If you own a Cat, you probably think they love freedom and independence, and while that may be true, that's no reason to prevent you from Leash training it.
Leash training your Cat is a method of safely restraining your pet indoors and also a secure way to take a walk outdoors; so don't lose hope if things turn out to be difficult at first. To Leash train your Cat you will need the proper equipment, time and patience. Your Cat may take some time, days or weeks to learn, but in the end it will all be worthy.
An important thing to acknowledge is that a Cat's neck is more delicate than a dog's, so you shouldn't use collars for Leash training a Cat. Instead, you should try a lightweight figure 9 or figure H halter with one strap that passes around the neck and another around the body, behind the forelegs. This harness should fit securely without being extremely tight to choke your Cat, but also without him/her being able to escape from it. Whatever you choose, go for a lightweight short Leash, no longer than 6 fit, with a handle to loop around your wrist. This will allow you to keep your Cat close in case of danger.
If you're looking for different types of Cat collars, you may find designer ones that will make your Cat express a fashion statement with, or you can also go for the practical choice and pick a stretching collar. Other type of collars include beaded ones, that will look good on your Cat and are hard to miss. If you don't know if the collar will fit your Cat, you can go for an adjustable sized one, those are a cheap choice and you may keep on using it while your Cat grows. Finally, there are even reflective collars if you enjoy night walks so you don't miss your beloved pet!
A key to Leash training is positive reinforcement: in other words, you want to persuade your Cat of wearing its Leash and not force him/her. You may use food rewards or other type of treats when your Cat is obedient to enhance training. Plus, you may want to distribute the training in different stages so that there is a clear sense of progress and the Cat doesn't get bored, exhausted or angry because of an intensive training. So where do you train your Cat? Of course, you may develop a training system indoor with different exercises and tasks that will get your Cat used to the Leash not in an inmediate manner. But at some point, you probably will want to train your Cat to enjoy outdoor excursions by using its Leash. It is highly recommend to start the outdoor training within parks, yards or other secluded areas where the Cat may not escape or get frightened. Remember that Leash training is not for everyone and your Cat may never get used to wearing it or walking outdoors with you. But if you plan a good training, give the Cat some time and enjoy it, you'll probably end up taking great excursions in no time!
