Friday, March 26, 2010

Ziggy and the E-Collar

So Ziggy has been instructed by the vet that he has to wear an e-collar for a week or two. He has an infected nipple...yuck, right? And he keeps licking it so the vet gave him an e-collar along with some antibiotics. And now he looks like this:


And he walks like this:


I apologize for the blurry quality of the video. I'm posting it more for the sound than the picture. If you listen closely, you'll hear a "click-click-click-click" in the background. That's actually Ziggy hitting his e-collar with his front legs every time he takes a step.

I have to admit I almost feel sorry for him. He has enough trouble navigating without adding an e-collar challenge. Now he runs into everything - usually full speed - and bounces off. He hasn't figured out why he can't fit through doorways like he used to, or why his head suddenly feels three times wider than it used to. He doesn't let that bother him though - he's still the same silly dog.





I could take his e-collar off when I'm there. In fact, I do take it off for him to eat or drink - he'd never be able to figure that out! But the rest of the time I'm with him, even though I could take it off him, I usually don't. Because I've discovered a wonderful thing about the e-collar. It's also a no-bite collar.

You see, Ziggy originally came into rescue with some major issues. In fact, for a few weeks after he first came to my house, I was afraid he wasn't going to be adoptable. Fortunately he got over most of his issues, and now he only has one issue left. He likes to chew on people. Its a constant battle to teach him NOT to chew on people. And although he is showing some improvement, it's been a very slow learning process for him. He just enjoys it so much.  Look at that big smile on his face, as he's about to go in for the kill...


He would've added yet another bruise on my leg if not for the wonderful e-collar.  This is the best invention ever!!

So for the next week or two, I am alternating between feeling sorry for him and laughing at him.  And more than anything, I'm enjoying the break from constantly trying to teach a deaf dog that people do not play bitey-face like dogs do!  I wonder if anyone would want to adopt Ziggy if I told them that he had to wear an e-collar permanently.  I'll have to think more about that.

17 comments:

Bobby said...

He does look like he is goose stepping with that lamp shade on. If it could train him to stop chewing people that would be well worth it.

Two Pitties in the City said...

I like when he tries to smell the ground. Maybe this is just the training tool he needs.

brooke said...

he's a high stepper with that collar on! so sad! but so cute!

Anonymous said...

I really tries not to laugh at another's misfortune but in this case, I'll makes an exception. BOL! Poor Ziggy. But he certainly does not seem morose about it or anything. I hopes he figures out that bitey face is only for doggies, not peoples.

Wiggles & Wags,
Mayzie

PeeS. I tagged you yesterday for a photo meme. Don't know if you saw it. But you should only play if you want to!

BRUTUS said...

Awww... Poor Ziggy! No one likes to wear the cone of shame, buddy! Hang in there! Darn those pesky nipples - why do we boys have them anyways??

Snorts-
Brutus the Frenchie

Mollie Jo and Bobo said...

Oh you poor baby! You do have some fancy footwork there buddy.


Wags and Licks,
Mollie Jo & Bobo

JacksDad said...

Do you think he could use one of those blow up collar things? I don't know what they are called, but I've seen them.

Actually, I just looked it up. Here's an example of one.
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/Product/Prod_Display.cfm?pcatid=15678&c=3307+12891

Dog Foster Mom said...

Thanks for the link, tall guy! Unfortunately between Noelle and the other dogs, no matter how sturdy it is, I think it would be deflated in about 2 days if not less. The e-collar doesn't stop him from playing bitey-face with the other dogs - it just gives him some extra protection. Besides, he could still bite me with one of those things on. :-)

Remington said...

I know it is good for them to wear but oh, poor baby! They don't know it!

BerniceK said...

I still love you ziggy - e-collar or not.

pibble said...

That video is so funny. Why do they suddenly turn into Gumby when the e-collar goes on?!

Smushie Ranch said...

Bahh! We don't know if we should laugh at poor Ziggy or feel sorry for him. Hmm, not a bad idea to keep the collar on him to teach not to play bitey with humans.

xoxo
Stella, Gunther and Betty

Dexter said...

I see he has learned to scoop up debris from the yard with his collar as well. My Airedale liked to use his as a battering ram. I always had lots of bruises on my shins when he wore one.

Mango Momma

Amanda said...

Oh. My. Gosh. I totally and unabashedly needing the laugh that that video brought! =) Too funny! Good work teaching Ziggy humans don't play bitey-face...except maybe my hubby who occasionally chews on a doggie cheek (I've tried to train it out of him, I swear!).

Kari in Alaska said...

Mesa had an ecollar after her spay surgery. whenever we crated her she would rub it against the sides like a jailed person does with his cub against the rungs in order to make noise. She knew doing so would annoy us to the point of letting her in bed so she would sleep with her collar on

havetailwillwag said...

oh noooo poor ziggs!! how did he get an infected nipple? that's sooooo random...

Anonymous said...

this is HILARIOUS! we just went through the e-collar for our foster-wonderdog's spay surgery. she bumped into things nonstop when she was wearing it, and her paws did the same clicking sound as ziggy's. so cute.

aleksandra
follow our foster: loveandaleash.wordpress.com