Don't laugh but can I train my cat to...

[kittielittie]

Stay in my garden. It's a decent sized garden and so far we have only let our 5 month old neutered boy out when we are with him. He occasionally shimmy's up the fence to get to behind the neighbours bins (goodness knows what is fascinating behind them!).
When he does this we bring him in. When he comes in without a fuss he gets a treat.
In the main he just mooches about, bounces on the trampoline and sits under the bbq watching for passing flies and leaves.
He has a floor to ceiling cat tree indoors so gets the chance to climb and he has a mean technique for getting up the banister.
If we persist will he get it? There's a busy road about 50 yards out of the estate so we can't let him roam but he seems to really enjoys the fresh air.

My cat never leaves our back garden.

But if I had asked her to do this, she most definitely would have roamed elsewhere!

It's just luck whether they roam far or stick close, but unless you cat-proof your garden or only let them out on a lead and harness, you can't guarantee that they'll stay on your land.

It's really cruel to keep indoor cats so I'm glad you've given up on that idea. There's no way you can train a cat not to leave your garden. Having a cat is a calculated risk.

bounces on the trampoline

Release a video of this^ and let the proceeds fund the cat proofing.

You can’t decide for a kitten it’s going to be a house cat, I’ve been there done that, didn’t work for me either but roads were quieter then.

It’s cat proofing, catio, or accepting what will be will be.

I love your thinking!