Written By: Dan Stein with DogGuide.net

When talk turns to diapers, normally I’d think I was surrounded by a group of new parents. However, this past week diapers and their use was a central focus of many of my conversations. No, I didn’t suddenly and unexpectedly become a father. Instead I have been focusing on dog owners using Pup’sters Dog Diapers in various situations. While you may think that this concept is a tad bit ridiculous, these items can be exceptionally useful in a variety of situations. They’re not just for small dogs either – Pup’sters come in sizes ranging from tiny (4 lbs and under) to 90 lbs.

Travel: Picture this, you have a young puppy that you refuse to leave at home and you need to go on a road trip. Young pups are not reliable when it comes to holding their bladders and your car isn’t where you want an accident to happen! Using a doggie diaper will keep your upholstery happy and give you the peace of mind to keep your eyes on the road. When you arrive at the hotel and pay that large pet deposit, you want to make sure you’re going to get it back! Keeping your pup in diapers will prevent expensive accidents. This sentiment is doubled when you are visiting family! Making a clean impression with your pooch is a good way to keep them as a welcome guest as they grow!

Submissive Urination: “You’re the boss and I am SO submissive to you!” – this is what the dog that has a problem with submissive urination is thinking. While there are many steps to take to work on solving this problem, it can be a time consuming issue. Diapers have their place when dealing with a submissive dog’s dilemma. If you know you’re going to have guests over and they aren’t going to be able to follow the “rules” of greeting your overly submissive dog (meaning no high/excitable voices, quick hand movements or excessive “hellos”), diapers can come in handy. They’ll keep you from worrying that your dog will make a mess as each guest walks in the door!

Marking: Some male dogs have the “rude” habit of marking – indoors! No one wants pee-marked furniture.

Females In Heat: Need I say more?

Incontinence: Incontinence is common in senior dogs. With modern advances in veterinary care, we’re able to have our beloved pets around a lot longer than we used to. With age comes health issues; back injuries and hormonal imbalances can lead to involuntary urination. Some dogs even “wet the bed,” not realizing they are going as they sleep. It is exceptionally important to keep dogs that have this issue clean and dry. Sleeping in wet bedding can lead to dangerous and painful infections. In these cases, diapering is a necessity. It will keep your dog comfortable and her bedding dry.

Incontinence can also occur after a traumatic injury that results in damage to the nerves or muscles. I knew of a 7 year old German Shepherd who was hit by a car and suffered an injury that left her incontinent. Her owners brought her home and discovered (thankfully!) that dog diapers came in her size. Her recovery was slow but she eventually gained back a small amount of bladder control. They still put a diaper on her if they know they’ll be gone longer than she can hold it

Like it or not, potty accidents are sometimes a part of dog ownership. If health issues or other constraints turn this recurring problem into a nightmare, diapers might be exactly the right solution.

 Dan Stein with DogGuide.net

The Dog Guide is a great website intended to provide concise, but highly relevant information for families looking for a dog and allows viewers to quickly hone in on the perfect dog and move forward with the business of finding a breeder and making the puppy a member of your family.

To thank your pet for their unconditional love, honor them this Valentine’s Day with festive gifts and treats. We all know that after a hard day of work or a stressful day, our dogs are always there to cheer us up. For this reason alone, and because Valentine’s Day is a celebration of love, a gift for the special pet in your life is a perfect idea.

Every good dog deserves a bone on Valentine’s Day, so treat your dog to a healthy bone or even an array of irresistible heart shaped cookies. There is a wide variety of Valentine’s Day snacks available in specialty stores as well as discount marts and grocery stores for every pet but just remember, there are certain ingredients that dogs should never eat, so check out a few reputable websites before you go shopping for your pooch.

Another great chewable treat for the active pooch is a new ball, squeaky toy, or pull toy. A new coat or a cozy bed will also make for a great gift. The Simple Solution® Thermal Dog Cushion is the perfect item to make your pet feel totally pampered and its self-warming cushion utilizes a space-age material with a reflective surface that reflects the pet’s own body heat back to the animal. The reflective thermal qualities of this pet bed make it soothing for puppies, aging adult dogs, nurturing females as well as dogs recovering from illness, injury or bone and joint disease.

If you want to do something different for your pet this holiday, treat your dog to a day at the doggie spa. Some dogs like nothing more than a nice wash and a hair cut combined with a pedicure on all four paws. If your dog is not the pampered type, take him on a walk and spend some quality time outside.

Valentine’s Day is the perfect opportunity to take a moment and think about how important your pet is to you and your family.