Staff Newspaper Column
Critter Corner
Loose leash training
Dear Critter Corner: We are having a hard time teaching our pup to walk on a loose leash. He gets walks daily and we have been working on loose leash training, but he still pulls a good portion of the walk which is no fun. What are some tips you can give us?...
Re-establishing relationship between your dog walker and your dog
Dear Critter Corner: I went back to work in person this week so I contacted the dog walker I used before the pandemic hit. She arrived at my house on Monday to walk my dog but Perry didn’t recognize her and would not let her come inside. He ended up having an accident...
Does your cat need a cat companion?
Dear Critter Corner: My family and I have a wonderful 3-year-old cat who we love dearly and is very attached to us. We need to start going back to the office and we are worried she will be bored all day. Would it be a good idea to get her another cat as a companion?...
Helping dog adjust to new work schedule
Dear Critter Corner: I have been working from home and have not left my puppy alone for more than an hour or two since I got him last March. I am worried about how he will be when I go back to work in a couple of months. What can I do to make sure he will be okay?...
Helping new baby and dog become best friends
Dear Critter Corner: We are bringing home a new baby soon and are hoping that he and our dog will be best friends. We can’t wait to introduce them—any tips? Congratulations on your new addition! A great place to start here is with your expectations: set them...
Animals and small children
Dear Critter Corner: Why do so many animals have trouble being around small children? There are several reasons why young children and animals tend to be a volatile combination. One reason is that young children tend to get excited very quickly and have a wild energy...
Improving dog’s recall
Dear Critter Corner: With the nice weather here, we want to take our pup to off leash hiking areas but his recall is not that great. How can we teach him to come when called and for us to trust him? This is a very common problem for many people. There are a few...
Dog having trouble adjusting after a move into a new home
Dear Critter Corner: We just moved into a new house and my dog is having a hard time adjusting. He’s had a couple of accidents and is spending a lot of time in his crate. How do we help him feel more at home? Your dog is likely feeling unsettled and will need a bit of...
Energetic large breed dogs
Dear Critter Corner: I love large breed dogs, but I work full-time and do not have the time to run a dog five hours a day. I am all for weekend adventures with a four-legged friend, but is there anything I can do to quickly tire a dog during the week? This is a common...
Harness resistance
Dear Critter Corner: Our puppy loves to go out for his walks and any other adventure, but he is very resistant to having his harness or collar put on. He will avoid us or even try to bite. Is there anything we can do to change this? For many dogs this is a common...
