Can I make the "cone" less depressing for her?

[VaBeachFamily]

So... due to some ear problems, Panzer is stuck in the " cone of shame" for some time until we get it cleared up ( She is a chronic digger with her nails and causes herself more pain with scratching the insides and irritating it, making it double trouble). We bought her the cone and put it on, and she acts like a beaten dog. She will not do ANYTHING except lay there and stare at you for hours on end, no interest in anything. We take it off to eat supervised and the same with potty breaks, but that is it. Is there something I can do to make her less " mad" I guess? I know it sounds like a dumb question, but I have never had to use one, so never dealt with this type of reaction.

[huntergreen]

boots for her paws will keep her from hurting and digging her ear. might be easier on her than the cone.

[WVGSD]

There is also a soft cone available. I think that it is called the Comfy Cone and it worked well for my dog after eye surgery on both eyes at the same time.

[VaBeachFamily]

We tried the booties a while back, she just shreds them to pieces! The cone we got, though a plastic cone, is very soft and flexible, more so than I expected. The comfort doesn't seem to be a problem so much as she walks around acting like she is being punished!

[CarrieJ]

It's not much help, but they (I don't know who "they" are), make a infatable, doughnut that goes around the dog's neck. The dogs that I see at work that wear these seem more comfortable.

[BWCA Shepherd]

I had to use the cone twice for TTA (ACL) surgeries. I am a believer that a dog can sense when you are unsure, which never helps. I am also a believer that in these situations, the less you say the better when the cone is placed. No baby talk, just smooth, deliberate placement of the cone, with no hesitation, no jerky movements, and no eye contact before or right after placement, then walk away to continue normal activity. Maybe one small treat after placement. Sorry if this is redundant for you. They live in the present. I had a hard time for the first surgery just saying to myself, "in a month neither him nor I will remember, so forget about his fragile sensibilities for now". We all know how they can give us "The look"...it's tough! Also, as many of the other threads have mentioned, exercise before the cone may help reduce anxiety, perceived or real. I cured both my Shepherds of thunder issues by not paying attention to them at that time, giving firm, short commands in anormal but firm tone, and making sure I was in the right frame of mind during those times as well. I think the Alpha's demeanor goes a long way for everything. Hope that helps.

[VaBeachFamily]

CarrieJ, the donut and the other one that just keeps them from bending their neck works for a lot of things, but they ( at least she) can still scratch her ears. The cone is the only thing so far...

BWCA, we have been doing that. Kinda putting the cone on as if it's nothing more than an everyday thing. She still isn't thrilled, and the worst is, every time we clean or medicate her ears, she runs around, cone or not, shaking violently and running into things. She's a mess.

I guess she will just learn to deal with it. She is staying kenneled most of the time because outside of the crate she runs around like a chicken trying to get it off. In the crate, she's more calm.

[VaBeachFamily]

BTW, when fitting a cone ( the vet didn't help, we bought it after the vet), should it be tighter like a prong collar, or loose enough to really move around? I have tried both ways, she is equally irritated by it, but wondering which was is " right"

[BowWowMeow]

How are you treating the ear infection? And what is the root cause of the ear infection?

[PatchonGSD]

You could do this.....this guy looks quite blissful.

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