Pet Information > Others > Pet Articles > Leash training your cat

Leash training your cat

29 14:10:27

Leash training, like any other training, a cat will require the
proper tools, research, patience and good reinforcement. Cats
are intelligent and sensitive which you will never want to use
force or physical threats on a cat. Any of the force behaviors
that you use on the cat will only result in a cat fearing you.

You will be the one that will have to change the behavior in
positive reinforcement. Good words used, the cat’s name, and the
behavior the cat is doing. Treats are another way of showing
your cat a positive reinforcement for good behavior. Use small
treats; you do not want them to have a full meal when training
them. Later after the positive reinforcement is established, you
will be able to phase the treats out.

Treats should be just that treats. Never use the cat’s dinner
food for treats. Use good healthy treats in bit size portions.
Do not give large amounts, as this is a treat and not the
dinner.

Training your cat to be on a leash or wear a collar can take
time. Two weeks should be set a side to do the training. Do not
every start training a cat for a behavior and stop. If you ever
want to start, again the cat can become confused and very
stressful. If the cat gets sick or an illness, this it self will
be stressful on a cat and you will have to stop the training. At
this time, you will want to get the cat to the vet.

After the sickness or illness is taken care of you can continue
the training, also during this time you will want to gently and
carefully continue at the step of training your are at. This
will reinforce the training that you have done and can continue.

Next, you will want to seek out good equipment for the leash
training of the cat. Looking at the equipment, you will want to
keep in mind that a cat’s neck is sensitive. Harness are great
for walking cats, keeping your cat safe, trying to escape, and
much more comfortable to the cat. A lightweight short leash
would be perfect for walking. Do not get a long one, as you will
want the cat close to you for easy pickup in case danger is
near. In addition, you are walking the cat the cat is not
walking you.

You will need to work with your cat once you get the harness, so
that the cat will be comfortable with it on. Use steps in doing
this like, let the cat look it over to get their scent on it,
after that put the harness on carefully and remove it. Do this
until the cat is comfortable with the harness on in the house.
Do not take the cat outside to do this. Your cat will try to
escape and with being outside you have no boundaries for the cat
to stay in.

Once you have accomplished those steps, and the cat is
comfortable with the harness then start with the leash. Walk the
cat in side the house before trying outside. Once you see that
cat is comfortable with this step, now is the final training.

Take the cat outside and do walking in the yard until you and
the cat feel comfortable. Make sure the cat is walking with you
and you are not pulling the cat with the leash. You cat at first
will be distracted with many things that the outside world has
to offer.

Then it is out to the sidewalk or path to take that first walk.
Remember you will want the cat to walk with you. Your cat will
be distracted with other animals, other cats’ scents, smells and
other objects. Remind your cat that you are walking and tell him
it is time to go and continue slowly walking until the cat is
next to you.

Training your cat on a leash has advantages not only for walking
but also for other trainings. Taking your cat to a vet, instead
of the carrier, you might try the leash once the cat is
comfortable with walking with the leash.

Reward your cat each step of the way, and happy trails to you
and your cat.