So, Milo is two as of this month, however, he still has the occasional sprinkle (trying to mark) or "fountain" when extremely excited, i.e. THE ARRIVAL OF ALL HOUSE VISITORS, hence our need for him to continue wearing belly bands. The strange thing is how his behavior changes with the addition of a band. Months ago he used to exhibit EXTREME behavior changes when we first started requiring him to wear it. I mean he would walk sideways and act continuously as if his back legs were lame. His hobbling walk, I must admit, caused us quite a bit of laughter. So I adjusted and readjusted the band, and even got him a belly band a size up and still was getting the same results. I mean he first thought he couldn't sit with it on, became lethargic and baby-like and would lay down ALL day, he wouldn't even eat unless I actually put the food in his mouth. Now this is the dog who zooms through the house, can break your arm down playing fetch, and is ALWAYS into something. It was so bad that my grandmother required that he not wear the belly band in her presence, because we were "torturing" him
Today he has obviously gotten used to the belly band because he knows he can sit with it on, I don't have to manually help him do that anymore, and he even walks normally, and eats like his regular greedy self. However, his energy levels are not much better, I mean he is no longer "paralyzed" like he used to be, but he still is not the same dog with it on. He sleeps more than usual, and is a much more needy dog, staying underfoot way more. Then the minute I take the band off, he backs up, checks his package, and becomes a crazy vocal dog with the energy of multiple dogs. I don't know if it will take more months for him to even out with the belly band, or if he'll even get better at all. I am convinced a lot of his issues were in his head, because this winter when I first put on his snowsuit so he could go play in the snow, he was "paralyzed", but once we got outside he didn't let it stop him from playing. He is not neutered, so I am thinking, maybe that is why all of this is so much more harder on him. Also, I must admit that I will have him eventually neutered in these next few months. Do you guys think the belly band is a sign of behavior changes to come once he is neutered?? and has anyone experienced any of these issues with their little guys?