YOU can take the wolf out of the pack, but you cannot take the pack out of the wolf.

Training instructor Miss Aileen Clarke, who runs Fellandale Dog Training, says the same phrase holds true for dogs. She has five of her own at her home at Romaldkirk in Teesdale, but says taking a dog into the home does not just mean the owner becomes a pack leader, but that the dog remains in a puppy role all its life.

With this in mind, Miss Clarke has been looking for a different approach to dog training and has come across a method which she says is kind, gentle and extremely effective.

"Gone are the days when an instructor had the class marching in circles round the church hall, jerking dogs into the heel position or commanding them to sit, down and stay," she said.

She thinks she has found the necessary approach by following the teachings of Norwegian Turid Rugaas, who often gives talks in the UK. Miss Clarke attended one of her talks in April and was very impressed with what she had to say.

Her idea of using calming signals, of which there are at least 29, has come from years of studying wolves in the wild and watching how they use these signals to communicate and co-operate with each other to avoid confrontation.

Miss Clarke calls it a natural way of training, but so much more effective than the usual master "You will do what I say" approach.

For most owners, their relationship with their pet has been a one-way communication; they demand and the dog responds. But in her new Living with Dogs course, Miss Clarke uses this calming method, which works in the same way as the more famous horse whisperers.

She says that most problems with dogs arise because, through ignorance, owners have ignored or misinterpreted the signals.

"A good example is when a dog sniffs the ground and slows down," she said. "This is intended to show that he is actively being non-aggressive."

But she adds that many owners then shout at their dog to make him hurry along, which makes him sniff the ground even more to calm the owner down. Rather than marching up to the animal and shouting, Miss Clarke advises turning around and walking slowly away, calling the dog in a quiet voice.

"He will follow you because you are his whole world," she said. "When he gets close, don't bend over him or stare him out. Stand sideways on, giving praise and offering a treat so that he associates returning to you with nice things.

"These calming signals are literally a dog's life insurance policy," she added. "Because if they don't work, the dog has to resort to aggression."

Miss Clarke says that all dogs are born with calming signals but can lose them if they are punished for using them.

"These are the dogs that are dangerous, because all they have left is aggression," she added. "But the wonderful thing is, if we are patient, our dogs can learn to use these signals again."

She says many problems arise when a dog feels the owner is not in charge, with most dogs becoming stressed when they feel they have to take on the role of pack leader. When that happens, it can result in many types of problem behaviour such as chewing, house training problems or constant barking.

Traditional training methods concentrate on trying to cure the symptoms rather than the cause, but if the cause was established and the problems cured, the symptoms would disappear.

Her course aims to get owners to understand their dogs so that they can get them out of stressful situations.

"There is no need to have any dog put down," said Miss Clarke, who watched in amazement as she attended a rehabilitation course of aggressive dogs, which used the calming methods.

"I saw a German shepherd change from a very dangerous, terrified animal, who would let no-one near him, to one who would approach people and other dogs quite happily. This method of training can really make a difference, no matter how traumatised a dog is. You have to be working at it the whole time, not just when attending the course, but it is well worth it."

She stresses that her method is not a quick fix, although dogs should start to show a difference within a couple of weeks, but needs total commitment that might take weeks or months before changes are seen.

"But if it is done correctly it will be a permanent fix, resulting in a happy, contented stress-free dog that is a pleasure to own," she said.

Miss Clarke says dogs learn by association and will react to it.

"It's that simple and easy in the long run," she added.

Her next course begins on Tuesday. It lasts for six weeks and will incorporate the use of calming signals as well as basic obedience exercises, recognising stress in your dog, general health and first aid for dogs. She shows how to have fun activities with your dog including agility, dancing and even getting it to help with housework. She knows of one pet that can load and unload the washing machine! She also takes individual sessions for those who feel their dogs need more help.

Anyone who wants to book a place or who would like more information is asked to contact her on 01833 650460.