AGE AND LEASH TRAINING

To say that age is important is something of an understatement. The problem is, many people believe it’s an indictment, damning adult cats as incapable of learning. Adult cats are much more difficult to train than kittens, make no mistake, but in most cases, it’s not impossible. Time, patience, and love are amazing tools—keep your arsenal well stocked and even the most sedentary cat will reward you.

How old is your cat? Age, while not a qualifier, can be an asset. The earlier you expose your kitten to the outside world, the easier it will be for your kitten to adapt.

Kittens should be introduced to the outdoors as soon as your vet gives you the okay to do so. You can’t start early enough. Young kittens are still learning the rules of the world. Novel experiences are imperative during the formative weeks if you want to help your cat adapt to new and different experiences as it ages.

Even before you get the okay to take your kitten out into the big world, invite as many people as possible over to meet your kitten, positively interact with it, and provide rewards such as treats. Try to incorporate men and women, men with and without beards, kids and adults, people of varying races, and those who love as well as those who don’t like cats. This will go a long way in socializing your kitten to different types of people.

Also, take your kitten on short trips in the car. To the drive- through, the park, to friend’s homes, etc. Always pack his favorite treats and toys and lavish him with treat-filled activity. Don’t be alarmed if your kitten ignores the food and/or toys at first, just keep at it. When he starts to play or eat the treats, you know you’re making progress.

For older cats you’ll also want to expose them to as many novel situations as possible. If your adult cat wasn’t well-socialized as a kitten, these excursions and visits might be overwhelming at first. For instance, if your cat doesn’t want to interact with your friends, take his favorite snack or toy and save it exclusively for interactions with friends and family. Let them offer up the treat, rather than you. If he won’t take it from them, ask them to call the cat’s name and wait until they have his attention, and then place the treat on the floor and walk away. If he doesn’t take the treat while they’re in the house, pick up the treat and put it away for next time. Once your cat realizes the treat leaves with the guest, your cat may come up with the courage to take the treat the next time a guest visit. If you do this enough, your cat will begin to look forward to company because only good stuff happens when company arrives. This could take a long time, especially if you have company infrequently, but it’s definitely worth the effort.

CAT WALKER: HARRIET CROSBY

WRITER, WANNABE DECORATOR, AND CAT WALKER

Harriet and her cat Killian, a beautiful flame point rescue, live in a gated community backed by a golf course. The golf course attracts a lot of wildlife, including deer and a myriad of bird species that Killian enjoys stalking from the safety of his leash.

Killian was five years old when the interview was conducted.

EARLY DAYS

Killian was about a year and a half when Crosby decided it was time to train him to walk on a leash. Crosby began by acclimating Killian to the harness. After Killian got used to wearing it, she began taking him out on her deck. “At first we’d stay out for five minutes or so, then ten minutes, and then, when Killian became comfortable on the deck, I began taking him downstairs. I took him out in the dawn or predawn because there were fewer cars and people about.”

For several days Crosby let Killian explore the area surrounding her unit. After about a month, they worked their way around to the golf course behind her building.

She began going out later and later, gradually acclimating Killian to people and cars. Today Killian doesn’t even get upset when they encounter a dog. “He still gets a little nervous at loud cars, but he’s pretty good any time of day now.” With the golf course behind their home, Killian gets a lot of stimulation and enjoyment from stalking the wildlife and exploring the open space. “He loves the sand traps. He digs into them up to his shoulders and then goes somewhere else to do his business.”

When asked if Killian is still improving as a walker, Crosby said: “No, I don’t see continued improvement or any backtracking. Once you’ve conquered the fear of people and cars you’re at the apex of cat walking. That’s it.”

FOLLOWING THE LEADER

“You hold on to the leash and let the cat lead. When it’s time for personal grooming, he stops and does it. When it’s time to lie down, he lies down. He loves to sniff the undercarriage of cars. That said, sometimes I do a little bit of leading; a bit of pull-pull on the leash to get him going in a different direction. When it’s time to go home, I pick him up and take him in.”

TOOLS OF THE TRADE

“I used a 22-foot retractable leash so that Killian can climb trees on the golf course, which is something he really enjoys. He feels like he’s BMOC when he does that.”

Crosby uses a harness with clips, but isn’t really a fan. “I don’t like the clips as the harness shifts about a bit. Killian is a big cat, so when he gets frightened or feels he has to get away fast, he does a Houdini and gets out of the harness.”

CAT-WALKING TIPS

Crosby says that cat walking truly is a Zen experience. “There is no purpose and no expectations about how long you’ll be out or what you’ll do. You do it so the cat can go outside safely and won’t be able to harm songbirds. The only reason to do this is to let them go outside safely and to protect the environment from them. That’s the only reason to train your cat to walk on a leash. I have no notions that we’ll be walking downtown Walnut Creek. If he wanted to or had more fortitude, fine. The cat is built to do certain things, so give that up. Cats are not dogs, cats are cats.”

ON MEDITATION

Crosby has been meditating for five years now. She doesn’t believe in setting expectations. “I don’t think it does anything; it’s just what you do. When I start putting expectations on my meditations it becomes a disappointment. All I do is show up.”