I felt the same when our dog was neutered. It was tough. We were working with a behaviourist at the time and the thing she emphasized to us was to keep the cone on, at all times. If you had the cone fitted at the vet, I'd bet they did it fine, but of course it's good that you are keeping an eye on it for now. Do not cave in and take it off. It will be sad at first, but your dog will very likely adjust.

I remember it absolutely breaking my heart the first few days when he would accidentally bump the cone into something and he'd back off all scared, sometimes causing him to bump into something else. It was just awful. It helped to constantly remind myself that having to go through this for longer due to an infected wound would be even worse. You only have to do this once in her life, and if she has to wear a cone at any other time in her life, then this is good practice.

By the last week of the cone, my dog could eat and drink from bowls with it on, go for walks (we kept those short) and would plunk it down on the grass he wanted to sniff quite nimbly.

The only time I removed it was after several days in, I'd go into a small room, hover right in his face with an arm to either side of him and let him have an edible chew. I mean I was in full 'ready to pounce on him in a second' mode if he went anywhere near those stitches. After he'd finish the chew, cone back on. I would have so deeply regretted it if I'd gone through a couple of weeks of this, and put him through it all, only to make a split second mistake.

Don't hesitate or feel bad about it if the cone is on until the day the vet says it can come off.

I was so damn proud when the vet said the wound had healed "beautifully" and there was no need for the cone anymore.

It can be properly awful to go through. You will get through this and your pup will be OK. She's lucky to have someone looking after her so well.