What to expect with a leash-trained cat?

Cataria

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When I got one of my cats, Shade, a few years ago, I harness/leash trained her... sort of. She has no issues with me putting the harness on her, no issues with going to unexpected or unfamiliar areas while wearing a harness/leash. The two issues I have:
  • She can slip out of the harness if she really tries. She's not afraid of unfamiliar areas and is happy to go outside or to work or to Petco, but I took her to the duck pond once and she freaked out and slipped the harness. Apparently she's terrified of quacking ducks. I've tried adjusting the harness, but I can't find a way to make it so she can't escape it if she really wants to. I'm not sure what good the harness is if they can slip out?
  • I was sort of under the impression I could actually take Shade for walks, but she doesn't want to walk? When I take her out she either wants to roll across every inch of the sidewalk/floor (which honestly, is what she does in a new place whether she wears a harness or not) or she finds one thing she wants to sniff at for a half hour and won't go anywhere else. Can you actually take a cat on a walk, or can you only take a cat on a supervised exploration mission? Not sure if the walking part is something I actually have to train her to do or if cats just don't do that, haha.
Would love to hear about your experiences with leash trained cats!
 

NewYork1303

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When I got one of my cats, Shade, a few years ago, I harness/leash trained her... sort of. She has no issues with me putting the harness on her, no issues with going to unexpected or unfamiliar areas while wearing a harness/leash. The two issues I have:
  • She can slip out of the harness if she really tries. She's not afraid of unfamiliar areas and is happy to go outside or to work or to Petco, but I took her to the duck pond once and she freaked out and slipped the harness. Apparently she's terrified of quacking ducks. I've tried adjusting the harness, but I can't find a way to make it so she can't escape it if she really wants to. I'm not sure what good the harness is if they can slip out?
  • I was sort of under the impression I could actually take Shade for walks, but she doesn't want to walk? When I take her out she either wants to roll across every inch of the sidewalk/floor (which honestly, is what she does in a new place whether she wears a harness or not) or she finds one thing she wants to sniff at for a half hour and won't go anywhere else. Can you actually take a cat on a walk, or can you only take a cat on a supervised exploration mission? Not sure if the walking part is something I actually have to train her to do or if cats just don't do that, haha.
Would love to hear about your experiences with leash trained cats!
Pretty sure that cats cannot really be walked. They like to explore and have you follow them around. 

What kind of harness do you have for her? Some are easier to get out of than others. Most are escapable to some degree for safety should a cat get hung up with one. 
 

SeventhHeaven

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I literally JOG with my male kitty Toque on cement trails in parks. Tortie, his mom same loves to go on walks. The easiest way to train is just bring a wand toy with you they will chase it keeps their head up to walk or jog with you.  If your cat is slipping out of the harness then either he/she needs grow more or buy a different brand Asap. The one with the cloth bib work the best  Picture of the month modeled one recently   Cassie by Draco   (first photo)

http://www.thecatsite.com/t/317831/springtime-kitties-april-2016-picture-of-the-month-contest
 
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