Our new owners often ask us whether Ragdolls are easy to harness and leash train. The answer is YES!! We have many of our kittens who enjoy the walk outside to smell the flowers.

The following is some information that will assist you with the process of getting your little fur-baby to enjoy the experience.

This is how the harness and leash should be fitted. (Below)

1) Purchase a comfortably-fitting harness and lightweight leash with a secure clip. Do not use a collar, as the cat may be able to slip out of it. You want the leash to pull from the chest rather than the throat.

2) Put the harness and leash somewhere near kitty’s sleeping area and leave it there for several days to accustom him to its appearance and smell.

3) Wait until just before his normal mealtime, then put the harness on the cat. You should be able to comfortably slip two fingers between the harness and his skin.

4) Immediately feed him his favourite meal and praise him when he is finished.

5) Let him wear the harness for awhile. If it seems to bother him distract him by playing with a favourite toy.

6) When your cat seems to be accustomed to the harness take it off. Do not stress the cat too much - try again tomorrow.

7) Repeat steps 3 through 6 for several days, leaving the harness on longer each time.

8) Next, attach the leash to the harness and let kitty walk around the house, dragging the leash. Watch him carefully that he doesn’t get tangled up around the furniture.

9) Praise him for being such a good cat, and give him some loving hugs.

10) Repeat steps 8 and 9 for a few days, until the cat seems to accept the harness and leash

11) Now, let him walk around as usual, but pick up the business end of the leash and follow him in his wanderings. Keep the tension slack, so as not to restrict him movement.

12) Practice step 11 for a few days.

13) Teach kitty to follow you by talking to him in a cajoling manner and lightly pulling on the lead. Don’t fight him. Leash-training should be a pleasurable experience for the cat, not an adversarial one. On the other hand, if he tugs at the leash, simply stop until he relaxes, then move on.

14) You’re ready to move outdoors now. Do it gradually, and take your first short excursion in your own back yard.

15) Gradually increase his exposure to the sights, sounds and smells of the outdoors. Soon the two of you will be walking happily together.

1) PATIENCE, PATIENCE, PATIENCE!! Stay Tuned to your cat’s reaction and let him guide you at his own pace. Don’t let this training become a battle of the wills, because you will surely lose.

2) If you have more than one cat, it may actually be easier to train the second one, because she will want to follow the first.

1) Sturdy Harness

2) Lightweight Leash

3) A good sense of humour.