Dog Training | Client Testimonials | Dee Ganley Dog Trainer

The weekend seminar at Stockton set me to thinking a great deal more about the importance of self control for dogs and pups and this post just added more food for thought.

And now I realise I have a bone to pick with you, Dee……………………….

I’ve run training classes for nearly 18 years now, and my goal has always been to help owners to understand their dog and to learn how to use kind, positive training methods to achieve their goal of a happy, responsive, well-controlled family pet.

I’ve always tried to evaluate and improve my classes based on my practical experience, reading, talking to others and attending seminars etc. but I’ve been increasingly dissatisfied with what I was offering those owners with ‘bouncy’, ‘boisterous’, ‘over-active’, ‘hyper’, ‘wired’, ‘distracted’, ‘wilful’, ‘difficult’, ‘mouthy’, ‘lead-chewing’, ‘attention-demanding’, ‘trouser-grabbing’, difficult-to-settle’, ‘adolescent’ (add any other expression you like for ‘no self control’) dogs. The dogs that, let’s face it, are 80% of most training classes to a greater or lesser degree!

Despite this dissatisfaction, I’d become a bit lazy and complacent and thought I was doing OK, thank you very much (grin!) and hadn’t really changed the content of my classes very much at all, just tweaked the way that content was presented.

Enter Dee Ganley……………………….

I now realise that trying to teach a great many dogs basic obedience skills without first spending a good deal of time teaching them how to chill out, calm down and control themselves in the face of a range of stimuli, is like trying to ice and eat a cake that’s not cooked, or asking a first year med student to do heart surgery – messy, not easily digested and sometimes downright dangerous!

So now after all that, here’s why I have a bone to pick, Dee.

After 18 years, at the age of 53, and just when I thought I could finally relax a bit, you’ve shaken me out of my complacency and I now find myself in the process of completely overhauling my curriculum for classes, concentrating on exercises designed to teach self control first and foremost, with this then as the foundation for the ‘obedience’ elements that I need to teach.

In other words, you’ve been responsible for producing a great deal of work for me! :))

I forgive you. <very big grin!>

Regards,
Jan

Jan Westby
Bradford. W. Yorks. UK

It was the second time for me attending your workshop weekend and I really enjoyed it again. I really like your thoughtful approach & attitude with people particularly – very considerate, compassionate, respectful & without blame. Your willingness to share your knowledge & your experience with dogs is much appreciated. Many people say how amazed they are at how giving & generous you are of your time too!

I adore learning & really value the fact that there are people out there like yourself who are prepared to put the work in to present information so we can further our learning. Thank you for coming over to England – I really hope you can come again.

Bye for now, Yolande (who had the wonderful 3 terriers, a Leonberger & rabbit experience!!! ….. and still smiling & delighted about it!!)

Dee Ganley's Changing Fear to Joy seminar held at my facility [Lutz, FL] was a huge success. All of my staff that attended were very pleased with what they learned and immediately began integrating Dee's ideas and concepts. The relaxed down game is hugely significant for any dog whom has issues to become mentally healthy. Dee was a kind and fun person to be with at all times, so if you host seminars, book her now before more people start to find out how great she is. The seminar included a 98 page booklet for each attendee which many commented on made it easy to listen and focus on what Dee was explaining rather than furiously taking notes. Dee's power point presentations were excellent and helped participants learn how to read dogs and what specific dog body signals mean.

I have never held a seminar and had as many people/groups immediately begin booking the presenter. The moment the seminar ended, three groups and I were in discussions about bringing Dee back. We are saving our money to clone Dee so we can have our own in Florida.

Have attached a couple of photos.There is one of Douglas and I and another Douglas showing his better side with my golden cocker Oliver.

Where was I before the seminar? I was someone who had adopted unknowingly a dog who had not been socialised to towns and city life, who made the most frightening noise which sounded like a drowning seal. (it was awful and a cry that I hope I will never hear again) when coming into close quarters with other dogs. I had done basic obedience work in the days of jerk and praise but with my failure to be able to enlist the help of a local behaviourist to help Douglas just over a year ago I Decided that the problem would not resolve itself and I resolved myself to get the knowledge and techniques that could either help him overcome or at least for us to be able to live with his fears. I'm so glad that I never contacted the behaviourist as working with Douglas has turned into one of the greatest passions of my life.

It has been a steep learning curve and I still have lots to learn from people like yourself and the people on our group. The seminar put a lot of things that I had read about into practice and the wisdom of everyone in the room was very beneficial for me. Just to have people watch you and let you know what you could do to make something better was a great help.It was also fantastic to watch others and the way you dealt with each dog and owner.

I have just passed with Straight A grades the "Think Dog" Course which was written By the late John Fisher and I have enrolled to do Paulines foundation degree in canine behaviour and training starting in September. Shirley is also talking about me helping out at some classes she is organising which I am very exited about. I have never trained anyone else with a dog before but at work I do train people which hopefully will stand me in good stead.

As for the future who knows, I feel I would need a lot more experience before I could consider myself worthy of a job with dogs, experience with different dogs especially. I think I read my own dogs well but other breeds that I have no experience of would take more time. Learning about dogs has become a passion in the last twelve months and a career as either a trainer and/or behaviourist is where I would like to go. A lot of the time I prefer the company of my dogs to humans so it would make sense If I could spend more time with them.

Hope this explains where we have come from, where we are at now and where we want to go. Hope to see you in December and do say hi to Shirley.

Last week look what we did together went to the Wag and Bone show over the weekend with no intention of competing in anything, but was drawn to the trick and treat ring none the less.

Douglas who behaved impeccably ended up winning the trick of the day class by putting himself to bed in his blanket and impressing everyone with his head turning abilities( thanks Shirley he does it both left and right now). Of course Douglas took all the attention in his stride even when asked to do a Live trick demo for sky news with Gwen Bailey and myself. for those that saw me at the seminar I'm not good when I'm nervous and boy was I, but Doug pulled it off on live TV. What a star, I was so proud of him. Hard to believe he would not be around other dogs just a year ago, as there were lots of them of every shape and size up close and personal all day. He even showed an interest in having a sniff of other dogs something I have never seen him do before.

Look out for him on TV in the future as we were approached by some researcher for a programme on animal planet who wanted Doug to appear on one of their shows for talented animals (are there any agents out there?). This Dodgy dog did real good this weekend and as you can probably tell by this post I am completely over the moon about what went on. I took a risk I know taking him and wondered whether I should leave him in the car, I'm just so glad I didn't.

Quote from Mark who attended my May Seminar in UK. Mark Says in response to person whom he had just shared and shown the skills to:

"As I said this morning don't thank me thank Dee, she demonstrated this technique that has become an integral part of my training with Douglas and Oliver at the seminar in May.

Self control exercises have transformed the control I had previously and taken it to a new level. Its not rocket science and you don't have to be an expert to make it work it is just giving your dog the opportunity to make the right choices in certain situations. This technique however does require patience. I can now go to a busy shop (even pets at home) put the boys in a relaxed down and get on with making a purchase with no fuss, barking or whining and that for me was a miracle.

Teaching good manners to my dogs is now something I pay as much attention to as tricks, heelwork, agility etc and it has made a hell of a difference in the behaviour that the boys now display. People now comment on how well behaved my dogs are and sometimes until you look at others and their dogs you don't realize that they have a point. Has anyone else in the group benefited from the self control exercises demonstrated by Dee? I for one don't know how I lived without them."

I will be totally honest and admit I was dubious about going, when one of the Trainers at the Hearing Dogs for Deaf People Centre, which I manage, brought in a poster advertising this seminar. Like many of you, no doubt, I had attended courses where I have been left feeling frustrated at the end of them.

I could not have been more wrong about this one though! Dee’s down to earth, practical yet ‘tried and tested’ approach was a breath of fresh air. Perhaps what impressed me most was her totally non-judgemental advice and her wealth of experience.

Several of the Hearing Dogs for Deaf People staff attended and I am aware that they have quickly started to use some of the targeting exercises demonstrated. The Centre’s Kennel Welfare Manager is also following Dee’s advice regarding dogs who find the kennel environment more stressful.

I would most certainly attend any further Seminars run by Dee and look forward to her return to Britain.

First of all a very big THANK YOU, the whole weekend was fansastic and I can well understand how you feel in that you can't get enough of Dee.

The event was excellent from the Hall to DEE, from the Food to DEE from the organisation to DEE in other words great.

Shirley Organized this seminar [Changing Fear to Joy, May 7-8, 2005] for she and I had been emailing back and forth since we met at Kay Laurence’s workshop back in 2004. Her dog Sky had severely issues one being spinning when outside around any traffic. They are now able to walk around her neighborhood and working on heavier traffic and Sky pace not ours.

This was Shirley’s her first at putting together a seminar and she did a fantastic job!! BIG CLICKS to you Shirley!

The evaluations were all similar with over 60 in attendance. We had 6 working spots. My Thanks to those handlers and their 4 footed friends it’s not easy being up in front of 60 people I hope you all are doing OK and continued success.

Email Shirley has received and still receiving today (a week later) are below. ;-) Hope to be back in 2006.

Ps look for me coming over to Kay’s in December 2005 for a week long workshop!

Firstly, I would just like to express how much I thoroughly enjoyed the whole weekend seminar. What a fantastic speaker/entertainer Dee Ganley is, with huge amounts of experience and knowledge to pass on.... fantastic!

I was impressed with the idea of being able to use the calming hood on dogs who are over stimulated when traveling.

Many thanks for your time. And thank you for initiating and organizing such an enjoyable weekend.

I look forward to hearing from you about future seminars with Dee and maybe others.

I just thought I would drop you a line to say thank you for organizing what was for me a very enlightening and valuable couple of days.

Please keep in touch with any information that you think might benefit Douglas and Myself and please contact me If I can help with anything in the future.

I will mail Dee to thank her personally but if she is still with you please pass on my gratitude for an excellent weekend.

Just finished looking at your web site-what a great job you have done!!! Love the pics, stories and the encouraging way you suggest that dogs are happier if they develop self-control. That actually goes for people too.

Thank you for the information on in-shelter training. My staff really enjoyed the seminar and everyone is clicker happy. Already we have noticed a significant difference in our kennel, with dogs sitting happily at the gates instead of barking and jumping!

Thank you for your Borderline 2 presentation. Again, a lot was gained and I am very appreciative. I looking forward to seeing more of your name and returning to you website frequently

I just got back from an amazing day at Dee Ganley's seminar [Seminar for Shelter dogs, staff and
volunteers]. Our two hour drive home flew by (and we missed our exit!) because we had so much to talk about! I can't say enough. Naturally my brain is quite fried at the moment, but it was exciting, inspiring, informative and *very* empowering! Highly Highly Recommended! Thank You Dee!

Debra Theriault
Jacksonville, vermont

I am thrilled that Dee Ganley will be over here for a week – primarily to judge the National Clicker Challenge and present a seminar for "obnoxious" dogs during the Teaching People Teaching Dogs week.
Dee has25 years of experience of the sharp end of the lead and relishes dogs that are a challenge. She has lived will several of these characters and has devised some truly "clicker" techniques for teaching these dogs, not just stopping the unwanted behaviors, but giving the dogs the skills so that polite behavior comes easily. This workshop will focus on teaching your clients and students how to employ these tactics and ease the
relationship with their dogs.

Hi Dee! Two months have passed since you came to Maine and spent some time with our newly-acquired German Shepherd puppy Abigail. She is now 5 months old, and I am happy to report that she has turned into a beautiful and well-mannered pet. Everyone, even including other dogs, love her. We have found your training manual most helpful. All the best-----------------Brian Phillips

“Dee is a skilled listener and a thoughtful person who takes in all that is around her but does not force her views. She has clear opinions and is secure about them but also open minded and appropriate about sharing with others….. I feel her assets include: a strong and varied background in all phases of dog care, ownership, behavior and training; established connections and acceptance as a leader in the sheltering and dog communities; …. her thirst for new knowledge and willingness to evolve professionally; her calm and clear leadership skills; and emotional stability. “ Dana Crevling, Instructors Training Course, Dogs Of Course

“Dee Ganley is an inspiration. During the week I was there, I got to observe Dee’s teaching, which was professional, organized, compassionate, creative, and fun.” Donna Duford, Director, The PET Project, San Francisco Animal Care and Control

...... Because she has worked so long and so effectively with clients, students, shelter workers, board members, and the animals in their care, the information she shares keeps others with less experience on a productive path. I am certainly better at my job thanks to her. I’ve lost count of the times I’ve read her suggestions and thought, “What a great idea; I never would have thought of that!”

Dee has consistently shown that she handles differences of opinion with discretion, professionalism and clarity. Particularly given the controversies that arise in the world of animal sheltering, I admire how she plows ahead and does what she can despite disagreeing with the philosophy or choices made by another colleague. She seems to just work harder on her own approach and model the things she has found effective. Always the professional, she does not disparage those she does not agree with, but rather highlights what has worked for her students and dogs. On one occasion I saw her do this when an entire seminar was at stake.......

Marilyn Olsen Neville writes;
I would like to forward this email message from a respected dog trainer contact of mine, Dee Ganley. 2 1/2 years ago I contacted several professional well known dog trainers about reactive behavior in dogs and Dee is the only one who offered assistance and detailed knowledge. Reactive behavior can be very difficult to change because, as I learned, conventional ideas about training/reconditioning these dogs did not work well or at all. After discussing with Dee about what I found to work for the less serious reactive behaviors and what Dee knew WOULD work, I learned that indeed, much of the training needed to be successful for these special dogs was opposite of conventional thinking.

An average of 4 out of ten of my student's dogs displayed "reactive behaviors". Reactive is defined in several ways in the behavioral information that I have in my books and other literature. I define the "average" dog with reactive behaviors as one that may lunge and bark aggressive-like-in-nature, but who does not really want to fight or attack what it is barking at. The dog reacts this way to intimidate the person or dog that it thinks is confronting it because it is worried or afraid of the person, other dog, or thing. These dogs react differently than the typical quiet, timid, or shy fearful dog would do. These dogs become reactive towards confident dogs (dominate or bully dogs especially) or towards bad tempered dogs (other dogs that may not be loud about fears but bite due to fear phobic nature). Better said, the dogs that are anticipating biting some one or some thing, not just cowering away. Sebastian, a reactive dog from my classes, tells me which dogs will be problem dogs with true aggressive tendencies before I have had a chance to observe the dogs or puppies.

The majority of the reactive dogs did leave my classes with a great deal of improvement, but 4 students who continued classes, did not improve to the degree that was hoped for. Not until I learned a better way to start and finish these dogs, thanks to Dee Ganley. Of the 4 students, two continued working their dogs, one continued for up to a year. He realized the greatest behavioral changes in his dog, to the point that most observers would never know his dog had once been a "troubled" dog.

My student's name is John and his dog's name is Sebastian.

They can really thank Dee Ganley for her insight and advice.

So, please share this information about Dee with your other dog shelter and rescue friends. I hope that someone will see the value of having her speak at a training seminar in our area in the future. Read the email message below in regards to her services being available for training seminars.

To learn more about Dee Ganley go to her website: http://www.deesdogs.com

I like her logic so much that I will be asking her to allow ACE to link to her training tips pages.

Marilyn Olson Neville
ACE of Animal Behavior