Mame Learns to Walk on a Leash, Slowly but Surely

Most people think cats cannot be leash trained, but my British Shorthair Mame has proved them a little wrong. He is nearly four years old and used to freeze at the front door whenever I opened it. Getting him out to the soi by our Sukhumvit condo took several months of patience.

What worked for us: start indoors with the harness on for ten minutes a day, let him drag the lightweight line while supervised, and always end on a treat so he links it with good things. Walking outside came only after he stopped flattening himself on the floor.

Now he trots along the soi for about fifteen minutes, pausing to sniff plants like a tiny explorer. It is not perfect, but it is ours.