train for harness and leash

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PhilB - 28 Oct 2004 21:07 GMT

Have gotten harness and leash for a cat that, for me, is an indoor cat, but
very obviously was an outdoor cat before she ended up at the Humane Society
where I got her nearly 3 months ago. She longs so very much to get outside
so thought I would attempt to train her for outside "adventures". Any
suggestions on the best way to go about this? I'm thinking that very
gradually is the way to go with inside exposure to the items, then the
harness on for short times, then the harness with the leash on and let her
drag it around (under my watchful eye, of course). Then walk inside with
the leash, and finally get to start outside on the back steps.

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Jodie - 28 Oct 2004 22:01 GMT

> Have gotten harness and leash for a cat that, for me, is an indoor cat, but
> very obviously was an outdoor cat before she ended up at the Humane Society
[quoted text clipped - 5 lines]
> drag it around (under my watchful eye, of course). Then walk inside with
> the leash, and finally get to start outside on the back steps.

I'm very skeptical about cats and leashes. I've never had or met a cat that
didn't eventually wind up swinging by the harness from a tree or fence OR
manage to wriggle out of it and escape. I once lived on the same street as
a woman who "walked" her cat every day, which really consisted of
alternately dragging the poor thing behind her, or having the kitty dash
ahead, only to be yanked to a sudden stop. Cats don't like leads, harnesses
or leashes, but I have heard it can be done. I've worked in both pet stores
and grooming salons, and each featured a section of cat leads and harnesses.
I'm guessing they wouldn't have been selling them if they were totally
useless.

good luck!

jodie

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Larry - 29 Oct 2004 00:36 GMT

Some of my kitties use a harness and I started as you suggested. One of
mine walks OK but the other two do not like it much and just sit
down/crouch. I use the harness when I bring them monthly to a nursing home
to entertain the old people. They love it.

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Larry - Owned by eight cats

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M.C. Mullen - 29 Oct 2004 09:45 GMT

| Have gotten harness and leash for a cat that, for me, is an indoor cat, but
| very obviously was an outdoor cat before she ended up at the Humane Society
[quoted text clipped - 5 lines]
| drag it around (under my watchful eye, of course). Then walk inside with
| the leash, and finally get to start outside on the back steps.

I've been successful with all my cats so far.
You can try as you suggested, but if the cat collapses and refuses, then try
the straight forward approach:
Put on leash and harness and carry the cat outside. It will be so
overwhelmed that it forgets about the harness and take to it quickly.
Don't pull and don't go near trees and bushes.

Good luck

Carola

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