Essential Training Tips for Your New Puppy or Kitten

Embarking on the journey of pet ownership is both exciting and rewarding! At Caldwell Animal Hospital in Lenoir, North Carolina, we know that bringing home a new puppy or kitten is filled with joy as well as responsibility. Proper training helps build a strong bond and ensures your pet’s safety and well-being. Here, we provide comprehensive guidance to start this journey on the right paw.

Preparing Your Home for a New Pet

Safe Spaces for Play and Rest

Creating a nurturing environment for your pet is vital. Puppies and kittens need a safe, secure area where they can relax and sleep. Designate a specific area in your home that is quiet and away from high-traffic zones. Use pet gates to limit access to unsafe areas and ensure all electrical cords and small objects are out of reach to prevent accidents. Your puppy or kitten will explore their world with their mouth and try to chew on (or at least taste test) nearly everything in their environment as they learn. This can be dangerous! Secure trash cans and all food, kids’ toys, clothing (especially dirty laundry), and supervise time with toys.

Essential Supplies

Equipping your home with the right supplies is key to a smooth transition. Essential items include:

  • Crates for secure transport and a safe sleeping area. Choose a crate large enough for your pet to stand, turn around, and lie down comfortably.
  • Chew toys for puppies to help with teething. Ensure toys are durable and free from parts that could become choking hazards.
  • Litter boxes for kittens, placed in quiet, accessible corners. Clean the litter box daily to prevent odors and encourage use.
  • High-quality pet food that meets nutritional needs. Consult your veterinarian to determine the best diet for your pet’s breed, age, and health status. For more information on choosing the right food, read our blog post on pet nutrition.

Basic Training Techniques

House Training Basics

Toilet training is a crucial early task. Here’s a step-by-step guide:

  1. Establish a routine by taking your puppy out first thing in the morning, after meals, and before bedtime. Puppies need frequent bathroom breaks.
  2. Use consistent commands and take kittens to the litter box at regular intervals, especially after meals and naps.
  3. Reward successful attempts immediately with treats or praise to reinforce good behavior.

Patience and consistency are your best tools. Clean accident areas thoroughly to prevent repeat behavior.

Socialization Skills

Early socialization with people and other animals is vital for developing a well-adjusted pet. Start with short, controlled sessions, gradually increasing exposure to diverse environments. Exposure to various stimuli, such as different sounds and surfaces, is crucial before they reach 12 -16 weeks of age. Puppy Classes are great for this!

Obedience and Cooperative Care Training

Obedience training enhances mutual understanding and strengthens bonds. It teaches discipline and decreases behavior problems. Structured classes help pets learn commands essential for safety and control, and provide mental stimulation to prevent boredom-related behaviors. Cooperative Care training can help ensure that your pet is comfortable is situations that may be new or difficult, like groomers, veterinary visits, medication administration, or other times when restraint is needed.

The Power of Positive Reinforcement Training

Why does positive reinforcement work? Because animals repeat behaviors that lead to rewards! Positive reinforcement training focuses on rewarding good behavior rather than punishing mistakes.

Benefits of Positive Reinforcement:

  • Builds trust between you and your pet.
  • Encourages your pet to enjoy learning new commands.
  • Reduces stress and fear-based behaviors.
  • Works for both dogs and cats!

How to Use Positive Reinforcement:

  1. Reward good behavior immediately. Timing is everything! If your pet sits when asked, reward them right away. Use a clicker or voice marker like “yes!” to make sure your pet understands they’ve done some good immediately.
  2. Use high-value rewards. Some treats or toys are more exciting than others—use your pet’s favorite for training.
  3. Be consistent. If you reward “sit” today and ignore it tomorrow, your pet may become confused.
  4. Keep training sessions short and fun. 5-10 minutes at a time is best, especially for young puppies or easily distracted pets.
  5. Training works best when telling your pet what to do, not what not to do. For example, if your pet is jumping on guests, saying “no” doesn’t give them guidance. Try saying “Sit” and asking your guests not to touch your pet until they’ve sat down, to reinforce that they are rewarded when listening to your direction.

Tip: Ignore unwanted behavior instead of punishing. If your dog jumps up for attention, turn away instead of yelling. Once they sit, reward them for the good behavior!

Choosing the Right Treats for Training

Using treats is one of the most effective ways to motivate and reward your pet during training. However, not all treats are created equal!

What Makes a Good Training Treat?

  • Small & Soft: Your pet should be able to eat it quickly so they stay focused.
  • Low-Calorie: Training sessions involve lots of treats—choose something that won’t pack on extra pounds.
  • High-Value: Find what excites your pet the most! Some dogs love cheese, while others prefer freeze-dried liver.

Best Training Treats for Dogs:

  • Freeze-dried meats (chicken, liver, salmon)
  • Tiny cubes of cheese or cooked chicken
  • Peanut butter (on a spoon or in a squeeze tube)
  • Store-bought soft training treats
  • Cut-up vegetables and fruits like green beans or apples

Best Training Treats for Cats:

  • Small pieces of tuna or salmon
  • Freeze-dried chicken or shrimp
  • Lickable treats (squeeze tubes work great!)

If your pet has dietary restrictions, try using part of their regular kibble for training rewards!

Choosing the Right Puppy Class

If you’re training a puppy, enrolling in a class is one of the best things you can do to set them up for success. A good puppy class helps with:

  • Basic obedience training (sit, stay, down)
  • Socialization with other dogs and people
  • Confidence-building in new environments

What to Look for in a Puppy Class:

  • Uses positive reinforcement—no harsh corrections!
  • Focuses on socialization with people and other dogs.
  • Small class sizes for personalized attention.
  • Encourages pet parents to participate in training.
  • Has a high standard of cleanliness and vaccine requirements

Tip: Start early! Puppies between 8-16 weeks are in their prime learning period. Enrolling in a puppy class during this window helps them grow into well-adjusted adult dogs.

Essential Safety Commands for Dogs & Cats

Teaching your pet key safety commands can protect them from dangerous situations and improve everyday life.

Top Commands Every Dog Should Know:

  • Come – For emergency recall when your dog is off-leash.
  • Leave It – To stop them from eating something dangerous.
  • Drop It – If they pick up something harmful.
  • Heel – Prevents pulling on the leash.
  • Off – Stops jumping on furniture or people.
  • Stay – Helps control their movement in busy areas.

Safety Training for Cats:

  • Counter Training: Use double-sided tape or motion-sensing air sprayers to keep cats off kitchen counters.
  • Doorway Training: Teach your cat to wait before dashing outside by rewarding them for staying near the door.
  • Harness Training: If you walk your cat outdoors, train them to come when called for safety.

Reinforce safety commands regularly—just because your dog knew “Come” as a puppy doesn’t mean they’ll always obey as an adult!

Training for Home Safety

Pets can get into unexpected trouble at home, but proper training can help prevent accidents!

Preventing Door Dashing

  • For dogs: Teach them to “Sit” and “Wait” before exiting the door. Reward them for patience.
  • For cats: Block doorways with baby gates or train them to back away when the door opens.

Stopping Counter Surfing

  • For dogs: Keep food out of reach and use a firm “Off” command if they try to grab something.
  • For cats: Make counters unappealing with double-sided tape, foil, or motion-activated deterrents.

Preventing Chewing on Household Items

  • For dogs: Provide plenty of chew toys and redirect them when they try to chew furniture.
  • For cats: Offer cat-safe chew toys and use bitter sprays on cords or furniture.

Tip: Supervise your pet when they’re learning new rules at home. Prevention is easier than correction!

Managing Common Behavioral Issues

Biting and Scratching

Biting and scratching are natural behaviors, but they can be managed effectively:

  • Redirect biting or scratching to appropriate toys. Provide a variety of textures and shapes.
  • Discourage unwanted behavior with a firm “no” and offer an alternative activity. Consistency is key; ensure all family members use the same approach.
  • Hands are not toys! Avoid playing with your pet with your hand directly- always use a toy- to help prevent mouthy behaviors when playing.

Separation Anxiety

Separation anxiety is common in young pets. Mitigate this by:

  • Gradually increasing time spent away from your pet. Start with short absences and slowly extend the duration.
  • Leaving comforting items like clothing with your scent or engaging toys. Interactive toys that dispense treats can provide mental stimulation.
  • Make leaving a positive experience- leave a high value treat when you leave the house.

By following these tips and seeking the right support, you’re setting the stage for a happy, healthy, and well-behaved pet. Remember, the key to successful training and pet care lies in patience, consistency, and proactive health management.