How to teach a cat to a leash: tips

Active owners of cats quite naturally may want their favorite pet to accompany them on walks outside. And if for a dog it is quite natural to frolic on the grass and enjoy the sun, then the cat is quite careful and at first can resist walking and even run away. That is why schooling your pet to the street must begin with a leash.

Most of the cats, when they try to use this ammunition for them, fall on their side, dodge under the bed and in every possible way demonstrate dislike. How to change the attitude of the pet to the leash and learn to walk?

Preparatory stage

The animal should remain the most pleasant association with a walk on the street, so it would be advisable to reduce the risk of parasites (fleas, ticks, etc.) falling on his body and dig from them. Do not forget to inculcate the cat from possible sores.

The next step is to teach the collar. An address capsule will be stored in it for walks in case the animal escapes. You can start learning kittens from 2-3 months of life. If the cat does not perceive the collar, start with a regular tape or soft fabric that can be tied around the neck. When the pet gets used, replace it with a familiar collar and make the animal feel comfortable.

The next stage is the training to nylon harness and leash (necessarily short to 1.5 meters). New clothes should be given to sniff the cat (when she is in a good mood). On average, it takes 3-5 days to get used to the smell, texture and appearance. When the pet has mastered, carefully put a harness on it, take it on your hands and actively pet the animal for 10 minutes, praise, give all sorts of goodies, then remove the ammunition. Up to 5 days are also assigned to this stage. After that, let the animal explore the house in harness and get used to it completely. Do not forget to feed the cat in harness, give her a wash in it and even sleep. But do not let play with the device.

Teaching a cat to walk on a leash

On average, it takes up to 1 month to harness even the most stubborn adult animals.

Now attach a leash carabiner to the harness and immediately distract the animal - take it in your hands and play, treat you with a treat, comb the wool. After a couple of days, take your pet to another room, connect the leash and go to the kitchen. There, fill the food and call the cat. The natural desire to refresh will overcome the discomfort, and your pet will come running, dragging a leash. Fix the procedure several times and you can start walking with the animal on a leash around the house. Correct routes using toys or treats. When the pet turns in the right direction - treat and so on. Do not forget to praise.

The next stage - schooling on the street. Put the animal on a leash and make sure that it shows its own desire to explore the world around - to walk on the ground, smell or eat grass, etc. At first, you can keep your palms near the nursery, so that it feels protected. Ideal for first-run is suitable terrain with high grass, where the predator can hide from danger.Even if the animal will lie in one place in the grass for half an hour - do not interfere, do not pull the leash, let it get accustomed.

After the first steps, begin to show the behavior that was at home: with the right choice of route - a treat. Communicate with the cat in a soft voice, praise, iron, take it periodically on your hands. As a rule, the development of street walking takes up to 1 week.

Practical advice

Problems you may encounter.

1. The cat does not master the stage of the harness, licks the wool under it, fusses. Most likely, a neat animal simply cares about the condition of its fur coat, so during the development of this stage, regularly brush your pet.
2. The animal is actively trying to get rid of the ammunition with the help of teeth and paws. The problem may be that its size is chosen incorrectly, the harness rubs and presses, interferes with natural movements. Remember that under the collar and harness should be at any angle to easily fit 2 fingers.
3. Pet scared. Perhaps, on the ammunition (harness, leash, collar) are located sharp elements of fittings, bells or other irritating factors.
4. Wild panic when going outside, the animal tries to hide and even begins to scratch the owner when he tries to pull him down to the ground. In this case, walking is out of the question. Perhaps the "ultimate dream" of your pet is the window sill, where you can safely study flying birds and insects.

Cats are very smart animals, so it is not difficult to train even an adult to a leash and takes 1-2 months on the force. It is important at each stage to show patience and affection towards the pet.

Video: how to teach a cat to harness