Dog Training DisrUPted
Host and Canine Psychotherapist, Billie Groom, dives deep into the science and psychology behind Canine Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, a scientifically proven method proven to address behaviors leading to surrender, euthanasia and general frustration.
Are canine industry experts providing you with the most up-to-date information? Are you hearing the same advice over and over, saturated with gimmicks, and ineffective advice?
This podcast is a thought-provoking journey into the world of canine psychology and science and introduces the only psychotherapeutic method grounded in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy proven effective with dogs over the age of six months.
Renowned for her tenacity and candor, Billie refuses to put popularity over impact. Her dedication to spreading awareness of the life saving benefits of CCBT has earned her the reputation of industry disruptor and leader.
Billie is the CEO and founder of the Institute of Canine Psychotherapy, the only recognized educational platform teaching Canine CBT.
She is an award-winning author and was featured in Psychology Today Magazine by Marc Bekoff. She has appeared on many shows, including LA Tribune, IGNITE Your Essence, DVM 360, The Animal Innovations Show, and is a featured speaker at the Animal Behavior Society Conference, and the Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine Conference (2022/23/24). She completed the PhD program at the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, "Cognition and Emotions to Improve Animal Welfare", and the course on Adolescent Brain Development. She is currently enrolled in the Transpersonal Ecology PhD program at the University of Sedona. She is honored to be a TedX speaker (2025) and to be a guest speaker at Hartpury University in their Animal Assisted Therapy Program (2025).
Billie openly shares her experiences and knowledge, in a straight-forward and often humorous manner, acquired over three decades working with dogs, rescuers, fosters, adopters, and industry experts. She describes how dogs think, learn, process, and absorb our urban world, compared to that of puppies, and explains, without judgement, the inherent limitations of conventional training methods. Billie uses the most interesting and "relatable" examples to explain Canine Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CCBT) and how it is changing the landscape of canine behavioral rehabilitation and animal welfare on a local and global scale.
www.instituteofcaninepsychotherapy.com
Dog Training DisrUPted
Connecting Scientific Studies on Dog Cognition to that of Common Dog Behavior Problems and the Best Method to Address Unwanted Dog Behavior.
Billie uses 4 scientific studies on dog cognition to explain why we need a method grounded in cognitive behavioral therapy to address a common unwanted behavior in dogs over 6 months.
In this episode we explore four cognitive abilities by introducing the studies which prove dogs have these abilities. I discuss how these abilities, although considered positive, can cause common unwanted behaviors and why suppressing these skills can increase the unwanted behavior.
Memory, Emotions, Object Permanence, Object Differentiation, Dexterity, and the ability to understand that an action has a result are some of the recent trends in scientific studies. If dogs can think cognitively, and their behaviors, whether considered "good" or "bad" (wanted or unwanted) are a result of these skills, we need to harness these skills to understand these behaviors. By remaining under the Operant Conditioning umbrella (positive reinforcement and balanced training), we simply cannot harness their cognitive abilities, which explains why addressing these behaviors is often challenging or impossible.
NOTE: At the time of recording this episode, I did not discuss counter conditioning as a method to address unwanted behaviors. There are other episodes which discuss counter conditioning and why it is limiting or ineffective in addressing behaviors.
NOTE: You do not need to be a scientist or a certified dog trainer to understand the info in this episode. If you have questions, please contact Billie at billie@upwarddogology.com
Links to Billie Groom and UPWARD Dogology:
https://www.upwarddogology.com/
Billie Groom | LinkedIn
(2) UPWARD Dogology (@UDogology) / Twitter
UPWARD Dogology (@upwarddogology) • Instagram photos and videos
Upward Dogology | Facebook
Season 5 is a "Dogology" of tips, Q and A's, interviews, discussions and a deeper look UPWARD Dogology all with the goal of making the world a better place! Season 4 is interviews with people and organizations. Be part of the solution by listening, sharing, and reviewing. Season 3 dives deep into trending methods. Are they right for you and your dog? Season 2 shares the learning journey of my clients with dogs; always interesting and a gr
Find all the episodes on Feedspot, where Dog Training DisrUPted is rated in the top 5 shows in the dog category in Canada: https://blog.feedspot.com/canadian_dog_podcasts/
To become a certified Canine CBT Psychotherapist, and for courses on related topics, please visit the Institute of Canine Psychotherapy.
www.instituteofcaninepsychotherapy.com
Become a Certified Canine Behaviorist and Dog Trainer
My Linktree with all my media, presentations, shows, articles
Billie Groom - UPWARD Dogology | Instagram, Facebook | Linktree
Here is the link to the recent article in Psychology Today Mag by Marc Bekoff on Canine CBT
Dog Training: Perception, Cognition, and Emotions | Psychology Today
Buy My Book! Winner of the 2019 American Best Book Fest Award (pets/narrative/non-fiction)
The Art of Urban People With Adopted and Rescued Dogs Methodology: Rescued Dogs: The Misunderstood Breed: Groom, Billie: 9781525547287: Books - Amazon.ca