The early months of your puppy or kitten’s life are the perfect time to teach some obedience skills. Teaching these skills not only strengthens the bond between you and your new pet but can also help them settle in as a well-mannered, happy member of your family. We have created a list of six important skills to help get your new bundle of energy started on the right paw.

1. Toilet training

Toilet training should begin as soon as you bring your puppy or kitten home. Patience, planning and plenty of positive reinforcement will go a long way. It is also a good idea to have a carpet cleaning plan in place, as accidents will happen.

Remember to use positive reinforcement by rewarding your puppy or kitten when they go where you want them to go. Rewards can include praise, treats, a toy or a pat. Positive reinforcement also means refraining from punishing when they have accidents. Common times to toilet train your puppy or kitten include:

When you wake up
Just before bedtime
After they eat or drink
When they wake from a nap
During or after playtime
When they look like they need to go ie. crouching, sniffing etc.

How to toilet train your puppy

Until your puppy has had their vaccinations you will need to find a place outdoors that’s inaccessible to other animals to practice. Give your puppy plenty of opportunities to go outside and reward them when they go where you want them to go.

How to toilet train your kitten

Place your kitten’s litter tray in a quiet, private location and show them where it is as soon as they arrive home. Be sure not to move the tray afterwards to avoid confusion. You will need at least two litter trays in your house per cat. Place your kitten in the litter tray when they are most likely to use it such as the examples given above.

It is also important to keep the litter tray clean, as many cats will not use a dirty litter tray. Remove any faeces daily and change the litter regularly. Always wash your hands after cleaning the litter tray.

2. Teaching not to bite, chew or scratch

Setting ground rules early on can help prevent your puppy or kitten from developing unwanted habits. Young pets are naturally very playful which can sometimes lead to misbehaviour. Ensure you puppy or kitten has appropriate toys to play with to act as a diversion and keep them stimulated.

From the very first day your puppy or kitten should be discouraged from chewing or scratching your personal items and they need to learn that biting people and other pets is not allowed.

Avoid playing rough with your new pet. If at any time during general play they scratch or bite hard, end playtime to teach them that they don’t receive any attention for undesired behaviours. You can also trade a toy for your hand or clothing to redirect their undesired behaviour towards something more acceptable.

Training your puppy not to chew

Puppies explore the world by putting objects in their mouths and just like human babies, they teethe for about six months, which can cause some discomfort. Chewing not only facilitates teething but can also help relieve some of this discomfort.

Keep your belongings out of reach and choose a good quality chew toy to redirect this unwanted behaviour until your puppy matures.

Arm yourself with some anti-chew spray. The bitter taste will help deter your puppy’s chewing away from your personal belongings that they have become attached to.

Training your kitten not to scratch

Cats instinctively need to scratch things to keep their nails in good condition. Provide a scratching pole or mat to help prevent your kitten from scratching your furniture. If they do start scratching your furniture, place protective material over the area and ensure a scratching pole or mat is placed nearby to divert their attention.

3. Teaching your puppy or kitten to recognise their name

Your pet’s name is their life long connection to you. Teach them their name by calling it out when you want their attention. As soon as they look at you, praise them or give them a treat. If they don’t respond, you can start by clapping after you call their name, then phase out the clapping when they get the hang of it.

Train them to recognise their name when you are close to them, then gradually move further away. Repeat often until they learn their name. Remember to only use their name in positive situations. This will encourage them to respond each time you say it, which is great for overall control and future training purposes!

4. Crate training

Training your puppy or kitten to use a crate can take some time and should be done in a series of steps. It is important not to rush it and to keep it positive so your pet associates their crate with positive situations and wants to be involved.

Introducing the crate

Start by putting the crate in an area of your house that your family spends a lot of time. Make the crate comfortable and inviting by lining it with a soft blanket. Encourage them into the crate with a toy or treat. Don’t force them, let them sniff around and enter the crate at their own pace.

Feeding them in the crate

After introducing them to the crate, begin feeding their regular meals near the crate. Gradually move their food just inside the door, then further into the crate until they are eating at the back of the crate. Once they are comfortably eating their meal in the crate, close the door while they are eating and re-open it when they have finished.

Increasing time in the crate

Once they are eating regular meals in the crate you can confine them for short periods of time while you are home. Call them over to the crate, offer them a treat and give them a command such as “crate” and point to the crate. Once they enter praise them, give them a treat and close the door. Sit quietly near the crate for 10 minutes, then move to another room. Return and sit quietly for a short period of time then let them out. Gradually increase the length of time until they are happy to spend about 30 minutes in the crate with you mostly out of site.

Travelling in the crate

Once they have been introduced to the crate and are used to the door being closed, start by picking up the crate and walking around with it. Take them on small car trips, such as around the block. Don’t forget to provide them their blanket and comfort toy. You can also place a blanket over the crate to help them feel more secure. Calmly reassure them if they start to get upset. Once they are comfortable with small trips, gradually increase the length of the trip. You should also practice taking your pet in the carrier to a variety of places so they don’t associate all trips to only one place. Continue to praise them along the way for good behaviour.

5. Socialisation skills

Just like obedience training, proactive socialisation is important for your puppy and kitten. The experiences that your puppy or kitten has during this time can influence and shape their behaviour well into the future.

Socialising your puppy and kitten must be done in a safe and positive environment. For puppies this can include puppy school. Consider some of these socialisation techniques:

Pat and play with your new pet frequently
Introduce your puppy or kitten to a variety of toys. For kittens this can also include scratching poles or mats
Allow your puppy or kitten to experience different walking surfaces such as tiles, carpet and floor boards.
Have friends or family over to play with your new pet. Don’t allow them to bite or scratch during play.
Take your puppy or kitten on car rides to get them used to their harness or carrier. Place some comfortable bedding and treats in the carrier or car to make it an enjoyable place to be.
Expose your new pet other puppies, dogs, kittens or cats. Make sure other pets are friendly, healthy and up to date with their vaccinations.

6. Positive healthcare

Gentle handling

Your puppy or kitten will not always be held in the positions that he or she likes. For example, when you take them to the vet, groom them or when family or visitors try to play with them. Hold your puppy or kitten in different ways so that they get used to being picked up and handled. Get your new pet used to being touched on their paws, nails, body and legs. Gently look inside their ears and mouth.

Grooming

Regular grooming is an important part of general pet care, particularly for those with medium to long hair. Starting early, when they are a puppy or kitten, will help them adjust and establish a regular routine early on. Grooming should always be comfortable for your pet. Be gentle and reward them for allowing you to groom them. This way they will associate grooming as a positive experience, making it easier for both of you.

Brushing their teeth

Starting to brush your pet’s teeth between the ages of eight and sixteen weeks is vital to the health of their teeth and starting out early will make it much easier for them to get used to this daily activity. That's right, you should be brushing your pet's teeth every day before bedtime, just like you do your own.

You will need a specially designed toothbrush and toothpaste for pets and it’s important to take it slowly to get them use to brushing. Read our guide for brushing your pet’s teeth.

6 skills to teach your puppy or kitten