How to Determine Whether to Diaper a Senior Dog

Older dogs may have more accidents as they age. Sometimes the cause is related to medical conditions, forgetfulness or the inability to hold it as long as they used to. If these moments continually occur, you may have to decide whether a doggie diaper is in order.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

1. Help your older dog with access to the "potty" area. Older dogs may be in pain and unable to travel the stairs comfortably. Put in a ramp to help your dog access the "potty" area more easily, and you'll use less diapers.
2. Support and steady your dog as he relieves himself. Many dogs have difficulty assuming the appropriate position when they're older. You don't need to use diapers if your dog simply needs support to relieve himself. Use specialized products like a harness or halter to help your dog stand firm. If you don't have one, you can use a long cloth that drapes under the belly and is held tightly above the dogs' spine.
3. Remove the water dish from the dog about two hours before bedtime. Take the dog outside just before bedtime, and you may not need to diaper him at night. Many older dogs are heavy sleepers and don't wake up in time to stop an accident. If your dog is a heavy sleeper, you may want to diaper him at night. Some vets suggest that instead of using a diaper, you use a plastic covering on the floor with a layer of towels on top of the plastic. As the top towel gets wet, remove it and there is a dry towel under the dog.
4. Reward your older dog when he goes outside, much as you did when he was a puppy. Some older dogs become forgetful or senile and need to remember their early years of house training.
5. Use a diaper on your older dog only when you have no other choice, such as leaving him alone for more than 8 hours. If your dog is wearing a diaper almost constantly, he will soon forget the need to go outside.