Dog Belly Bands – Do They Work?

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Dogs often have accidents in the house because they can’t control their bladders. This can be frustrating and embarrassing for both dog and owner, so dog belly bands can be a good solution.

Dog Belly Bands

Belly bands for dogs are a type of fabric band that is wrapped around a dog’s waist. It helps to keep the dog from urinating inside the house. There are many different types of belly bands that are available in the market. Some of them are made from cotton, while others are made from a waterproof material.

Dog Belly Bands Can Solve A Few Challenges

Not only do dogs often have accidents in the house, but they also commonly mark their territory by urinating on furniture, doorways, and other objects. This behavior is known as marking and is common in un-neutered male dogs.

A belly band is a great solution to help keep your home clean and your dog healthy. Belly bands for dogs are made of absorbent materials that catch urine before it hits the ground. They are comfortable for dogs to wear and are easy to clean.

How To Size Your Dog For a Belly Band

When sizing your dog for a belly band, it is important to take into account the size of the dog and the size of the band. A too-tight band can be uncomfortable for the dog and a too-loose band can be ineffective in preventing accidents.

Where To Measure Around Your Dog’s Waist

To size your dog for a belly band, measure around the dog’s waist, just behind the rib cage. This is where you will want the belly band to sit on the dog. If the measurement falls in between sizes, it is best to size up to ensure a comfortable and effective fit.

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Make The Band Snug But Not Too Tight

Once you have the belly band, put it on your dog and adjust it as needed. The band should be snug but not too tight. You should be able to fit two fingers under the band comfortably.

If you can’t, the band is too tight and you will need to size up. If the band is too loose, it will not be effective in preventing accidents.

With the belly band in place, put your dog’s harness over the top. This will help to keep the band in place and prevent it from sliding around.

Now you are ready to take your dog for a walk! If the belly band does not seem to be working well or is causing your dog discomfort, try a different size or style. There are many different types and sizes of belly bands available, so you should be able to find one that works well for your dog.

First Hand Experience: House Training With a Dog Belly Band

Dog Belly Band - Dog Belly Bands

When Kobi, our male Havanese dog, was a puppy and I was house-training him, there were a few times I would get totally frustrated with the whole process. So I decided to try out a dog belly band. Since we live in a highrise, I couldn’t just open the door to let him out to do his business in the backyard.

I thought that a belly band for dogs might be a good way to help house-train him. As a human, this appeared to be a big signal: “Hey puppy, this is not the time to pee. You’ve got a belly band on. It’s covering your weenie – so please respect and don’t pee when you’re wearing it.”

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Unfortunately, Kobi just didn’t understand my human logic and still peed in the apartment while wearing the dog belly band. So what did I do? Well as a New Yorker, I thought I must have gotten the wrong model and needed an upgrade. Clearly all these people on the internet are selling belly bands for dogs so they must work (right?).

Upgrading Your Belly Band for Dogs

So I upgraded from one similar in construction to the above photo to another dog belly band which was more like a pouch and a belt and made out of suede. (Looking back, I realize how absurd this is.)

Alas, Kobi was happy to keep peeing while wearing all of them. The dog belly bands fit Kobi fine, but he just never understood them as a deterrent to pee in the house.

As a result, I cannot recommend the dog belly band. In hindsight, I should have first asked myself: How many dog belly bands have you actually seen in use? Do any of your friends’ dogs have them? I’m guessing the majority of them don’t. Perhaps there are a few successful dog belly band owners out there and we’re happy to get their feedback.

How Long Can a Dog Wear a Belly Band?

It is generally recommended that a dog wear a belly band for no more than 12 hours at a time. If your dog needs to wear a belly band for more than 12 hours, you should check the fit and change the band as needed.

For house training, we recommend skipping the dog belly band and using the traditional crate method. Also, check out our Clean Up and Indoor Dog Potty section.

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