gentle leader rubs off fur

I thought the GL was great when I first started using it at the recomendation of a Petsmart trainer.  It stopped my dogs pulling right away.  He was never totally comfortable with it though.  I don't think many dogs like having the strap over their muzzles.  The other problem I had with the GL was whenever I switched back to my dogs flat buckle collar he would go back to pulling to the point of choking himself again.  So it wasn't really training him not to pull, it was just restricting him from pulling. 

I recently started using a prong and it's worked great.  I've never given more than a gentle tug and  he walks perfectly.  Lately I've been switching back to his leather buckle collar and he doesn't pull on that anymore!  I think the prong works better at actully training your dog not to pull, not just restricting but my plan is to eliminate the prong eventually.  Also, I've heard that the GL can be dangerous becasue if the dog sudenly lunges, it can can turn his head and neck in a way that could seriously injure his spine.  I'd stick with the prong for now.     

If you're at all crafty or know someone who is, maybe you could sew lambswool padding or felt on the inside of the straps? You'd have to readjust it I'm sure but that may stop the chafing.

We have the same problem with our dog. We found some moleskin that has adhesive on the back side. We cut a strip wide enough to fit the strip along the top of the nose and put it on the GL. Works great the fur grew back nicely. However, still working on getting dog not to pull. He pulls me even with the GL ugh.

In between walks, try clicker training a nice polite walk.  I find that if you start with only a step or two at a time, and reward the dog as he catches up to you, and build from that, you can get a dog to walk nicely by your side.  It takes longer than traditional methods, but eventually it is as solid. 

i was thinking about getting a GL, or are harnesses better.  for training , and then just for a wlak?

Yeah that happens to Rory to every once in a while when she pulls hard for a long time and you cant make it any looser or it will go up to their eyes. I stop peridically and just run my hand under the strap around her nose to readjust it and loosen it up. You can sometimes tell cause their lip looks funny, its pulled to one side, or they are pulling for no reason to help get it adjusted.
Rory dosnt pull as much as she used to plus I figure its better then straining there neck with a collar on and getting all raw!