As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. If you purchase through an affiliate link in this article, I may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. This article shares my personal experience with Gunther. Read the disclosure.
Gunther has figured out how to rub against the couch and slide his belly band off. Resourceful? Yes. Helpful? Absolutely not. I’ve bought plenty of washable belly bands over time. For us, the useful combination has been a band, suspenders to keep it in place, and regular checks. Here’s how that fits into our everyday routine.
When he wears a belly band
Gunther wears one at night because he’ll wake up and pee rather than wake me up to go outside. He also wears one when I can’t keep a close eye on him—while I’m cleaning or working from home, for example. I can be in the same house and still not catch what he’s doing. Apparently, having a job does not excuse me from full-time dog surveillance.
The washable bands
I’ve bought several different washable belly bands, and the ones I’ve used have been pretty similar in practice. I keep extras available so I can change a wet one without waiting for the laundry. These washable belly bands are an option to look at. Measure your dog according to the listing’s instructions rather than choosing by breed or guessing at a size.
The suspenders that foil his escape plan
Gunther will rub against the couch until he slides the band off. Adding dog diaper suspenders keeps him from pulling that particular trick. If your dog leaves his band alone, you may not need them. For Gunther, they’re a useful part of the setup. Check the measuring instructions for these, too.
Our routine: outside, check, change
The dogs go outside regularly. Before Gunther goes out, I take his belly band off and check whether it’s wet. When he comes back in, I put the same band back on if it’s dry, or put on a fresh one if it’s wet. During the day, I check every couple of hours rather than leaving it on and forgetting about it. That’s our routine—not a promise that every dog can go that long between checks. A wet or soiled band needs changing promptly, and the fit and skin underneath need checking too. The band helps manage the mess. It doesn’t replace trips outside or solve the reason a dog is peeing indoors. New or worsening accidents, straining, or signs of discomfort are reasons to contact your vet.
For the carpet cleanup
When urine does get on the carpet, Biokleen Bac-Out enzyme cleaner has worked well for me on both stains and the smell. Follow the cleaner’s directions and check whether it’s suitable for your carpet before using it.
A few things that earn their place
For us, this doesn’t need to become a giant shopping list: washable bands, suspenders for the couch-assisted escape artist, and cleaner for the accidents. The regular checks and outside breaks matter just as much as the products. Gunther gets to keep his mischievous personality. I get a little less pee on the furniture.
The useful bit
A few useful supplies, regular outside breaks, and a routine that fits our actual life.
