FirstBark
After much internet sleuthing for a dog trainer who would provide lasting results, I kept circling back to Dion’s website. Multiple peers recommended board-and-train programs, but I ultimately preferred to be involved in my dog’s training. This strengthened our relationship and h…Read full reviewClose full review
After much internet sleuthing for a dog trainer who would provide lasting results, I kept circling back to Dion’s website. Multiple peers recommended board-and-train programs, but I ultimately preferred to be involved in my dog’s training. This strengthened our relationship and has made maintaining what we both learned during our sessions straightforward. Although Dion specializes in reactive and “problematic” dogs, his training methods are equally applicable to dogs who struggle with the basics. My dog, Reicher, fell into the latter category. When we first started, he had absolutely no leash manners or recall. I dreaded walks with him, because he would incessantly drag me along. Pre-training, Reicher was also quite fond of darting out of the house and refusing to come back. This caused many stressful situations for both me and others. I avoided taking him with me out of fear that he would run away and be hit by a car before I could get him back. Fast forward about a year since we completed our sessions, and I have a completely different dog. Reicher gets compliments on his manners both on and off-leash. Using the e-collar has made it possible to supplement his reliable recall with off-leash adventures when appropriate. One of my fears about training was whether it would impact his friendly and goofy personality. Instead, it has allowed both of us to have clear communication regarding expectations, and he now has much more freedom. As a trainer, Dion is clear about the outcomes to expect from his program and empowers you and your dog with personalized advice to achieve success. He stands by his lifetime guarantee and responds promptly to any issues or questions that arise, both during and after training. I included some photos from numerous adventures we've been able to enjoy together since completing training.