debarking or bark "softening"

[mommyofsophie]

Originally Posted by Mitzis Mom

I agree with the neighbors to be debarked but I also see your point. To tell the truth I thought of it already myself b/c Maggie has a very very annoying bark that hurts my teeth...LOL...
But on the other hand... would you have any possibility to sound proof your apartment so less noise can come in or out? I could imagine that a debark surgery is not quite cheap and maybe with some insulation from your Lowes or Home Depot and a bit of elbow grease you could make a big difference with less money?

Lol, what a fun suggestion! I can see myself with a toolbelt going at it now! Sadly, modifying my apt. in any way isn't allowed. I can't even paint, much less change the walls. But I love your think-outside-the-box idea!!

[mommyofsophie]

Originally Posted by MyBabyFynnlie

My neighbor had a rescued Sheltie who had had her voice box removed. It was sad. She would try to bark but she couldn't. She almost got hit by a car because she couldn't bark and he didn't know she was running towards the road. It was terrifying.

I'm completely against it.

Thank you for sharing this. I wonder if the Sheltie's owners had both vocal cords operated on. If I decide to have the procedure done on Sophie, I would only do so on one of her vocal cords.

[mommyofsophie]

Originally Posted by DvlshAngel985

This is an excellent suggestion you could look into, besides daycare. As Britster pointed out, it would be naive of us to get a dog without thinking they would cost us money. They are the cutest money pitts we have. It does sound like an awful situation. You either keep getting fines and allow your little one to enjoy barking, and maybe get evicted. Or you move, which is hard when you have a pet. Whatever you decide to do, it seems like you have thought this through, so you can't feel bad with whatever you do. You tried, you really did.

thank you for your kind words

[mommyofsophie]

Originally Posted by Brooklynn

I think you are doing whatever it takes for Sophie and I applaud you for that. And whatever you decide I'm sure will be a great option for you and Sophie. If you can find another place that would be great! But just know if all else fails I would support your decision with debarking if all other options have been explored.
Donna

Good Luck

Donna, I can't thank you enough for your non-judgment comments and ideas! And thanks for understanding that rehoming my baby just isn't an option. :-)

[DvlshAngel985]

Originally Posted by mommyofsophie

Lol, what a fun suggestion! I can see myself with a toolbelt going at it now! Sadly, modifying my apt. in any way isn't allowed. I can't even paint, much less change the walls. But I love your think-outside-the-box idea!!

It was a long shot, but it was worth considering. Some rental places let you do what you wish with the place, and some don't. One thing is for sure, I don't envy the situation your in. University living is very pricey even if you're not attending the University. I'll probably be moving at the end of the year because Kaji is not fitting in well in this apt. He's getting a little more vocal than he was a year ago.

Crazy thought, do you have a car? Would you be willing to commute? When I was attending UCI, moving 10 mins away in a different city like Costa Mesa, or Tustin made a huge difference in rental prices. They were only a stone's throw away but the price drop was drastic. Maybe a house 10 mins away could be within your price range?

[Lizzie07]

I'm against the rehoming idea because there are so many homeless pets as it is. It would be a shame for a responsible pet owner, which I think you are in every way, to give up a pet because of a barking problem, especially when you've tried to do so much to fix the problem and are resorting to debarking after trying so hard to fix the problem.

Hopefully you will find a house, but if not, I don't blame you for considering having Sophie debarked. I'd do it before giving up one of my dogs if I were in your situation.

[mommyofsophie]

Originally Posted by Ringo1

I'll bet you are a nervous wreck the whole time you are at work; I know I would be. Wondering if there will be a police car or animal control waiting for me at home.

You poor thing.

I actually get nauseated because I get so stressed out about it. :-( And I have this irrational fear that the snotty neighbor (who has been incredibly hateful about all of this) is going to leave poison on the ground for Sophie or something. I know, irrational, but I'm worried. Last night I was online reading about debarking risks/potential benefits and I came across a Sheltie rescue site that had photos of dogs that had been terrorized by neighbors for their barking. One dog had oven cleaner sprayed down his throat (causing massive internal damage and loss of his teeth). Another had its snout wrapped shut with barbed wire! Another had its throat slit (luckily it survived). I shouldn't have looked at that site! I've asked to move locations within my apt. complex and I'm looking into home rentals, but the barking will go with Sophie at this point.

[mommyofsophie]

Originally Posted by yorkiepuppie

sorry, i didn't read the entire thread. i only read your first post. (so if i am missing something you already posted about. i am sorry)

i really would not debark if i were you. barking is one of the ways she communicates with you. and i think if you take that away, you will be very sorry that you did it later on.

if i were you. i would look to rent a house and move out of the apartment. you don't have to buy a house...you can always rent one. and if it's too much money, you can look for roommates. it might not be your preference to rent a house with roommates, but it will only be a temporary situation where as if you debarked your dog, it will be permanent. and what if you regret it later?

if someone told me that they have a debarked dog, my first question would be if it's a puppymill rescue, because i can only imagine puppy mills doing that to their dogs. and if you told me that you did it because it bothered the neighbors. i would have asked you why didn't you just get new neighbors instead of doing something so drastic to your dog.

our dogs trust us to make the best decisions for them. are you making the best decision for your baby by choosing to debarking her? that might be a simple solution, but i don't think it's the right solution.

Thanks for your candid thoughts. I've addressed all of your comments in previous posts, so I won't reiterate what I've already said. I do appreciate your candor! :-)

[DvlshAngel985]

Originally Posted by mommyofsophie

I actually get nauseated because I get so stressed out about it. :-( And I have this irrational fear that the snotty neighbor (who has been incredibly hateful about all of this) is going to leave poison on the ground for Sophie or something. I know, irrational, but I'm worried. Last night I was online reading about debarking risks/potential benefits and I came across a Sheltie rescue site that had photos of dogs that had been terrorized by neighbors for their barking. One dog had oven cleaner sprayed down his throat (causing massive internal damage and loss of his teeth). Another had its snout wrapped shut with barbed wire! Another had its throat slit (luckily it survived). I shouldn't have looked at that site! I've asked to move locations within my apt. complex and I'm looking into home rentals, but the barking will go with Sophie at this point.

Not irrational at all. There are crazy people out there. My aunt has lost 3 kitties to crazy neighbors poisoning them. Not an irrational fear at all.

[mommyofsophie]

Originally Posted by MaddiesMommie

Mommyof Sophie, I hope you find a place to "rehome" yourselves to. I will keep my fingers crossed for you.

thank you :-)

[mommyofsophie]

Originally Posted by shoefelmeyer

I would advise considering other options, other than doing this type of procedure.

My thoughts are, if this were a human baby that cried ALOT, would we consider taking away their voice? No! We would find ways to soothe the baby and find out what is the cause of the constant crying.

Moving to a house would be a much better solution. Praying you will find a rental house soon so you and your pup will be much happier.

My yorkie barks ALOT when my husband is home from work. She is much quieter when he is not home. Not sure why she is like this. I am thinking she just wants my husband to spend some time with her, once he arrives home from work?

It sounds like your baby just loves her daddy!

[Teegy]

My two cents worth hear, these dogs are our babies. We remove their balls and reproductive organs because we're told it's the right thing to do. I did it but I don't like it. This on the other hand, I have my opinion and that is, it's selfish it's cruel and would you do it to your child if it cried all day.
It could be an attention thing, I guess a bark collar doesn't work.
I heard that barking back at them everytime they do it appears to work at reducing it.
My dog isn't a barker, but I would rather give him to a loving home where he can she be his wee barky self because I love him to pieces, than do a surgery to shut him up, again this is my view. And if your vet won't do it, where are you going to get it done?

[mommyofsophie]

Thank you to everyone who posted their honest thoughts, opinions, and perspectives. I really do value your opinions as fellow Yorkie mommies and daddies! And thank you to everyone who is vehemently opposed to debarking, but expressed that opinion in a non-judgmental way. I have a horribly difficult decision to make. However, I am going to try the dog music CDs, crating her again, and moving. I have a one-year lease on my apt., so I've already asked to be able to move to an another unit in my apt. complex. I'm also looking into house rentals. I'll keep you updated. Thank you again for the concern for both Sophie's health and keeping our "family" intact. Several people have sent me private messages about their experiences (positive and negative) having their Yorkies debarked-- thank you!!

[Mitzis Mom]

Another 'outside-the-box' thought... I take it that you know the spiteful neighbor. Have you ever talked to him/her about your dilemma? In my experience sometimes it helps to just explain. Also... since Sophie barks when you are not home and the neighbor is bothered he/she must be home during those hours. Maybe you could ask him/her if they would like to take care of Sophie as long as you are gone? Sometimes people just need to be needed to change their minds about a nuisance...

[Maximo]

Originally Posted by mommyofsophie

I actually get nauseated because I get so stressed out about it. :-( And I have this irrational fear that the snotty neighbor (who has been incredibly hateful about all of this) is going to leave poison on the ground for Sophie or something. I know, irrational, but I'm worried. Last night I was online reading about debarking risks/potential benefits and I came across a Sheltie rescue site that had photos of dogs that had been terrorized by neighbors for their barking. One dog had oven cleaner sprayed down his throat (causing massive internal damage and loss of his teeth). Another had its snout wrapped shut with barbed wire! Another had its throat slit (luckily it survived). I shouldn't have looked at that site! I've asked to move locations within my apt. complex and I'm looking into home rentals, but the barking will go with Sophie at this point.

I'm so sorry for you. {{{{HUGS}}}}

The stories about the Shelties are so sad and cruel. You have every right to be concerned about your neighbors. One of my neighbors suggested with all seriousness that I rubber band my dogs' mouths shut while I walk them. If I were foolish enough to do such a thing, it would cause their deaths because they wouldn't be able to pant.

Can you send your neighbors a cordial note indicating that you are working as fast as you can to find a solution?