Part II - Adding the Leash

The first time I clicked the leash onto the harness, she turned into a swayback. Once again she could barely move - that leash was sooo  heavy. I didn't attempt to walk her, just left the leash attached to the harness and left it on for 10-15 minutes. I did that for a few days, leaving the leash on longer each time, until she decided she could walk after all. That's when I picked up the leash and started walking around the house with her.  It wasn't fun.

Those walks indoors taught me some very important rules of walking a cat.

FIRST AND FOREMOST

NEVER, NEVER, NEVER WALK AHEAD OF YOUR CAT

Cats learn - almost immediately - that if they plant their front paws on the ground and stands firm or pull back, the harness will come right over their head and they are FREE.

SECOND AND THIRD RULES
FOR WHEN YOU FORGET THE FIRST RULE
I DID, MANY TIMES.  I'M A SLOW LEARNER.

Never chase your cat. They will run, and they can always run faster than you.

Always carry some of your cat's favorite treats in your pocket. (My second cat's favorite treats were salmon or sardines. You can imagine what I smelled like). We soon had the street to ourselves.

Walk towards them slowly, offering treats, and when they do finally respond, PRAISE LAVISHLY and give them treats.

THE PROGRESSION

Walked around the house until both my cat and I were comfortable with the process. If they are going to get out of the harness this is where you want them to do it.

Walked around the enclosed Backyard. Be prepared. When I first opened the door, my cat took off like a shot and nearly took my arm with her. Another cat just took 2 steps and sat down. She did that for a couple of days before she decided to venture forward.

Open the gate and let them decide if they want to go out to the street.

When I opened the gate Luna stuck her tail straight up in the air and pranced out like a Queen. She then wanted to be taken out every day.

Walking a cat is nothing like walking a dog. When I took the dog for a half hour walk we covered blocks. Walking Luna for the same length of time we barely covered half a block. She was out to explore, eat grass, sniff something, move on, decide she better go back and sniff the same spot again, and again. Sometimes she decides she'll just sit down and watch the world go by. It can be really boring walking a cat.

Back when I first started walking Luna, she was the only leash and harness trained cat in my neighborhood. People pointed her out and came over to pet her. She loved it, and she came to expect it.

Next Page - Walking Your Cat - Stay Alert!

Previous Page - Harness Training
 

Copyright Jeanette Barron 2008-2009