How to Assemble a Dog Cone

Elizabethan collars, also known as E-collars or dog cones, are a popular means to prevent dogs from further injuring wounds or from pulling out stitches. These plastic "lamp shade" looking collars provide a protective shield around your dog's head to prevent biting, licking or scratching of wounds or stitches. Purchase E-collars from your veterinarian, pet store or even online. If, in the event of an emergency, you need an E-collar and are unable to get out and purchase one, you can fashion your own E-collar out of items you already have laying around the house.

Things You'll Need

  • E-collar
  • Dog collar
  • String
  • Plastic bucket or paper plate
  • Scissors
  • Cardboard
  • Ruler or measuring tape
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Instructions

  1. Assemble a Traditional E-Collar

    • 1

      Place the E-collar around your dog's neck. The collar should be snug, but it should not be so tight that it chokes your dog.

    • 2

      Arrange the snaps on one side of the E-collar so that they align with the snaps on the other side.

    • 3

      Snap the snaps closed to form the collar into a cone shape.

    • 4

      Check to be sure the E-collar fits your dog snugly. If it is still too loose, attach the E-collar to your dog's regular collar using string, twine or ribbon.

    Make a Temporary E-Collar

    • 5

      Cut the bottom out of a plastic bucket, making sure to sand away the rough edges so your dog is not injured. Fit the bucket over your dog's head. Purchase a traditional E-collar as soon as possible for your dog. This do-it-yourself model is best for medium-large sized dogs.

    • 6

      Cut a hole large enough for your dog's head in the center of a paper plate. Fit the plate over your dog's head. Purchase a traditional E-collar for your dog as quickly as possible. The paper plate model works best for small dogs.

    • 7

      Trace the outline of your dog's collar onto a piece of cardboard.

    • 8

      Measure the length of your dog's neck. Multiply that by 1.5. For example, if your dog's neck is 5 inches long, your final measurement should be 7.5 inches.

    • 9

      Place the end of the ruler/measuring tape on one end of the circle you drew. Find the calculated measurement on your measuring tape. Make a mark on the cardboard next to this measurement on your ruler or outstretched measuring tape.

    • 10

      Draw another circle. Start at the mark you made until you come all the way back to it.

    • 11

      Cut out your collar. Start by cutting around the large circle first. Once you cut the large circle, cut the smaller circle.

    • 12

      Fit the temporary collar over your dog's head, but make sure to purchase a traditional E-collar as soon as possible. This method is more complicated than using a bucket or plate, but it can be used to make a collar for any sized dog.