De-Barking?

[Jadapit]

I try and walk my dogs every day and today we walked by a house and the people own two heelers. We walk by this house a lot. Anyway, I noticed today that there bark is gone. They bark like they are real horase. I think their owners probably had them de-barked. I think that's uncalled for. What do you all think about that? Do you think its cruel to do that to a dog?

[LorraineO]

Wellllllllllll....... I dont know anything about debarking,, but there are days when I wanna de bark my two when they get going!! It hurts the ears,,,,,

Its a hot topic I am sure,,, I pick the fence..... I see both sides.......

[Glacier]

I think 99% of the time it's not neccessary. However, in some situations, it's a last resort and saves the dogs lives. I used to work with a woman who had two dogs who barked incessantly. She tried everything--training, bark collars, citronella collars. Nothing worked. They barked when she was home, when she was gone...they barked unless they were sound asleep. Her neighbors complained to the city and she was give a week to deal with the issue or the dogs would be confiscated by the city and euthanized as "nuisance animals". She had them debarked. It saved their lives. The dogs are still able to communicate and are happy, well loved pets.

[wolfsoul]

I recently heard about some new type of surgery that makes the de-barking painless...I think it was a laser surgery. Then again, it's a vague memory -- I could have dreamed it LOL.

I think it's sad when dogs have their vocal cords removed...Besides, what if there is a fire, and the dog tries to bark to wake his owner up but he can't? I always think about that when I think about a de-barked dog. Now he can't alert anyone. He must feel so inadequate.

[Jadapit]

Originally posted by Glacier
I think 99% of the time it's not neccessary. However, in some situations, it's a last resort and saves the dogs lives. I used to work with a woman who had two dogs who barked incessantly. She tried everything--training, bark collars, citronella collars. Nothing worked. They barked when she was home, when she was gone...they barked unless they were sound asleep. Her neighbors complained to the city and she was give a week to deal with the issue or the dogs would be confiscated by the city and euthanized as "nuisance animals". She had them debarked. It saved their lives. The dogs are still able to communicate and are happy, well loved pets.

I guess I never thought of it like that. Thanks for that it makes a lot of sence!

[GoldenRetrLuver]

Yes, I think it's cruel. I know a few Collie owners and breeders who have de-barked their dogs, and I really don't agree with it. However, if it came down to taking the dog to an animal shelter because of its excessive barking, I would rather see the dog de-barked then end up in a shelter. That's really the only time I would "agree" with having it done.

De-barking does not even get rid of the dog's bark.. it just lowers the volume of it.

My parents have thought about getting Molly de-barked at one time.. and sometimes they still do, but I will not allow it. Collies are KNOWN to bark -- just ask any Collie owner and they will tell you -- and we knew this when we were picking and choosing breeds. Same with all dogs. They bark. I just don't like it when people seem to want to take the "easy way out" with these types of issues instead of taking the time to train them. If it is a last resort, though.. then I do agree with getting it done.

[Vette]

Instead of paying for the surgery... the owner/s could have just threw their hands up in the air and dumped the dog/s off on a friend or in the animal shelter. or worse.. i seen a case on Animal Planet about a dog that was found with barb wire wrapped around its jaws because it barked too much.

Glacier also coverd it pretty well.. when its the last resort what else can you do?

[senorita02]

Just the other day i was thinking about it and wondering where u could even find a vet to do it i thought it was downright cruel, now i see in certain situations how it could help . But i still think it is mean, and that barb wire story! Awful! i saw it too, they should of put wire around the person that did that and left them for dead!

[dukedogsmom]

I think it should only be done as a last resort thing. I think it's cruel.

[lizbud]

I hope your neighbors did not de-bark their dogs.

I would never,in any situation, have that done to one of my dogs.
I can think of no medical reason for it. It's only for the convience
of the owner. Any dog that barks 24/7 has a problem. I cannot
believe a person could not find some way to treat the dog, or the
problem behavior some other way.People who de-bark their dogs
are not really solving the dog's problems, only their own.

[tikeyas_mom]

i am voting for cruel...... because it is.

[lute]

i don't think it's too cruel. my last siberian was de-barked and i'm thinking of de-barking Gracie.

[dukedogsmom]

Originally posted by lute
i don't think it's too cruel. my last siberian was de-barked and i'm thinking of de-barking Gracie.

May we ask what are your reasons?
ETA: You're thinking of it like it's similar to taking them to get groomed or something. I don't think this is something that should be taken so lightly.

[luvofallhorses]

I think it's cruel

[lute]

Originally posted by dukedogsmom
May we ask what are your reasons?
ETA: You're thinking of it like it's similar to taking them to get groomed or something. I don't think this is something that should be taken so lightly.

i use to think it was terrible and i don't take it lightly. the dogs i see that have it done don't seem to mind it one bit. my breeder friend just got 2 of her sibes de-barked on tuesday.