Queenie and the big outdoors

PaulaB · 14-08-2006, 06:45 PM

Can anyone suggest a way to help my Queenie get used to a cat lead and the big outdoors. I tried the lead on her, it was a bit undignified but a whack round her sons ear and eveything was ok (no matter how bad things are thumping your son makes things SO much better). I got her outside and she was ok but when my mother came out she freaked out and both of us got badly scratched. I know that she is afraid of the outside because of being alone from the time she was out of her previous owners house and giving birth but she is asking to go out! Can someone please give me tips so that she can spend some time out on a cat lead every day and be happy.

Naomi · 14-08-2006, 08:43 PM

The only thing I can think of is for you to sit on the doorstep with Queenie on her harness and lead and let her take it all in her stride. Don't push her into it. Leave the harness on her in the house, supervised of course, so she get's used to it and doesn't associate it with going outside into the 'scary big wide world'

It will take a lot of patience and time but she'll soon learn that the big outdoors isn't as bad as she thinks. My Mol's lives outdoors so we didn't have an issue with her going outside, our biggest problem was her getting used to the harness.

Whatever happens don't give up

Mags · 14-08-2006, 09:34 PM

Paula, that's very good advice from Nae......I think it takes a lot of patience to begin with...

Good luck....let us know how you get on

CathyW · 14-08-2006, 10:14 PM

i was wondering weather to tke mine out on a harness, they where outdoor cats n they are always trying to get out, but we live near a horrible road, so i thought a harness and a walk around the garden, one at a time just in case they get freaked out, loads of kids here and they would want to see whats happening.

dandysmom · 15-08-2006, 01:40 AM

I can't be too helpful on this, as I started mine when they were quite young and they took to it quickly...excited to be outdoors & exploring. My Siamese was jumpy & nervous; never walked too far from home; Misty wasn't much of a walker; her idea of a good walk was to the end of the driveway!! Sultan, the Aby, walked everywhere, blocks away, wasn't fazed by dogs or noisy trucks. The only cat I leash trained as an adult was Patches the tortie; she'd been an outside cat & didn't take kindly to the restraint, but adapted to it after a while & we had pleasant walks. My present cat, Leia, had always been an inside cat & for some reason seems to be scared of the idea of outdoors...she flees whenever the door is opened...so have never tried to teach her. I guess I'd say take it slowly and just be patient...good luck!!!

PaulaB · 17-08-2006, 06:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Naomi

The only thing I can think of is for you to sit on the doorstep with Queenie on her harness and lead and let her take it all in her stride. Don't push her into it. Leave the harness on her in the house, supervised of course, so she get's used to it and doesn't associate it with going outside into the 'scary big wide world'

It will take a lot of patience and time but she'll soon learn that the big outdoors isn't as bad as she thinks. My Mol's lives outdoors so we didn't have an issue with her going outside, our biggest problem was her getting used to the harness.

Whatever happens don't give up

I got home this morning at 11am (it turned out they had me marked down for 12 hours all week but forgot to tell me!!!!) I let Lucy out (mother is with my sister) and Queenie DEMANDED to be let out, so out came the harness and lead and I did what you suggested sat on the back doorstep and she sniffed at the out doors, put a paw out a couple of times and then put her head out. It was fine til then but me the masty person that I am had made it rain so she got water on her head!!!! So after a few minutes of this I brought her back in and left her harnes on until I went to bed at 12. So thanks for your advice and will try this again, I think maybe when I took her out I shut the door behind us and I think this might have been the problem.

Mags · 17-08-2006, 06:35 PM

Slow but sure seems the best way to go Paula.......it is important to take things gradually and not rush her. Hopefully she will gradually gain confidence.

I don't blame her for not liking the raindrops on her head....Cassie hates it!!

Good luck!

Donna · 17-08-2006, 09:28 PM

Glad you made some progress with the harness. Most things take time and patience!

Naomi · 17-08-2006, 09:55 PM

That's so good to hear, well done. I'm sure she'll get more and more confident over the next few months. I've just started harness and lead training Timmy, 10-12 week old kitten. He seems to enjoy chewing the lead more than being outside

How could you be so mean as to make it rain, awww poor Queenie

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