Hmm.. this thread seems to be falling a bit off topic (hehe hope I don't end up contradicing myself later!
) and seems a bit shall I say "personal"
.. But back to business I truly believe that de-barking a dog is a horrible practice.
I do not believe it should even be legal. I agree with previous posters that if you don't want a barking dog then you should own a cat. (or a ferret! They're really cool and don't bark!
) Dogs are meant to bark. Period. What happens if your dog gets away from you, becomes lost and injured and cannot cry out for help? Imagine your pup stranded totally helpless and most likely in a situation w/ no hope just because you decided that their barking didn't fit your lifestyle, living quarters/standards/zones or even your patience levels. Is that really what any normal TRUE dog loving person wants? I am VERY glad that you (funky chicken) adopted your baby bc now you can give him tons and tons of extra love to try make up for what that horrible woman took away from him.
Lots of yorkie loving TLC! There are TONS of humane forms of obedience training that controls dogs barking. There are other means like collars that spritz water in the direction of their face when they bark etc. (this has worked for us btw. And I find it much more humane than the 'shock' collars
.. ouch) But de-barking just seems to me to be a real "easy way out" loop hole that undedicated dog owners use to avoid spending real time and practice on controlling their dogs barking/behavior. And finally, why de-bark a yorkie anyway? Their job is to let us know when people are coming and when weird sounds and things are happening right?
It's what they're good at!