Teaching your pet to wear an
Elizabethan Collar
Teaching our pets to be comfortable in Elizabethan collars may take some time. So, if your pet has a planned surgery or procedure, take the time prior to condition them to be comfortable wearing it. Just like muzzle training, this is something that I think all pets should be exposed to - in a fun and pet friendly way.
To begin with, choose your collar. You may need to make modifications to it in the training process and revert back to the original design once you are able to.
I avoid the ones with the plastic loops for training - especially if you cannot make the hole wide enough that the animal won't accidentally poke themselves in the face while putting it on. Once they are comfortable with the collar, the plastic loops are fine (however I still use with caution in long haired dogs that may catch ear fluff etc in them.
STEP 1.
Set yourself and your pet up in a safe space. Have the collar and high value rewards available. Sprinkle them around the collar and reward the pet for engaging with it. Do this a few times.
STEP 2.
Flip the collar upside down, to make a version of a bowl. Feed in the collar.
STEP 3.
Flip the collar right way up, and have the neck hole as wide as possible. Reward the pet in the collar for pushing their nose in.
STEP 4.
Hold the collar, and reward the pet for putting their nose through. Build up your criteria until they push their head right through. Keep hold of the collar so they don't frighten themselves.
STEP 5.
Once they are reliably putting their head through, gently let go of the collar and reward the pet for staying still.
STEP 6.
Once they are comfortable with step 5, do up the collar. If they are ok with this, ask for some position changes, throw a toy or play a game etc. Also allow some calm time, a chew if they are safe and capable, crate time and nap time.
Keep sessions short and fun. You want your pet wanting to have the collar on.
Always be cautious when removing the collar so as to not inadvertently snag an ear etc.
To begin with, choose your collar. You may need to make modifications to it in the training process and revert back to the original design once you are able to.
I avoid the ones with the plastic loops for training - especially if you cannot make the hole wide enough that the animal won't accidentally poke themselves in the face while putting it on. Once they are comfortable with the collar, the plastic loops are fine (however I still use with caution in long haired dogs that may catch ear fluff etc in them.
STEP 1.
Set yourself and your pet up in a safe space. Have the collar and high value rewards available. Sprinkle them around the collar and reward the pet for engaging with it. Do this a few times.
STEP 2.
Flip the collar upside down, to make a version of a bowl. Feed in the collar.
STEP 3.
Flip the collar right way up, and have the neck hole as wide as possible. Reward the pet in the collar for pushing their nose in.
STEP 4.
Hold the collar, and reward the pet for putting their nose through. Build up your criteria until they push their head right through. Keep hold of the collar so they don't frighten themselves.
STEP 5.
Once they are reliably putting their head through, gently let go of the collar and reward the pet for staying still.
STEP 6.
Once they are comfortable with step 5, do up the collar. If they are ok with this, ask for some position changes, throw a toy or play a game etc. Also allow some calm time, a chew if they are safe and capable, crate time and nap time.
Keep sessions short and fun. You want your pet wanting to have the collar on.
Always be cautious when removing the collar so as to not inadvertently snag an ear etc.