ABOUT
Certified dog trainer and behavior consultant, Diana Sillaots, CCDT
I work with dogs and their people to make city life less stressful and more manageable. My style is straightforward: positive reinforcement, practical tools, and a sense of humor when things get messy (because they usually do — especially when someone’s shoes get chewed in the process).
I believe training should be about partnership, not pressure. I promote the dog’s choice to do the right thing, because real progress comes when the dog wants to engage, not when they’re forced. Play is a big part of the process — games help build focus, confidence, and calm, especially in an unpredictable city environment (and let’s be honest, a pigeon flapping out of nowhere is unpredictable no matter how many times it happens).
Through my work in New York, I’ve seen how often dogs struggle with anxiety or over-arousal in daily life. A big part of what I do is help dogs find predictability and safety in a world that feels overwhelming. I use relaxation exercises and structured pattern games to give anxious dogs a sense of control, helping them feel calmer and more confident in their choices. (It’s a bit like giving them a roadmap in a city where the traffic lights are always broken.)
I offer private, in-home training sessions, because dogs learn best in the places where they live and feel most comfortable. This allows me to address behaviors in real-life contexts — inside the home, on the sidewalk, or wherever challenges show up. (Because a leash lunge at a squirrel on your block looks a little different than a polite sit in the living room.)
As a LIMA trainer (Least Intrusive, Minimally Aversive), I don’t rely on punishment. Instead, I use science-based, humane methods that support long-term behavioral wellness. The result is a stronger bond between you and your dog, and a companion who feels more at ease in the world (and maybe even less certain that skateboards are an alien invasion).
Helping Dogs Keep Their Cool,
One Siren at a Time.
TESTIMONIALS:
"It has been a pleasure working with Diana for our rescue pitbull, Amy. Diana has been patient, kind, and loving to Amy, and helped her navigate the world in a way that’s less stressful for both us and her.
Diana started by setting goals with us — less jumping, better impulse control, and lower leash reactivity. We had sessions inside and outside our home to see what worked best in different environments.
We’ve seen significant strides in Amy’s name recall, loose leash walking, her reactivity on leash, her ability to recover after a trigger, and her ability to settle down even in the chaos of New York City.
Diana has only ever used positive reinforcement, which was non-negotiable for us. Every time we take Amy on a walk, we can visibly see the difference — and feel it too (in the strain she doesn’t put on our arms anymore, lol).
We cannot recommend Diana enough!”
— Amy’s family
“Lilo struggled with anxiety — she pulled so much on walks I wanted to cry, never sat or lay down outdoors, and would get so overexcited meeting dogs in the park that she scared them. Diana was such a huge help in bringing down Lilo’s anxiety, starting inside our apartment (neighbors and pigeons at the window!) and helping us create structure and patterns that soothed her. Now this sweet girl makes friends with dogs and people in the park every day — something I once thought was impossible. Our neighbors constantly remark on how well she’s doing.
I had very little experience with reactive or anxious dogs, and Diana gave us tools, tips, and ideas that made ALL the difference. Lilo now walks with a loose leash (after a harness tip that saved my arms!) and she truly feels like a big city girl. We were incredibly blessed to have Diana’s help.”
– Lilo & Rocky, Brooklyn
"Diana was incredibly helpful when I first brought home my deaf, anxious rescue, Kris. She met me at my apartment and was there the second he arrived in Brooklyn. He had never been in a home before, and didn’t know how to go up or down the stairs in my building. Within a few days, Diana had my guy confidently scaling every set of stairs in the neighborhood! She also helped me build our foundation for recall, and helped Kris ease into his new home gently. I have no doubt she is an even better trainer now than when I met her last year. I cannot recommend her enough!"
- Kris & Carly, Brooklyn
Feel free to use the form below to schedule our initial Phone Consultation,
I’d love to hear about Your Dog
(The Good, the Bad, and why the Squirrels started it).