Walking cat on a leash
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Walking cat on a leash
| Wed, 09-15-2004 - 12:53pm |
I have a 5 month old kitten that was originally intended to be an inside only cat, but I've found that he will tolerate a leash if he's outside. I think that he just loves being outside so much that he doesn't really notice it. So far he's only been out a few times like this. I've simply put him on the leash and stood around while he investigates the area. He doesn't like to be restrained by it--if I try to pull him away from something, he puts his nose down on the ground and digs his heels in. It's funny to see, but I don't know how to guide him otherwise.
I'd like to eventually walk him on the leash when I walk my dog. I have several indoor/outdoor cats that walk with the dog on their own initiative, and I'd like to continue the "tradition" without letting the kitten become an outdoor cat that can roam on his own.
Can anyone give me any tips on how to proceed? Or possibly point me toward resources on how to train a cat for this? I'd appreciate any advice.

Hi Ubermedusa.
I have a cockapoo who has "raised" our kittens. He's very good at this! He's fascinated by them when they are tiny and plays with and protects them. He starts disciplining them when they get older. Gomez, the kitten I'd like to leash, is 5 months and only now is Stan starting to growl and "charge" him when he scratches "off limits" furniture or teases our other cats. Unfortunately, Stan is getting older and isn't up to keeping Gomez in line like he did our other cats.
Stan is the alpha male among our pets--a male 8yrs, two females 6yrs and 4yrs. They love him and he is disdainful of them. They often try to lie down next to him, but he won't let them get too close. One female tries to groom him (gets her tongue stuck in his fur when she tries) but he only lets her do so much.
Gomez watches from the windows when the dog goes for his walk. He runs to upstairs windows to see us when we are on the other side of the block and then to each downstairs window as we get closer. And we can hear him "cry" at being left behind. Yesterday I let the dog out on his own and Gomez "cried" for the minute or two he was gone even though I was standing there with him. He doesn't seem to mind being alone (he stays in his sanctuary room alone every night) but he seems to miss anyone in his litter or pack when they leave the house. I hope he outgrows this. Has anyone had this problem?
Anyway, Gomez looks like a tuxedo cat except his nose is black and he has a black spot on his chin like a goatee. He's very active and is intelligent. I'm considering teaching him tricks but am starting with the leash. I had him neutered this last Monday, so I'm hoping that he will calm down a little. One of the female cats is hoping so to!
I've rambled enough but just want to tell what he did last week when I made crystallized ginger. I had reached the stage where the ginger was cooking in sugar syrup and would soon be ready to be tossed in sugar and allowed to cool. I filled a cake pan with a good layer of sugar and returned to the stove to stir the pan. When I turned back to the table, he was in the sugar scratching like he was about to use it like a litter box! :D
(My husband has been telling this story to his friends--I'm sure they'll be too afraid to eat at my house again! lol )