How To Train A Cat To Walk On Leash
Introduction
You can train your cat to walk on a leash. Yes, you read that right. Your cat can be trained to trot around the block so he or she can see the great outdoors in all its glory. You won’t need to hire a team of highly-paid feline behaviorists or take out a second mortgage to make this happen, either. Instead, you’ll just need some patience and love for your fluffy friend. The process is similar to training dogs: You’ll begin by introducing your pet to the concept of walking around outside with a leash on and then work up until you’re both enjoying leisurely strolls around town together. Here’s how cat owners like yourself have achieved this goal:
Get your cat comfortable with the idea of a leash.
The first step in training your cat to walk on a leash is to get him or her comfortable with the idea of a leash. A good way to do this is by simply letting your cat play with one, even if you don’t intend on using it for training at the moment. This will give them time to get used to walking around with something attached to them, but not being constrained by it. If your cat isn’t used to being touched or held, having something attached may be uncomfortable for them initially – so let them roam free while wearing the leash, until they’re okay with having it there!
Make sure you have good equipment.
- Make sure you have good equipment.
A leash should be of appropriate length, but not too long. If it hangs down to your cat’s stomach, they can get wrapped up in it and either be strangled or injured by tripping over their own tail. The collar should be comfortable and not too tight on the neck; otherwise it can cause your cat pain and discomfort that may lead to a refusal to walk on a leash at all.
- Check the equipment regularly for wear and tear.
Leashes are made from various materials which will degrade over time with use and exposure to sunlight or water damage, especially if you live near salt water (like I do). Also check for fraying of straps where they connect together at one end and also where they meet up with hooks or clasps at both ends of these straps – make sure these are secure so that if your cat ever gets away from its owner while out walking together then neither person nor feline gets hurt when running into them! Similarly check any collars regularly since some might stretch out after being worn for years which could lead them off course if something goes wrong during training sessions later down the line…
Start in a familiar place and at your cat’s pace.
Take your cat to a place they are comfortable, such as a room they have been in before. Cats are naturally wary of new places, so it’s important to acclimate them slowly to their surroundings. You want the training environment or location to be familiar and comforting for them—a place where they can walk around without feeling confined or scared.
Take your cat somewhere with plenty of space and freedom (like an open room), but not too much excitement (like outside). These are two different types of spaces that will each cause cats stress in different ways: being confined creates stress while being overstimulated causes anxiety.
Teach your cat to turn on command.
To teach your cat to turn, you will need patience, practice and treats. If you have a clicker handy (a small plastic box with a metal strip inside it), that’s even better! The best way to teach your cat is by using the clicker, but if you don’t have one or want to try something different, then treats will work just fine.
The first step is getting them into a sitting position facing the direction that you want them to turn. You can do this by putting their front legs on either side of your body and holding them there with both hands as shown in Figure 1. Next, give two clicks/treats followed by “Turn!” The goal here is for them to start turning towards where they hear that command coming from without being prompted again after each treat given (Figure 2). Your cat might not understand what’s going on at first but they’ll get used over time once they realize this trick yields tasty rewards!
Practice walking inside before you take Fluffy outside.
If you’re just starting out and want to avoid any mishaps, it’s best to practice walking your cat indoors before taking them outside. You will get used to the feel of the leash and become familiar with how much slack you need for each step. They will also be less likely to run off if they are already in a contained environment where they feel comfortable.
Once you have practiced walking around inside for a little while, take Fluffy outside and let him explore! Be careful not to let him wander too far away from you as this could scare him or make him nervous about being on a leash again in the future.
Use treats to reinforce good behavior.
Treats are a great way to reinforce good behavior. If your cat is walking on leash, they’re doing something that you want them to do, so why not reward them? If your cat has a favorite treat (and most cats do), you can use it as an additional motivator to get them into the harness and out the door.
If you’re training your cat to walk on leash over time, treat rewards are an important part of reinforcing what they’ve learned. They’ll learn that good behaviors are rewarded with treats and attention from you—which will encourage them even more!
Take it easy until your cat is a pro.
Now that you know the basics of how to train a cat to walk on leash, it’s time to take your training out into the real world. However, before you do that, there are a few things you should keep in mind:
- Don’t push your cat too hard. Slow and steady is the way to go with this. You don’t want your cat getting frustrated or scared (or hurt or sick!). If your little buddy seems like they’re getting stressed out, stop and try again later when they’re feeling more relaxed.
- Keep an eye on their body language as well as their behavior for signs of stress/fear/anxiety/etc.—this will help you identify what might be causing them discomfort so that you can avoid these situations during future walks!
Cats can be trained to walk on a leash, but it takes some time and practice
- Cats are animals and respond to positive reinforcement. They will not follow you around like a dog would on leash, but they can be trained to walk on a leash. It just takes some time and patience.
- If your cat is new to the idea of walking on a leash, try to keep it low-key when you’re introducing them to it for the first time. You don’t want your cat feeling overwhelmed by this new experience!
- When introducing your cat for the first time, keep things simple: start with just putting one foot through their harness without attaching it yet (or holding onto their lead). Once they’re comfortable with that step, attach their harness and gently pull them forward into an upright position so they know what’s going on before actually moving forward yourself. Be patient—it may take some time!
Conclusion
In conclusion, leash training your cat takes patience and perseverance. It can certainly be done if you approach it correctly. Follow the tips we’ve outlined in this article and you’ll be on your way to having a well-behaved cat who can go outside with you without causing any problems!