Beginner’s Guide to Training Your Pets – Simple Steps to Get Started

Having an obedient, family companion is an important aspect of pet ownership. Whilst dogs and cats have been popular pets for years, they still need to be shown a thing or two if you want them to be the perfect family pet. This is where training them becomes crucial as it will increase the bond between you and make things much easier when it comes to basic commands, socialisation with other people and pets, and avoiding bad behaviour at home and in public.

So, where do you begin if this experience is all new for you and your family? Below, we’ll walk through some simple steps to get you started on training your pet effectively, so that you can live together with your new companion in harmony, and head out into the world together without worry.

Before Starting Training

As training involves a variety of activities, some more strenuous than others such as agility training, you’ll want to ensure that you have peace of mind that if your pet were to suffer an injury or other unexpected mishap, you can get the help you need. Not only that, if you were seeking expert guidance on behavioural treatment to help train them, this can be expensive. This is where having a comprehensive pet insurance policy can protect you from unexpected vet bills whilst also help care for your pet’s emotional and mental well-being.

Whether it’s a sprained paw during a bonding game of fetch or a high-impact agility session, to a stress-related symptom due to new routines your pet is getting used to, the costs for treatment can quickly mount up. Having a good policy can help cover everything from minor injuries to more serious conditions that require a trip to the vet.

It’s also important to not move too quickly and hurry through training your pet. It can take time for them to pick up on new commands and changes to their routine, so you’ll need patience and understanding that they may not get it right the first time of asking. Above all, keep it fun and positive, and the sessions short and consistent, and you’ll hopefully see the results of your efforts.

Step 1 – Establishing Basic Commands

Starting with the basics is always the best approach, as once you’ve got the hang of the simple commands, you can move on to more advanced ones if you want to. Now, you may have more luck teaching a dog basic commands when compared to a cat, but it isn’t impossible. As per Battersea Dogs and Cats Home, it is possible to train your cat using positive reinforcement if you start training from a young age. This means just like with a dog, you can reward them for doing what you’ve asked using treats and they’ll eventually associate this with good behaviour.

• Start with simple, clear commands such as ‘sit’, ‘stay’, ‘come’ or variations of these. Each should be associated with a specific action you want them to do. Also, use the same word consistently to avoid confusing them.
• Choose a quiet environment where your pet can focus without distractions. Use a calm and firm tone of voice as they will be more responsive to the tone rather than just the words.
• If they follow the command correctly, such as sitting when saying “sit”, immediately reward them with a treat. This will reinforce the behaviour when done consistently.
• It doesn’t just have to be food, so praising them or giving them their favourite toy will also help. With cats, you may have more success using food to reward them as they may not respond to praise in the exact same way as a dog (who doesn’t like a food-related treat?).

Patience is key, of course, and some pets may pick up commands quickly, while others may need repeated practice. As mentioned, keep sessions short and enjoyable. 5 to 10 minutes at a time to start with should be sufficient. Once your pet starts to follow the basics, you can gradually introduce new ones.

Step 2 – Keep a Positive Training Environment

It should be a fun way to spend time with your cat or dog, so training should be enjoyable. If you’re not enjoying it, the chances are your pet is also struggling, so keeping it positive and choosing good times to do so for both of you can make a difference.

• The best place for training is in a safe and comfortable space for your pet, ideally away from interruptions from other pets, people, or noises. Of course, if you are attending training classes in a group this can be challenging, as there will be other people and pets present. This is where using treats can be effective.
• Make a fuss of your pet when they do successfully follow your command. It reinforces their good behaviour and shows them that it results in a positive outcome from you as their owner, making them more likely to repeat it.
• Never use negative reinforcement or punishment – this will lead to the opposite, and they may become fearful or anxious around you, which is not what you want.

There’s good reason why using treats can be so effective with training. As you may realise quickly when owning a pet, food is a big motivator for them and something they look forward to. According to the latest PDSA Animal Wellbeing Report, 73% of owners use treats or food rewards as a training aid, whilst 26% use things like food dispensing toys. It can be much easier to train them when something they enjoy is included, which is why food is always a popular choice.

Step 3 – Consistency is Needed 

Just like with us as humans, to learn something you have to practice and repeat, whether it’s an instrument or studying for an exam. The consistency is what helps keep things fresh so that you’re less likely to forget and eventually will stick with you. Training your pet is the same, so only doing so on and off will not have the desired effect.

• Use the same words and actions each time you give a command to help your pet understand and respond appropriately. If you keep changing the word you use for “sit” or “stay”, this will only confuse them. Similarly with a cat, changing the treats you use or the environment you train in will not be as effective.
• Keep to a consistent schedule too. Regular sessions, ideally at the same time each day, will reinforce what has been learned. However, don’t force the training if it’s not convenient and be realistic with your time too. This will help keep training less stressful for both you and your pet.

Remember, consistency isn’t just down to you but also everyone else in your household. Everyone should use the same commands and rewards to avoid confusing your pet, so having a family meeting can ensure everyone is on the same page!

Step 4 – Socialisation with Humans & Other Animals

One of the key reasons for training your pet is to ensure they interact well with the environment around them and other people and animals they meet. You want a well-adjusted and happy pet, so this is why socialisation is important from an early age when training them.

• Exposing your pet to a variety of people, animals, environments, and situations helps them become more comfortable and less fearful in different settings. It should be gradual and positive. Introduce your pet to family and friends in a controlled environment, ideally at home first.
• Keep these initial meetings short and sweet and allow your pet to approach new people in their own time rather than forcing them. Using praise and treats will help keep this positive.
• Once your cat or dog seems comfortable around new people, gradually introduce them to other animals. This could be done during walks, at a pet-friendly park, or during meetups with friends or family who have their own pets.

Keep an eye on your pet’s body language and behaviour during these interactions. If they aren’t enjoying it, then stop and try again at a different time. Remember, there is no rush to train them and introduce lots of other people and animals, so be patient and good luck!

Hopefully, by following the above steps you’ll have the basis of a good routine, but if you do struggle, do speak to your vet for advice. They may be able to recommend an ABTC-qualified behaviourist to help you.