Why Would Anyone Put Their Dog in Diapers?

We were in a car dealership buying a 4x4 that would get us up the Alaska Highway in the dead of winter. My husband had gotten a new job here, and that was the best way for us to go. (he can't fly)

I saw this woman with an old yorkshire terrier that was wearing a diaper. I had tried so many different things, but nothing had seemed to work with my dog. So, I asked this woman,

"How did you get that diaper to fit your yorkie so well?"

The things I had tried had miserably failed, such as trying those little panties for dogs in season.

She said it was a Walmart generic brand baby diaper, and that she turned it around backwards to get it to fit correctly on her dog. I was amazed, and I just knew I had found the solution to taking a yorkie that can't control her bathroom habits on a 4,000 mile journey in a car i didn't want her peeing in.

So I started on the journey of finding just the right fit and diaper for my dog. As I mentioned, she is about 4 lbs.

I finally ended up with a diaper that worked for her, which is the Huggies (cheaper than others)"Little Snugglers" (because it doesn't fit too tight around her stomach).
I tried the Walmart brand diapers for awhile, but something changed about them which caused their tabs to just fall off while I was trying to diaper the dog. I tried many many brands before I found the right one. You probably will, too. I settled on size 2 for my dog.

It takes quite a bit of practice on your part and your dog's part to get the diapers to work correctly.

At first, she would rub herself all over the furniture and stairs to try to get the diaper off. She often succeeded.

But over time, I found just the right size and ways to keep the diaper on her.

She just had to get accustomed to standing still while I put her diaper on. If you think this sounds like a big hassle for you. (especially if you were so relieved when your kids got out of diapers finally)

It is much less of a hassle than having carpets that are ruined and a bed that smells like a dog's favorite place to relieve themselves.

If your dog has a tail that is a bit long, you can cut a hole in the diapers to bring the tail through. It may look silly for awhile, and it might annoy your dog, but with a lot of persistence and coaxing they will become accustomed to it.

Katrina, after almost 7 years in diapers, now lets me know when she is "dirty" with just the way she looks at me. And she stands completely still for me to change her, which amazes people. (especially since she only has 3 good legs now).

How it works best:

Turn the diaper around so that the tabs are under the dog's stomach. Put the front of the diaper across the dog's back and bring the tabs up from underneath and attach them along the dog's back.

Secure the diaper where the tabs are (this takes a little practice) using some masking tape. My favorite is either the thin, plain masking tape that painters use or the green painter's masking tape. You'll teach yourself where best to put the tape as you and your dog get adjusted to everything.

At first, while you're trying to figure out where best to put the masking tape, you'll have one side or the other of the diaper suddenly pop out as your dog moves around.

Warning: I suggested Huggies snuggies because they don't press on my dog's stomach like most diapers do. (and huggies cost a lot less) You will want to find diapers that have very elastic waists so they don't squeeze your dog's stomach. Many diapers do and will make your dog really uncomfortable because you have to pull the tabs fairly tight to get the diaper to stay on consistently.
I always try to make sure that after I "install" the diaper that I can fit two fingers between my dog's stomach and the diaper. That way, when she moves around she doesn't get her stomach pinched too tight.

Just be flexible and keep trying. Don't give up on this. It really works well for you and your dog because after awhile, they don't resist wearing a diaper and you no longer have to get upset or angry at your dog for relieving themselves all over the place.

How often do you have to change your dog?

I usually only have to change my dog about 3 or 4 times a day. And older dogs often have diarrhea, so it could be more often some days. But it sure is worth it not to have a mess all over the place.

I keep an old trash can in my garage (we live in bear country) where I keep a bag inside of it and always throw the diapers out there. That way, I don't have to smell diaper pails or anything like that. I just got used to taking the diapers outside each time I change her.

Sometimes you just know it is time to change your dog when you pick him or her up, and whoa!!! The smell lets you know. But if you use diapers that have that powdery scent, most of the time they just smell like a baby.

It might seem a little strange, and people always ask me about why she wears a diaper. Kids especially get a kick out of it.

If you're fed up, and you want to be able to live with your older dog, it is worth a little bit of work. Better than cleaning up mess from your carpets or tile floors.

For dogs like yorkies that have longer hair, I keep the hair around her privates cut fairly short so that poo doesn't get stuck to her. This is really helpful.

Hope you and your dog get along better now!

Lynne