If anyone's dog has had an op at the Vet and has to wear a buster collar (lampshade) and is stressed out wearing it we can thoroughly recommend a comfy collar.  It's inflatable with a velcro fastening and very reasonably priced, www.comfycollar.co.uk.  Our oldest Frenchie had an aural haematoma and had drains put in her ear 10 days ago, she was given a buster collar but unfortunately was stressed to death wearing it.  After googling for an alternative I found the comfy collar, ordered one and it is fantastic, we cannot praise it highly enough.  I just wish I'd ordered one earlier to keep in the house for "just in case".

I've used them too and agree with you, my dogs use them as a handy pillow when they have had to wear them lol.

Yes, Bun is using hers as a pillow right now!

I did find the comfy collar made Winnie snore much louder than normal and had to revert to the Buster collar overnight so that I got some sleep (she sleeps in the bedroom)!

if this is the collar that I am thinking of, a friend told me it isnt good if what you are trying to stop the dog getting at is at the rear of the dog. at least it didnt stop hers.

There's no way a Frenchie could get to it's bottom! For us it's perfect, an excellent product and has kept her back feet away from her ear.  She was stressed to death with the buster collar, I've never met a dog who could tolerate one. 

> if this is the collar that I am thinking of, a friend told me it isnt good if what you are trying to stop the dog getting at is at the rear of the dog.

I like the comfy collar but you are right, they're only really good for neck, shoulder, abdomen type wounds, anything further back than the tummy or further down the front legs than the shoulder and the dogs can reach them - or at least most moderately athletic dogs can :-)

I've never had a dog that liked, or even put up with, the lampshade type so it's a case of simply covering the wounds and watching them like a hawk to stop them licking, this seems to be the best option :-)

To be fair the website does state that

"some of the more determined pets may still be able to reach their hind quarters, tails and paws".

"The Comfy Collar is not recommended for breeds with longer bodies and longer necks such as daschunds, whippets, greyhounds or dobermanns."

For us it's been perfect, drains now out of ear, healing nicely so hopefully she'll only have to wear it for a few more days, it's been a godsend.

Glad she's healing well, adn glad the comfy collar worked for you :-)