Belly Band Information

Belly bands are used to help control marking and save the headache and frustration of cleaning up. They let you know if your dog is being a perfect gentleman or not.  The evidence is right there in the wrap. From a human perspective, urinating indoors is probably one of the worst companion animal behaviors. However, from a dog’s viewpoint, lifting a leg is perfectly natural and quite acceptable.

Belly bands may be the solution for you and your dog. A belly band, like a crate, is a training aid for male dogs who do “leg lifting exercises” in the house. They are not meant to be worn constantly as they are a tool to help the male dog realize that the house isn’t his potty place. Why does a bell band work? Most dogs do not like to be wet. If the dog decides to void in the home, the belly band works like a diaper. It will absorb urine.

To determine the size you need, measure loosely in front of your dog's back legs. Ensure the tape measure is slightly snug and that you can easily slide your finger under the tape measure. For better accuracy, be sure to use a seamstress tape measure, not the metal kind you have in your garage. The metal ones are too stiff to provide an accurate measurement.

Do you have a breed that's hard to buy for? Try this idea: Cut a strip of newspaper wide enough to protect the coverage area and at least 24 inches long (longer for larger breeds). Wrap the paper strip around your dog and mark where the end overlaps. Then measure the paper strip to your mark.

Only take the wraps off when your dog needs to relieve himself, or when he is outside or on a walk. Praise when he urinates outside. If he tries to urinate when the wraps are on, he will not be happy about wetting himself. Don’t immediately change a wet belly band. Let him understand that his behavior has caused the unpleasant consequence. However, as soon as it is clear that he is not pleased, go ahead and change the belly band.

Your dog should learn very quickly that he does not like to be wet and begin to hold his water. Of course, you should also remember to remove the belly band when the dog goes outside as well. After several weeks, begin taking the band off for short supervised periods of time. As your dog demonstrates control and trust, gradually increase the amount of time he is allowed free without wearing his belly band. Belly bands are machine washable and reused as needed. Just be sure to attach the Velcro together before washing. It is a good idea to have several belly bands on hand and launder them as necessary.

You can also apply a self adhesive bladder control pad (for faucets) or a feminine pad (for sprinklers) to the inward facing side of the belly band. These will hold more urine than the belly band alone, and you won’t have to launder as often. The downside is that, like baby diapers, bladder control pads do an excellent job of wicking moisture away from the surface, and your dog won’t feel wet. If the above training doesn’t work, this is an excellent venue to have your dog and love him too.

Many dogs are inhibited from lifted their leg simply by wearing a belly band while other dogs continue to lift their legs despite our best effors. In either case, the urine is caught by the belly band, not your furniture. Belly bands are also a lifesaver when coping with incontinence.

 

Each belly band is hand crafted using cotton outer layers and a polyester padding inner layer. These fabrics ensure maximum absorbency, comfort for your dog, and long life. We start with a cotton fabric design of your choice, cut it to the proper length and width, add the absorbent padding, and sew all layers together. Then the belly band is turned right side out and top stitched. The extra sewing helps keep the band in its original shape and ensures there will be no slippage of the padding. Next, the belly band is pressed and inspected for flaws, symmetry, and a smooth even surface. Lastly, hook and loop (Velcro) is top stitched in the corners.

Our belly bands have no elastic, which could bind on the dog and be uncomfortable when new, or become too loose as the elastic ages and loses its elasticity.

Our belly bands do not have pleats or overhangs, which invite the dog to chew on them.

Get the right size for your dog.  Don't fuss with a bulky belly band due to excessive fabric from those "one size fits all" belly bands.

 

We do not endorse the use of belly bands for controlling unwanted breeding. Dogs are very persistent and creative in this regard, so please do not buy belly bands for birth control.

Above all, never, ever leave a dog alone while wearing a belly band. It is always possible for the belly band to get caught on something and not pull free from your dog as it should. Another concern is how much urine a bladder control pad can absorb and the possibility of it swelling and binding on your dog.