How do I get Jackson used to his NEW Carrier?

Hey everyone, My boyfriend came home today with the carrier I wanted for Jackson...I LOVE IT!!!JACKSOSON....Not so much HE HATES IT...I would really like him to become comfortable with it, and possibly on occassion sleep in it (Like his own little place to hang out) I have tried to just leave it out, but my poor little man has been in there more times then none since we've had him. The reason for that is because...well routine things with a new kitty, Vet, then he was neutered yesterday, traveling across the city roughly 2x a week to and from my parent.Iam not sure what else I can do for the little guy to get him used to it, other than just leaving it out...unfortunatley...this is not working...PLEASE anyone with suggestions would be great, he needs to become comfortable for his sake, so he just chills out, as well it is quite stressful on me when he is so relucktant. Thanks again everyone for taking time to look at this thread...another challange with Baby J...
Jayme&Jackson

I would give him some time, seeing as you just got it but you could try this -
If it has a removable top, take it off. Put a nice fluffy rug or pillow inside and leave treats in there.

Originally Posted by Jayme&Jackson

Hey everyone, My boyfriend came home today with the carrier I wanted for Jackson...I LOVE IT!!!JACKSOSON....Not so much

HE HATES IT...I would really like him to become comfortable with it, and possibly on occassion sleep in it (Like his own little place to hang out) I have tried to just leave it out, but my poor little man has been in there more times then none since we've had him. The reason for that is because...well routine things with a new kitty, Vet, then he was neutered yesterday, traveling across the city roughly 2x a week to and from my parent.Iam not sure what else I can do for the little guy to get him used to it, other than just leaving it out...unfortunatley...this is not working...PLEASE anyone with suggestions would be great, he needs to become comfortable for his sake, so he just chills out, as well it is quite stressful on me when he is so relucktant. Thanks again everyone for taking time to look at this thread...another challange with Baby J...

Jayme&Jackson

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It has only been a few hours. Please give him time he might like it.

leave it out , put in a comfy pillow or rug ... and rub some catnip

Thank-You for your replies, I will definatley give him time, Do u think is is possible to have tramatized my poor boy by having him in there so often...unfortuantley I haven't had a choice...???
J&J

Just do not use it for punishment.

I do not know if this will work for you, but it has worked for me so far. Every cat that comes into my house ( i foster dumped strays, get them vetted, and rehome them with the help of a rescue group) gets fed in a carrier for the first month. (It starts out open, then I feed it with the door a little more closed each week)

This makes them associate the carrier with a good thing (food). Then they are switched to their permanent eating space, and I will give them a treat every time they get in without fuss afterwards (barring impending surgery, for obvious reasons).

It may not work as well if the cat's spent a good deal of its life in a cage-heavy shelter, but every cat I've ever done this with will come running when they hear the carrier open (some would evn go flying into it ).

After each vet visit, I act like nothing special's happened. Everything goes on normally. Others may disagree with me on this one, but I think that a huge fuss over going to the vet makes it seem lees like a normal part of life for them. They get their rest, some extra petting, one or two treats, and an eye kept on them to make sure they're okay if they've had surgery.

Originally Posted by momof3rugratz

Just do not use it for punishment.

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I agree. It'll make for the biggest game of "catch the Fluffy Liquid Pinbomb" you never wanted to play.

Leave it out with comfy things in it and treats like someone else suggested.
I do this and my cats go in them all the time to hang out or play or sleep. The second they come into the house my cats are in them.

Also if you put something in there which smells of your cat or you, it will help him feel a bit happier in it. If he has a fave blanket or anything, or a jumper you have worn for a little while, something like that

I can't keep mine out of any carrier left sitting out, but I like that they are comfortable in there. At times I have found all three crammed into one carrier, wrestling with not one centimeter to spare.

When I got the new carriers I just left them siting out in the living room. I rubbed a teeny bit of catnip inside, and every now and then I leave a treat way back inside one of them.

Thats great! Thanks again, This is the biggest struggle Iam having with Jackson right now. I would never put him in there for punishment. Once he is in the carrier he's fine, it's just getting him in there.

I will leave treats in it and se how he does with that. Right now there's a nice fluffu blankie in there and the door is left open!

It's VERY important to me that I get Jackson comfortable in the carrier, I get sooooo stressed out when he is unhappy!!!!

Thanks again!

Jayme& reluctant Jackson!!!

Have you tried taking him there in places that aren't the vet? One of the things I did was put Puppy in the carrier and then took him to my friend's house. He also goes into the carrier when I take him outside for walks (he's not allowed to roam the building halls).

He seemed to start associating the carrier with us. He doesn't go into it at home, but if we are somewhere else and he wants to go home, he goes back into the carrier. He just learned that the carrier always ends up at home, so if he wants to go home he just goes back into it.

He's also associated the harness and the carrier. When his harness goes on, he walks into the carrier by himself because he expects that we are going outside.

BTW, what kind of carrier is it? Previously, I always had hard carriers, and the girls hated them. Puppy has a soft carrier with mesh sides (the Sherpa Deluxe), and he just curls up into it.

Originally Posted by bab-ush-niik

Have you tried taking him there in places that aren't the vet? One of the things I did was put Puppy in the carrier and then took him to my friend's house. He also goes into the carrier when I take him outside for walks (he's not allowed to roam the building halls).

He seemed to start associating the carrier with us. He doesn't go into it at home, but if we are somewhere else and he wants to go home, he goes back into the carrier. He just learned that the carrier always ends up at home, so if he wants to go home he just goes back into it.

He's also associated the harness and the carrier. When his harness goes on, he walks into the carrier by himself because he expects that we are going outside.

BTW, what kind of carrier is it? Previously, I always had hard carriers, and the girls hated them. Puppy has a soft carrier with mesh sides (the Sherpa Deluxe), and he just curls up into it.

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Jackson just got a hard carrier, the top opens for easier access, as well the upper part of the carrier is clear so he can see everything...and it has built in water and food bowels. Cargo carrier (I think). I have looked at the mesh carriers ad honestly I think Jackson would rip right through it, They are not that expenive so I will go and get one, it's worth a try.

Like I said I want Jackson to be comfortable.

Thanks so much!

J&J

once you entice him in with a treat. close and lock the door for about 30 seconds and then let him out. tell him what a goog boy he is. then throw in another treat and do the same. sometimes throw his favorite toys in there. the concept is getting him to go in easily and then you let him out again very soon, then going into the carrier isn't always asscated with a bad thing.

Or you could entice him into the carrier and carry him into another room where a "banquet" is waiting for him when you open the door.

Spray the inside with some feliway or honey suckle and add a a tee shirt you have slept in, the scent will be comforting.

It sure makes life easier when the carrier isn't a horror.

Originally Posted by Abigail

once you entice him in with a treat. close and lock the door for about 30 seconds and then let him out. tell him what a goog boy he is. then throw in another treat and do the same. sometimes throw his favorite toys in there. the concept is getting him to go in easily and then you let him out again very soon, then going into the carrier isn't always asscated with a bad thing.

Or you could entice him into the carrier and carry him into another room where a "banquet" is waiting for him when you open the door.

Spray the inside with some feliway or honey suckle and add a a tee shirt you have slept in, the scent will be comforting.

It sure makes life easier when the carrier isn't a horror.

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What a great Idea, I will definatley try that! Thanks so much. Life would be easier if he "somewhat" liked his carrier.