Harness rash?

[sasasola]

OK so we got Duke a gentle leader easy walk harness. We got the large because he would've outgrown the medium in no time. It is a bit big on him and we have it on the smallest setting.

Yesterday I noticed that the area under his front legs, I guess they would be his "armpits" are a bit irritated, pink and a bit swollen. He also has a spot on one of his front "elbows" that looks like rug burn. We will be giving him a rest from the harness until the area heals. But the harness works wonders and he still pulls like hell when in his collar.

My questions are, does he just have to "get used" to the harness? Is it doing this because it's a bit loose? What should I put on it to help it heal?

Thanks again

[Doggiedose]

We have had the same problem with Lexi. We switched to the harness a couple of months ago or so, and she still pulls so she sometimes still gets a red mark on her chest. I've also noticed that where the harness is, her coat is a bit thinner and skin is rougher. I don't like that, but it does work better than her choking herself on a regular collar. I was thinking of trying to wrap a softer fabric around the harness where it's been rubbing but have not done so yet.

[Gypsiemouse]

Mongo's armpits get rubbed raw too, but that's because he pulls.

[sasasola]

ugh! Yes it doesn't look very comfy! If it's not one thing it's another I tell you!

[maxxonl]

We were thinking a harness that attaches from the mid-shoulder on top instead of the chest such as easy walk to see if that makes a difference. Allie also seems to have some chaffing(pardon the spelling) near her armpit by her chest.

[sasasola]

Yes we had a regular harness that he outgrew but it seemed to give him extra pulling power. So we thought we'd give the gentle leader easy walk harness a try and now we have chaffing in the armpits. sheesh.

[tguinter]

Duallys doesnt rub her raw that i have noticed but when she has her harness on she will act like a drama queen like it bothers her armpits when it doesnt.