Bolting outfoors

mjvale

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My high energy 1 year old cat loves to go outside. We live in an apartment complex where cars are coming and leaving quite often. Not only is it required for her to be on a leash per lease agreement, but I feel it is really the only safe option. She actually walks on the leash quite well too and knows that when I bring it out, she gets to go outside and runs to the door and starts meowing excitedly. However, sometimes she bolts out the door when it opens. She normally doesn't get too far, but we have had a couple of scares. Once she ran out when I wasn't looking and I thought she was gone forever. Another time she bolted out when the pizza guy was there and ran towards a moving car. Any ideas on how to keep her from bolting out when she is not supposed to? I would love to keep taking her out on a leash if possible, but only if she knows that she is not allowed without it. Thanks for any advice!!
 

betsygee

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I don't know that there's any foolproof way to do that.
    We trained our cats over time to stay back from the door when we put our hand out and say "NO" firmly.  It doesn't always work, though.  Rico is a speedy little guy and has got by us sometimes.  Fortunately, he's VERY treat-oriented, so if we just shake the treat bag outside, he'll come back in.

Here's an article that might have some ideas for you:  http://www.petsafe.net/learn/5-ways-to-keep-your-cat-from-escaping
 
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mjvale

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Thanks for your feedback and the link! Keiko
is also super treat-oriented. (I can get her to wave, stay, and come with treats when we do our little "training" sessions.) You would think that the fact that she knows the word "stay" would help, but she just wants to go out so bad.
 
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