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Originally Posted by Hickey007 Its not always an underlying problem. Our dog barked at the deer that we had around our house that was in a neighborhood. He didn't bark out of boredom, frustration, anxiety, or anything else. He was barking at something, something that we couldn't get rid of. Just throwing that out there. |
True and I agree! I am just saying that I would check and cover all the bases before I took away my beloved pets way of communication. Most small breed dog owners (or if like me, any animal), you spend weeks, months and even years worry and deciding whether or not a surgery is needed - not just out of worry, but out of fear of what might happen. (reaction to gas, surgery gone wrong, infection, etc).
After reading an earlier post, I didn't realize that the dogs could still "bark". So, I guess they could still communicate - that was my biggest problem with this topic. If they are still able to communicate with their owners and the owner has taken all the other steps to make sure it isn't some underlying problem or moved or whatever, then go for it. You are that babies parent, you know what is best for you and your little one. Just weigh all the options before leaping into something that you may regret later.
I understand about deer and other outside nuisance that may cause a dog to bark! I live on over 30 acres which most of our land borders national park land. We have fields, bluffs, high points and deep valley, 2 acre pond, 2 creeks, thick forest, etc - you can imagine what crosses our path from time to time. We have had everything from coyotes, bear, "run away" donkey and horses, deer galore, screech owls, and other animals, lost hikers, etc. Mojo will bark to let us know that something is there, that he thinks shouldn't be there. That is great - That is what we want! He is a better watch dog then our 100+ pound German Shepard. This barking does not bother us and we would never take that away from him - he is doing a good thing!
He does bark at various things - when he wants his blanket, attention, a toy that fell behind the couch, etc. These are good things and we need him to be able to do that for us. He also barks when he sees something/someone that shouldn't be outside, when he wants us to look at something he has found or when he is hurt. These are all awesome ways that dogs communicate with their owners. Maybe debarkind doesn't affect their ability to do these things? I don't know - I have never known anyone who has had this done and I have never even thought about having it done.
These are just my thoughts and opinions on this topic. I just personally would not have this done. We are all different though and what is right for one is not for another.