Having a pet or two brings a tremendous amount of joy into our lives. Walking a dog or playing with a cat benefits both the owner and pet in a variety of ways. But there will be times, however, when your beloved fuzzy pal does something that is either annoying (like jumping on counters) or even dangerous. These are the times that a little discipline will come in handy. First off, it’s important to know that you should never, ever hit an animal as a form of punishment. It’s not only cruel, but it can harm your pet physically. That said, you should not ignore your pet’s misbehavior, especially when you know it’s not safe. Read further for the smart way to discipline and how to encourage good behavior.

Start Them Young
It’s best to start training him as a puppy or kitten. If you get the pet when he is older, you can still train him, but it might be a little bit harder. You can send puppies and young dogs to obedience school, or you can learn to do train them yourself. Check out Complete Guide to Responsible Dog Ownership for more information about the latter.   As for kitty, it is important to know that what might work for a dog won’t necessarily work for a cat. Felines are more independent by nature, which means you’ll have to find some creative ways to discipline them properly. Ask your vet for advice on discipline cats.

Learn Patience
This is especially true when it comes to cats, but it’s a good thing to know for all animals. Don’t get mad, don’t yell, and don’t scare your pet. The goal here is to discourage bad behavior while encouraging good behaviors.

Praise Good Behaviors
Let her know when she’s being good, just a simple praise or even a treat should encourage her. Remember to follow up and let her know from time to time what is acceptable and what is not. You want to make sure that she stays safe and secure, that is why a little discipline is good.