My 7 month old ragdoll will undergo his Pets As Therapy assessment in December when he is 9 months old. As part of this he has to walk on a harness. He happily wears his harness but will not walk in the right direction when we go out. Any tips to help?
Well done on doing something so worthwhile as the pets therapy, have you tried to make it a game, when he is due feeding put the harness on him and then make a trial with treats getting him to walk the right way.The walking in teh wrong direction can be a bit of a game, animals when they ahve buster collars (the lampshade collars) usually try and walk backwards to back away from them but after ten minutes or so just put up with them and get on with things so it could just be a bit of distraction and perserverance is needed good luck
ps nice to see you managed to find us since moving from facebook :)
As well as food treats, you could also use a fishing rod type toy to encourage movement in the right direction. Once he realises walking in the harness is fun and rewarding he will happy to move in the direction you want.
Vet answer
Hi Emma,
Well done on doing something so worthwhile as the pets therapy, have you tried to make it a game, when he is due feeding put the harness on him and then make a trial with treats getting him to walk the right way.The walking in teh wrong direction can be a bit of a game, animals when they ahve buster collars (the lampshade collars) usually try and walk backwards to back away from them but after ten minutes or so just put up with them and get on with things so it could just be a bit of distraction and perserverance is needed good luck
ps nice to see you managed to find us since moving from facebook :)
Expert answer
Hi Emma
As well as food treats, you could also use a fishing rod type toy to encourage movement in the right direction. Once he realises walking in the harness is fun and rewarding he will happy to move in the direction you want.