Quote:
Originally Posted by Ladymom  Since he just started marking, I would get him neutered asap and work hard on retraining him. Belly bands are a last resort because they allow him to mark rather than addressing the issue. If you start with belly bands, he will be in them for life. |
I agree when it comes to an un-neutered dog. That hormone is a powerful drive to want to to un-welcomed behaviors. I can't imagine having an intact dog while a bitch nearby is in heat, I hear it is horrible for the male, and the family that has to put up with his behaviors. Belly bands in this case will only keep your house clean, and not much else. For an intact male, I would think belly bands are an everyday all day requirement.
Personally, and this is just my opinion, a belly band in that case would be such a bad idea. An intact male with a desire to mark will do it belly band or not. The belly band will collect every squirt of pee, and if I remember correctly, marking pee of an intact male is much more potent. Imagine having that up against his skin all day everyday, that must cause some irritation.
Having said that, I have 3 belly bands for my little boy. I used them as a training tool and not as a band aid. My intention was not to cover up the problem, but find a way for me not to blow my top. When he first came home, he lifted his leg on everything and anything inside the house. I had him neutered 5 days later, worked with him day and night on controlling the marking, and now I can trust him 100% in my home. A friends house is another story.... If he smells pee, he will lift his leg until I tell him this is also not an appropriate place for that behavior. That's why I still have the belly bands. I do encourage him to mark and pee outside. If he wants to stop at every tree, I praise him for it. Better out there than in my house.
