Cat Training and Behavior (Domestic and Feral)/please help!!!!

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Expert: Dear Tabbi - 6/24/2008


Question
I have a big problem. I have a 3month old full white handsome tabby named CJ he's a verrry active and playful little man we've had him for about a month now and about two weeks ago have started letting him go outside.The problem is everytime i start up the car he runs under it because he would like to chase the wheels aswell as when coming up the driveway obviously this is VERRY dangerous and it takes a long time for me to coax him out from under there. I am also afraid that he might go on the street and be run down by vehicles. We are keeping him inside as much as possible but this is getting hard because as soon as the door opens he shoots out..I read on another internet site that you can train a cat to walk on a harness and lead but im not sure if it will work or is safe.
PLEASE HELP!!any advice would be greatly appreciated!!

*JAYJAY*

Answer
Jay-Lee,

When you get in the car rev it up! You need to make the cat scared to go around the car. Put the hose on him when you see him near the car. Anything to break that bad habit!!

Harnesses are safe and a good choice. Here is a link that shows you how to train the cat:
(copy and paste, or type, the whole link into your address bar)

http://www.hdw-inc.com/leashtraining.htm

I hope this helps,
Tabbi

Cat Training and Behavior (Domestic and Feral)

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Dear Tabbi

Expertise

My expertise is in helping people understand their cat (or cats) and their behavior. Questions are welcome even if you don't have a cat....just a question about them. Hopefully my experience, suggestions, and comments will be of help to you...and your cat (or cats). Looking through my past responses to questions will give you additional information and/or answers too. Domestic Cats = cats (no matter what breed) who are tame or not wild, or abandoned cats who were pets that became wild, but can be tamed again. Ferals = cats who are born with one or more parents who were wild stray cats. They usually have had no interactions with people. They have an inbred distrust of humans and are difficult to socialize. They are skittish, hide, and are afraid of people. They take a lot of time and patience to work with them. A lot of kittens from shelters had a feral parent.

Experience

Since I was a child, over 45 years, I have been owned by a LOT of cats and kittens of almost every temperament, behavior, and personality. I have had experience with neurotic, disabled (including blind), stray, and 'problem child' cats and kittens. (A few normal cats too!) Plus all the things a lifetime of owning cats and research has taught me. I also have experience in feral cat behavior (which is different from domestic cats), and some experience with feral colonies that includes colony feeding and feral cat TNR (trap/neuter/release).

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