Tips for getting started

● While it is possible to train your cat yourself, it is a good idea to do it with the help of an animal behaviourist, especially if you are new to owning cats. “I think that would be one of the kindest ways you could do it, because you’re going to get advice from someone who really has strong expertise in training and should have the ability to help you learn to read your cat’s body language,” says Sam.“It’s extremely important to be able to read the signals that your cat is sending you.They might be subtle, but they will be there.”

● If you are doing it yourself, Sam recommends starting when they are young and starting very slowly by showing the cat the harness on the ground and allowing them to sniff it — rewarding them each time they take a step further and perhaps eventually

allowing them to put their head into the harness if they want to.

● Linda Ryan also recommends making sure the leash is chosen carefully and used carefully.

“We want it to be a skinny little lead and used lightly so that there’s no pressure, and we want it to be long so that they’ve got choices.”

● If your cat doesn’t like it, don’t push it.