Welcome to Dog Training DisrUPted.  Do you get overwhelmed by the amount of conflicting suggestions and advise?  You are not alone!  Surprisingly, many of those approaches may be effective, and many ineffective - why?  Many methods assess behaviors and then implement solutions to address the behavior. CCBT analyzes the situation, determining the reason for the dog's behaivor, based on the goal and thought processes.  This episode explores one situation (a dog growling) in four different...

Dog anxiety often leads to behaviors that results in frustration for pet parents, leading to surrender or euthanasia. There are a plethora of approaches to address it, so how do you choose the best one for you and your dog?   Anxiety is an emotion, not a behavior.  It is essential to apply a method that acknowledges emotions, taking an approach whereby we do not suppress the emotion, but rather, provides skills to regulate, process, and replace "harmful" emotions with positive ones.  In...

I recently took two puppies in off a reserve and here is what I learned!   By understating puppy training and braining , we can better understand how different methods are effective at different stages. Meet Jonesy and Jackson, 3 month old puppies who are very different from each other. How are methods adapted? Why is it important to view training as bonding and harnessing cognitive skills, as opposed to "tick the boxes".   Referencing specific examples with these pups,  this episode...

In this episode, I read my scientific paper from my PhD course (Cognition, Emotion to Improve Animal Welfare - Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences). No scientific knowledge or prep required. I discuss canine enrichment, street dogs, adolescent dogs, and the guardian-canine bond to bring to light the benefits of human-based approaches, such as Flow, Cognitive Enrichment, and CBT meet the needs of pet parents and dogs.  ABSTRACT - "The aim of this paper is to highlight the connection...

Dog behaviors associated with aggression and anxiety are caused by many factors, of which cognitive dissonance is rarely discussed, yet has a profound impact, in particular with adolescent and adult dogs, while, perhaps surprisingly, upbringing is not a differentiating factor. This episode covers what it is, common signs/behaviors including examples, what NOT to do - and most importantly, why, and why CCBT is so effective in addressing behaviors stemming from cognitive dissonance. As...

David Roberts, Licensed Master Social Worker, is an expert in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, and has extensive personal experience, claiming "it played a major role in saving my life after my daughter died at the age of 18."  Dave and I dive deep into what CBT is and use comparative examples in human and dog behavior and rehabilitation. We discuss the role of mindset, perception, habits, and cognitive appraisal in making decisions. We discuss the difference between CBT and Counter...

Fostering adolescent and adult dogs can be challenging. In this episode, I break down the goals and introduce the 7 step fostering program I have applied with hundreds of dogs and taught to dozens of fosters. Programs for pet parents are different than those of fostering - Why? Because the goal is different!  Fostering is not about BEING the best home or addressing behavioral issues that are specific to the foster home, but rather, taking the steps to ensure a successful adoption into the...

Welcome to Dog Training DisrUPted by UPWARD Dogology! Canine Enrichment is all the rage, especially in shelters and amongst behavioral experts. Yes, another trendy term that seems positive, but is it?   Well, like most things, when used to divert from the real issue, or "sell" products and services by promoting them as something they are not, this can lead to frustration with tragic results. Once again, I present a candid, educational view to help you make the right decisions for you and...

Welcome to the final episode of 2022 - a not-so-typical year in review. It is time!  You deserve to know why the dog behavioral experts are keeping the info from you. Why is the shelter system unaware of Canine CBT - or are they? Are behavioral veterinarians any more educated than your average trainer? Why are trainers scared to admit that methods are not meeting the needs of all the clients? This episode is, essentially, a year in review – with a twist. Have you wondered why the so-called...

Cristina is a Veterinary Surgeon. Author. RCVS Advanced Practitioner in Small Animal Dermatology.  She shares with us her vast knowledge on senior dogs in respect to health issues, changes, and what to expect. This fun, casual conversation ventures into chatting about adopting mature dogs, and, well, just how great they are! I follow our chat by introducing the topic I spoke on at the Animal Behavior Society Conference 2022. You may have heard me say, multiple times, "There is no one right...

Hello and thanks for joining me! I am guessing most of you are not proponents of methods that take a "dominance" approach. What does this really entail? And how is it different from Alpha and Pack Leader? There are common exercises in dominance training that may not seem as though they would have a negative effect, and, in fact, are part of mainstream dog training.  Is going through a door first harmful or simply counterproductive? Can this routine lead to dominance, and will that achieve...

Welcome! This episode is for those who have a dog,  and are bringing a little human into the family. I provide simple suggestions of things to do BEFORE the arrival of the baby that will make your busy life easier. These exercises can be adapted to suit your lifestyle and the personality of your dog. As always, please share, and feel free to provide questions and feedback. Recordings of my presentations at the Animal Behavior Society Conference 2022 will be posted on my LI (Billie...

Welcome!  In this episode I refer to the studies by Dr. Kathy Murphy, owner of Barking Brains, and a neuroscientist who specializes in brain development in respect to behaviors and the success (or lack there of) of training methods in different life stages.  This episode focuses on the adolescent stage, describing brain development and how it effects behaviors. There are a lot of comparisons to teenagers! The adolescent stage is where I have devoted my three decades of study and work to,...

Welcome to Dog Training DisrUPted, by UPWARD Dogology This episode features animal lover, professional swimmer, writer, speaker, and creator of peace, Lynne Cox. Lynne's new book, Tales of Al, The Water Rescue Dog, is a heartwarming story about a dog expected to be an "easy train" by the elite Italian Water Rescue Dog Team. Lynne recounts her visit to Italy, meeting all the dogs, and sharing the story of Al, (well, not the end of the story!) Lynne is an American long-distance open-water...

Leash walks can be frustrating when dogs are pulling, putting on the brakes, or  lolly-gagging.  Should you be expected to continuously turn around, or simply allow your dog to sniff everything? Should you be expected to have decompression walks that are really only decompressing for your dog? In this ep I talk about common recommendations, from continuously turning around, standing still, to allowing your dog to sniff and decide the direction (is this a technique?).  I talk about different...

Does your dog run to the door when you pick up your car keys? Or run to the door with the sound of your partner's car pulling? Or jump off the couch when you click off the tv? These are triggers that create habits - good habits!  But what about habits our dogs have that are not what we perceive as "good" or "wanted".  These habits lead to unwanted behavior, but mainstream dog training addresses these as "good vs bad behavior", using conditioning methods to change them, which can often...

Welcome! Adopting a dog over the age of six months is rewarding and fun. When initially integrating dogs into a family, we can expect some challenges. As with humans, change in eating habits is a common reaction to stress caused by change in environment or physical ailments.  When physically healthy dogs who are adapting well to their new environment refuse to eat, it can be scary and a bit of a mystery for many adopters. Fortunately, their are quick solutions grounded in logic, creativity,...

Welcome! We all want the same for our dogs - to give them their best lives! But what happens if they are simply too scared, reactive, or incapable of enjoying activities with us?    This year has seen a big focus on canine anxiety, and some of the info out there can cause anxiety! So let's unpack what your options are, and how to determine if it is the right one for your dog, Is distraction and avoidance a good idea?  How do we know if we are pushing our pups too far too fast?  You may be...

Welcome to  the final episode of 2021!  This episode was a challenge. So much happened in 2021 in relation to spreading awareness of Canine Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, making connections, collaborating, and learning about the industry. I decided to share, in brief,  the pitfalls of the industry, which, for those who listen other episodes, know all too well.  Through the closed doors I received from influential orgs, I learned a lot about the underlying mechanics of the dog world, which,...

Welcome!   You are going to love this chat with Michael! Michael Overlie is a Canine-Partnered Coach, Energy Healer, and Author. Michael provides men with the tools to be not only a great dog-dad, but also the best human they can be,  by changing their perceived need to be the tough guy, or use their dog as a status symbol.  Amazingly, Michael accomplishes this in the most relaxed, holistic, and centered manner.   I learned about Michael's  mindset as we went through this most interesting...

Welcome! In this episode, we chat with author, Ciaran Walsh, on how his newly released book gives parents a "get out of jail free card" when their child asks for a dog. This questions ("Can I have a dog pleeeeeeease?") is asked hundreds of times around the world daily. Are you prepared for the answer? Although a children's book, the underlying purpose is to provide parents with the tools to determine if their family is ready to bring a dog into their lives and, if so, how to responsibly...

The adolescent stage can be very challenging, even for the most experienced dog owners, irrelevant of the dog's upbringing, breed or training history. In this episode, I refer to dogs that have had a traditional upbringing - that of the same home since puppyhood and exposed to socialization, non-aversive training, and positive experiences.  When these dogs suddenly rebel and seemingly forget everything they learn, it is common to assume they are being disobedient, but really what is...

Street Dogs in Costa Rica learn many skills to survive. In this ep, I talk about my findings on a study on how they read and decipher street lights.  I provide info on how to recognize and harness these cognitive skills when adopting dogs from the street.  I follow this with a story on how I got one of my Mexi-Rescues and how it brings to light the question as to why some dogs can survive on the street and some not-so-much. Links to Billie Groom and UPWARD...

Welcome to our first mid-month episode where I provide insight and info on dog behavior, followed by an guest speaker who is in an expert in their field.  Let's talk about Anxiety Rehabilitation!  Conventional methods, ones common in mainstream dog training, adhere to the principles of Conditioning Methodologies. They are intentionally designed to teach and encourage expected behaviors, and prevent unwanted behaviors, making them great for puppies and some dogs. But what happens when dogs...