Debarking dogs
 

I'm sorry but anyone that debarks a dog is guilty of animal abuse.

To me this is never a solution and a breeder that does this is not a GOOD breeder and if you as a breeder condons this as a good practice are also not a GOOD breeder. Don't get into the business of breeding dogs if you can't stand the barking...... Breed cats...... or lizards but not dogs.

Would you do this to a baby that cried alot? Of course not...........

Yes, I hear you. I have a teen-age boy that I'd like to 'debark' every once in a while! And if there were a procedure to stop the eyes from rolling back in the head every time I make a statement . . . . .

OMG!!!!! This makes me sick! I never knew this could be done! I couldn't imagine even thinking about this.

OMG

That is all I can say.

I think its cruel and have only known one dog that actually had it done. It was a sheltie that my uncle had and it was debarked before they got the dog. The poor thing would open his mouth like he was barking but nothing came out but a rough cough sound. :(. I honestly didnt think vets or people did this anymore.. (yes call me naive).. however to me its just as cruel as those people who use shock collars to stop dogs from barking. My neighbors have a outside dog, that rarely gets fed, water etc (yes, they have been turned in and nothing was done) and because the girls parents (who live on the other side of them) couldnt handle the dog barking constantly anymore (however when they fed the dog, she quite barking!!) they bought the dog a shock collar, so know does she not only doesnt get fed she gets zapped every single time she barks because she's hungry... :(...
Sorry, I got carried away..
If you cant handle a dog barking then you shouldnt own one, plain and simple and you certainly shouldnt own a whole house full!!

Loved your reply. My teenager just grunts.

I don't do it nor do I condone it BUT I can not tell anyone else what to do with their dogs and YOU do not know the situtation or have seen it done.

Of course I wouldn't do it to a child but animal control can't come get a child if they are crying too much nor can CPS but if you live in an apartment or even in a housing addition with nasty neighbors and get complaints on a barking dog YOU CAN have your dog taken away...those kinds of people do NOT regard animals the way they do humans of course. So until you are put into a situation you don't know what you'll do. So, it's either have animal control take your dog and assess fines ect....I'm just using this as an example.
You personally do not know me and I'm sure you haven't done your research regarding my practices to know if I'm a good or bad breeder so until you know for sure and first hand how I do things you just don't know whether I'm good or not. As I've said I don't do it but just because I know some that do doesn't make me think any less of them because I do know their situation AND YOU DO NOT!

Donna Bird
Brooklynn's Yorkshire Terriers

Here are 2 very different inputs on the subject...
I would not do it with my dogs , but... read the second opinion...


Debarking not the right way to stop the noise

By Dr. Kathy Gaughan, assistant professor of clinical sciences at Kansas State University's Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital

Photo of Kathy GaughanAlthough this procedure may keep your pet at least a little quieter, it doesn't address the main problem -- why the dog is barking in the first place. The surgery doesn't take away the motivation to bark or address any underlying behavioral issues.

Dogs may bark incessantly for any number of reasons, including inadequate social and physical stimulation, fear, anxiety or aggression. Debarking an aggressive animal is dangerous as the dog's bark is no longer able to warn its potential victim.

Usually when people come to K-State's Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital with a nuisance-barking dog, they are looking for a "quick fix." Many who request debarking either live in an apartment, are breeders with many dogs or have dogs whose barking has become a problem with neighbors.

We try to educate the pet owners regarding the debarking procedure and causes for barking. Dog owners need to understand that a debarked dog may be silent or have a low, hoarse bark, which sometimes is more annoying than the original barking. We attempt to identify the underlying factors that are contributing to the dog's bark and make appropriate recommendations for resolving the issue.

Recently, some animal advocates have asserted this surgery is cruel to the animal; some countries have even outlawed the procedure. I do not believe the surgical procedure is cruel; however, failing to address the underlying factors is inappropriate.



Debarking, or bark softening, saves lives and helps neighbor relations

By Charlotte Clem McGowan, a dog show judge for the American Kennel Club and author of "The Shetland Sheepdog in America." She has been a hobby dog breeder for more than 40 years.

I have debarked dogs for decades. Debarking has made it possible to keep my dogs in a residential neighborhood and be a good neighbor. A skilled surgeon can debark a dog in a very simple procedure using an adenoid punch to make a tiny hole in each vocal chord. This method is virtually bloodless. The dog recovers quickly and is not stressed by the surgery. The dog will not be silent, but his bark will be reduced in pitch and volume.

Breeds like shelties were used to keep livestock out of gardens, to keep birds of prey from taking lambs and as guards and alarms. They are very, very talkative. Shelties bark for all kinds of reasons, including joy. They also bark with a generally high-pitched, piercing bark that can be extremely annoying. Debarking takes them from annoying to manageable. Since shelties, by nature, will bark at birds and squirrels and while playing and having fun, keeping shelties in any number larger than one is difficult.

Veterinarians provide a valuable service with debarking. A dog that can bark at squirrels and while playing without being constantly disciplined is a happy dog. The urge to bark does not diminish, but the noise level does. The chief reason shelties are dumped in shelters is barking. Sheltie rescuers can easily re-home these dogs when they are debarked. So debarking saves lives.

While some people believe you can train any dog not to bark, I know from 40 years of extensive experience with shelties that this is not true. Some dogs just bark to bark.

While I can see why some do debark I don't do it because I do happen to have good neighbors with bigger dogs that bark more so my little ones are quieter in comparsion but I do know some with nasty neighbors and it's a situtation where these people just can't move out of their home...so just because they can't move and have nasty neighbors they shouldn't have a dog? Again, some just don't know the reason or situtation as to why some would debark. People are just not forgiving towards animals as they are children....that is the exception to the rule for me because I'd rather live next door to barking dogs than screaming kids....get them a muzzle!
Donna

I own a beagle, sheltie, toy poodle and a yorkie poodle mix. All 4 of those breeds are or have been considered "nonstop barkers". Not one of my dogs are excessive barkers.. do they bark when they see something in the yard, strange car comes in the driveway, strange person at the door, or when playing.. absoutley.. however I have TRAINED them to stop when I say so. Simple as that.. If you know the breed your are buying can be or is considered an excessive barker then why would you buy that kind of dog??

for me,, there is no right way to debark.. its sick, its cruel, and its sad!!!!!
whats wrong with these people... If you cant handle the barking, dont get a dog!!!!!! I would never ever buy from that breeder either..i'd like to smack her instead.

My parents have a neighbor who has a little white dog, about 10lbs who somtimes bark when she is gone. This woman's other neighbors moved in about 2months ago and have called animal control 3times:( She is a good responsible dog owner and a firstime homeowner(in a down marked so cannot sell) She too is a loss as to what to do. She had had a trainer out many times to help and the barking is controlled completely while she is there but when she is gone the little dog still barks. She is considering debarking as a last result durring the next teeth cleaning. She has already tried a spray collar and refuses to use a shock collar. I can see where in the right circumstance it would be a last result option for some. It would not be an option for me EVER but I can step outside of my little world and see where for some it is an option.

To OP I would ask this breeder about it, along with many other questions, or just move on, there are other good breeders out there.

I think it's cruel and it's sad!! Poor little doggies!

I totally agree but again, I do understand if and when it has to be done to be able to keep one at home due to nasty neighbors ect....

Donna Bird
Brooklynn Yorkshire Terriers