Head collar is making my puppy miserable!

[Mrs. K]

Two days ago my husband accidentally got our 4 month old Labradoodle puppy's tail caught in our heavy wooden front door at the tip. It was bleeding pretty bad so I took him to the vet and they said the tip would need to be amputated b/c it appeared that the artery was crushed. He had the surgery successfully yesterday, and is now recovering with a big ol' bandage on his tail. The vet gave us an enormous "e-collar" for him to wear that was so big he couldn't even fit through the doorway, so we found a "Comfy Cone" at Petco that is a bit softer and he can lie down with it on. The problem is, he is MISERABLE with the cone on his head. He bumps into everything, he can't pick up his toys, and he is WHINING CONSTANTLY! He'll bump into us and whine whine whine. I know he's not in pain because we've had him consistently on pain killers since he came home, and he's had a full meal this morning so he's not hungry. I'm pretty sure he's whining because he just wants me to take the thing off of him! He sits right in front of me, looks me in the eyes, and just makes this heartbreaking whine for a minute or so. Help! Is there anything I can do? He has to wear it for 2 whole weeks. I know that giving in and taking it off every so often is a bad idea b/c he could get to his bandages in a second and then we'd be back at square one. Any advice would be appreciated! Thank you!

[donna]

I had the same problem with Rosie when she had to wear an e-collar. My vet reccommended that I try using a device (I don't remember what it is called) that looks like an inter-tube. You blow it up and thread it through your dogs collar. They can eat, drink, they don't bump into everything and they can lay down much easier with it on. She was much happier using it.

[Mrs. K]

Thanks for your reply! I should have addressed this in my post. We tried the inner tube collar last night and you're right, it is a lot easier for them. Problem was Indy could still get to his tail very easily with it on! We even went a size up so that the tube itself would be bigger. So it was useless for his situation unfortunately. It's a shame because he actually didn't mind it so much.

[Kim]

We just had the SAME problem with Allie. She was running into walls and trying to rip it off on my leg! I finally felt too bad for her and took it off, and did the Dog Whisperer "Chhh" sound everytime she got near her stiches and she left her stiches alone. This was just for her spay so I don't know that I would let her go without it for anything else. We did put the collar on her at night in her crate though so that she didn't get near her stiches while we were sleeping and she did ok with it.

[Danielle]

I think someone touched on this already, but I saw a different, one than pictured, at Petco. It was a soft, black cone that does the same thing other it is more shaped (like the plastic ones). I haven't ever had to use it but it looked like it would be a lot more comfortable than the regular plastic cone for your doggie. Hope this helps a little.

[Mrs. K]

Hi Danielle--what you are describing is actually the "Comfy Cone" that Indy is currently wearing. I will say that it is way better than the hard plastic cones b/c he can comfortably lie down with it on, but it's held together by velcro which he LOVES to chew. It also makes that loud velcro tearing noise when he bumps into walls and that kind of startles him.

The worst part of all this is that he's figured out how to get to his tail with the Comfy Cone on, so we may have to switch back to the big e-collar tomorrow which I am dreading.

[Dianne Carter ~ Trinity Doodles]

Comfy Cone ~ I was at the Global Pet Expo in Orlando last week and purchased one of these on the floor. I had a pup in for neutering that day and have to say that I am extremely happy with this product. The important part in sizing is to get one that extends beyond the nose. I will be ordering additional cones for the times that we have more than one in for surgery. The only down side here was the other dogs wanting to pull and play with it.

[Mrs. K]

Debi this is GREAT!!!! I knew there had to be something else out there instead of the cones. I just checked out their web site and this looks like exactly what we are looking for. I will call them today to see if this particular collar will protect Indy's injury and order it then. THANK YOU SO MUCH for suggesting this--it looks perfect!!!

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

The Bite-Not is what the shelter sent home with Jackdoodle after his neuter surgery. It is the only one that doesn't extend out around their faces...nothing to bump into walls, etc. They just can't put their chins down. I think it's great!

[Mrs. K]

Ok so I called the people at Bite-Not today and the woman I spoke with said that, given Indy's injury being at the tip of his tail (and his tail still being on the longer side), the Bite-Not Collar wouldn't work for him. I am so bummed! We decided not to order it after speaking with her. He's actually found a way to get to his tail with the Comfy Cone now, so it looks like we're going to have to go back to the e-collar when we're not around to supervise him. I am so mad! But, 3 days down, only 11 more to go...trying to be positive. If anyone has other suggestions I'm all ears! Thanks. :)

[Margot]

Oh no! Both the pup AND your husband must feel awful... :( I just recommended the Comfy Cone to someone else, since I found that after Jennings was neutered. I was "feeling badly" for him one night when the cone was in his way of getting a good grip on his chew toy, so I took it off "for a little while". In one minute (maybe less!) he was at his stitches, so the cone went back on, and I just dealt with the whimpering. Now I understand why parents say "this will hurt me more than it will hurt you"!!!