I believe my neighbors now knows me as “that weirdo who walks their cat”
Solidarity my brother/sister.
At first he just went mostly where he wanted to go. But I’ve been working with him several years and he’s got a few commands down. If I tug his leash and say “this way” or “come on” he’ll turn and follow me, “psh psh” means ‘hurry up’, and “be good” means ‘stop trying to get in trouble and sit down’. He knows the route we usually take around the neighborhood and is good about following it.
My other harness kitty has been wearing harnesses pretty much since she could walk. You can walk her like a dog. You really don’t even need the leash most of the time, she knows “harness = going for a walk, stay close.”
That’s awesome that you managed to teach him commands! I’d love to do the same, but mine is deaf (has been all his life) and also generally not very perceptive or smart… For example, when I notice 6 cats while we’re out on our walk, he might spot just 1 of them if we’re lucky 😂 So I really have no idea how to even approach teaching him commands. But at least he’s learned he can’t just walk into the street when there’s cars coming (those he doesn’t notice either)!
Solidarity my brother/sister.
At first he just went mostly where he wanted to go. But I’ve been working with him several years and he’s got a few commands down. If I tug his leash and say “this way” or “come on” he’ll turn and follow me, “psh psh” means ‘hurry up’, and “be good” means ‘stop trying to get in trouble and sit down’. He knows the route we usually take around the neighborhood and is good about following it.
My other harness kitty has been wearing harnesses pretty much since she could walk. You can walk her like a dog. You really don’t even need the leash most of the time, she knows “harness = going for a walk, stay close.”
That’s awesome that you managed to teach him commands! I’d love to do the same, but mine is deaf (has been all his life) and also generally not very perceptive or smart… For example, when I notice 6 cats while we’re out on our walk, he might spot just 1 of them if we’re lucky 😂 So I really have no idea how to even approach teaching him commands. But at least he’s learned he can’t just walk into the street when there’s cars coming (those he doesn’t notice either)!