So, you have made a great decision to adopt a pet from a pet shelter. You have not only saved a life but you have also brought a loving companion for yourself. When you bring a new puppy, kitten, cat, or dog home, you have to make sure that you make it feel comfortable first. Do not try to train your pet the day it arrives your home.

Here are some tricks and tips to house train a newly adopted shelter pet.

Let your pet be comfortable in the new home

Cats and dogs have very different personalities. However, one thing that is common between the two animals is that they both will need time to settle in a new place. Do not introduce your new pet to lots of people on its first day in your home. Let it feel comfortable on its own. Do not try to push yourself onto your pet as it will just scare it away. Once your pet feel safe in the house, it will come to you on its own. Make sure you have kept clean water and a food bowl somewhere your pet can reach it easily.

Always keep an eye on your pet

The first and the most basic house training rule for pets is to keep an eye on them. A newly adopted pet is scared and there is a high chance that it will try to escape. So, you need to make sure that you do not leave it running freely in the house. Keep the pet in a room for the first few days and don’t forget to keep the doors closed. New pets will try to escape from open doors, which will create problem for you. You also need to observe your pet for the first few weeks as its actions will tell you a lot about its personality.

Do not miss out on litter training

If you don’t train your pet to use the litter box, you will end up with lots of poop and dirt all around your home. Who wants that? Well, if you want to make sure that your house remains clean, you have to ensure that you pet learns to use the litter box. The first thing you need to do is keep the litter box near your pet’s bed or in its room. The litter box should be the right size, so that your pet can easily use it.

To make your cat or dog use the litter box, you will need to use positive reinforcement or else you will not get any success. After your pet has had a meal, guide it towards the litter box. The idea is to appreciate and treat your pet if it uses the litter box. You may also appreciate your pet by rubbing its belly or using vocal signals. So, your pet will start to associate treats and cuddles with the use of litter box and will develop this habit in a few weeks time. You can use vocal commands like ‘go potty’ to encourage the pet to use the litter box and use ‘no’ along with hand gestures to stop your pet from pooping somewhere else.

Remember, a new pet is scared and anxious at the same time. It takes time for it to develop habits and follow the house rules. However, make sure that you adopt a friendly and polite tone when training your pet.