Leash Training

Has anyone leash trained their cats? I would like to be able to take my cats out every once in a while, but in a controlled setting. I love going and getting fresh air, and im sure they would also. Is there any trick to it? I know they wont heel and sit like a dog, but to go on a leisurly stroll down the street and back sounds wonderful.

-Jade

Hi, been walking lots of cats for lots of years. First get the harnesses that not only go around the neck, but also down around the back of the front legs (little piece connects the neck strap to the tummy piece along the back). He's less likely to strangle or escape that way... dogs have much stronger necks! Then, without the leash itself connected to the harness, just attach the harness so it fits well, which means tight enough so you can just get a finger under both parts, but no more (and it won't catch on anything, and he's less likely to slither out.. they're good at that!). Then just let him wear it for increasing times every day in the house... 10 mins, 20 mins.... til he forgets about it. Once he seems comfortable wearing it, wait for a nice day at a quiet time during the day, sprinkle a little catnip just outside the door but reclose it, bring him to the door and casually (quickly) clip on the leash, open the door and take him out with you. Put him down but don't go anywhere and leave the door open behind you. Being outside is likely to make him forget all about the leash, and he may immed. want to go back in, or else crouch and sniff all around him. Let him be the first one to go anywhere, and follow, don't lead. If he totally freaks out the first time when he's outside, let him go back in before he gets out of the harness. Do it all over again later in the day, and the next, but if after 2-3 tries he's really not interested, be glad you have a house cat! You don't want to end up having him like it so much that he wants to be out all the time and yowls at the door all day, never mind the chance, however small, that something (cars, etc.) scare him enough to get out of the harness and never come back.

All three of my kitties are harness and lead trained - just completed Willow's training and he's improving by the day!

You'll find lots of information in this thread!

I would say though that you might want to be careful with walking your kitty down the road - unless it's very quiet and there's no chance of meeting a dog on the way! You don't want your kitty to get scared and bolt!

Also, you don't walk your cat - they walk you!! So you will spend a long time standing in one place while kitty enjoys the smells!!

If you need any help, give me a PM and I'll see what I can do!

Let us know how it goes!

I don't have much to add, other than it might be a good idea the first time outside to sit down in the grass with your cat on your lap, so he/she doesn't feel overwhelmed. If the cat wants to explore, you're on your way to having a leash-trained cat. Once you've got the cats walking outside, don't forget to take along something to read, or your mobile phone, because half the time they'll be hunkered down stalking or watching something. You are planning on taking them out singly, aren't you?

Thank you so much for your help! I cant wait till it gets a bit warmer, so its easier! Thanks again!