Anybody been successful training a cat to a leash?

[flamin lib]

She doesn't even notice the harness and doesn't panic over the lead. Still its a bit of drag her to where she wants to go and skid marks anywhere else.

Once a day I put out a treat and drag/walk her to it. She enjoys the treat and walks/slides back to our cuddle spot.

Any one else done this successfully? How?

[JayhawkSD]

1. Many people have been successful.

Cats can be trained, it just takes patience. They tend to be stubborn, but ulrimately they are pragmatists.

[sinkingfeeling]

2. My father had a cat that walked on a leash. He even went with them to Alaska.

[Curmudgeoness]

3. I have had no luck when I have tried it,

and there was no "walk" to it. The cats would just lay down and refuse to get up. A neighbor used to walk her cat in the area all the time, and I asked her how she did it. First of all, she said she started when the cat was just a kitten. Then she started by putting the harness on the cat and just leaving it on until the cat decided that it had to get used to it. After that, she said she put the leash on and let the cat walk around without anyone holding the leash. I guess it was easier since she started young.

My adventure with trying to leash my cat was not that successful. My cat would "go to ground" as soon as the leash was on, and would not budge. She just laid there like she was paralyzed. I gave up the idea altogether when she bolted and jumped over the railing of my porch and almost hung herself with me holding the leash. It just wasn't worth it after that!

But it sounds like your cat is better than some already if it doesn't mind the harness and leash. Just leave them on her until she is walking around with them on, then try holding the leash after she is ok with that and see if you can't get her to walk with you. Can't hurt.

[ginnyinWI]

4. In the summer, I sometimes let the cat take me for a walk.

You have to go where the cat wants to go, or else pick them up and put them back where you want them.

Mine knows that she can go outside if she wears the collar with leash attached. She's fine with it: usually walks the perimeter of our yard and stops and the same places to roll in the grass or sniff. Has a great time. When I'm tired of it I usually pick her up and take her back, unless some noise has scared her, then she takes off for the door on her own.

This cat is 12 and has been walking like this for about three years, only in the summer when it is nice out and I have some time. Otherwise she's an indoor cat with access to a screened in porch in nice weather.

Since she is leading me and not the other way around, I let the collar hang loosely. She's only moving forward so it doesn't come off. That way, I am able to just slip it on or off her head without unbuckling.

[flamin lib]

5. That's about where we are.

She doesn't fight the leash and wears the harness 24/7 without issue. Taking her where she wants to go is easy but where I want to go is different. Would like to reach a mutual understanding at some point.