Put the Harness On
Once a cat is familiar with the harness as an object, have your client put it on her. In most cases, this will be a struggle, but it is normal. The client should remain calm and once the harness is on, reward their cat with treats. They should leave the harness on their cat for a few moments and then remove it. This is when persistence comes into play. The next day, have them leave the harness on their cat for a bit longer than they did previously. Each day, they should increase the amount of time the harness is on. While the harness is on, it is time for praise. Have the client give their cat whatever she is most responsive to, like pets or treats. This process can take a few weeks until a cat barely reacts when the harness is on.
Attach the Leash
Then it is time to attach the leash. The first few times it is attached, your client should not hold onto it. Instead, they should let their cat drag the leash so she can get used to the tugging feeling it creates. As they did with the harness training, they should praise their cat with the leash attached until she is unbothered by it.
Hold the Leash
Before a client takes the cat outside, they should start following behind her while holding the leash. They can try to gently guide their cat by stopping its movement forward, and then redirecting by gently tugging in a different direction. This act will be helpful when outdoors if a curious cat is headed toward something that is not safe. If their cat follows the corrective suggestion, they should reward her. If the cat does not follow the correction, they should try placing a treat on the floor in the direction they want her to go for incentive. Have them practice this a few times; however, it does not need to be perfected before hitting the great outdoors. Some cats are natural leaders who go their own way and that is OK, too.