Freya is an interesting Maine Coon, shy, loving (on her terms) and insisting to be independent in all of her feline/human interactions. That personality made it difficult to get her in a harness for a walk.

Here is a video of our initial attempt, with Freya hurrying back to the house, uncomfortable with her first taste of the outdoors.

One month later I was able to get the harness on her and carried her to our woods. That was magical. She loved her walk, as a forest cat should, exploring every part of our acreage.

Here’s our outing:

The lesson here is to keep trying, never forcing the issue and waiting for your kitten to respond when she is ready. That’s the key with any cat. They evolve on their own terms.

And as always, when they return from their walk on a leash, lavish them with praise and treats.