Posts

a black young dog lays in the grass outside

Ask Crystal: When House Training Hits a Roadblock

Dear Crystal, I have a 5-month-old puppy that was doing great at housebreaking. The last month no matter what I do he refuses to use the bathroom outside. Even taking him when I know he needs to go. Even using crate training/housebreaking.…
white dog with black spots and ears stands nose to nose with a short haired tan dog

Ask Crystal: New Roommates Take Time to Warm up

Dear Crystal,  I recently adopted a new dog. My current dog (female, 1.5 years old) is nervous around him but not exactly aggressive. She just has a lot of fears (ex. growls or barks a lot at outside noises) but she has never been aggressive…
A light brown puppy wearing a collar and leash lays in green grass

Ask Crystal: One Step at a Time

Dear Crystal,  My 6-month pup constantly sits or lays down on a walk. Treats can get him going a little. What can I do to work on this?  Sincerely,  Stubborn Pup    Dear Stubborn, This can be a very embarrassing…
small brown dog looks out a window

Ask Crystal: Sir Barks A Lot

Dear Crystal,  I have a long-haired mini-dachshund - Sugar - who is barking a lot. He likes to sit on the back of the couch and bark at passers-by. He barks when we are on leash walking. The most annoying habit is barking at anyone coming…
a gray cat lays in a cardboard box with a black cat sitting in the background on top of the box

Ask Crystal: Two Cats are Complicated

Dear Crystal, I have two young cats. Parker is the new guy and Miles the one who was an only cat. They are getting along well generally, playing together, hanging out peacefully in the same spots, using the same litterboxes, etc. The…
silhouette of a large dog sitting facing a woman

Ask Crystal: Adopting A New Dog

Hi! I want to get another dog because I had to put down one of my dogs and my other dog is 11 years old and a female. The only other dogs she knows are neighbor dogs, but I am afraid of what she would do. Help, how can I know?  Sincerely,   Looking…
white dog with black spots and ears stands nose to nose with a short haired tan dog

Ask Crystal: Unwanted Humping Attention

Dear Crystal, Just read your article on humping in dogs. However, I have a totally opposite problem. Our 13-month-old, neutered coonhound seems to inspire other dogs into humping him. He's not particularly submissive by nature and never…
a small brown puppy licks its news

Ask Crystal: Dog Socialization in a Socially Distant World

Dear Crystal,  We got our puppy (lab x standard poodle) during lockdown (in planning for 2yrs!) We did manage a short puppy obedience course and a couple of socialization sessions (without us - puppy dropped off) which he was good at.…

Ask Crystal: Old Dog, New Tricks?

Dear Crystal,  My cockapoo Abby is 9 yrs old and was raised with our other cockapoo who passed a few years ago. She was the friendliest dog and loved other dogs and people. Abby on the other hand doesn’t like kids and other dogs…
small brown dog looks out a window

Ask Crystal: Noisy Pup

Dear Crystal,  My dog Charlie barks at dogs and people especially if he is looking out the patio door. As he has gotten older he tends to handle people better when they come to the house. I don't walk him a lot because of this. Any ideas?…