Content

• To step
• Method 1 of 3: Using a collar
• Method 2 of 3: Cover the wound
• Method 3 of 3: Distract your dog
• Tips

If your dog has an (open) wound, either because of surgery or a recent accident, he will instinctively want to lick the wound. Unfortunately, licking can reopen the wound and lead to infection. A dog hood or collar is the traditional way to keep a dog from licking a wound. You can also try covering the wound with a sleeve or strong bandage. In addition to these methods, you can distract your dog from the wound as much as possible while the animal heals.

To step

Method 1 of 3: Using a collar

1. Gently measure your dog's neck. Wrap a linen tape measure tightly around your dog's neck to measure its thickness. If you don't have a tape measure, you can use a shoelace or string and then place it along a ruler after measuring. For support-style collars, you will also need to measure the length of your dog's neck, from the chin to the shoulders.
   • Dog hoods and collars usually need a relatively snug fit to keep your dog from squeezing out. Different types have their own sizes and may have their own measurement instructions depending on which part of your dog's neck you are measuring.
   • Keep your dog's collar in mind when measuring for the dog hood or collar. Some collars do not work with a collar that slips over your dog's head, but should be tied around the neck.
2. Choose a dog hood for your dog. The plastic dog hood, also known as the "Elizabethan" collar, is the traditional method of preventing a dog from licking a wound. This is typically the first protection your vet will provide. Transparent dog hoods are often less scary for a dog than the opaque ones, because at least the dog can still see through them.
   • Watch your dog closely while wearing an Elizabethan collar. These collars do not allow peripheral vision, so your dog may be more clumsy than usual.
   • Your dog will be able to eat and drink with the collar on, but it will take some adjustment and the dog may not like it. Monitor your dog to make sure he is eating and drinking. If he refuses to eat or drink while wearing the dog hood, try a different type of collar or remove the dog hood to let the dog eat.
   • If you will be away from home for extended periods of time, such as for work or school, it is a good idea to put a dog wearing an Elizabethan collar in a dog cage so that it does not injure itself.

   Tip: Because the Elizabethan dog hood is so wide, your dog may get stuck or have trouble navigating tight spaces around your home. You may need to adjust some furniture to suit your dog while he is wearing the dog hood.

   
   
3. If the dog hood does not work, try a soft or inflatable collar. The hard plastic dog hood can restrict your dog's movement too much or make sleeping difficult. There are also dogs who simply reject the hard plastic collar and want to break it up. Soft or inflatable collars may work better for these dogs.
   • Many alternative collars will not work on dogs with long noses and thin necks, such as greyhounds or Dobermans.
   • Some inflatable collars can be easily pierced, so this variation may not work if your dog is repeatedly trying to scrape the collar off.
4. Let your dog try out different options. There are many types of collars and dog hoods available at pet stores or online. It's hard to know which one your dog will tolerate best until one has been tried. The one you think your dog will hate can be the one he finds most comfortable with.
   • If you buy a dog hood from a pet store, you will probably be allowed to bring your dog and try on the collar at the store. Otherwise, buy different types and return the ones you don't use in the end.
   • Keep in mind that the size of dog hood your dog will have to wear will depend on the type and location of your dog's injury. For example, if your dog has had eye surgery, all he needs is a small dog hood to avoid rubbing his eye. If your dog has an injury to the tip of its tail, a larger dog hood will be needed to prevent your dog from reaching its tail.
5. Use a support collar if your dog is removing other collars. Some dogs are determined to remove a dog hood from around their necks and won't stop anything until the horrible thing is broken. If your dog is like this, you can try fitting a support collar similar to the type of support collar people would wear after a neck injury (such as whiplash).
   • The size of the support collar is determined by the length of the dog's neck, not the width. If your dog has an extremely long neck, such as a greyhound, or an extremely short neck, such as a pug, then a support collar may not be very effective.
   • If your dog's wound is on his front legs, then such a collar probably won't prevent your dog from licking his wounds.

Method 2 of 3: Cover the wound

1. Clean the wound carefully before dressing it. Use warm tap water or saline solution to thoroughly cleanse the wound. You can mix your own saline solution by adding one teaspoon (5 ml) of salt to two cups (500 ml) of water.
   • Your vet may recommend using a certain type of soap or cleaning solution to clean the wound. Only use soaps or solutions recommended by your vet. Do not use soaps, disinfectants or other cleaning agents intended for humans. They can irritate your dog's skin and slow down the healing process.
   • After cleaning the wound, gently pat it dry before applying medicated lotions or dressings.
2. Only apply lotions or ointments as prescribed by your vet. Your vet can prescribe a medicated lotion or ointment to apply to your dog's wound. Apply this immediately after cleaning the wound and then let it dry before covering the wound with a bandage.
   • If your dog is licking the medication regularly, try applying it just before feeding your dog. The food will divert your dog's attention and by the time your pet has finished eating, it will likely have forgotten about the medication.
3. Choose a bandage designed for the injured body part. Dressings for dogs vary in shape and size depending on the size of the wound and the location of the wound on the dog's body. The dressing should be large enough to cover the wound completely and allow you to hold it in place.
   • For wounds on a dog's paws or feet, there are special dressings you can use that look like a sleeve or a boot. These ensure that the wound remains clean during healing.
   • Use surgical tape to stick the bandage to your dog's body.
4. Spray the dressing with a "no-lick" spray. Available at specialty pet stores and online, these sprays are designed to prevent your dog from trying to lick or chew the wound dressing. They usually have a disgusting taste so the dog won't want to lick them.
   • These sprays don't work on all dogs. Some dogs just lick them off, regardless of the disgusting taste, and then move on to the wound or bandage.
5. Use a sleeve or protective clothing to cover the bandage. In addition to the bandage, you can apply an extra layer to protect your dog's wound while it heals. Sleeves are available at specialty pet stores for this purpose. You can also make your own sleeve from old clothes.
   • For example, a piece of nylon stocking with cut toes could work to cover a leg injury, or even a trunk injury in a smaller dog.
   • You can also use T-shirts, boxer shorts, sweaters, or baby clothes to cover the area.

   Variation: If your dog has a dog coat or sweater that the animal likes to wear, it can cover the wound sufficiently - especially injuries on the torso.

   
   
6. Change your dog's bandages every 2-3 days. Remove the dressing and clean the wound. Inspect the dressing for any discharge from the wound. If the wound continues to bleed or oozing colored or foul-smelling pus, take your pet back to the vet - the wound could be infected.
   • The vet can give you several instructions for cleaning the dog's wound and changing the dressing. If you have to deviate from these instructions, check with your vet first.
   • Search online for different types of surgical clothing to protect your dog's wound, such as sleeves and shirts.

Method 3 of 3: Distract your dog

1. Take your dog for a walk after wearing the collar. A gentle walk on a leash will help your dog focus on something else and restore the relationship between you and your pet. Walks are especially helpful if your dog is wearing a dog hood or collar, as they give your dog a safe opportunity to get used to them.
   • Most dogs will be used to the dog hood within an hour when they know they are safe. Keep your dog on a short leash and speak in a calm, soothing voice.
   • When your dog wears a hood or collar, always keep him on a leash when he goes for a walk.
2. Wait seven to 14 days before trying other distraction techniques. Limit your dog's activity until the wound has partially healed - especially if your dog has an operation wound. You don't want to run the risk of activity opening the wound or becoming infected.
   • Ask your vet how long to wait before you can let your dog run or play without a leash. Depending on the severity of the wound and where it is located, your vet may want you to wait longer.
3. Hide dry food for your dog to search for in addition to his bowl. If you give your dog a bowl of food, it will likely gobble it right away. Hiding biscuits and dry food will challenge your dog and distract it from the wound.
   • This distraction technique works especially well if you have a hunting dog or similar dog that instinctively hunts.
   • Think about where you hid the treats so that you can remove them and dispose of them properly should your dog not find them within a day or so.
4. Train your dog to perform new tricks. If your dog enjoys learning new tasks and tricks, this can be a great way to distract your dog from his wound so he isn't tempted to lick it. Choose a trick that will be challenging but that you know your dog can teach.
   • Avoid tricks that require too much activity, especially if the wound is still healing. For example, you can train your dog to sit up or to beg, but teaching him to catch a Frisbee in the air would probably be too much.

   Tip: You can also give your dog his favorite toy to play with, or take him for a new toy at your local pet store. Make sure to give your dog lots of positive, playful attention while his wound heals to keep him from targeting the wound.

   
   
5. Make ice cubes from gravy or meat stock for your dog to chase. If your dog likes to chase after ice cubes, he will love to chase an ice cube made from gravy or meat stock. While your dog is on the hunt for the ice cube, it will likely forget to lick its wound altogether.
   • This treat is not suitable for indoors, otherwise it will turn into a mess indoors. The ice cubes will eventually melt and form a pool of gravy and stains that you need to clean up.

Tips

• Keep wound care products in a dog first aid kit so you can treat minor scrapes or cuts yourself, rather than letting your dog lick them.