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We'll see how this harness things works out..

post #1 of 18
9/1/11 at 4:37pm
Thread Starter 
I've been thinking over getting Wessie a harness and taking him outside, maybe on walks, for a while. I know he'd enjoy getting some outside time, that's for sure! Last night I did quite a bit of research on cat harnesses, and discovered that vest type harnesses are more comfortable, and also harder for the cat to escape from. Soooo, I looked up how to make one. I completed it over last night and today. (All made out of fabrics and supplies found around the house.) It's nice and sturdy, zips up the front, and is hard to escape from. I took him outside today, he was in total shock that I was letting him out, but did sniff around a bit. It seems that he's almost totally forgotten how it was to be outside, as every little noise seemed to scare him. He wanted to come inside after about 5 or so minutes. So, do you all have any tips on training a cat to walk with you?

I'll post some pictures for you to see later.
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post #2 of 18
9/1/11 at 4:39pm
Wow, you are so handy!!! I can't imagine taking odds and ends and just...making something LOL. Don't have many tips with the vest, although you might try short non-intense outings to begin with. Not too much stimulus.
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post #3 of 18
9/1/11 at 4:42pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by kluchetta View Post
Wow, you are so handy!!! I can't imagine taking odds and ends and just...making something LOL. Don't have many tips with the vest, although you might try short non-intense outings to begin with. Not too much stimulus.
It was actually pretty hard to get the measurements right since Wessie wouldn't stay still! I can't believe I managed. The vest part is made out of an old pair of blue jeans that I saved until the perfect moment, and I used the zipper out of an old broken purse.
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post #4 of 18
9/1/11 at 4:52pm
That's pretty cool! I'd love to see photos!

I have no idea how to make a cat walk with you, but sometimes I do 'walk' Genever around the yard with the harness and leash. It's easy with her because she's very much a people person so if I'm constantly saying "come on" in that high voice we talk to our pets in, and kind of hold my hand down or even crouch down a bit, she follows. Dorothy just wanders, but then I've only taken her out 2 times I think. Anyway, good luck!
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post #5 of 18
9/1/11 at 8:25pm
Thread Starter 
Still haven't gotten the pics uploaded to the internet yet. I'll post them here as soon as I do! Wessie was in the harness inside, and someone besides me was holding the leash. For some reason Wessie doesn't like to get too close to this person, even though they are a member in the family. Anyway, Wessie ran crazedly and was able to escape backwards. Any tips on how to make the harness more secure?
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post #6 of 18
9/2/11 at 5:20am
Keep trying with Wessie.....wishing you the best of luck! I'd like to see pictures, too.

We had leash-trained Hydrox, Banshee, Ms. Pepe, and BooBoo when they were all very young. As soon as I would get collars and leashes out, those cats would go crazy, each wanting to be the first to go out. "Me, me!" "No, me!" No, I'm going first!" "Get outta here; me, me, me!" The meowing and yelling that went on when it was time for walkies. They loved it outside, even on their leashes. We would go for walks around the yard....well, OK, they would walk me. They all loved to chase bugs and play in the grass. DH would take a kitty and go out front. I'd take another and we'd go out back. Sometimes we'd go together, but more often than not, leashes would get tangled and that was difficult.
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post #7 of 18
9/2/11 at 5:16pm
Thread Starter 
Here's the harness, but I did make some changes to it. Since he was able to escape from the back fairly easily, now it has a piece of fabric with a tail hole... virtually un-escapeable but looks pretty silly. I'll post pics of the new version later.



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post #8 of 18
9/2/11 at 5:33pm
Wow! Wessie looks great, is there anything you can't do? I used to take Ginga out on a harness, it's best to train them as a kitten to show them their surroundings etc. Ginga ended up getting too inquisitive and continuously tried escaping to see more of things that we ended up stopping the harness, she knows now not to leave the backyard and is supervised whenever she is outside.

Great job on the harness!
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post #9 of 18
9/3/11 at 6:10am
Wow, I love what you made . As other people pointed out is there anything you can not do? I wish I could do stuff like that, but I sure can not .


Anyway could I you to make one for me? But I would need it in a different "style". The reason is my Savannah has a different body type/build then the average cat.

If you want tonight I can post a link for what I would need. I will of cource pay you for your time and material.

I love the photos of Wessie and what you made for him !
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post #10 of 18
9/3/11 at 12:57pm
That looks great!

I don't know how to make a harness more secure either. A few times Genever has escaped hers too after getting freaked out by something (i have no idea what), but I was out with her and she just ran toward the house. It's hard to figure out how to adjust the harness I guess, because I don't want it to be too loose obviously, but I don't want it to be too tight and be uncomfortable. I think the way we have it is as good as it's gonna get for Genever.
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post #11 of 18
9/3/11 at 9:56pm
Thread Starter 
Hey there Mattie,
I would love to make a harness for you, but wouldn't be able to until after the Labor Day weekend. Let me know what you would like, and we can work something out. I'll get back with you!
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post #12 of 18
9/4/11 at 3:03am
Love the harness!

I bought George a harness and trying to get him used to it just walking around in our backyard, he seems okay so far.
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post #13 of 18
9/4/11 at 5:02am
Quote:
Originally Posted by catbehaviors View Post
Hey there Mattie,
I would love to make a harness for you, but wouldn't be able to until after the Labor Day weekend. Let me know what you would like, and we can work something out. I'll get back with you!
Hi Eileen,

No rush at all. I just need it for the end of October if possible. I am taking him to the vet for his yearly shots. Even though he is taken in the crate letting him run around the exam room is well...like having a monkey in a room alone . I am posting the websites for you to look at whenever you have time :http://www.joykatz.net/walkingjackets.htm or http://www.hdw-inc.com/walkingjackets.htm.

Thank you so very very very much .
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post #14 of 18
9/4/11 at 9:17am
HI Eileen ! Wessie looks fantastic in his harness. And HAPPY about it too . I would love to harness train a couple of my out-going cats. Pipsqueak is a big NO... he is way to nervous, Perla too. But Walden and Wendall would be perfect candidates. Have fun with Wessie
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post #15 of 18
9/4/11 at 9:21am
Thread Starter 
Cat Person- I looked at the walking jacket site while making my harness to think about designs and such. the other site was very helpful, too! If I make you one, it will probably be made out of blue jean fabric. Do you want it to be more secure with a back, with a tail hole? Or just the front. I ended up adding another piece because Wessie was able to escape from the back when he went crazy.

Feralvr- You should try leash training them! So far I've had a lot of fun taking Wessie out. I'm not sure if this will work, but this is how I'm trying to train him to walk on the leash. For his breakfasts, I take him around the house, leading him to piles of kibble.
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post #16 of 18
9/4/11 at 9:34am
Quote:
Originally Posted by catbehaviors View Post
Cat Person- I looked at the walking jacket site while making my harness to think about designs and such. the other site was very helpful, too! If I make you one, it will probably be made out of blue jean fabric. Do you want it to be more secure with a back, with a tail hole? Or just the front. I ended up adding another piece because Wessie was able to escape from the back when he went crazy. ....
I have NO idea if a tail hole is needed. But the more secure the better. So I would think a back part is better?

My Savannah has a very large ribcage, long body, and small head. With an even smaller brain . Do you need his measurement ?

He has the build of a Grey Hound, Cheetah or Serval. If you want I will post a frontal picture of him, a side view and a top view .

The jean fabric sounds good to me, but I I have no idea about fabric . Yes I am a lousy women and a seamstress.
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post #17 of 18
9/4/11 at 9:47am
OMG, how cute is that harness?!
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post #18 of 18
9/4/11 at 11:00am
Quote:
Originally Posted by catbehaviors View Post
I'm not sure if this will work, but this is how I'm trying to train him to walk on the leash. For his breakfasts, I take him around the house, leading him to piles of kibble.
Brilliant! That should really get him used to the leash. I'm not sure it'll work outside, though, with so many interesting distractions.
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