When You Should Begin Training

By Charlene Little, Contributing Writer

This little guy is just beginning to learn to sit!

Training should begin as soon as your dog comes into your care. Just as you do with your children, you pets need a routine and a schedule. They need rules and regulations just as your child does.

It is important to start early and remain stable with their schedule, rules, and regulations to prevent confusion.

With dogs and cats, it is important to start with potty behaviors.
                 
               ~ Where to potty
              ~ Potty is not acceptable in the floor.

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Training should start with necessary commands. Things such as potty are important for dogs and cats. For dogs specifically, you should train them sit, stay, extended stay, and down (lay). These commands will allow you to control their behavior, prevent development of problem behavior, and decrease the risk of dangerous situations, such as running out the door between your legs.

Training is also necessary if you plan to take your dog on public walks, on trails, or to dog parks. Ensuring that they will listen is necessary for their safety, other people's safety, and the safety of other dogs at the park.

You could try to train your cat to do these tricks, but honestly, they will just laugh at you, flick their tail, and walk away. However, some people have taught their cats to use the toilet, this is one topic that we are going to cover for you.

The next five points we will cover are:

             ~~ House training a puppy (8 weeks - 6 months)
            ~~ House training a dog (6 months and up)
            ~~ Litter training a kitten (8 weeks - 6 months)
            ~~ Litter training a cat (6 months and up)
            ~~ Teaching your cat to use the toilet (yes! you really can!)