Preface: I have been dealing with these lousy elbow callouses for many months. Regan's left elbow callous began developing raised, red "pustules" ( no pus) in the lower margin of the callous and some tissue swelling. Took him to the vet, put him on antibiotics. All cleared up for  awhile and them came back. Back to vet, back on meds.Same story...This last time, he was on SIMPLICEF for  almost a month and developed the red spots while ON the meds. Back to vet (thank goodness for pet insurance!).

A mutual decision was reached to try and find out exactly WHAT this infection was and why it was not responding to the meds. Last Monday I took Regan in so a small area of the tissue could be sent to Univ. of Pa for culture/sensitivity and type testing. ( I am still awaiting the results)

Anyway, with the stitches in his elbow area, its necessary to keep him from licking and nibbling the surgical site. I bought a pair of DoggLeggs previously, and they are just the most wonderful thing..they do protect the elbows and provide needed padding. BUT- as you all know- our Dobes are so resourceful. Regan soon discovered that by creatively bending his left leg a certain way, he still could get that tongue almost up to the sore area to lick. Okay- enter the DARK AND SPOOKY E-COLLAR. His  inital reaction to having this put on, even after trimming it down halfway, was to freeze, motionless, and shake all over. So unbecoming to a Dobe, but true. I couldn't even get him to move by offering him a piece of cooked turkey. No response whatsoever. I left him stand there for maybe a half-hour. When I came back, he had not moved a hair. He looked like he had been so betrayed!

I suppose if I had made him tough it out, he would have eventually dealt with it, but, instead, I removed it and gave my 97 yr old Mom ( who lives with me) STRICT instructions to WATCH HIM, PLEASE- while I am at work. Not only did I not want him licking his leg, I also did not want the DoggLeggs chewed up.

I came home from work yesterday and what did I see???? My big beautiful boy, coming to greet me, with a rubber chicken in his mouth and BUBBLE WRAP around his neck. Yes, bubble wrap. My Mom decided that the e-collar was not an option, and thought that the bubble wrap would be a deterrent. Its flexible, and can be applied in as many layers as needed. Guess what? IT WORKS! For whatever reason, Regan has been good as gold with his new plastic necklace on, and it has made life so much easier for us at home. Its almost impossible to find the wrap with the king-sized bubbles around here, so we are using the regular,smaller kind that the post office sells. But since its so soft, it can be applied as thickly as needed. Mom just taped it in place. It can be easily slid off right over his head.

I can't take credit for this idea- it took  a very wise woman to come up with this. If you have had problems with e-collars, give it a try.