What age to teach leash walking? And how?

[alicia griffin]

I have a kitten coming tomorrow and I'm so excited! At what she can I start leash training and how do I do it?

 

[Patti]

I would let her settle in for a couple of weeks and establish your bond with her. Find a good walking jacket (I usually get mine from joykatz) and start by putting the jacket on and letting her wear it. She will probably flop around for awhile but will evetually get used to it. Next, put the leash on and just let her drag it around a few times. Then you can pick the leash up and walk with her, letting her take the lead.

Cats are not like dogs and don't typically walk with you, rather you walk with them, however one of the ways I have found to help 'guide' a cat on a leash is to use a wand toy to prompt them to walk and lead them in the direction you want to go.

Be sure to get a well made jacket, and make sure you put it on snuggly so that she can't wriggle out of it if she gets the mind to try...

 

[NikkiA]

We also use walking jackets from joykatz. Our boys learned to take their harnesses off, necessitating a change to the much more secure walking jackets.

 

[Brigitte Cowell]

I'm a fan of the joykatz walking jackets also

 

[dice]

a laser pen is also a good way to help guide cats into a purrfered direction. When walking the kids, one never knows where they will end up.