Giffy dog

06/16/2026

It's so important that we consider our dogs' needs when we're building lives with them. That's why I created the Good Choices class. It's designed to motivate dogs to make good choices, but the priority is making sure our dogs' environmental, behavioral, social, and emotional needs are met first. We'll be starting a class next Sunday, 6/28, at 5:45p. Please email [email protected] to save the last seat.

- abducted by aliens?

06/08/2026

My favorite dog treats are on sale (30% off)! Pro tip: If you want the best discount, use their subscribe and save. Not only do you get your dog treats mailed to your home based on your schedule at a reduced rate, but you also earn points toward freebies in the future. My personal favorite: Turkey cranberry sausage.

Dog Food and Treats you can trust, for your most trusted friend. Honest, human-grade, cooked right here in the USA.

05/28/2026

So many clients tell me their dogs panic when family members leave. And they may rightly or wrongly attribute the stress responses to separation anxiety, which needs to be diagnosed by a veterinarian. This post, however, explores whether dogs showing signs of stress may actually be showing anxiety related to confinement, something you may want to consider before assuming it's separation anxiety. In either case, you can work to reduce your dog's stress response.

Confinement anxiety and separation anxiety often get mistaken for each other. Here's how to tell the difference and why it matters.

05/20/2026

If a trainer has ever told you to ignore undesirable behavior, this provides more context.

Learn the practical approach to ignore unwanted behavior in dog training and focus on reinforcing positive habits effectively.

05/19/2026

What a cool Pride Month idea! And I can personally attest to Lisa's (Tangerine House of Design) great work with my own dogs.

FullColor - Tangerine House of Design - Minneapolis Pet Photography Studio

05/13/2026

My feed is flooded with well-meaning rescuers sharing videos of the Ridglan Farm beagles. From what I have seen, these dogs are not ready to be handled. Check out this video from Eileenanddogs for more information about understanding when dogs want to be pet. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-cGDYI-s-cQ

Other resources that may be helpful are listed below:

Making Friends with ‘Shy’ Dog, Chirag Patel (video), https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4fik7flgDrY

“Tips for Working in the Presence of a Fearful Dog,” Giffy dog (document), https://docs.google.com/document/d/1eOQhgGfVvxYEr_YVX-NbMiqSgnCZLKyuj_rcy4gkwQY/edit?usp=sharing

Tips for Working in the Presence of a Fearful Dog (Review before each training session.) Position yourself to minimize stress. If the dog’s body language indicates fear or stress, increase distance. See Vet Behaviour Team or Silent Conversations. If contain...

05/08/2026

A reminder to think about the risks of exercising your dog during warm weather. I haven't found a definitive guide about temperatures, but this broadens the discussion from leaving dogs in hot cars.

Vet data shows 74% of dog heatstroke cases come from exercise — not hot cars. As warm weather hits in May 2026, here's how to keep your dog safe on walks.

05/07/2026

Zesty and Anna have been long-term clients with Giffy dog, and Anna has been a fierce advocate for Zesty. I am so happy that they finally found a veterinary team that listens and gives Zesty the medical care she deserves. Kudos to you, Anna, for ensuring this happened.

05/02/2026

Something I feel so strongly about. Giving dogs choices is so important! I'm curious about what Chirag Patel has to say about it.

02/05/2026

If you're interested in learning about over-the-counter medications for pets, this free seminar offered by the University of Minnesota Veterinary Medical Center may be worth attending. I'm including the description along with the link to register:

Free webinar: Medicating Pets Safely—A guide to OTC Drugs for Dogs and Cats
Join Alisa Craig, director of pharmaceutical services at the Veterinary Medical Center, at 6 p.m. CT on Feb. 26 for a webinar explaining why giving human over-the-counter medications to dogs and cats can be risky, and how some commonly used drugs can be harmful to pets. The presentation will cover which OTC medications may be safe to use, which should never be given, and why cats and dogs can react differently to certain medications. Attendees will also learn basic dosing guidelines and receive helpful tips for safely administering medications to pets at home.