Hi,
I have a pedigree english springer spaniel. He is a year old, though we have only had him about a month. His training is reasonable, though his attention span is minimal, and he tries to run off anywhere.
I am trying to get him to walk with me at the minute, however he is constantly pulling. Subsequently, his harness seems to be chafing him, and his skin is going bright pink, and in some places bright red, and looks really painful. Is this normal? Is it just something that he gets used to, and he has to get past, or does it mean he just has the wrong type of harness?
Thanks
Pete

Harnesses are very often pretty useless when it comes to stopping a dog from pulling. Why not try a head collar instead? It doesn't sound like the harness suits him at all.

Would this be better to help train him with too?

Yes definitely, you will have a lot more control. :)

Hiya,

A harness should not be rubbing him and I would stop using that straight away or he may end up being very unhappy about wearing a harness and you will need one should you want to use a long line on him.  Good harnesses (not to stop pulling on their own though) are available here  http://www.dog-games.co.uk/newshop/Harnesses+-+Fleece+Lined/

A standard harness on it's own will not stop a dog pulling.  However a harness in conjunction with a headcollar or clipped to a flat collar with a double ended lead can be really helpful for balancing a dog and helping them to stop pulling.  It's important to introduce a dog to a headcollar and not put it straight on a dog and expect it to like it or walk in straight away.  I took two weeks to get my youngster used to a headcollar before taking her out in it and she has no problems with it what so ever now.  I started by letting her sniff the headcollar and then gave her some yummy treats, did that a few seperate times on the first day.  The I held a treat the other side of the nose loop and let her pop her nose in and get the treat, when she was happily shoving her nose in I then progressed to doing it up, that was probably day four.  I then popped it on for a few seconds while feeding her fave treats.  Then gradually built up the time.  The I did the same attatching the lead, then got her used to walking in it indoors.  It takes a bit of time but is worth it :-)

Simply answer to stop the chaffing, dont use it anymore.  By using a harness you are giving the dog something to pull against.  I agree a halter or a cami collar would work better.  But some basic training classes will work even better.

Emma

Simply answer to stop the chaffing, dont use it anymore

Essential to use a harness though when you are using a long line otherwise you risk severe injury to your dog's neck if he rushes off and reaches the end of the line at speed.

I use a canny collar if I can't avoid going out after dark in firework season -it gives me total control if a firework freaks out my GR.