Lead training and How to put it on
How to lead train your feline friend
Walking a cat?
Imagine yourself out in your neighbourhood, on holiday, taking a leisurely stroll in the wonderful outdoors with your cat, both of you getting valuable exercise, and spending quality time together. Sounds incredible? Many owners and their cats are doing just this, "walking your cat" is quickly becoming popular for cat lovers all over the world.
There are many reasons why its a great idea to lead train your cat:
If your cat tends to claw your furniture, or otherwise cause harm to your belongings.
If you are planning a trip and want to take your cat along with you.
If you've an outdoor cat and you are training him to be an indoor cat for his/her safety.
If you've got an indoor cat who is fascinated with the outdoors.
As a valuable addition to a carrier and for safety in a car or at the vets.
For the fun and exercise for yourself and your cat.
Most cats between the ages of 14 weeks to 14 years can be successfully lead-trained.
How do I start?
The first thing to do is to get your cat used to the Mynwood Cat Jacket. Be very patient and persistent, and reward your cat lovingly. Remember that each cat is unique and will each react differently. Place the harness where your cat can sniff, paw and play with it. Simply put the jacket down on the floor, and let it investigate for itself.
After several days of your cat familiarising it, gently, but firmly, put the jacket on the cat, allow two fingers width at the neck and chest. A video below shows how to put the jacket on. Often, the best results come when this is attempted just before feeding. Your cat may exhibit abnormal behaviour, such as running around the room or lying on its side, acting as though it can no longer stand or even reversing. As long as the cat is in safe surroundings, leave the jacket on for five minutes. Repeat this a few times daily for several days. It is very important that your cat learns immediately to associate the jacket with going outdoors, so I recommend that you hold your cat and speak very calmly but with excitement, carry your cat just outside your door, or even just hold up to a window. You can also distract by playing with your cat or offering food to get its mind off the harness. Consistency and patience are the keys to success. Cats are creatures of habit, and you are establishing the important foundation that your cat will come to expect whenever you bring out the Mynwood Cat Jacket in the future.
Once your cat is comfortable with the jacket and accepts it, it won't even know it's there, and you can attach the lead. Let the cat drag the lead around the house for several minutes at a time, several times a day, for another few days, and continue to hold your cat reassuringly and take your cat outside each time wearing the jacket, even if it's just outside the door. Be sure to supervise your cat to avoid it becoming tangled and frightened. Once your cat has accepted its part, pick up the lead and just hold onto it. The cat must now realize its restraints. While gently pulling on the lead, offer food and say the word 'come'. Once again, be patient, persistent and loving. Remember, cats usually will not walk on a lead like a dog. Cats tend to like to run a bit, stop, roll, sniff an area, eat grass and then carry on.
For your first outings, try starting in the late evening or early in the morning in a quiet area. Your cat is much more likely to venture out when there's no one else around. Chances are that once he/she gets to go outside, it will understand what the idea is all about, and will quickly learn to associate the Mynwood Cat Jacket with the outdoors. Most cats take a few days to adjust to the idea of lead walking.
Please be patient and don't give in - the rewards for you and your feline friend far out weigh the work you put in at these early stages of lead training.