Thread: Training Maine coons on a leash?

This discussion is of interest to us too - we decided Lucius would be an indoor cat despite having a garden, as we live off a busy main road and one fence we share with a neighbour is more like a picket fence so he would clear it easily. We just can't bear to take the risk in this house. So I think we would like to get a leash to so we can take him out or walk him round the garden at least, so he gets some fresh air regularly.

I am also aware he does not wear a collar but is chipped, however I don't think a lot of non pet owners are aware of microchipping yet, and might take a non-collared cat as lost or stray, and a Maine Coon cat looks expensive, so an opportunist might keep him. I don't know if that is me being extra protective or dramatic but it is my gut feeling....

ps, how cute are the kitty smilies!

It isn't a problem at all to take your cat out on a leash. We used to do this when we still only had 3 cats to take outside. But since our cat population kept on getting bigger, it was too difficult to take them all outside on a leash. That is why we put a fence around our balcony (we live in a flat), so now they can go outside without there being any risk of them escaping from the balcony.

Originally Posted by misslinaoh

ps, how cute are the kitty smilies!

Glad you like them misslinaoh lol x

Originally Posted by misslinaoh

This discussion is of interest to us too - we decided Lucius would be an indoor cat despite having a garden, as we live off a busy main road and one fence we share with a neighbour is more like a picket fence so he would clear it easily. We just can't bear to take the risk in this house. So I think we would like to get a leash to so we can take him out or walk him round the garden at least, so he gets some fresh air regularly.

Is it not possible to put a net? Here is a link to a dutch company who delivers special catnets. Nettenlijn | Nets for cats and the next link will give you an idea for cat...coop??? I don't know the correct word. Welkom bij Kattenren - Kattenrennen.nl It doesn't have to be really big.

IrishKitty: as anybody experience of training their Maine Coons or other cats on a leash?
Would be interesting to hear some stories and tips if you have some

I found this Denise How to Leash Train a Cat - wikiHow, looks quite good

Thanks Ria for that excellent link: That advise is just what I was looking for. I'd better get myself a leash this weekend to start him on it.

Did you get the harness Denise? I would be very interested to know if you did and how it went. I'm planning on keeping our kitten indoors but would like to think I could take him in the garden in the summer with a harness and leash. If you did get one what size and where did you get it?

Originally Posted by Karena

Did you get the harness Denise? I would be very interested to know if you did and how it went. I'm planning on keeping our kitten indoors but would like to think I could take him in the garden in the summer with a harness and leash. If you did get one what size and where did you get it?

Karena : I actually havn't bought the harness yet but will probably have a look this weekend for one. If I get one I will post the details on the forum

I train Mellow to use the leash and the vest (I don't know the name in english). I started to train him indoor in order to verify that he shouldn't take away the vest. The first time he got down and he didn't want to move, some minutes later he started to move and doing all his usual things. After that we go outside in our balcony. Afterall we go in the garden, almost 1-2 times a week for 15 minutes more or less (it's really cold now!!!). I also train him to stay fasten to the seat belt, so I can drive and he can stay comfortably sit to the car seat while travelling.
If you like I put some picture of our training.

Hi Riaboo.
I posted the question 'can we embed a web links into a post' on Daves' profile last night. Browsing the forum this morning, I notice your wikihow link above so may I ask how this is done. best regards*Roy

PS. I;ve got it now, IrishKitty showed me the way