 sessions, she taught us how to read his body language, correct way to response to his behaviour and connect with my dog. After our sessions and lots of homework at home, my dog’s reactions are improving. Now he doesn’t bark much or none to his triggers, much less barking towards outside at home and stop barking quicker than before after I leave home to work. I highly recommend Diona if you want to be a better dog owner and have calmer dog! You and your family member need to commit, follow her method and work together! I feel less stress for me and my teen kid’s life with calmer dog 😊

Reactivity, barking at everything, and beginning separation anxiety training in a Mini Dachshund.

Diona, we can't thank you enough for helping us with Asterix. I honestly thought we were going to have a barky, reactive Dachshund that we'd never be able to take out in public let alone a walk side by side with another dog!! Your way of teaching is like no other - you have given us the tools and encouragement to understand our boys body language and advocate for him to help him be in control of his reactions. The reward of seeing Asterix 'do dog things' calmly in the presence of other dogs is unexplainable. The change we have seen in Asterix after 5 weeks with you is astonishing! We're all going to miss you!

Loose-leash walking, recall, and stopping barking and biting at children in a Mini Long Hair Dachshund.

I can't thank Diona enough for the incredible work she did with my Dachshund, Milo! We were unable to walk Milo without treats and having anxiety that he is going to lunge at every dog that walks past. Diona knew exactly how to approach the training and help us understand Milos body language/behaviour. I highly recommend Diona to anyone looking to build a deeper connection with their dog.

Calmness, lunging on walks, and reliable recall in a 6-month Border Collie puppy.

Diona has been such a great asset to our family. She has not only given us the confidence to train our 6 month old boarder collie pup, but an understanding of his needs and how we can help him be a well rounded, confident little guy that has become more and more obedient with lots of practise And in turn a safe and happy dog. We couldn’t recommend her enough.

Walking two Mini Dachshunds without lunging at other dogs on or off lead.

Life changing. Walks became so stressful and unenjoyable. Our dogs were aggressive and fearful and Diona really helped us understand their emotions and behaviour and work through their different challenges. The change was almost immediate. We feel so confident we are on the right path. Thank You!!!!!

Leash reactivity, recall, and calmness on car rides in an English Staffy.

We’ve worked with other trainers to help us with our staffy, but he was still reactive on his leash, always pulling, etc. By the end of the first session with Diona, we knew this would be different. By week 4, he is much more relaxed and rarely reactive on his leash. We feel well equipped to keep working on things and know that it will just keep getting better and better. We’re so grateful to have met Diona!

Walking past other dogs without barking and lunging in a reactive Dachshund.

Diona’s approach to training was so eye opening and we saw results after the first week. There’s so much information out there about reactivity it’s easy to get lost on the way and confuse yourself and your dog. Diona focuses on strengthening the bond with your dog, how to read them and understand what they need from you. It’s not treat based and your dog learns to make good decisions on their own. Within the 4 weeks our reactive Dachshund is so much more confident and relaxed outside, walks nicely on the lead, doesn’t stop at every tree, and his reactions to other dogs are getting fewer and fewer every week. I wish we had seen Diona so much sooner! Thank you!

Loose-leash walking, recall, and reducing barking in a young Golden Retriever.

We cannot begin to explain the difference Diona has made in our lives by training our pupper, more like training us humans. Every session, I have gone in with my problems/concerns and always come back with a solution. Diona's way of including corrections in a dog's behaviour are astonishing, and they work wonders just in a matter of few minutes. That said, consistency is key so it's important we as dog owners practice these lessons Diona teaches us. Remember there are no untrained dogs, only untrained humans :) Thanks Diona for these fantastic 4 weeks of training. We, for sure walked out of that training with our heads held high :)

Reactivity to dogs, bikes and people in two Mini Dachshunds, plus recall and settling at home.

After countless different trainers, YouTube training videos, and Google searches, we thought our dachshunds reactivity would keep getting worse. But after finding Diona, we have seen more change in the last month than we have over the last year. Diona taught us the fundamentals of what keeps dogs happy in every aspect. She understands individual dogs and their temperament, providing us with the tools on how to manage and socialise them to build their confidence and gain trust in us. She provides us with homework after every session that helps builds the relationship between the owner and the pet, and while it can be a lot of work, it is totally worth it! Couldn’t recommend anyone more!

Leash reactivity, lunging at people and dogs, and separation distress when one person left the house.

We recently completed our four-week program with Diona and couldn’t recommend her highly enough. We were struggling with our dog’s reactivity to point where walks and visitors to our house had become very stressful. Her insights into dog behaviour, clear communication, step-by-step instructions and support have been a game changer, resulting in a much calmer dog and giving us the tools and confidence to manage new challenges as they arise. We would highly recommend Diona.

Loose-leash walking, recall, and enrichment for a German Shorthair Pointer.

Banjo and I have completed 1 session with Diona so far and we are already seeing results! Walking could be quite painful and frustrating for the both of us but now with some more skills and knowledge up my sleeve Banjo is walking with me!! Diona is incredibly knowledgeable and patient. Cannot recommend enough.

Reactivity to joggers, bikes, and other dogs plus barking at the front door in a Mini Dachshund.

Diona has been a transformative presence in our lives as dog owners. Her expertise in training our two dachshunds has been nothing short of remarkable. Before working with her, our dogs struggled with reactivity to various triggers and noises, making walks and outings stressful. Diona's patient and effective techniques have not only reduced their reactivity but have also given us the tools to manage their behavior confidently. Thanks to her guidance, we now enjoy a much deeper bond with our dogs. They are happier, more relaxed, and our overall relationship with them has improved significantly. Diona's approach goes beyond basic obedience training; she truly understands the psychology of dogs and tailors her methods to each dog's individual needs. I would highly recommend Diona to anyone looking to improve their dog's behavior and enhance their relationship with their pets. Her passion for animals and dedication to her clients make her an exceptional dog trainer.

Integrating a new puppy into a household where the resident French Bulldog had bitten the puppy.

Diona The Trainer has helped me with two of my dogs at different times and both have had lasting impact. Diona gives you the knowledge to navigate life with your dog depending on what you want and how you want to live with your dog. Diona helped us integrate a puppy into our home with a 3 year old French Bulldog who had bitten the puppy. We now have two very fulfilled happy dogs. I highly recommend Diona and the way she can teach you to read your dog. I loved it so much I signed up to become a Trainer with Diona as my teacher and mentor. I have learnt so much and I can’t wait to help others understand there dog more.

Calmness around visitors and other dogs in a dog visiting Melbourne from Central Australia.

In December 2022 we travelled from Central Australia to Melbourne with our dog Loki. While in Melbourne we met up with Diona for some training tips to implement at home to help with walking and being calmer at home. Diona took the time to teach me how to help make sure I was giving my dog the optimal amount of exercise, brain work and rest. Walks have gone from high excitement and pulling to walking with calmness and even putting the lead in my pocket. Still work to be done on other aspects so will definitely be seeing her again next time we are down that way.

Crate training a rescue Staffy who reacted badly to confinement, plus biting.

Diona’s methods were completely different from anything we had done before so there’s a huge learning curve for the human but her methods worked when others weren’t. We saw quite fast improvements and after working with her for a little while I could see how each little thing we were doing was building toward the bigger picture of the confident and secure adult dog we would ultimately have. Diona is super supportive and the biggest help is the constant feedback on videos - it’s like having her in your home. Highly recommend,

Helping a Labrador overcome fear of other dogs and learn to give space when needed.

Thanks Diona!! I’m so much more comfortable walking my dogs outside now and not have to worry about triggers. My dogs are so much calmer and happier since training with you.

Stopping jumping on visitors and door dashing in a Shiba Inu.

I’m so grateful for all the help with our Yoshi! Our sessions have made such a noticeable difference in his confidence, and your guidance has been easy to follow and incredibly supportive. We’ve already had a few exposure outings, and I can see him improving each time. Thank you Diona for helping us build better habits and communicate more clearly with him. Highly recommend trainer!

Walking a Mini Dachshund without barking and lunging at people and other dogs.

I could not put into words how much I would recommend Diona, she is pretty much the dog whisperer! Before seeing Diona I could not walk my Miniature Dachshund- Florence without her barking at everything! After 5 weeks of help from Diona I am able to walk Florence down the street with a coffee in hand with no worries in the world (a literal dream of mine). Diona's logic and knowledge is outstanding, I was blown away on how much she wanted to see my dog succeed. Straight away I saw improvements in my dog after just one session. Already miss my sessions with Diona, I learnt so much about my dog and the reasons why behind everything.