Pets are fabulous companions. But they can also wreak havoc on your home – soiling carpets, chewing cords and shoes, or scratching furniture, among many other bad behaviors. Follow this simple advice to keep the damage to a minimum when you bring a new pet into the home.

1. Invest In Obedience School

An upfront investment in obedience training will prevent a lot of messes, headaches and expenses. A trainer will assist you in housebreaking a new pet as quickly as possible. This is critical because accidents can permanently stain carpets and wood floors, or leave persistent odors. A trainer will also teach you how to discourage destructive behavior such as chewing or scratching.

Obedience classes can be expensive. You’re likely to spend $75 to $150 for a six- to eight-week class that meets once per week. Boarding programs that span two to four weeks can cost $1,000 to $2,000 or more. However, keep in mind that obedience training is cheaper than replacing your furniture and flooring.

If you simply can’t afford obedience school, follow these training tips from The Humane Society of the United States.

2. Keep Your Pet Groomed

Whether you invest in regular trips to the groomer or tackle the job yourself, keeping your pet well groomed is a great way to minimize dirt and damage. Regularly trimming your dog’s coat will reduce the amount of hair on furniture and carpets, and keeping your cat’s nails clipped will minimize damage from scratching. The bonus? Your pet will look, smell and feel better.

3. Outsmart Your Pet With These Tricks

Want to discourage your dog or cat from chewing on electrical cords, shoes or furniture? Buy a spray repellent at the pet store or simply apply lemon juice to objects or areas that are off limits. Your pet will stay away from anything with a sour or bitter taste.

To discourage your cat from scratching, apply double-sided tape to the sides of your furniture and leave it there for few weeks. Your cat won’t like the feel of the tape and will soon learn that scratching the furniture doesn’t lead to a pleasurable outcome. Similarly, apply contact paper to keep your cat off the kitchen counters. The sticky feeling won’t be enjoyable, and your cat will remember that feeling long after the contact paper is gone.

4. Hire a Cleaning Company

Bringing a pet into the home means lots of extra time spent cleaning. Pets leave hair on the furniture that needs to be vacuumed every couple days. They track in dirt from the outdoors. And when they’re young, they have accidents in the house that soil carpet and hardwood floors. Hiring a professional cleaning company to help you keep the house in order eliminates some of the additional stress. Most companies will even handle unpleasant tasks such as cleaning the litter box.

 5. Exercise, Exercise, Exercise

A lot of bad behavior results from boredom. Dogs or cats chew and scratch because they have excess energy and nothing better to do. Regular exercise will help keep your pet  out of trouble. If you have a dog, go for a walk or a run. Throw a tennis ball in the backyard. Even hire a dog walker to exercise your best friend while you’re at work. For a cat, pick up a fishing pole toy or a laser pointer.