This is what I did I put on loose but not too loose maybe my two finger s the first day.. Let him sleep with it like that for two nights then close it up q wee bit everyday. If its too loose he just frigs around like you described.I also bury it under his hackles. Its been over a week and he don't even care now. It has dropped his bellow to about 45%-55% its not gone just the volume is unturned down. He actually gives up after a while.hope that helps!