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Harness training problems

post #1 of 13
5/24/11 at 11:44am
Thread Starter 
Hi guys. IT's been a few months sine I was harness training my cat. She's okay walking around with her harness at home ,but when it comes to outside, all she does is meow.. I try treats and petting her, but nothing is working. It comes to the point that I don't know what to do anymore. can someone help?

Thanks.
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post #2 of 13
5/24/11 at 11:58am
Same thing happened with my cat. He's fine indoors, but when I take him outside, he's too scared to do anything, or pay attention. I'd take him out once or twice a day, and after a month of no improvement, I gave up. lol.

I chalked it up as "too late to harness train" as it is better to teach a kitten than an adult cat
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post #3 of 13
5/24/11 at 12:01pm
Is she moving around at all outside, or just sitting/lying down? Did you take her outside and just sit on the ground with her till she felt confident enough to explore a little? Is she in a yard where she can feel safe, or out on the sidewalk? Have you tried taking a carrier out that she can run to and hide in if she's scared at first?
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post #4 of 13
5/24/11 at 12:13pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by jcat View Post
Is she moving around at all outside, or just sitting/lying down? Did you take her outside and just sit on the ground with her till she felt confident enough to explore a little? Is she in a yard where she can feel safe, or out on the sidewalk? Have you tried taking a carrier out that she can run to and hide in if she's scared at first?
I second all of the above. I harness trained all mine to make it easier and safer to move them around and did it very gradually. The good thing is, once trained, they never forget.
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post #5 of 13
5/24/11 at 2:16pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by jcat View Post
Is she moving around at all outside, or just sitting/lying down? Did you take her outside and just sit on the ground with her till she felt confident enough to explore a little? Is she in a yard where she can feel safe, or out on the sidewalk? Have you tried taking a carrier out that she can run to and hide in if she's scared at first?
Well the only time she moves is when we are by bushes. Mostly she'll just meow by the door and do some crawling.
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post #6 of 13
5/24/11 at 3:16pm
You have to out-stubborn her. She knows if she meows enough, you'll give in and take her inside. So get out a book, plop your bum on the ground and wait it out. *shades*
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post #7 of 13
5/24/11 at 5:08pm
Thread Starter 
Out-stubborn her? What do you mean?
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post #8 of 13
5/25/11 at 8:19am
Cats are very stubborn. You have to show her that you are More stubborn and you won't give in.
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post #9 of 13
5/26/11 at 10:59am
Thread Starter 
Hmm. I'm not taking her out because it's not going to be great for the next few days. Should I try to do it everyday until she realizes that the outdoors isn't that bad?
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post #10 of 13
5/28/11 at 7:02am
Yup. Don't try to force her to walk, just sit down on the ground or in a chair and read a book or something. Don't say anything, just wait for her to realize that you Aren't going back inside just because She wants you to. Eventually she'll stop trying to get back in the door and when she starts to look around or take a couple steps, then praise her and try to get her to follow you a couple more, then a couple more.
It'll probably take a while, but its possible.
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post #11 of 13
5/29/11 at 5:01am
Thread Starter 
Haha this should be fun. Me playing the stubborn one or perhaps the more stubborn one. lol Thanks. I sure hope it works. Tomorrow will be a nice day or at least in the morning.
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post #12 of 13
5/29/11 at 1:09pm
I guess if I wanted my cat to get used to a harness outside, I'd first start with putting the harness on her inside and let her get used to the harness itself. After some days or weeks, or however long it takes, then take her out, but maybe put her down and sit next to her, just talk to her calmly so she knows you're right there and things are ok. Of course, if it were my cat and she meowed at the door to go in, I'd let her in, and kinda be happy she wants to stay in. Just move at her pace. Not sure why you're pushing for the outside thing, but in any case, I think it's best to do things slowly and gradually with cats, especially when it involves changing their comfort zone. We do it with food changes, with introducing new cats, with changing types of litters. Little by little seems to work best with a lot of cats, and it sounds like yours would benefit from a slow process of getting used to the harness, then getting used to being outside with the harness. Good luck!

EDIT- I just realised you said your cat IS used to the harness indoors.. (oops! Sorry ) So.... yeah, I guess it's time to be slow and gradual about the outside part, taking her out, but letting her in when she wants in, so she gets comfortable in knowing she's not stuck outside.
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post #13 of 13
6/5/11 at 4:20am
Is she an outdoor cat? Just wondering why you want her to go outside. If she's an indoor only kitty, I would just let her stay inside. She's scared.
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