If you have adopted a male rescue dog and are having trouble with marking and incontinence,
we might be able to help!Bellybands are a safe, non-threatening, and comfortable way for your male dogs marking to stay away from your stuff! A thick, stretchy piece of fabric with velcro closure goes around your male dogs genital area and fastens at on his back. You place a feminine pad inside to catch the urine, and replace when necessary. (Doggie diapers are more appropriate for female dogs as far as I am aware, and there are many great brands out there).
For us, we have adopted an amazing pug named Hummus, and he only marks our home when we leave the house. We don't crate our pugs when we leave the house and we don't plan to begin doing it, so for us, the bellyband was a life (and furniture) saver! Since we can never catch him in the act, we haven't been able to train away from this behaviour, and because he lived in such sad conditions in a puppymill for the first 5.5 years of his life, we don't think we will be able to.
Hummus happily puts his bellyband on because we don't make putting it on a punishment, just part of our routine. When we leave, we put the CLEAN bellyband on and give him a treat. Because the fabric is stretchy, he can run, play, lie down, sit and scratch with no restrictions.
When we get home, we take it off, throw out the pad if it's dirty, and pop the bellyband in the wash when needed. We only find it dirty one time out of five.
If your dog doesn't like putting it on, try without the pad for a few minutes a day under supervision.
Give a treat when it goes on. Don't let your dog play with it. Don't put it on so tight that it's uncomfortable. Always use a quality extra-long or overnight feminine pad that isn't too thick, and preferably one that has wings to catch anything that might try to leak out the sides. This will give you the very best results.
Another example of a dog needing a bellyband is when they mark out of excitement or when at relatives house with animals that invoke marking. We have dog friends that come over and our dogs smell encourages other male dogs to mark, so they might wear a bellyband so that they don't make a mess and start a pee-pattern in the house! Maybe you've been embarrassed going home for the holidays and with all the excitement your dog marks on everything they can! It happens, and a bellyband would be for you.
Most rescue organizations will promote bellybands so that you and your rescue will bond with little frustration regarding marking, because rescues can require so much more work. Adopting Hummus was the best decision for us and we have never regretted it, and a bellyband has helped us along quite a deal with the more challenging parts!
If you would like a bellyband,
they are only $8 from Peachy Keen Pets. I make them with a nice, soft, stretchy fabric that is totally comfortable, washable and very durable! If you have any questions, email me. All I require is the measurement around his boy parts! See the picture above to see Pitch modeling his bellyband with a big smile :)
I've had a lot of people comment at events lately that they are worried to clean their PKP items! DON'T BE!! Just pop your collar/leash/harness/bandana/bed pillow in the washing machine on cold with the rest of your washing, and hang over the shower rod to dry! Easy peasy!
