I have an 8 month old Field Spaniel - Pluto. He's always full of beans, and as much as we adore having a dog that's always smiling, he's obsessed with chasing birds and scents - understandably being a field spaniel.

We are content to keep him on a long lead for as long as it takes to train him, however, due to his puppy behaviour mixed with spaniel excitement he has a habit of running full speed to the end of his rope (50ft) or flexi lead - which ever we're using at the time - and doing a lovely back flip at the end of it. With obvious concern for his own health despite his amazing ability to bend in all directions at the same time he is also crippling my back leaving me in a lot of pain.

Upon discovering the potential broken neck situation when using a halti and a flexi lead together I was wondering if I could use a Walkrite Training Harness with a flexi lead. I've just brought one and I find it's fantastic. He's always disliked his halti and of course it can't be used with a long line.

I worry that he may hurt his underarms or chest with the walkrite. We currently use a body harness and he's simply too strong for me. I realise I could just let go of the rope and 9 times out of 10 he'll just fall flat on his face and allow me to pick up the lead again, however, if he's in chase mode he'll keep going which will leave me in the same situation as before.

This weekend we're taking him to his first working trials training season as we feel we're beginning to outgrow our local training class- hopefully by giving him a focus for his obsession with scent finding etc, and learning how to control him when he's doing what he does best, we'll be able to control him more when we're out and about. I think a pig just flew past the window!

Sorry to drone on - its my first visit at its been great getting all this off of my chest!

If you have had your pup since 8 weeks the mistake you have made was not letting him off very early on. He wouldn't have run away from you as you would have been his safe haven but now it will take longer because he is so anxious to go.

Hopefully the field trials trainers will put you on the right road.

I expect the walkrite harness would be OK to use as you have suggested, but I would check him over after each exercise just to make sure he isnt getting rubbed or whatever. An alternative but similar would be the StopPull harness by Kumfi (www.kumfi.com) which has wider straps and furry padding under the elbows :)

Lots of luck with the training and working trials :)

Lindsay