Wednesday, July 10, 2013

Waffles Wednesday: My First Harness


Um, hi everybuddy. Waffles here.

Check out my new harness! Glogirly got it for me to see if I might want to eventually go on some outings and meet people.

It just arrived yesterday, so it's all still really new to me. It wasn't very fun to put on, but once she got it all adjusted and buckled I forgot all about it and started chasing my wand toy around.  She said she wanted me to associate something fun with my harness. And you KNOW how much I LOVE my wand toy!  The don't call me Air Waffles for nothing!


When my friend Odin from Cat Wisdom 101 found out I had a new harness, he got in touch right away. He's a very experienced harness kitty and thought it would be helpful to share some of his special tips and tricks, on account of I'm a beginner and all.



Odin's top 10 recommendations for harness newbies:
  1. Make sure you're microchipped. Actually, even if you never go outside you should STILL be microchipped. Stuff happens when you least expect it. Both me and the Boss are microchipped. I think Glogirly should get microchipped too.
  2. Start with the harness indoors. Get comfortable. Glogirly played with me and talked to me really nice. That made my harness more comfy.
  3. Add the leash indoors first. Your human can pick up the leash, but they shouldn't pull or tug. They should follow YOU around. They can use something like a Neko Fly or other wand toy to encourage you to walk around. 
  4. Keep your training sessions short. Start at 5 minutes and gradually increase.
  5. Once you go outside, stay very close to home. Don't go near anything noisy like busy streets. Since we live in the city, Glogirly says she's going to look into taking me in the car to a very quiet park nearby. 
  6. Have your human use a verbal cue like "outside" or "walkies."
  7. They should reward all wanted behavior and ignore the rest.  
  8. Consistency is super important. You should train at the same time everyday if possible. Before mealtime is best so you'll associate your training with your noms.
  9. Commitment is super important too. It won't be long before you'll look forward to your outdoor sessions. Don't let your human be a slacker. 
  10. Have fun!


In addition, Odin said this is a great time to practice basic training commands like Come, Sit & Stay. Glogirly says my learning curve is steep here. I don't know what that means, but I DO know that treats are involved so I'm ALL-IN. 

She said we're going to do a separate post about my Come, Sit and Stay training. And treats.


Odin-Cat Wisdom 101
We want to thank Cat Wisdom 101's Odin & Layla for their great tips on harness training! 
Since we are SO not the experts here, it's awfully nice to have smart friends that can help.  
Cat Wisdom 101 is also a finalist for The Petties. They're in the Best Cat Blog category.
AND, since you're probably heading over to vote... just sayin' !



Now for your daily Petties reminder...




Vote for GLOGIRLY & Support Minnesota's Feline Rescue, Inc.

We need your votes to help win $1000 for some very special shelter kitties. Just a few miles from the Townhouse sits a small rescue shelter called Feline Rescue, Inc of St. Paul, Minnesota. Feline Rescue is a no-kill, all-volunteer cat rescue organization with shelter, foster and outreach programs. They provide safe shelter, veterinary care and socialization for stray, abandoned or abused cats until permanent homes can be found. 

Feline Rescue is one of the little guys making a big difference in the lives of homeless kitties.  And nothing would make us happier than being able to award them such a generous donation. 

Please take a moment to vote GLOGIRLY for Funniest Blog. And while you're at it, we've got a number of friends and fellow bloggers that are finalists in other categories. Each of them has selected an equally deserving shelter for their donations, should they win. 

So, Vote, Vote & Vote some more. Once daily thru July 31. Thank you so very much. We heart you big time.

38 comments:

  1. Even with all these tips, I don't think I would do well with a harness - and I am so small that I could easily squirm out of just about any type! My human says she will give me a pass... but the next cat to come through these doors won't be so lucky! I have NO idea what that last part means, but I hope it is not anytime soon!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Waffles you are a cat of many talents

    ReplyDelete
  3. Wow, you organized my scribbled notes in a way that bodes success for leash walking and world domination. You know you have our vote! Thanks for the shout out and Odin will be happy to be your coach :-)

    ReplyDelete
  4. Aw you look so cute in your harness! I bet you'll be a great kitty for going on walks. I really like that brand of harnesses too. I don't think I've ever seen a kitty wearing one though.

    ReplyDelete
  5. We think you and GloGirly deserve lots of applause for attempting this. We older kittehz will stick to what we know: NO LEASHES.

    Pee Ess - we voted and maybe you could get a stroller for Katie!

    ReplyDelete
  6. microchip; yes.
    leash and harness; no.
    if the plebeians wish to see me they can make an appointment.

    xoxo
    Ms. Stella O'Houligan

    ReplyDelete
  7. We think Waffles rocks that harness!

    ReplyDelete
  8. Waffles look great in that harness! Happy walking! Our human has walked our late brothers Tortie and 4Head when they were alive! Purrs!

    ReplyDelete
  9. Hey! I have 2 Puppia harnesses! But Mommy got us the ones with the buckles for the neck too. Sadly, Mommy has been slacking...

    ...Tutu

    ReplyDelete
  10. hee hee any reason to have more treats!!

    ReplyDelete
  11. You're very handsome in your harness, Waffles! It looks like you're headed for big adventures.

    ReplyDelete
  12. Aw, you look cute in your little harness! Star has a figure eight harness, but she refuses to stand when it's on. We'd have to take her for a drag, not a walk.. Looks like you do better with yours!
    Oh, and we just saw your Air Waffles video, it was AWESOME!

    ReplyDelete
  13. nice harness!!! we hope you have fun with the outside thing. mom says she wishes she had started with Mo but now says something about sailing ships. But she has walked cats at Best Friends and our foster kitten Triscuit wore hers at Blog Paws.

    ReplyDelete
  14. Oh Waffles, you're going to love walkies!

    ReplyDelete
  15. that is one COOL looking harness!!
    I used to take Bobo out on walks and believe it or not I used a CHAIN dog leash (a strong one), and a leather dog collar! I was too paranoid that he would break out of anything "cat" related.
    The only thing I don't like about taking a cat outdoors (unless you live in a rural area like Layla), is that they often become obsessed with the door leading to the outdoor world and are more likely to make a break for it, whereas strictly indoor cats that have had nothing to do with the outdoors are less likely to do that.

    ReplyDelete
  16. Odin is very wise, those are great tips!

    I'm sure The Boss will appreciate your next set of lessons.. :)

    ReplyDelete
  17. Waffles, it is a good sign that you are willing to wear the harness inside and still play. And that blue looks great on you!!

    ReplyDelete
  18. Handsome kitteh! Brat & Rags don't like the whole outsideness thing, and refuse any attempt at harness. Loudly. Toothily.
    ~Vicat

    ReplyDelete
  19. We think you will love walkies! We also think Katie will love having the place to herself while you're on walkies ;)

    ReplyDelete
  20. Blue is your colour enjoy your walkies too!

    ReplyDelete
  21. Maxwell: Dood. C'mere. *looks around surreptitiously* So here's what you do... (lowers voice)

    Scrunch your shoulders IN just SO... then back outta the dang thing. Worked for me.

    ReplyDelete
  22. Furry nice looking harness Glogirly got to you , Waffles !
    The colour suit´s you purrfect !
    Odin´s top 10 recommendations is furry good !
    Don´t be sad cause you don´t know what Come , Sit & Stay is !
    I´m 3 1/2 years and still haven´t learned any of thoose commands *mol*

    ReplyDelete
  23. We're looking forward to your adventures outside with your harness.

    The Florida Furkids

    ReplyDelete
  24. Wow, blue is your color, Waffles! We wonder if Moosey would like a harness? :)

    ReplyDelete
  25. You look good in blue W2! Those really were great tips!!!

    ReplyDelete
  26. So cute! I had a cat that walked on a harness once. If I didn't take him out on controlled walks, he'd try to escape as often as possible. He was one very curious cat. I miss my Scrapper.

    ReplyDelete
  27. Hi Waffles. You look so handsome in your harness. Mama tried with us, but nobody wanted to use it. Note to Katie: The harness could help Waffles behave and learn better manners! Purrs, Ateret, Livia and Abbi

    ReplyDelete
  28. Waffles, that harness looks great on you. The mom wants to get me one of those. I have the regular kind of harness and it never looks comfortable on me.

    And trust me, Waffles, you're gonna love going outside. All I have to hear is the word "out" and I am at the door!

    Wally

    ReplyDelete
  29. Whoa! How hard are you laughing Katie? You get him out of the house with the hope that he might even get lost. What a wussycat. He lets the humans do whatever they want.

    ReplyDelete
  30. Good boy, Waffles! That blue harness looks so handsome on you. Tabby's got a pink one like that and a pink regular harness as well. Freya & Heimdall have mesh walking jackets.

    Those are some great tips that Odin gave you. Follow them and you'll soon be walking outside! It's a lot of fun! Maybe you'll even be able to go visiting like Tabby does.

    ReplyDelete
  31. I can't even handle this kind of cute! Waffles looks so handsome in blue! The tips are great! And kudos to Waffles for the added tip of microchipping the humans...our fur kids agree!

    ReplyDelete
  32. This is the second nice harness we have seen. Word on the street is that http://www.mynwoodcatjackets.co.uk/ are tops for custom made cool jackets. Check 'em out Waffles.

    p.s. You look cool dude. Us outdoor cats don't use harnesses but you look pretty dynamic mate!

    Dash

    ReplyDelete
  33. Aaah... the dreaded harness.

    I hate it when I have to wear mine when I go out for a walk with Mum in our back garden.

    ReplyDelete
  34. are you clicker training Waffles? would love to see some cat training posts :)

    ReplyDelete
  35. We suggest a name tag as well with your phone number and address. We all have name tags and wear them at all times. We have had problems in our area with animal control not bothering to check for microchips. And should you be lost close to home, the person finding you could just call Glogirly or Gloman or bring you back home. Good luck with your training. Purrs and hugs, Lily Olivia, Mauricio, Misty May, Giulietta, Fiona, Astrid, Lisbeth and Calista Jo

    ReplyDelete
  36. Katie's got to be jealous!
    Snorts,
    Benny & Lily

    ReplyDelete
  37. We likes your blue harness Waffles! It look furry good on you.

    But we don't thinks we'd like one. Sasha had a little one when he was little but he outgrew it and mom didn't get him another one. Plus we don'ts go outside furry much.

    Have fun with the training, MOL!

    Sasha, Sami, & Saku

    ReplyDelete

Thank you so much for your comment. We LOVE hearing from you!

LATEST POSTS