How to Make Wearing a Cone Comfortable for Your Dog

All dogs, during their lifetimes, will need to wear a cone to protect a healing surgical site or wound. A cone, also known as an Elizabethan collar, keeps your dog from licking or gnawing a specific area. Don’t forget: healing wounds itch so who wouldn’t want to scratch it, right? So instead of wearing a cone of shame, make it into a party hat!

Make the Cone a Party Hat

Most dogs wake up after surgery wearing a plastic cone and do really well wearing it. Now, there are some dogs who hate it and even freak out while wearing it. So teach your dog that wearing his party hat is fun!

Practice each step several times a day. Move onto the next one once your dog performs the behavior 4 out of 5 times during a training session.

Step 1

Show your dog a plastic cone and click/treat when he looks or touches it. Practice 5 times and end training session.

Step 2

Lure your dog’s muzzle through the cone neck hole and click/treat. Practice 5 times and end training session. You’re not asking him to put his head through it yet. Move in baby steps. You can substitute a verbal “yes” in place of the click, as both hands are busy holding a cone and lure. 🙂

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Step 3

Lure your dog’s head through the cone and click/treat. Take off cone and practice 5 more times.

Step 4

While your dog is wearing his cone, click and treat every few seconds. You’re teaching him that wearing the cone makes treats happen.

Step 5

Always reward your dog with a yummy treat when putting on the cone. Once the cone is on, I provide a large food stuffed toy for him to lick. Place the toy in a corner so it’ll hold it in place. Remember, he can’t use his paws to hold it due to the cone so secure the food stuffed toy for him.

VIDEO: Teaching Your Dog to Wear a Cone

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