Basic Tips for Training A New Puppy Or Kitten

So Adorable, But So Much Work to Train Puppies & Kittens

It’s funny when a new puppy or kitten trips over its own feet and faceplants onto the floor. It’s heartwarming to see them running to you when you get home from work. Then you notice and clean the “mistakes” on the floor. A good idea would be to use an air purifier for pets to rid the air of the “mistakes.” It’s time to train your puppy or kitten.

Training Your Puppy – When To Begin Training

It’s important to remember that your new pet runs on time much like ours. Your puppy is still a baby. They’ll go through a similar rebellious teenager stage like us by pulling on the leash and being assertive. Eventually, they’ll settle down once they reach adult years. With that said, training a puppy should begin at 12 to 16 weeks.

One thing the pup should learn the instant he or she enters its new home is to understand where to go potty. If they bark, praise him or her and give them a treat. If he scratches at the door, praise him and give him a treat. Puppies learn rewards and punishment early, so it’s important to remain consistent with them in training.

Puppies Should Learn The Basic Five Commands While Potty Training

Teaching your puppy the basic five commands of sit, stay, lie down, heel, and/or come to you should be done as they’re being potty trained. As his or her furry behind hits the grass, praise him and give him a treat. As he lies down in the house, praise him and give him a treat. Remember that dogs are wired to please humans, so praising and treating them reinforces that “please Mom” instinct.

Potty Training Kittens Are Similar to Puppies

Cats aren’t necessarily concerned with pleasing their humans. All they want is food and a nap, in that order. They can, however, be trained similar to the way a puppy is trained – with treats and praise. Puppies eat up the praise; kittens see it as their just due, but it still works in training.

If you’re using food to treat your new kitten, make sure she’s not allergic to chicken, tuna, salmon, or other meat. Chop it into tiny chunks that she can chew. Make very sure the meat isn’t seasoned with onion or garlic. Those are two things that can be lethal to both cats and dogs.

Kittens Don’t Have Basic Commands Like Puppies

Cats are standoffish and solitary types. However, there are times when your kitten will need to be picked up, such as taking him or her to the vet. Get them used to being held as early as possible. After all, you’ll need to brush and trim their nails, so they shouldn’t fight you during the process.

Playing And Social Interaction Are Important For Kittens

Cats get bored easily and need toys to keep them occupied. Unfortunately, that means our toes and hands are often fair game. Give your kitten toys that will intrigue him or her, such as squeaky mice or a toy on a string.

Kittens are most suited to socialization at six to nine weeks and shortly thereafter. New people, new animals, and other kittens are all part of socialization. Praise and treat your new kitten as he or she gets used to new people, places, and animals. Remember to be positive at all times, and they’ll learn well.

Additional New Puppy or Kitten Advice to Remember

• Your new puppy or kitten is low to the ground. That makes him/her prime real estate for fleas and ticks. These pests love tall grass and weeds because they can hide there quite well. Then the pup or kitten comes indoors, jumps on the sofa or the bed, and you have a serious problem.
• The first thing to do is keep the grass in your yard cut lower than the norm. This gives the fleas and ticks nowhere to hide, and they’ll make their way to taller places.
• The second and most important thing to do is to groom your animal. Cut the pup’s fur as close as you can (which he’d appreciate in summer, anyway.) That’s not a good idea with a kitten, but grooming the animal is the best first step toward ridding her of fleas and ticks.
• One of the best things for your pets is to use an air purifier for pets or natural air purifier to mimic the way the sun cleanses the air outdoors. This gives pets the purity of natural air with no filters to replace or extra work for Mom or Dad.