Walking on leash

Question
Dear Beth,
Please help me out!!!!!Paco, you probably will remember him, has decided he does not want to walk on a leash and definitely does not want to "heel". So I thought I would be nice to him and buy him an easy or gentle walker but aparently I did not get a good one because now, after a
few walks, he has both sides of his head, just after the mouth, with big sore spots, all the hair has come off and it is all red, but not yet bloody, thank God. I have ordered another one in England via Internet but in the meantime I have to walk him but he is really impossible to walk. I have a Martingale collar I saw you recommended once but he still tears my shoulder out of its socket. My hand is raw, I am desperate, I am a mess. PLEASE do you have any suggestion other than strangle him?? I will be most gratefull. Thank you in advance

Answer
Henriette -

I would recommend one of the harnesses that hooks in the front.  That will bring him back around to face you if he pulls too hard.

The best way I have ever seen for teaching a dog not to pull is that the second he gets ahead of you and just as he starts to pull, you turn around and walk the other direction (or alternatively just start backing up).  Then wait for the dog to walk back towards you, and then start walking forward again.

The point is that he does not get what he wants (to go ahead) when he pulls, and only if he's staying close enough to you.

A great trainer I know said "Dogs do what works."  If he can get where he wants to be by pulling, that is what he will do. If he can get there faster by **not** pulling, then that is what he will do....

Good luck !

-Beth