Which makes a better pet: A dog or a cat? – Part 20

October 25, 2009 by boodidyajump  
Filed under All about Cats

You will never know how a certain pet will behave if the cat or dog is a puppy or kitten. You can purchase a dog which behaves very well and you can purchase a cat which pees on the carpet and scratches your furniture. Some dogs will be very nice and friendly and some will be vicious. Some cats are the same way. It depends on how well socialized the animal is.

When it comes to maintenance, cats are easier to take care of. You do not have to take your cat for a walk or let the cat outside every 10 minutes to go to the bathroom. You will need to pick up the dog poop from the yard versus scooping cat poop out of the litter box.

Cats are not completely dependent on you. You can leave a cat home all day and have no problems. Dogs need to be let outside and they also need exercise. You will not have to take your cat outside and walk the cat.

Cats can be very friendly. Dogs and cats will both sleep with you at night and cuddle with you on the couch as long as you socialize with your pet. Knowing which pet would make a better pet would depend on how the pet reacts to socialization after that pet reaches at least one year of age.

I would say that cats make a better pet for somebody who doesn’t have a lot of time to spend with a pet. Dogs make a better pet for somebody who has the time and dedication to give to that animal.

Easy, Breezy Potty Training Dog Tips that Work

June 30, 2009 by boodidyajump  
Filed under Training Dogs

Training your dog requires a great amount of patience especially when you are teaching it to potty at the right place. A problem with dogs is that they instinctively poop and pee anytime and anywhere they like. With potty training, you can teach your dog to do his or her thing when and where it really should.

Here are some points to consider when potty training your dog. First is confinement. Confining your dogs can sometimes be an ideal way of properly potty training your dog. You can use cages or crates to confine your canine pet. Just make sure to get the largest crate as possible to make sure that your dog can properly move about inside. The reason for confining your dog is to teach him not to potty on the crate or cage. Dogs do not like to potty in areas where they usually stay or sleep, so when nature calls for them, they would normally find a way to get out of the crate to potty.

By then, you can already show your dog where exactly you would want it to potty. Doing this whenever your dog wants to relieve itself will create a pattern that your dog will follow even if you will no longer need the help of a crate.

Second thing you must consider is to always include praise in your training. Try using a leash to control your dog from going around while training or running away. You can also use this to direct your dog to where it should potty. It would also help if you teach your dogs some words that would help him understand what you would want him to do, say for example, ‘go potty’. Use your commands over and over so that your dog will become familiar with it and learn to follow it as well. Always remember to reward your dog by giving him sweet and simple praises or giving him food treats for every correct response that he makes. This will make your dog happy, thus making him easier to train.

Also, you need to have the proper timing as to when you should give your dog the freedom to potty on its own. Some dogs learn potty training fast while there are those that need more time. You must learn to be very patient and observant potty training your dog to see the your pet’s progress.

Be reminded of some signs which dogs usually show when they are about to potty. These signs may include sudden disinterest to play; circling restlessly and running out of the room suddenly. You will learn to familiarize with these signs so you will not have much of a problem in potty training your dog as you go along. By then, you can be confident that your dog will have shown proper potty behavior.

Training your cat is possible! – Part 12

June 17, 2009 by boodidyajump  
Filed under Training Cats

Training your cat is not only possible but it is also a lot simpler than you may think. Although cats are sometimes dominating creatures, they are also like babies. They must be taught the proper way to act and how to do simple things. This doesn’t mean that you can teach your cat to speak the English language but you can train it to do several things.

Train your cat to use the litter box.

Cats won’t use the potty in the corners of your house if you teach them not to. Get your cat a litter box and place them in it, ever so often so that they get the idea. If you catch your cat using the bathroom in the house, pick it up and place it in the litter box. You don’t have to be mean or whip your cat when they have an accident. Just stay consistent with your actions.

Your cat can be trained for bedtime.

Designate a certain area for your cat to sleep. Teach them that where their spot is by laying them there every time they fall asleep. If your cat goes to another spot, firmly tell them no and take them back to the other spot. Pretty soon, they will get the picture and sleep in their own area.

Cats can be trained to control their scratches.

Teach your cat not to scratch you or your furniture. You can do this by lightly flipping or tapping tap their paws when they scratch. This doesn’t hurt them but they do get the idea. Don’t deprive your cat from scratching all together. Provide them with a post or something to scratch when they want to.

Teach your cat what they can and can’t play with.

Cats are playful and curious so they often find adventure by chewing on cords or batting at items you would rather they not play with. Provide toys that will hold your cat’s attention. When they are caught playing with something you would rather they didn’t, pick them up and move them away. It is also a good idea to kitty-proof your home just as you would for a child.

Teach a cat to sit, lie down, and roll over, give high fives, and do other pet tricks.

You can teach your cat simple tricks with a little bit of effort. To teach your cat how to do a high-five, hold your hand up high. Out of nature cats will reach upwards. If you want your cat to roll over, tell them to do so and then gently nudge their tummy. To get a cat to lay or sit down, pat the area where you want them to be and instruct them to get up there. These simple little tips work like a charm.

Above all else, you need to get to know your cat.

Cats vary within breed and personality and no two are the same. You will need to decide what kind of cat your is. You must bond with your cat and learn to connect with it. Establish your role by being sweet but stern when needed. Talk to your cat and get them used to your voice. Once you have a good relationship you can better communicate your needs with each other.