[CorkyMax]

First--Don't bring home a puppy or kitten less than 8 weeks old. They need time to socialize and learn from the mom and the siblings, otherwise , behavior problems may arise!

When you do go to get your new puppy or kitten, take along a piece of fabric and rub it against the fur of the animal's mother and siblings to catch their scent. Place the fabric in your pet's bed to provide comfort.

To further help prevent your new pet from missing it's mother, wrap a hot water bottle in a towel for the animal to cuddle against in it's bed or wrap a ticking clock in a towel and put it in the bed to remind the pet of it's mother's reassuring heartbeat.

When walking a puppy, keep him away from other dog excrement. Dog feces may contain parvovirus, a common disease that kills large numbers of puppies under 5 months old.

About housebreaking: If your dog or cat stains the carpet--(or any other area--pees or poos), chances are good that your pet, with his strong sense of smell, will return to the same spot again----unless you clean and deodorize the area thoroughly. Mix 1/4 cup white vinegar and a few drops of Dawn dishwashing liquid (not the kind for your dishwasher!!!) in a quart of warm water. Scrub the affected area thoroughly with the soapy solution and blot dry.

To train a dog to stop barking, when your dog starts barking, squirt some ReaLemon lemon juice in the dog's mouth (not eyes!) and say "Quiet!" The lemon juice is nontoxic and harmless, providing simple and effective behavior modification.

UGH! Eating dung from a cat's litter box?---Sprinkle ground (cayenne) red pepper on the dung in the litter box or feces in the yard. Dogs abhor powerful spices.
Dogs that eat feces from a cat's litter box may accidently swallow too much cat box litter, resulting in intestinal obstructions. A dog that eats excrement may also contact parasites, resulting in lethargy and weight loss. If your dog has/does eat this 'crap' and you suspect or see any of these symptoms--Get your pet to the vet!