Posts

close up view of a sad looking puppy laying on a couch

Ask Crystal: Managing Separation Anxiety

Dear Crystal,  My puppy is now 15 weeks old. She is ok in the crate if she can see me. I had to leave her in the crate alone and returned an hour later to find her soaking wet. Literally dripping wet but it wasn’t urine. It was saliva.…
a small light brown puppy lays in a crate with the door open

Ask Crystal: Whining Puppy Woes

Dear Crystal,  So, I put my new puppy in the crate to nap and he whines for a while and then falls asleep. He will wake up to whining and all I think about is letting him out and go potty. Should I wait again until he stops crying to…
a puppy with it's face towards the camera is held by a women facing away from the camera

Ask Crystal: Puppy Training 101

Dear Crystal, I have a 9-week-old puppy and I've had him for a grand total of three days. Although he sometimes fusses in his crate, I do wait a bit or let him out when he is walking around but not fussing after a nap. My only problem…
a fluffy white and black dog urinates behind a tree

Ask Crystal: Potty Training From Scratch

Dear Crystal, Hi, we took in a 12-week old pet store male Labrador. He was given to us from a friend that couldn’t keep him any longer. I’ve had trouble getting him potty trained. Funny thing is, I take him out to the spot and he…
a brown and white puppy lays on tje floor asleep surrounded by dog toys

Ask Crystal: Puppy Routine for a Good Night’s Sleep

Hi Crystal, Thank you for letting me ask you a question or 2. I have a two-month-old puppy. We're trying to get her to sleep in the crate at night.  After she's in there for about an hour or so she'll start to cry and then my wife will…
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…
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…