We brought Ziva home from a shelter at the end of July. It didn't take long to notice that she has little if any, outside experience. I decided to try and harness train her. I really did not expect success as she is 3+ years old and a Tortie. She has surprised me. She does not exhibit tortitude. She has a sweet personality.
The month of August, the harness and leash just laid on the floor near some of her toys. My plan is slow and easy.
September---We tried twice, a week apart to slip on harness. She seemed uncomfortable with the attempt and I did not push it. Our 3rd attempt, I lightly held her and slipped it on, but did not buckle the 2 behind the front leg straps. she only had on 3 mins before I removed. This gave me adjustment direction and indicated that she might submit instead of bite n scratch. A couple days later, harness is on completely and we adjusted some more. Gave her praise, treats and lots of petting. Harness back off after 5 minutes. Praise and petting always continues after taking harness off. The rest of the month, we slowly increased on time and added play to show her she can still move well with it on. We were up to 20 mins by the end of the month with the leash attached.
October---Our 1rst time outside, I carried her out. Did not take long for her to lead me back to the front door and we went back in after only being out 3 mins max. She was obviously afraid. I comforted her and we continued indoor training for another 15 mins. The next couple of times we stayed out 5 mins before coming back in and continuing activity wearing harness and leash. Our 4th time out, I still carried her out, but she was showing more interest in her surroundings. The next 3 times out, our outside time inched forward to near 15 mins and her stance improved. We had 2 big days last week. I did not carry her out. She went the door of her own freewill. She led me down the walk. She did bite at her harness on her first day in charge if we just sat too long. She seems to be familiar with this area we have walked multiple times now. We we out almost 20 mins before she decided it was time to go in. Big leap forward 3 days later. She was at the door like she was asking to go out. We put on harness and leash and she led me out. After doing the usual walk and returning to the front door, she declined to go in and repeated our usual walk. She did this 3 times. While we sat outside, she did not bite at her harness She groomed and groomed around it. We did make a little adjustment after last time. She is still a little skittish. Windy that day with some unfamiliar sounds. She did get to crouch and chatter a some birds in the shrubs. She smashed a grasshopper and investigated a wooly worm that scared her a little. Her stance this day is almost confident. She stayed out 45 minutes. This is a 30 minute leap forward. Now I just gotta keep this going as winter is beginning to find us.
The month of August, the harness and leash just laid on the floor near some of her toys. My plan is slow and easy.
September---We tried twice, a week apart to slip on harness. She seemed uncomfortable with the attempt and I did not push it. Our 3rd attempt, I lightly held her and slipped it on, but did not buckle the 2 behind the front leg straps. she only had on 3 mins before I removed. This gave me adjustment direction and indicated that she might submit instead of bite n scratch. A couple days later, harness is on completely and we adjusted some more. Gave her praise, treats and lots of petting. Harness back off after 5 minutes. Praise and petting always continues after taking harness off. The rest of the month, we slowly increased on time and added play to show her she can still move well with it on. We were up to 20 mins by the end of the month with the leash attached.
October---Our 1rst time outside, I carried her out. Did not take long for her to lead me back to the front door and we went back in after only being out 3 mins max. She was obviously afraid. I comforted her and we continued indoor training for another 15 mins. The next couple of times we stayed out 5 mins before coming back in and continuing activity wearing harness and leash. Our 4th time out, I still carried her out, but she was showing more interest in her surroundings. The next 3 times out, our outside time inched forward to near 15 mins and her stance improved. We had 2 big days last week. I did not carry her out. She went the door of her own freewill. She led me down the walk. She did bite at her harness on her first day in charge if we just sat too long. She seems to be familiar with this area we have walked multiple times now. We we out almost 20 mins before she decided it was time to go in. Big leap forward 3 days later. She was at the door like she was asking to go out. We put on harness and leash and she led me out. After doing the usual walk and returning to the front door, she declined to go in and repeated our usual walk. She did this 3 times. While we sat outside, she did not bite at her harness She groomed and groomed around it. We did make a little adjustment after last time. She is still a little skittish. Windy that day with some unfamiliar sounds. She did get to crouch and chatter a some birds in the shrubs. She smashed a grasshopper and investigated a wooly worm that scared her a little. Her stance this day is almost confident. She stayed out 45 minutes. This is a 30 minute leap forward. Now I just gotta keep this going as winter is beginning to find us.
Great job! 
