Teaching Your Cat Simple Tricks by Arden Moore

Author:Arden Moore
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Storey Publishing, LLC
Published: 2000-04-02T05:00:00+00:00

Walking Your Cat on a Leash

Leash training offers a fun, safe outdoor experience for you and your cat. If he’s an adventurous sort, your cat will love exploring new scenes. Remember, however, that cats won’t trot or walk long distances like dogs. They tend to take a few steps, stop to sniff a flower, eye a bug crawling on the sidewalk, or perk their ears into the wind to listen for the approach of any possible foes (like your neighbor’s dog).

Murphy is the dog I never had. Though she meows instead of barks, she displays a puppy’s enthusiasm for walks on a leash. Maybe she doesn’t know she’s a cat. Or maybe she knows but decided to play along. Whatever the reason, we enjoy 10-minute walks down my quiet block every sunny afternoon. All I need to do is head for the patio door and say “Murphy, want to go for a walk?” In an instant, she is at my side. She waits patiently as I put the harness on her and hook the leash.

Cats at any age can be trained to walk on a leash if you follow these easy steps:

1. Shop for a cat harness that fits the barrel of your cat’s body. It should not be too snug or loose. Buy a lightweight leash to accompany the harness.

2. Place the leash and harness near your cat’s scratching post, toy box, or favorite napping spot for a week or two to let him sniff and paw at them.

3. Put your cat in the harness without the leash for a minute at a time and let him walk around the house. Reward him with a food treat and praise and remove the harness. Gradually increase the time your cat wears the harness inside your house over the next week.

4. Add the leash to the harness. Let your cat walk around your living room with the leash trailing behind him for a few minutes at a time. Lavish him with praise and a few tasty rewards. Continue this step for about a week.

5. Walk your harnessed cat on a leash in the house. Give the “heel” command along with your cat’s name, such as “Murphy, heel,” as you move forward slowly. You may need to hold a small food treat in front of your cat to entice him to walk forward. When he does, say “Heel, good heel” and give him the food treat with praise. Practice walking in the house for a week.

6. Cradle your harnessed, leash-wearing cat in your arms and walk outside. Speak calmly as you point out scenic sites such as the squirrel on a low tree ranch. Stay outside for a few minutes, then go back inside and give your cat a treat. Repeat this for a few minutes every day for a week or until your cat seems comfortable being outside on the leash with you.

7. Head outside and gently lower your leashed/harnessed cat to the ground. Kneel down beside him and speak with encouragement.

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