To Bark or Debark? That is the Question!

[Kathryn_V]

A recent thread about Barking and some dogs abilities to do so for hours on end with no hope of quite in sight, has inspired this Poll!

I am wondering.... Would you debark?? If the situation called for it?? Or would you Part ways with your Barker?
(assuming that you have exausted all other measures)


1)You were going to be thrown out of your home/apartment...

2)Dogs are only allowed if they are quite and your only choice is to rehome the dog or debark.

3)You have been fined by the city for disturbance, and issued several warnings. They have now issued a final warning and the next call will result in removal of the animal by animal controll.

4)You have moments where you or your partner feel true anger towards the dog as a result of the endless barking. And the safty of the dog is in question, maybe due to your partner or even yourself.

5)You are about to loose your mind, no joke... the dog is driving you crazy! No matter how much you love it, a person can only take so much!


I know that debarking was invented for a reason... some Dr. did not just decide that it would be cool to screw with a dog and take its Bark away! I know it has a place and in many situations is even in the dogs best interest... but thats a whole other debate.... I am just curious.... Would you part ways with your Baby, or debark?????

[Lola LaRue]

I am not sure what I would do. However, when I was younger we had a situation where we had to take our dog to be boarded for 2 weeks. We visited him, but it was so sad. When he was finally able to come home, he was so hoarse and unable to bark. It was so sad. We figured it was because he was so sad that he barked to get attention. We never boarded him again.

[Kathryn_V]

This is a VERY hard one for me too!!! My Mom lives in one of those 55+ developments... and they are the nastiest bunch of old betty's you have ever met! Nothing better to do then screw with their neighbors! Its sad really! Well, my mom has 5 Chis... She loves them dearly... She is not married, she just celebrated 6 years sobriety! She had 20 before that! But life happens! And She is just living for her now and working on her! I love it!!!

Well she has ONE! Barker... Baby... Her first Chi... The one I bought her for her first AA Birthday! What a yap! ugh! and it was manageable when it was just her... but then came #2 and she would get 2 going.... now we have 2 barking... and the whole time you have the neighbors complaining and she's getting notes... She owns where she is at... But they can MAKE her get rid of her dogs! Home Owners Asso! So she finally had Baby Debarked after a big HOO Meeting all about her Freaking Dogs!!!

well when she got #3 it was ok... but #4 got things going again! and they got loud again.... now the ladies are standing on chairs looking over the wall trying to count them! lol So she took all three to get debarked! I was floored... It was a moment of panic... she had just started back to work and was so afraid they were at home baring while she was gone.... she only worked part time... a couple of hours a day... But she was right... The ladies would go and knock on her door with tape recorders! and get them going and record it!!

I'm telling you... way too much time on their hands!

So #5 is not debarked.... And they all still bark, but its a whisper of what it once was... the ladies have not bothered her in 3 years... thank heavens! and mom can relax and enjoy her babies... they are all she has really... She does not date... Just loves the dogs!

I always thought it was awfull, but I can see how it was an only way out for her! Those ladies were not going to stop untill she rehomed her dogs! Now getting more than one or two... that was a bit much! lol But I see how much they love her and how happy they all are together.... And how happy she is... Its a hard call!

[Bizzymammabee]

Very hard decision to make but I might lean towards the debark. Its' hard to part with them and they are used to the barking so if you gave them to someone else and it started up depending on how bad it was it might piss them off too. Then it would be back to square one. You also can't be homeless. Your mom made the best decision for her and her babies and that is all that counts.

[Lexi Rae]

if i really had to, i would give lexi to a relative, they would take her..
i would never ever debark any animal. thats that cruel.. first of all i would
find another place to live.. i would do anything i could to keep lexi with me
with harming her..

[txshopper73]

If I had to choose between the two...and this is a tough one...I would opt to debark. They go in surgically with lasers through a vet. The mills ram a rod down their throats. There is a humane and inhumane way to do everything and I much prefer the humane way.

[dianne]

I cant believe Im repling to this thread but sorry guys just my opinion but de barking is cruel and absolutly barbaric in my opinion.

[browniesmom622]

ive heard of it and someone in my neighbor hood had collies that are all debarked what exactlly happens ??

[browniesmom622]

ok i found this


Debarking (Bark Softening) - Myths and Facts
Animal rights groups attack life-saving debarking procedure
By Charlotte McGowan
There is a move around the country by animal rights interests to outlaw the practice of debarking dogs. So much misinformation about this procedure abounds that it is truly time to set the record straight. As a dog breeder for over 40 years, I can tell you that debarking in the hands of a well trained veterinarian is a very useful tool for breeders and owners and it saves lives. I have had a lot of dogs debarked over the years and the usefulness of this procedure should not be ignored. I know friends who have used debarking for decades with no ill effects on the dogs.

Q: What is debarking?

A: This is a surgical procedure to reduce tissue in the vocal chords. Some vets use a punch to remove tissue. Other surgeons make cuts of varying sizes and I have heard of some using a laser. The goal of the surgery is to lower the volume of the dog's bark and the ability of the bark to carry over a wide area.

Q: Does debarking remove the dog's ability to bark?

A: No. Debarked dogs continue to bark. What debarking does is to lower the volume of the bark so that it does not carry for miles around.

Q: Is the surgery always successful?

A: Sometimes scar tissue forms and heavy barkers will become louder than when first debarked. The skill of the veterinarian is also a factor.

Q: Is this a "cruel and barbaric procedure?"

A: No. People with little or no experience raising naturally noisy and talkative breeds may tell you this. People with breeds like Shetland Sheepdogs (Shelties) can tell you that this procedure is simple and that it saves lives of dogs that might otherwise be dumped in the pound for their barking. Debarking is a more simple procedure than removing the uterus in spaying or removing testicles in neutering.

Q: Do dogs suffer emotionally from debarking?

A: It is a huge myth to suggest dogs are emotionally disturbed by debarking. Debarked dogs can bark. Even if reduced sound comes out of their mouths, they don't seem to notice at all! Debarked dogs that are not being constantly disciplined for barking, in fact, tend to be much happier dogs!

[Kathryn_V]

I know that its a very awful subject to think about! I agree! But with all of the barking going on in my home and the search for an answer I would be a fool not to at least look at all of the options.

I don't know that I could do it.... I also don't know that I could never put a shock collar on her! Which is what alot of people resort to... And it works! almost instantly! Dog barks and Zap! They figure it out real quick!

I almost did not post this poll.... But I needed more information, I needed to know how people felt, I needed to hear all of the alternatives! So I would not miss a thing!!!

I still think its weird listening to my moms 4 dogs.... Very weird... I don't think they have a clue??? But its weird to me... I think it bothers me more than it ever bothered them...

But that does not mean that I could do it with my baby!

So I'm sorry for the subject matter here... I know its not pleasant, like Birthday Parties or Bow Colors... But I needed your help guys.... so thanks for responding... even if you did not want to! Thank you very much!

[BabyFidgette]

That's a tough one! If it was debark or get rid of Baby, honestly, I don't know what I would do. I'd rather keep her and let her bark her head off.

[browniesmom622]

i would not get rid of brownie i would have to debark since ive heard its a very simple surgery also i think its easiey then them wearing a shock collar for a long time

[txshopper73]

Originally Posted by browniesmom622

ok i found this


Debarking (Bark Softening) - Myths and Facts
Animal rights groups attack life-saving debarking procedure
By Charlotte McGowan
There is a move around the country by animal rights interests to outlaw the practice of debarking dogs. So much misinformation about this procedure abounds that it is truly time to set the record straight. As a dog breeder for over 40 years, I can tell you that debarking in the hands of a well trained veterinarian is a very useful tool for breeders and owners and it saves lives. I have had a lot of dogs debarked over the years and the usefulness of this procedure should not be ignored. I know friends who have used debarking for decades with no ill effects on the dogs.

Q: What is debarking?

A: This is a surgical procedure to reduce tissue in the vocal chords. Some vets use a punch to remove tissue. Other surgeons make cuts of varying sizes and I have heard of some using a laser. The goal of the surgery is to lower the volume of the dog's bark and the ability of the bark to carry over a wide area.

Q: Does debarking remove the dog's ability to bark?

A: No. Debarked dogs continue to bark. What debarking does is to lower the volume of the bark so that it does not carry for miles around.

Q: Is the surgery always successful?

A: Sometimes scar tissue forms and heavy barkers will become louder than when first debarked. The skill of the veterinarian is also a factor.

Q: Is this a "cruel and barbaric procedure?"

A: No. People with little or no experience raising naturally noisy and talkative breeds may tell you this. People with breeds like Shetland Sheepdogs (Shelties) can tell you that this procedure is simple and that it saves lives of dogs that might otherwise be dumped in the pound for their barking. Debarking is a more simple procedure than removing the uterus in spaying or removing testicles in neutering.

Q: Do dogs suffer emotionally from debarking?

A: It is a huge myth to suggest dogs are emotionally disturbed by debarking. Debarked dogs can bark. Even if reduced sound comes out of their mouths, they don't seem to notice at all! Debarked dogs that are not being constantly disciplined for barking, in fact, tend to be much happier dogs!

Thanks for posting this, Lenora!

[Patti]

I would move or do whatever I had to do before debarking. I was oppossed to it then I read Kathryn V's post and I can see it in rare circumstances. I have a pom who is a horrible and I mean horrible barker the neighbors all laugh because you can hear her before you see her. Shegoes hoarse sometimes from barking .She does not bark during the night and I live in a house so she is not a nuisance to anyone but us. If it was absolutely no other option I may consider it.

[browniesmom622]

i laught cause i dont care what the neighbors say about my boys barking
i do know my hearing is half of what it was i think if i go on this path for another 13 -14 year i will be completely deaf