YOON S. BYUN / Monitor staff Dee Ganley keeps an eye on a class at the Andover Elementary Middle School in which all the dogs are not yet 1 year old.

Ganely prefers a softer approach, but her ability to soothe and train dogs is no less remarkable than her television counterpart's.

"I chose not to follow that path," Ganley said. "I didn't like being that alpha person. It just wasn't comfortable for me."

Although she was criticized for it, Ganley followed her instincts and began using reward-based training 20 years ago. She never looked back. Today, Ganley runs a successful training business out of her Andover home that brings dogs and their owners together through positive reinforcement that teaches the animals to make good choices on their own.

"I like to talk about dancing with the dog," she said. "At the beginning, I'm leading. But as time goes on, we're together, and oftentimes the dog is leading.

The dog wouldn't listen to his owners. But he listened to Ganley, who was able to help him relax, sit on his mat and wait for her instructions.

"If you get frustrated and angry, the dog just gets worse," she said.

Ganley, a certified animal behavior consultant, was trained in the ways of "jerk and pull" punishment training, long considered a standard in the dog training industry. When she switched to reinforcement training, which uses food to reward dogs when they do something right, she was considered a rebel for bucking the "dominance" trend and ignoring the advice of her mentors.

She began to research the science of operative conditioning, which uses reward-based training rather than punishment to correct the dog.

"It turned my stomach when I had to do something like that, because these dogs were my friends," Ganley said. "So I threw away all my choke collars and all those different things, and I just used food."

On Sunday, bags of dog treats lined the stage at the Andover Elementary Middle School, where Ganley runs hour-long group classes every weekend. She also runs classes in Laconia and Lebanon. Classes cost $100 for four weeks, with an extra class usually thrown in for free. Ganley holds classes for small dogs, big dogs and puppies. Some are there to learn behavior basics, like sitting, ignoring trash or food and walking with their owners.

Others have more serious issues, including aggressive behavior.

Ganley holds private consultations in her home and at the homes of her clients. Sometimes, she can break a bad habit within an hour, but usually a consultation will require several follow-up visits.

She offers one package that includes a one-hour private consultation, one follow-up visit, a phone call and e-mail consultation for $150. A $250 package includes one initial consultation, three follow-up visits and a written evaluation and plan for the dog owners.

Ganley also offers e-mail and phone consultations - $60 for one hour, and $45 for a half hour. The business, which became a full-time operation in 2001, brings in about $35,000 a year.

The rates are based on her reputation and qualifications, which include more than 30 years showing and training dogs. Ganley has worked as the Training and Behavior Manager for the Upper Valley Humane Society in Enfield, and also consults with police and service dog handlers. She also owned a grooming business, Dee's Grooming, in Concord for more than 15 years.

Ganley has spoken at seminars throughout the United States and Europe. She will travel to Rome and the United Kingdom for workshops in April. Last March, she published a book, Changing People, Changing Dogs.

"Many of us feel that she's a genius," said Mary Taylor, whose Jack Russell terrier attended Sunday's small dog class. Taylor, the program coordinator for the Monadnock Humane Society, who is trying to become a certified trainer, was also taking tips from Ganley last weekend.

"Here she is, she has a room full of dogs, and she can adapt," Taylor said.

Sue Cluff, who drove two hours from Massachusetts to attend Ganley's class, said other dog obedience programs she has been to have included too many negative commands for the dogs.

In the gymnasium, Ganley's high-pitched voice echoed, as she reiterated, "Good girl! Good girl!" A rambunctious Corgi named Delia had finally returned to her owner when called.

"Alice, as soon as she comes, you've got to reinforce her," Ganley told Delia's owner. "You've got to be her cheerleader."

Although some of the owners were getting the hang of the exercises, it always seemed to work a little faster with Ganley helping. But the trainer assured her clients, it will work for them eventually.

"It's fun to watch people come along and their dogs come along," she said. "And a year or two later, you hear back from them and how much different their lives are together. And hopefully, their journey is on the right track."

For more information on Dee Ganley's dog training services, log on to deesdogs.com

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By KATE DAVIDSON
Concord Monitor staff