Giffy dog

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.

05/01/2026

NEW CLASS! We're adding a class to our roster titled "New Beginnings: Good Choices." This class is specifically designed for young dogs and families who want to build relationships based on agency rather than on cues such as sit, down, stay, and wait. Dogs will learn that choosing desirable behaviors will lead to things they value, and families will learn to help their dogs make good choices. It's easy and fun! Class will be offered on Mondays at 5:45p, and we'll start either 5/4 or 5/11. If you register for the first session, we'll automatically apply a 25% discount to your invoice. But hurry! Class is limited to four students. Email [email protected] with your name, your dog's name, and the class name to register or ask additional questions.

04/16/2026

If you're interested in getting some great photos of your dog(s) and want to participate in a fun project, check out Tangerine House of Design's upcoming Tails of Loring Park. It's not too late to get your dog involved! (Below, I've included a photo she took of two of my dogs--Bindi & Owen--for Dogs of MSP; ultimately, we chose a different photo for the book, but I love this one.) https://www.tangerinehouseofdesign.com/tails-of-loring

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.