Elizabethan collars look like giant cones, and have been likened on more than one occasion to radar or satellite dishes. However comical, these cones serve a very real purpose--they prevent your dog from pulling out or chewing on stitches after surgery. Putting an Elizabethan collar, or E-collar, on your dog post-surgery is an easy task that requires less than five minutes of time and prevents a world of pain, suffering and recurrent vet bills.
Instructions
Enlist the help of a friend to restrain or distract your dog if he is incapable of or unwilling to sit still as you put the Elizabethan collar on.
Examine the Elizabethan collar. Some collars have slots or tabs in which to thread your dog's normal collar through.
Remove your dog's normal collar if the Elizabethan collar has slots or tabs.
Slide your dog's collar through the slots or tabs on the Elizabethan collar, if applicable.
Fasten your dog's regular collar around his neck. If your Elizabethan collar does not have slots or tabs, fasten the Elizabethan collar around your dog's neck over his regular collar.
Close the side seam on the Elizabethan collar. Many E-collars snap or lock shut. This ensures that the collar encircles your dog's head so he cannot possibly lick or pull at his sutures.