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 this episode, I introduce Emotional Replacement Therapy. I address common changes that occu ..read more

In this episode, I read my scientific paper from my PhD course (Cognition, Emotion to Improve Animal Welfare - Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences).  The aim of this paper is to highlight the connection between cognitive processes, affected states (primarily in relation to the guardian-canine bond), and behavior to explore the effects of these factors on the welfare of domestic dogs. I begin by presenting the proven benefits, as well as the limitations, of enrichment activities and training programs. I discuss the importance of stimulating cognitive functions and establishing the ..read more

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 always, I appreciate your support, questions, feedback. Please feel free to share to help other professionals ..read more

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 Conditioning, and why CBT is so effective with dogs in different life stages, as with humans. We discuss the ..read more

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 Groom), and on my YouTube - Dog Training, Behavior and Cognition. For more links to social media, intervi ..read more

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, and where Canine CBT is particularly effective.  Find out why based on neuroscience! For ..read more

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 swimmer, who is best known for being the first person to swim between the US and the Soviet Union in the ..read more

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 apparatuses designed to prevent pulling, and discuss some pros and cons of some popular ..read more

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 fail. Canine CBT views all behaviors as driven by emotional intelligence and a self-perceived need ..read more

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, and the ability to think like a dog, as well as long-term solutions grounded in Canine CBT which ad ..read more