Welcome to another miserable Monday. It’s time fur another Educational Service Cat Posty. Our last few posts have dealt with training specifics dat are good fur all cats and kittens, not just Service Cats; and today’s post will be no different. We got some great questions dat we’ll be dealin’ with fur da next couple of weeks, but ‘member to ask your questions, so we can get them answered too. Now, ifin you’ve missed any of da posts in this series you can ketch up by clickin’ da links below. We do suggest befur you begin trainin’ kitty to purrform any task dat you start with mommy’s Foundation which you can read ‘bout in Part 2, Training Foundations. As with all our educational posts da followin’ will be in human English, so get your coffee, note pad and let’s get to it.
Part 1: https://dezizworld.wordpress.com/2016/06/20/service-cat-what-to-look-for/
Part 2: https://dezizworld.wordpress.com/2016/06/27/service-cat-training-foundation/
Part 4: https://dezizworld.wordpress.com/2016/07/11/service-cats-smelling-disease/
Part 5: https://dezizworld.wordpress.com/2016/07/18/service-cats-do-you-need-one/
Part 6: https://dezizworld.wordpress.com/2016/07/25/service-cats-who-bears-the-cost/
Part 7: https://dezizworld.wordpress.com/2016/08/01/service-cats-housing-laws-and-exceptions/
Part 8: https://dezizworld.wordpress.com/2016/08/08/service-cats-accommodations-and-common-sense/
Part 9: https://dezizworld.wordpress.com/2016/08/15/service-cats-what-happens-when-the-handler-dies/
Part 10: https://dezizworld.wordpress.com/2016/08/22/service-cats-proper-training-methods/
Part 11: https://dezizworld.wordpress.com/2016/08/29/service-cats-proper-training-methods-part-2/
Part 12: https://dezizworld.wordpress.com/2016/09/05/service-cats-whats-the-easiest-task-to-train/
Now that you’re all caught up, let’s get to our question. Our friends from Toby’s Wrecking Crew wanted to know how to get a kitty ready for something like BlogPaws. And what they are asking is how do you get a kitty adjusted to a lot of people, noise and other animals, unruly doggies to be exact?. This is a great question. It most certainly applies to Service Kitties who must be accommodating to any situation, but it’s also good for all kitties. You never know what the future holds, or what situation you may find yourself in. For instance, you find yourself having to evacuate your home and go to a shelter full of people and other animals, a kitty who is comfortable in this setting is certainly going to be easier to deal with during this time of crisis. Or heaven forbid, you have to take kitty to an emergency vet during a busy night. Again, a kitty that is comfortable with noise and commotion, is going to be much calmer than one who isn’t. Now that we’ve pointed out why all cats should be trained for commotion, let’s explain how it’s done. Remember, It’s NEVER too late to train kitty.
Of course this is something mommy starts on immediately with the new kitty. But remember that first Service Cat mommy had? Well she wasn’t a kitten when she was trained, so it can be done. The first thing you want to do is make kitty as comfortable and safe as possible. So here comes the harness and leash training. We do recommend a stroller for these kinds of outings as opposed to a carrier, but keeping a carrier on hand is also a good option. (See the photo below of sis Lexi in her carrier on top of the stroller in the car.) Even in a closed stroller, kitty should be leashed and tethered in. We’re going to take this from the start. Buy a proper fitting harness. Mommy prefers the ones with material that have closures around the neck and body, like you see in the photos. We prefer them as well. Cats are more comfortable being wrapped up. So we recommend staying away from the strappy cat harnesses and go straight to the dog department. You can also order online, there are a lot of great companies that make these harnesses for kitties. You’ll need a leash that’s not to heavy. Remember, the typical kitty weighs less than 20 pounds so they’re not going to break even the skinniest of leashes. Now that you have the proper tools, you can start training kitty. We recommend keeping the stroller and carrier out at all times and open for kitty to use for sleep or play.
Harness Training:
Each day put harness on kitty for about 15 minutes and walk away. Initially kitty may go limp and fall over. Don’t Worry, kitty is fine. Do Not remove harness or kitty has trained you. Only take the harness off after 15 minutes. And take it off even if kitty seems okay with it. You don’t want kitty to over do it initially. Do this twice a day for a few days and then increase the amount of time the harness stays on once kitty actually gets up off the floor. The amount of time this will take will vary from cat to cat, so we can’t give you an exact number of days or weeks, but once kitty is comfortable in the harness you can now add the leash. Please, Do Not Rush Kitty. Take your time, this will mean success. And remember, all of this is being done in the house. Kitty hasn’t set one foot outside. Okay, you’ve added the leash to the harness. This should be done the same way as the harness, start with 15 minutes twice a day and increase until kitty is comfortable. During this time, please be careful as kitty will be dragging a leash and this could be a trip hazard for all humans. And keep an eye on kitty if opening any doors or cabinets, etc.. Once kitty is comfortable with the harness and the leash, it’s time to add you to the mix. Pick up the leash and let kitty take you for a walk. At this time you may venture outside if you want. This is also the time to start taking kitty with you in public.
Going Public:
Even tho’ kitty is now harness and leash trained, it’s no comparison for a stroller or carrier. Harness and leash kitty and tether in to stroller for your outing. Of course a pet store is the obvious choice, we like to go places like parks, banks, pharmacies, post offices, etc.. (me’s visitin’ the pharmacy in the photo below) Try going for a stroll in the park. You’ll likely encounter a few dogs and curious people. Your bank, or a small town bank will most likely say nothing and will expose kitty to a lot of lookey loo’s (curious people wanting to see kitty) During these outings as kitty gets more comfortable you can open the stroller and let people pet kitty and let kitty sniff them. You can also allow kitty to walk around a little if permitted since kitty is harnessed and leashed. These outings expose kitty to a small number of people/animals and noise, but prepare them for the commotion of a crowd. Now that kitty is comfortable in these small settings it’s time for the big crowds. Again, the pet store during an adoption event is a great place. A school football/basketball/baseball game is a great place. A local parade or flea market is another great option. Look around your area, you’ll find several great options. The more exposure you can give kitty the better.

We were really enjoying this until you got to the part about the big snarly dogs at BlogPaws and our jaws dropped. We had thought the dogs there would be well-behaved. Guess we were wrong. 😦
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We too had assumed all da animals dat attended would be well behaved. But dat’s not da case and their humans don’t care or don’t notice or both.
Luv ya’
Dezi and Raena
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Very interesting girls. I am progressing with my harness, however due to my last escape we are getting a vest that attaches at the tummy.
Shoko
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Dat’s good Shoko. Our harness attaches at da neck and tummy. Mommy wouldn’t have it any other way.
Luv ya’
Dezi and Raena
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The only kitty here that ever had a harness and leash was Robin who fell over as soon as it was put on her. Repeatedly. That was in 1988. Just like a pat of melted butter.
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dezi & raena…this izza grate post coz it can bee used by all catz…..N frank lee
pupz two; thanx for takin time ta put it two gether N for sharin it heer ♥♥♥☺☺
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Great advice on harness training and getting kitties used to all kinds of situations. We had to wear a harness and leash when we moved from Germany to Canada, and needless to say, we also had to be comfortable with lots of noise and commotion going through airports, although we travelled in the cabin with our humans.
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Super duper info ladies……..should be helpful for anyone who knows their kitties will be around other animals when normally they aren’t….or even other humans.
Hugs, Sammy
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Fanks Sammy. Hope you have a pawsum day.
Luv ya’
Dezi and Raena
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These posts are so fantastic and full of information! And Miss Raena looks very adorable in her harness too! Okay, she ALWAYS looks adorable … but extra, extra this time!
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MOL Fank you, glad you’re enjoyin’ them. Mommy insists on a harness ifin we’re in da stroller, so even tho’ it was too big fur her, Raena wore it well.
Luv ya’
Dezi and Raena
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Thanks for the great info and tips, dear ladies!! Pat/Maggie/Felix
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Great post! Your Mom is so patient which is why she is such an excellent trainer. XO
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MOL Fank you awnty Ellen. Believe it or not, mommy has never been known fur her patience, quite da oppawsite. But she has learned and when she wants somethin’ she’ll do it one way or another.
Luv ya’
Dezi and Raena
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Great info. We don’t have a stroller, but Wally sometimes goes out on his harness and leash. At first he didn’t like the harness, but when he realized that having it on meant he got to go outside, he quickly adjusted to it…because he loves to go out.
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