[metallicatz]

Hi
I rehomed a cavalier about a week ago and he's settling in really well.Everytime we go out he pulls on the lead so bought a harness for him.
The harness itself is no problem at all.He lets me put it on and take it off without a fuss.The problem is a soon as i put the lead on he whines,barks and generally skittish.Iv been trying to perservere as he's not used to it and the short distances i have managed he doesnt pull at all.He's obviously used to the lead being around his neck.

I get some strange looks though as he makes so much noise.I just dont know how to go about it.

The other problem is as soon as he see's another dog he barks like mad.Iv got app with vet tomorrow with him and i dont know how im gonna get through it with him barking.

Anyone have any advice?

[smooches]

How old is your cav and what sort of home did he come from?

I'd put the harness on and leave it on for a short while around the house, for about a week, to make sure he is well used to it. The next step is to do the same thing, but attach the lead to the harness. This may take one or two weeks if he is really worried about the lead. Keep an eye on him ofcourse to make sure he doesn't get the lead tangled around anything.

[metallicatz]

He's 4.Im not to sure about his previous home but i think he was neglected or abused in some way.
He doesnt wag his tail very much and seems very subdued.Have tried playing with him with squekies,balls etc and he just stands there like he doesnt know what to do.
He is very placid and needy.He follows me everywhere i go even if he can still see me.

[Lunareclipse]

Just because your dog acts that way doesn't mean it was abused. All dogs have different personalities like people. Just because a person is shy and isn't very outgoing doesn't mean they were abused. It's just their personality. People are scared of things without that thing ever harming them in any way. People jump at mice and spiders and snakes and lizards. While dogs might be fearless around those things, they may jump at leashes, people, and other things. My great pyrenees is scared to death of PEZ dispensers and he most surely wasn't abused by one. When I pull the head up on a PEZ dispenser, he runs and hides. I find it rather hilarious.

While some things that dogs are scared of is rather humorous, others aren't and can make life rather difficult. Did you check your harness to make sure it isn't pulling on any hair or rubbing a sensitive spot while it is on? It may be ok, by itself, but check it again after you put the leash on. When the dog pulls, it may readjust the harness to a more painful or irritating location. And your dog may just be being a brat and throwing a fit because it can't do what it wants to (pull) and then you just have to ignore your dog's bad behavior and reward it for behavior that you want.

[smooches]

Maybe he wasn't abused, but did not have a lot of stimulation as a puppy, so is weary of 'strange' noises.

If you want to go back to a collar and lead, I think you need to go back to basics with his lead training, may take a while, but worth it in the long run, if he does not carry on like a pork chop and doesn't make all that noise

Each time he pulls on the lead, stop. When he relaxes the lead, start to walk again, as soon as he pulls, stop. Keep stopping each time he pulls. You may be lucky to get to out of the front yard the first time you do this, but with time and persistence you will both eventually enjoy your walks. Of course use praise and you can also use treats to help the process.

Good luck.