Monday, September 11, 2006

The Cat Walkabout

Oh no, it's too hot. I wanna go home now.

Since I came home early today, I thought I would take him downstairs before it rained. He would then get some time to walk on the grass or to just sit and stare at the world. However, my cat Bujang had other ideas. He looked at the world for a while, walked out of his carrier, THEN he did an about turn and walked right back into his carrier. Huh?


He then sat in it and looked at the world from inside. I was not as surprised as I should I guess. Bujang is quite capable of changing his mind and once it is made up, there is no changing it. Since I had no bream flakes to encourage him, I let him sit there for a bit but it was quite a hot afternoon for me.

No, I am not changing my mind, no matter what you say.

So I told him if he was not going to walk, then I would bring him home and he can't go out in the evening either as the weather is uncertain. He seemed quite content with what I said so I wheeled him home again. At least he got a nice stroll out of the afternoon.

One good thing though. I spoke to one of the residents who came down with me in the lift. He asked me if Bujang was neutered and we also spoke about the calico at the void deck. I told him that cats with tipped ears are neutered cats. He didn't know that but now I think he would tell his grand daughters that and so now one more person knows about tipped ears, which is a good thing all round.

8 comments:

  1. hi
    im very curious in how u train yr cats to walk on leash... can u teach me?

    but my cat is quite old already, i picked him up, is it still ok to train?
    can u email me?
    tristanzWY@hotmail.com

    thanks mate
    Wei

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  2. First things first.
    1. You have to see if you have the time to train him as it takes consistency.
    2. Buy him a nice harness and it should fit him well. Then just let him play with the harness for a bit so he would not be afraid of it. You have to do this everyday.
    3. After he is used to seeing the harness, the hard part comes in. Put the harness on him - for very short periods like 5 minutes a day and then take it off. Be sure to reward him afterwards then he would associate the harness with something nice.
    4. He would try to get it off, challenge your authority or just simply refuse to walk but you have to be firm and let him be. Always reward and talk nicely and softly. Don't pull him about as that would put him off.
    5. You can then make sure that he wears his harness everyday for longer periods.
    6. I can't give you a time limit as it depends on your cat.
    7. After he is used to being in the harness for an extended time, like 30 minutes, then put the leash on and let him play with it.
    8. After one week, you can take him for a short walk outside, along a quiet corridor etc for about 5 to 10 minutes and then you can extend the time. :)

    I got Toro used to the leash in about 1 month, on and off. He realises that he gets to walk along the corridor, which he likes alot if he has his leash on. If no leash then only 5 minutes at most but with a leash it would be much longer. Since he loves walking along the corridor, this is a great incentive. :))

    I hope it works for you. Btw, how old is your cat?

    Sorry i didn't mail instructions as its much easier to write it here.
    Always do what your cat likes. If he likes to walk on grass, then do that. If not, then don't. Walking on grass takes a longer time if your cat is an apt cat like mine.

    I trained Bujang when he was about 5 months to walk on grass and Akira when she was about 7 months. She does not like grass but likes the corridor, like Toro. Of cos I trained Toro when he was about 11 months and some other cats were trained when they were 2 years old. So anything is possible :)

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  3. what a well mannered cat bujang is! it's good that he enjoys the outdoor as well as the indoor (carrier).

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  4. Yah Bujnag is quite well-mannered and neat, unlike Totoro :)

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  5. yr cats are young, easier i tink, mine is alr about 6yrs, as according to the vet, cos im not sure, i adopted him from e streets. i might jus try... yr harness seems v comfy... i bought 2 types, both seems so umcomfy for him sigh...
    he scratches n bites me whenever i try to put it on

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  6. 6 years is not all that old I think. Of course it is much easier when they're younger. You said that you carry him around, so I assume that he does not scratch or bite you when you do this. Possibly you can just let him play with his harness for a bit before you put it on. then when you are acrrying him about and he is relaxed you can try again.

    The amigos used to bite me at first but they got over it after some time. I have the scars to prove that too :)

    The harness must be comfortable. there are many types. I have 3 different types for 3 different cats.

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  7. the one that bujang has looks really comfy, i should be goin out to find a similar one

    i forced my cat to wear the one i bought today, but he doesnt walk where i want him to, he retaliate n want get out of the harness...

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  8. One thing you need to know and accept about cats and walking in harnesses is that they will walk where They want and when they want. Patience is the key. Once you figure out where your cat likes to walk, then that is where you have to go.

    They will always refuse the first 100 times :) but never force him to go where you want. that would guarantee his eternal dislike of harness walking. ou have to make the place attractive enough for him. I find food rewards to be one way to go. He does one thing well, give a treat . He wears his harness, give a treat . It has to do with association. Of cos a nice scritch etc could also be used as a treat.

    I got Bujang's walking jacket online. I have not seen it anywhere in all the pet shops I have been to.

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