Petsafe Easy Walk® Cat Harness & Lead - Manuel (Page 11)

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Using the Harness
We recommend you acclimate your cat to the harness indoors – with lots
of praise, petting, and play – before going outside. Use a gentle increase
of tension to encourage your cat not to strain against the lead. Apply
tension if your cat pulls away from you. Release tension when she is calm.
Your goal is to walk without tension, using a loose lead. Give rewards of
treats, toys, or petting when your cat walks calmly or remains at your side.
Never jerk or yank on the lead. Praise your cat for calm interactions and
ignore unwanted behaviours.
The acclimation process can take anywhere from a few minutes to a few
days, or sometimes longer. But before too long, your kitty will almost
certainly find that the opportunity for a stroll outside is very rewarding
indeed! Bear in mind that for some cats who have rarely been outdoors,
the experience might be a bit overwhelming at first. Allow her time to
move slowly, to look around, and to feel safe. Rather than drag her in a
specific direction, allow her the chance to explore at her own pace. In the
beginning, brief trips outdoors may be best.
You may want to begin near your house door or along a hedge or planted
area, rather than in the middle of an open yard. Your cat will likely feel
more comfortable and less “exposed” if she feels there is safe shelter
nearby. If she insists on trying to duck into or under things, gently guide
her or pick her up, move her a short distance away, and remember to offer
rewards. If your cat is feeling stressed, she’s unlikely to prefer treats, so use
petting, feather toys, string to chase, etc.
Once your cat is comfortable with the harness and lead and you have had
successful outdoor time, you may choose to use a longer lead (3 m - 4.5 m
light, flat lead) to allow your cat a greater range within a safe area.
(Imagine a lovely picnic on the lawn with your kitty able to explore a wide
circle around you.)
General Training Tips
Cats have an undeserved reputation for being difficult to train. Two factors
play into this: