Baby animals are different than adults. They have some very specific needs and unique characteristics that make them very special. Puppies and kittens go through many developmental stages during their first year, and it's our job as owners to make certain that their needs are met in order for them to reach their full potential. Puppies and kittens go through the critical "socialization period" during their first few months, and the amount and quality of life experiences they have during this time will influence them their entire lives. The first year is the time to show your dog or cat how to live their lives and how to interact with you. If you do not have at least 1/2 an hour daily where you can focus on just training and socializing a young animal, you should consider an older animal instead (adult dogs and cats make great pets!).

Download "Priscilla's Primer on Polite and Pleasant Puppies" for a quick summary of the things you need to know as a new pet owner.

Check out these links on young pet behavior:

From the ASPCA: Puppy Mouthing and Nipping , Destructive Behavior, House Training, Crate Training, Cat Play Aggression.

From Petfinder.com: Housebreaking, Jumping, Dog Adolescence, Shaping Kitten Behavior, Cat Destructiveness, Keeping Cats Off Surfaces, Reading Your Cat's Body Language

For dogs, a great puppy book we strongly recommend is "Puppy Preschool" by John Ross and Barbara McKinney. For any pet owner, we also recommend "Don't Shoot the Dog" by Karen Pryor, a book on positive reinforcement.