Kitten Training -- All You Need To Know

by: Kathrynn Kelley

Bringing home a cuddly ball of purrs, otherwise known as a kitten, can be fun and exciting for any family. I know you didn't forget the cute food dish with little fish on it so that your kitten can be dining in style. I know you certainly didn't forget the litter box or litter, right? What more can you possibly need?

Maybe not after all. In the beginning your kitty explored all over the house, consumed way too much food, and has been using his litter box with no accidents at all. Recently, however, you've realized your kitten is starting to have problems that you had not anticipated before.

When trying to correct cat problems (http://www.secretsofcats.com/), there are a few more things you should consider doing. Believe it or not, you are not the only person to need some tips on kitten training after bringing your new furry friend home.

How does one approach kitten training? How do you keep your kitten from jumping on the counters, climbing the walls, biting your hands and feet, wrestling on your tabletops and turning your brand new furniture into confetti? How do you train a kitten not to destroy your home?

You're certainly not the first person who has come across "monster kitten syndrome" before. To start off your kitten training regimen, you'll probably want to invest in a few different things. First off, to protect your furniture from an enthusiastic kitten, get a scratching post. A simple post from your nearby department store or pet store will suffice.

But what if monster kitten is still destroying furniture? If you catch him red handed (or pawed as the case may be) carefully rub his paws up and down the scratching post mimicking the motion he naughtily performs on the furniture. Now pet and praise him! He did a good job! Now, you may have to repeat many times, but eventually your new family member will start to understand what you want.

Next, get an aluminum can, fill it with rocks and put tape over the opening. And the next time you catch kitten in a place he shouldn't be, such as wrestling with your newspaper on the kitchen table, shake the can loudly. Don't worry, it won't hurt him, but he'll know every time he does something "naughty" he'll hear a loud scary sound.

And a final note in kitten training is how to deal with the age old issue of kitten bites (http://www.secretsofcats.com/). Whenever you catch your kitten becoming unruly with your hands or feet give him a toy to replace your skin with. Any standard kitten toy will do such as a fur mouse or jingle bell ball.

That's it! You've just learned the basics of kitten training (http://www.secretsofcats.com/). And don't forget to shower your new kitten with lots of love and praise whenever he does something good. Positive rewards will make for a much happier companion in the long run. Remember, the two of you will be spending many happy years together in the future.

About The Author Kathrynn Kelley Bringing home a kitten is a great addition to any family. But don't forget these following items: a food dish, food, water bowl, and of course the litter box. When trying to correct cat problems (http://www.secretsofcats.com/), there are a few more things you should consider doing. Believe it or not, you are not the only person to need some tips on kitten training (http://www.secretsofcats.com/) after bringing your new furry friend home. And a final note about training: how to deal with the age old issue of kitten bites (http://www.secretsofcats.com/).

Finding the Perfect New Dog

by: Andreas Henderson

When you are looking for a new dog to bring home, there are many factors you need to take into consideration. The most important question to ask is why you want a dog? Is it because your children are begging for one, or is it because you need someone outside the house to warn of would-be intruders? Maybe you want a dog because you had one as a kid and miss the company of a pet. For several reasons, dogs bring most families closer together. However, not all dogs are good for every situation.

First, you have to decide if you want a female or a male dog when first choosing. Males are more aggressive and dominant in certain breeds, and tend to be a little harder to train properly. Females tend to stay more petite, while the males have a bigger stature.

Next, you need to decide whether you want a puppy or an older dog. Children love puppies. They are more adaptable and sociable, and you can train them from the very first moment, molding them in accordance with your needs. It is also quite satisfying to watch a new puppy grow up with your children.

A cool trick to check the temperament of the dog is to hold it in your arms and tip him on his back. If he struggles consistently, it will probably take some patience to train it. If he calmly lays there, it is a sign that the dog is mild tempered, and thus easy to work with.

Another cool trick is to make a sudden movement, clapping your hands or make some other loud sound. If the dog is mild tempered, it will look curiously at you. A nervous or shy dog will seem startled or shy away. If it is the first time you are getting a dog, it is a good idea to bring someone experienced along, as they are better at judging the body language of dogs.

When selecting a new dog, it is important to research the breeds you are looking at. Some breeds need more training, exercise or a certain climate. One example is the cocker spaniel, which needs lots of grooming because of its luxurious coat.

Whether you are looking for a dog your kids can play with or someone to guard the gates, you should include thought and common sense when selecting your new dog. Being thorough in your search will help you find the perfect one for you.

About The Author Andreas Henderson is an avid dog trainer and the creator of the Dog Training Guide and runs a successful website dedicated to dog training for the benefit of the customer. For a great dog training product see Henderson's site at http://www.dogpro101.com/