I SEE THE LAMPSHADE, BUT WHERE'S THE PARTY?
In the course of your dog's life,
it's quite likely that he or she will undergo some type of procedure that requires him to wear an Elizabethan collar.
The Elizabethan collar is a special collar which is used to prevent your dog from chewing or licking at sutures or wounds.
Picture your dog with a lampshade around his neck.
Because the collar restricts head
movement and mobility, wearing one can be stressful to your dog.That stress can be reduced/eliminated by turning the
experience of wearing an Elizabethan collar into a fun game.Here's how:
You may purchase an Elizabethan collar from
your veterinarian or local pet store, or create something that simulates a cone shape around your dog's head.
You'll need some very tasty treats. Use a type
of treat that your dog REALLY likes such as small pieces of chicken or cheese.Begin each day's exercise by showing the collar
to your dog and giving a treat, then proceed to the day's exercise.
If your dog appears frightened or overwhelmed by a
day's exercise, start again at step one, and repeat that exercise each day until your dog acts eager/excited when
he sees you get the collar out.
STEP 1. Show your dog the collar, then give
a treat. Repeat this five to six times, put the collar and treats away.
STEP 2. Present the collar, allow your dog to
sniff it, give a treat. Repeat a half dozen times.
STEP 3. Present the collar, lightly touch it
to your dog's neck, give a treat. Repeat five to six times
STEP 4. Present the collar, hold it to your dog's
neck for several seconds, give a treat. Repeat five to six times.
STEP 5. Present the collar, wrap it around your
dog's neck, give a treat, immediately remove it. Repeat five to six times.
STEP 6. Present the collar, Wrap it around your
dog's neck, leave it in place while you feed your dog several treats in a row. Immediately remove the collar. Do this just
once a day for the next several days.
STEP 7. Present the collar, place it around yourdog's
neck. Wait several seconds, give a treat, remove the collar and ignore your dog for a few seconds. Repeat this three to four
times.
STEP 8. Present the collar, place it on your dog's
neck. Ask your dog to sit or come, give a treat, remove the collar. Repeat several times.
Practice the STEP 8 exercise
at least once or twice a month.
What if your dog needs to have the collar on TODAY but hasn't been through the
desensitation process?
Condense the eight step process into a 'crash course' by proceeding through
the steps over an hour or two. Starting with step one, work a step, wait ten to fifteen minutes, then continue to the
next step until you have progressed through all eight steps.
