Coming inside

I take my cats out into a fenced yard. They wear harnesses and drag a length of lightweight polyrope behind them.

I stay out with them, reading, gardening, and playing with Mazy (the other two just like to do their own thing)

When I tell them it's time to come in they come, each in his or her own way, (Tolly walks in, peeping, Jennie likes to be chased in, and Mazy waits for the other two, and brings up the rear) and stop at the same spot each time to have the harness removed.

Tolly stops in the doorway.


Jennie stops on the stairs


Mazy (The Litter Box Police) turns to the right instead of the left, and stops at the litter boxes

Awww.... how cute!

That's so cute. I was just thinking today how funny it is that cats have their set routines like humans do. Raven will only drink from one side of the tap. If that side is blocked, he will wait until I clear the area so he can drink from that side.

They are so adorable. I wish I'd leash trained Holland when she was a kitten...

Originally Posted by Mystik Spiral

They are so adorable.

I wish I'd leash trained Holland when she was a kitten...

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Thank you!

All my cats were trained to harness as adults.

I just took these today out in the yard

That is so adorable! We've tried a harness for Ginga, the leash that came with it was very small though. She didn't really like it, it was annoying her and she used to roll over and get it stuck and things

Jackz, Jazzy & Ginga.

Originally Posted by Carolina

Awww.... how cute!

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Thank you!

Originally Posted by myfamiliars

That's so cute. I was just thinking today how funny it is that cats have their set routines like humans do. Raven will only drink from one side of the tap. If that side is blocked, he will wait until I clear the area so he can drink from that side.

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Thank you! Yes, cats really do thrive on routine. Even outside in their fenced yard, they have their set routines they follow.

Ootay 's was the best. She had certain spots she liked to sit in the yard. She would go from spot to spot, spending five or ten minutes in each spot. Then she would go inside, use the litter box, go upstairs and fish out one of her crumpled cigarette packs and walk around up there with it in her mouth making her funny howling meaowelp sound. Eventually she would bring the thing downstairs, leave it on the stoop and come back outside, find a grassy spot and curl up for a nap.

Originally Posted by otto

All my cats were trained to harness as adults.

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I may try it... She used to never show interest in the outdoors, in fact she would run the other way when I opened any door to the outside. But she's been starting to sit by the screen door when I am outside, sitting at the open window screens... Still not a door dasher, but I think she would enjoy the yard.

Originally Posted by JazzyTheCat

That is so adorable! We've tried a harness for Ginga, the leash that came with it was very small though. She didn't really like it, it was annoying her and she used to roll over and get it stuck and things

Jackz, Jazzy & Ginga.

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Than you! As you can see, I don't use leashes, those are lengths of lightweight polyrope. I think I use the 1/4 inch thick size. They've learned to drag them along behind.

It's handy, because even if I can't see the cat (around the other side of the tree for instance) I can see his or her "String", so I can always account for everyone at a glance.

Originally Posted by Mystik Spiral

I may try it... She used to never show interest in the outdoors, in fact she would run the other way when I opened any door to the outside. But she's been starting to sit by the screen door when I am outside, sitting at the open window screens... Still not a door dasher, but I think she would enjoy the yard.

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Now, keep in mind that a cat sitting in a window does not mean the cat wants to go outside. It just means the cat likes too look out the window, after all who doesn't?

My cats were always strictly indoors until 8 summers ago. I was working about 70 hours a week, and had very little home time. In the summer I love to have gardens to putter in. However that year, I had so little home time that if I was out in my garden I was taking time that belonged to my cats. I couldn't stand it, being outside, when they wanted me with them, so (after asking the landlord first) I put up a fence and harness trained them.

Tolly is the only cat of the originally trained cats. Bibbs 3/05 and Ootay 5/09 are gone now, but Mazy and then Jennie came along and got trained quite easily.

I will share my harness training method with you, if you want.

I don't know that I can do harness training too soon, with all the recent changes in Holland's routine, but if you want to share your method, I'd be happy to hear it, and take notes if I decide to do it!

Originally Posted by Mystik Spiral

I don't know that I can do harness training too soon, with all the recent changes in Holland's routine, but if you want to share your method, I'd be happy to hear it, and take notes if I decide to do it!

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Right, now is definitely not the time, for Holland. When you're ready I'll be happy to share. It's no trouble, I wrote it all out long ago, and I just copy it over for anyone who is interested.

You can start by finding a harness though and just keeping it around the house, draping it over her now and then so it becomes hers.

Those pics are to cute!!!!! Maia goes on my rooftop garden only when I am there and keeping a close eye on her. She is a huge momma's girl though, and when I start towards the door, she is right in front of me! Sometimes she needs a little encouragement ......

They are SO precious!! I love the pic of all 3 of them lying on their mat in the sunshine...like 3 friends sprawling on a blanket at the park. And Ootay with the precious fluffy belly!

What do you do if they act like they want to get outside the yard? (Like if they see a bird, or a rabbit, or something). Are they pretty calm about staying inside the fence?

Originally Posted by at129

They are SO precious!! I love the pic of all 3 of them lying on their mat in the sunshine...like 3 friends sprawling on a blanket at the park.

And Ootay with the precious fluffy belly!

What do you do if they act like they want to get outside the yard? (Like if they see a bird, or a rabbit, or something). Are they pretty calm about staying inside the fence?

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Hi Amanda, they don't try, as they are predominantly indoor cats they are used to having a barrier in front of them (window screen, for example). Even Jennie, who lived on her own outside for many months does not try to jump the fence.

They simply watch the birds and rabbits from the fence.

Before Jennie came I had a lower fence, just 42 inches. The cats I had then never tried to jump it because they were used to something in front of them, between themselves and the world, and also because I was very careful never to step over it myself.

When Jennie came I put in the 6 foot fence, because I was worried she would jump the shorter fence and teach the other cats how to do it. She's never tried though.

They only go out in nice weather. I don't take them out ever day, sometimes I don't have time. They don't beg to go out or bolt out the door.

By the way, I did have to put some fencing in the apple tree, to keep Jennie from leaping into the branches.

PS They hang together like that often. No matter what they are doing they all eventually end up hanging around together.

Absolutely adorable pictures. They all look so happy! I've also thought of harness training... These pictures really make me want to look into it, at least for the more laid back of the cats.

We leash trained Swat & Bitty before they were 3 months old. They are now 7 and don't know any different. If they want to go out, they meow at the door and then sit and wait for their harnesses to be put on. We always go out with them, and they too drag a length of rope behind them. Our yard is not fenced and often we'll go for a wander through the neighborhood, us holding their ropes for this. Here is a pic for your enjoyment.

Originally Posted by Trabel

We leash trained Swat & Bitty before they were 3 months old. They are now 7 and don't know any different. If they want to go out, they meow at the door and then sit and wait for their harnesses to be put on. We always go out with them, and they too drag a length of rope behind them. Our yard is not fenced and often we'll go for a wander through the neighborhood, us holding their ropes for this. Here is a pic for your enjoyment.

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Aren't they just beautiful boys! Hard to believe those boys are the kittens in your signature!

Thanks for sharing that pic with us!

Your kitties look so content just hanging out in the sun and the shade.

We FINALLY just bought a house (yay!) and should be moved in within the next month. I had tried harness training Genever a bit in the apartment maybe a year ago, taking her out in the hallway for a little bit at a time, but then I stopped for some reason. I need to start again, because I think she would really enjoy going out in the yard. Heck, I know *I* will enjoy going out in the yard!

How do you know how tight to make the harness though? One time she wiggled out of it. Only in the apartment, but I don't want that happening outside!! But I don't want to make it too tight and hurt her either... what's a good guideline? I have the kind of harness that Swat & Bitty are wearing.