Cats

• When you first bring your kitten/cat home, do not allow the cat to run loose in the house unsupervised.
• Set-up a room or small area of the house where the animal will stay during the first week or two.  Be sure this is an area close to where the litter box will be regularly kept. 
  • If it is not, you will need to slowly move the box to its permanent location after your cat is settled in and has access to all parts of the house.
  • Depending on the number of cats and floors in your home, it may be a good idea to keep more than one litter box in use.
• Show your kitten/cat where the litter box is.  For most felines, being shown the location of the litter box once or twice is all that is needed to encourage its use.  Cats are naturally clean animals and will typically begin to use a well-kept litter box immediately.
• Keep the litter box and its area clean on a daily basis.  Cats do not like using dirty litter areas and may go elsewhere.

Dogs

• When you first bring your puppy/dog home, do not allow the dog to run loose in the house unsupervised.
• Introduce your dog to every room in your house so that he recognizes it as his den area. Dogs generally do not like to soil their den.
• Keep your dog on a schedule.  Dogs thrive on having a routine.
• Dogs generally have to go out right after eating, drinking, sleeping, exercising or chewing bones.
• Feed your dog a high-grade dry dog food.  The old saying "You get what you paid for," applies in this case.  Check with your veterinarian to see which dog food would be the best choice for your dog's needs.
• Designate a "potty" area outside and take the dog to that spot every time.  Leash walk him back and forth in that area while saying a key phrase such as, "Hurray up," or "Go potty."  He will start associating going to the bathroom with the key phrase.
• Always praise your dog when he goes to the bathroom outside.

Please note: Most puppy or dog accidents are the results of negligence on the owner's part.

• If you catch your canine in the act of having an accident you may correct him by telling him "No" in a firm tone of voice then taking him out to his "potty" area.
• Do not rub his nose in it – dogs have a superior sense of smell.  Also when correcting, take into account the sensitivity of your dog.  A highly shy and sensitive dog may be so upset by the correction that he might stop eliminating in front of you altogether.