How To Leash Train Your Cat
Leash training a cat is much easier than you may think, especially if your cat is very motivated to go outside. Of course, you and the cat both have to understand who's training whom. Once you come to terms with who's really in charge, you and your four-pawed instructor should do just fine.
Here are some tips to help you and your cat learn how to go for walks together.
- Find a harness that's sturdy, comfortable, as escape proof as possible and easy to put on. An "H" style harnesses is easiest to put on because it buckles around the cat's neck, rather than slipping over his head. The Walking Jacket also buckles around the cat's neck, and with its "collar" and two straps around the middle, can prevent even a Houdini cat from making a quick get-away.
- Leave the harness or Walking Jacket near where the cat sleeps for a few days so he can investigate it and it absorbs familiar scents.
- If your cat is very motivated to go out, open a door, sit at the door with the cat, and put the harness and leash on. Ask if he'd like to go outside for a walk. Skip the next three steps...
- If your cat gets anxious about anything that's new and different, distract him with food or treats while you put the harness on. Praise him while he eats. Most cats could care less about being "good." But your cat will love hearing how "clever" or "smart" he is. When you get the harness on, let him walk around in it. If he seems unhappy, distract him with toys or treats. You can take the harness off after he has visibly relaxed. Do this for a couple of days. Then...
- Attach the leash to the harness. While still inside, let the cat walk wherever he wants to, dragging the leash behind him. Be sure to supervise these sessions in case the leash gets caught on something. If your cat becomes agitated, distract him with toys or treats. And shower him with praise.
- When your cat's comfortable in his new walking gear, pick up the leash and walk behind him. Be sure to keep the lead slack, and don't restrict his movement. Just let him get used to having you follow him.
- Once your cat is used to his leash, it's time to venture outdoors. At first, he may want to stay close to the door - he needs to get used to this new world. When he's ready to start exploring, let him.
- Theoretically, you can train a cat to go where you want to go by talking in a friendly voice and encouraging him to follow you. I've never had much luck with this though and find that the cats usually walk me - under bushes, through mud puddles, into neighbor's yards... If we're heading towards a place where the cat's going to be in danger or we won't be welcome, I pick him up and turn him around. Usually, he finds something interesting straight ahead, and we continue on in the right direction.
Never pull or jerk the lead to force him to stay on the course you've chosen. One bad experience may turn him against walking on a leash forever.
Here are a few safety tips:
- Make sure the harness or Walking Jacket fits securely. You should be able to slide a finger between the harness and the cat. If the straps are too loose, he'll be able to get out of the harness if he really wants to.
- Most harnesses come with plastic buckles that snap together. Make sure the buckles are snapped correctly. If one prong is sticking out, the strap can come undone. Also make sure the buckles are in good condition. If a prong is missing, the buckle can easily be pulled open.
- Hold the leash behind the cat. It's almost impossible for a cat to back out of a harness if the leash is behind him.
- If you don't have a yard to walk in, try to go on your outings during quiet times of day when there aren't a lot of people and dogs around to startle the cat.
- If the cat does get out of the harness, stay calm. Chances are, he'll be so surprised he won't go anywhere. Sit on the ground and urge him to come to you. When he does, reach out slowly and start petting him. When he's very close to you, calmly pick him up. If he does realize he's free and starts to wander off, don't run after him. Remember, he can outrun you any day, and hearing you running behind him will just make him go faster. Walk calmly and slowly. Say his name in a friendly voice. Stop when he stops, bend over or sit on the ground and try to get him to come to you.
- Never leave your cat unsupervised on a tie-out. He'll be vulnerable to any animal (or human) who comes into your yard, and the tie-out could become tangled in trees or bushes.