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Cat Training and Behavior (Domestic and Feral)/leash training-but being stubborn!
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QUESTION: I have a cat that is lying down everytime I put the leash on her. I bought it about 3 days ago and have been working since then. She goes about 2 feet and stops and lays down. Yesterday, I printed out the steps on how to train them and today we did alittle better. But I still need help. She is so stubborn!!
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ANSWER: Emily,
PATIENCE AND TIME! You said yourself "today we did a little better". It may take two weeks (or more). You can't get frustrated with her or she will refuse to do it. I don't know which instructions you printed but here are some more that may be helpful:
(Copy and paste, or type, the whole links into your address bar)
http://www.hdw-inc.com/leashtraining.htm
http://cats.about.com/cs/behavioralissues/ht/leashtrain.htm
http://www.helium.com/knowledge/81526-tips-for-leash-training-your-cat
I hope this helps. And take your time! Go SLOWLY!
Tabbi
PS: She's a pretty kitty!
---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------
QUESTION: About.com was the web site I got the instructions from. It was the second one you listed. Thanks
Emily,
I hope they help. Just take 'baby' steps at the time. Do short sessions. If she had a feral parent it will be harder because they do NOT like to be restrained, it's hereditary.
I had a cat that when you put the halter on her she would freeze, get stiff-legged, and fall over and not move! She thought something horrible was happening!
It just takes a lot of patience and time.
Tabbi
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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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