E-Collar Help

Hi,
I've posted before about my white pup and her allergies and hot spots, and was recommended to get an elizabethan -collar. Well I got one for her and she FREAKED out! She kept running into things and was so scared she wouldn't even move. I don't know what to do, she is terrified. Is this normal? Should she get used to it? She is so mad at me right now, she won't even eat a greenie. Any advice is GREATLY appreciated!!!

"E-collar" has more than one meaning in the dog world and for the most part refers to-ELECTRONIC COLLARS that are used as training tools. Try not to have the readers guessing what you are referring to in your post and/or having to look up previous threads to find out.
~Texasbulldogs~

Sorry about that, thanks for the correction.

 

Just leave it on her and she will adjust to it. In all the time I've worked in vet clininc I have NEVER seen a dog or cat that liked their e-collar but they will get used to it...just remain calm and firm and leave it on her. They can eat and drink with them on as well so you should be able to leave it on pretty much all the time. Also don't baby her while she is throwing a fit...you may inadvertently be rewarding her tantrum. Just stay calm and act like you have no idea why she is making such a big deal of it. Ignore her acting up and big pittiful eyes...also you might try getting her mind off the thing by taking her for a walk or playing ball for a while. Good luck!

Pit Bull Chic

 

Hey take video of it i need a good laugh haha. Hope just gets use to it for you.

 

This is normal. Your dog will adjust to the collar in a day or two. Just keep positive encouragement and pay attention to the dog.

Regards,

B

 

Yea she got all crazy and tore it off herself. And has been acting all depressed for the past few hrs. I'm not sure if I want to put it back on her... :/

 

This isn't a kid and she's not going to fix her own medical issues. You need to realize it is YOUR responsiblity to get this dog fixed. If that means the dog is unhappy for a week or two while her ears heal then it is your duty to make sure that she gets the treatment and care she needs. We've given you advice, you just need to knuckle up and do what needs to be done. How are you fixing the dog by giving up? Responsible ownership.... *long sigh*

B

 

before you put it on her make sure you try it on your self FIRST (hand or arm). their could be a short or defect in the collar. Test it every time before you put it on her. Make sure you give her a command (NO) when you hit it so she knows what to do.

 

Those work great in some situations but the dog can still scratch its ears if they are exposed. The eliz collar completely shields the ears from taking damage. The dogs will be a little shy around it unless they are raised in one. Just like leash training and everything else, you need to encourage and support the dog and it will get to a point where the collar is no longer a bother. I had a bulldog that severely injured a pad in road work and wouldn't leave it alone. I finally had to collar him and he hated it at first and tried to escape and was constantly running into things. I call them "party hats" and I just worked with him and made it a positive experience. If I say "party hat" he comes running so I can put it on him. He actually thinks its a privelage to wear it now. Sorry, a little off topic but a very funny story. "Party hat Gauge" and my big house dog comes running with tail wagging and sits in front of me waiting to get his hat. I stick me head in the big end and he puts his head right through the thin part to start licking my face. I tie it up and he just sits there with his tail going crazy. Cracks me up just thinking about it........ I might have to let him wear it tonight. LOL.

Regards,

B

 

lol...I was going to ask for a picture too...lol

 

I never said I was giving up, just never seen her actin like that kinda bothered me. I'm gonna try it again, I have to. I just don't like the way she was buggin out and bangin into everything, and then like in schock...

 

Your introducing the dog to a new experience. These are all normal natural things. Your job is to make it a positive experience for the dog. The dogs don't have feelings like a person so you are probably overthinking the whole thing. Put it on and use a positive encouragement reward like a small treat or something. IF she messes with it you need to tell her to "leave it" and help get her distracted on a chew toy or something else. The dogs get used to it and then get to a point where they don't act different with it on or off.

Regards,

B

 

I hate when there is something wrong with one of my dogs! especially when they have to be so uncomfortable. Hang tough.

 

My dog actually developed an allery to the collar, so I had to cover her operation with a sock, and plastic wrap. (That's why she has the sock on, in the pic when she's sitting on one of my bikes.)

had to watch her like a hawk=she kept trying to rip out the stitches!!!!:rolleyes:

 

I'm tryin to get one of the soft ones for her so it's not AS scarey... I'll let you know how were making out. Thanks ya'll

 

Hey take video of it i need a good laugh haha. Hope just gets use to it for you.


JAJAJA

 

Try to associate the elizabethan collar with positive things. Put it on her & immediately beigin hand feeding her little bites of treats. Then maybe do some "sit/down" training to get her mind off the collar. Play some tug-of-war....again, anything to keep on attention focused on something else. Most animals despise those collars while some just accept them right off the bat. HOWEVER, if left untreated, the ear situation could result in a much more serious medical issue than would then require the--yep you guessed it--elizabethan collar.

One of my dogs, Sukari, has had ACL sx in each knee. I learned the hard way, even being a damn vet tech, about feeling sorry for your dog. It was the third time that I had to restaple her incision--13 staples, no anesthetic for her. It was NOT a fun experience for either of us. The second sx & recouperation went amazingly well with me keeping the collar on her religiously. Now granted, it's been duct taped all over from her running into walls & corners while she was wearing it, but it's still good. Lemme find a pic of her with it on.

 

WOW Thanks for the pic, it's good to see a pup with it on and not freaking out lol. Shugg is doing well, Hasn't had the coller on much, but not scratching either I switched her food a few weeks ago and it's starting to go through her system I think. Also I have som drops she gets, and she's healing up... Will try to post pix soon. I have some of her in my gallery too! Most recent is w/ Santa.