Leash training

**Soledad** · 06-02-2003, 09:50 PM

Boo HATES collars. I have never been able to get one on him for more than five minutes.

But now that he's in America, I want him to be indoors only. However, I still want him to have an outdoors experience, at the end of a leash.

How do I get this collar resistant guy to accept leash training??

**Soledad** · 06-03-2003, 09:22 AM

*BUMP*

Uh...any thoughts?

**wolf_Q** · 06-03-2003, 09:24 AM

How about trying a harness for cats? Maybe just put the harness and leash on him...then pick him up and carry him outside. Sit out there with him on the grass for a while, and just let him explore on his own.

**Russian Blue** · 06-03-2003, 09:52 AM

I'm not sure if you saw my older posts, but I leash trained Nakita VERY slowly. I bought a harness and left if by her food dish for a couple of days so she would get used to it. Then I put the harness on her for only a few minutes every other day and would play with her and give her treats and praise.

Then I would leave the harness on her for longer periods of time. I always gave her treats and played with her so that she would associate the harness with a positive event. Then after a couple of weeks I attached the leash and would walk around the house with her. Then we eventually went outside.

I cannot emphasize enough that you have to watch your cat and to do the whole process slowly with much praise! If they are anxious or miserable at anytime during the training, the cat will remember the negative so it's important to make the whole process fun.

Not all cats will take to a harness and leash, but many will accept it more easily if they see it connected to a reward (going outside or treats).

**Edwina's Secretary** · 06-03-2003, 12:18 PM

(Poor Edwina....she has a cavalier momma who doesn't know her food and water dish aren't suppose to be together or that halters take getting accustomed to or that litter boxes should be scrubbed out regularly or.....alot of other cat niceties....sigh)

I bought Edwina a small dog harness with leash, put it on her and put her in the (fenced) backyard. She was able to wiggle out of it. So I bought her the cat walking jacket (first time my brother saw it he asked why she was wearing a life jacket

)

She didn't like it at first....would do a cat "no" and prance away. I did a momma "fine" and went outside without her. She let me put it on her and did a Sarah Bernhardt -- VERY dramatic sideways walk. It was a battle of wills....

Now she will go and sit on her harness as a way of begging to go outside. And BTW...she has never worn a collar!

**Karen** · 06-03-2003, 12:59 PM

These replies are excellent. I will echo them with what a woman I saw once walking her cat on a leash /harness said ...

"She didn't like it at ALL at first, but soon realized it was the only way she was ever gonna get to go outside ... and so puts up with it. Going outside is far more important than winning the battle of wills to her."

**catlady1945** · 06-03-2003, 01:41 PM

The younger the better for leash training. But if you do it slowly, the cat will probably get the idea. Plus they love to be outside - even if it is on the end of a leash. My neighbor walks her cat up the street on a leash. It takes half an our to go two houses away because kitty is sniffing and exploring every little thing. Lots of patience needed.

**Barbara** · 06-03-2003, 02:44 PM

http://petoftheday.com/talk/showthre...ighlight=leash

I also had that question once...but I still have not started. I think I should practice in winter inside, maybe they'll be ready to go outside in spring. However Boo is much younger so give it a try!

**Nomilynn** · 06-03-2003, 06:16 PM

I agree with what has been said. I put the harness on Tilly, and she HATED it.. but as soon as she was outside, she didn't really care - she was outside!!

Nutmeg tried to wiggle out of her harness, but I put it on upsidedown and she couldn't get out (

long story.. I'll have pics soon though

). I think the key to it all is baby steps

Good luck, and please photograph your progress!!!

**Miss Meow** · 06-03-2003, 06:36 PM

Ours hated collars and harnesses until they learned to associate the harness with the big treat of being outdoors. Mini and Jasmine took a few attempts and adjusted fairly quickly, Tabasco took to the harness in the first minute and now knows that having two hoomans at home means OUTDOORS! Pickles is our special boy who doesn't believe in any adornment on his creamy body, so he's taking a lot longer ...