Debarking - What Are Your Thoughts?

[Grousehunter74]

Anyone had their dog debarked? What is your opinion of this?

[topher40]

It really isnt worth the money. The dog can still bark although it is more of a raspy bark. Bark collars work much better. All dogs bark, you might try getting a cat if its that big of a problem........

[JKP]

Great way for vets to make money!! Is that who's suggesting it?? Get a collar..

I have seen a few dogs that were "debarked" and in all cases scarring after the operation caused complications.

[Bird Dog 67]

My thoughts: If you feel the need to debark you probably shouldn't be owning a dog. IMHO

[birddogger]

I wouldn't even consider it!

Charlie

[hosejockey2935]

A bark is a good way to cover me loading my gun while intruders make their way into my house!

[birddogger]

Mine is already loaded!

Charlie

[snips]

Absolutly not...As the surgery causes scar tissue that builds up and actually cuts the air off...Only way it is fixed is by more surgery...I have had several dogs in here for training that were so bad they would not make a performance dog...

[tommyboy72]

How'd you like if I surgically removed your voice box so you couldn't talk? It'd make you feel kinda like Stephen Hawking only not as smart huh? If you don't like a barking dog, buy a cat. JMO

[mcbosco]

That procedure is illegal in many states. I know it is in NJ and would guess NY as well.

[AzDoggin]

I'd rehome the dog before I'd debark him.

[Dakota Swede]

For under $100 you can buy a good bark collar. My dogs hate the mail-lady. The collars remind them to watch their manners.

[Cajun Casey]

Here is some information on the procedure (which does NOT remove the larynx or sever the vocal cords when correctly done) from the National Animal Interest Alliance. I am very well acquainted with it from my association with herding breed owners. I know of only two out of several dozen dogs that had to have the procedure repeated and the regrowth was not obstructing, they simply regained their bark. I personally know of two Shelties and a rough collie who would have been destroyed if not for bark softening.

http://www.naiaonline.org/articles/arch ... rk_qna.htm

I do not think it is a good idea for sporting breeds who may need to communicate when they are in trouble.

[ezzy333]

I don't think it is good for any breed or any dog. There may have been cases where it was necessary but even those probably could have been handled different.

Ezzy

[displaced_texan]

Here is some information on the procedure (which does NOT remove the larynx or sever the vocal cords when correctly done) from the National Animal Interest Alliance. I am very well acquainted with it from my association with herding breed owners. I know of only two out of several dozen dogs that had to have the procedure repeated and the regrowth was not obstructing, they simply regained their bark. I personally know of two Shelties and a rough collie who would have been destroyed if not for bark softening.

http://www.naiaonline.org/articles/arch ... rk_qna.htm

I do not think it is a good idea for sporting breeds who may need to communicate when they are in trouble.

I thought the exact same thing!

I'm not a fan of the idea, because barking is communication. Like most things though, I'm sure there are cases (as those mentioned) where it is the lesser of two evils.

[Grousehunter74]

Here is some information on the procedure (which does NOT remove the larynx or sever the vocal cords when correctly done) from the National Animal Interest Alliance. I am very well acquainted with it from my association with herding breed owners. I know of only two out of several dozen dogs that had to have the procedure repeated and the regrowth was not obstructing, they simply regained their bark. I personally know of two Shelties and a rough collie who would have been destroyed if not for bark softening.

http://www.naiaonline.org/articles/arch ... rk_qna.htm

I do not think it is a good idea for sporting breeds who may need to communicate when they are in trouble.

I appreciate the informed replies - I'm just asking the question. It's not like I want to wack-off the dog's tail just to make the dog look more pretty.

We don't have a dog yet, but live in a neighborhood with houses close by. We have neighbors with dogs that yap and bark at all hours and at most anything - it is a pain in the arse to deal with without burning bridges with the neighbors. Having said that, two wrongs don't make a right. Just because my neighbors dog barks like crazy doesn't mean I want to put that back on them with a dog I might aquire. Whatever dog we get, I am confident it will bark (and learn to bark from the neighboring dogs too) and we will deal with it. I doubt it would come to debarking, but it it did, I don't see it as anymore inhumane than wacking-off a dog's tail or having it spayed or neutered for convience sake.

Thanks for the advice, but please spare me the "I'd rehome the dog..." or the "I wouldn't be owning the dog" type comments when your dogs have likely been altered in someway or another.

[Greg Jennings]

Tri Tronics Bark Limiter. Great product, great company, great support.

[Vonzeppelinkennels]

Here again is another op that asked a question but didn't want to hear the opinions they asked for.
I said it before if you don't want an opinion or answer don't ask the question

[dog dr]

Here is some information on the procedure (which does NOT remove the larynx or sever the vocal cords when correctly done) from the National Animal Interest Alliance. I am very well acquainted with it from my association with herding breed owners. I know of only two out of several dozen dogs that had to have the procedure repeated and the regrowth was not obstructing, they simply regained their bark. I personally know of two Shelties and a rough collie who would have been destroyed if not for bark softening.

http://www.naiaonline.org/articles/arch ... rk_qna.htm

I do not think it is a good idea for sporting breeds who may need to communicate when they are in trouble.

I appreciate the informed replies - I'm just asking the question. It's not like I want to wack-off the dog's tail just to make the dog look more pretty.

Touche!!! boy this thread oughta really get good, now!!

[V-John]

Here again is another op that asked a question but didn't want to hear the opinions they asked for.
I said it before if you don't want an opinion or answer don't ask the question

+1.

I wouldn't debark a dog, no matter how annoying. My yard is surrounded by barking dogs and mine don't bark. I don't use a bark collar either. You can prevent that sort of thing if you work at it with your dog.

Hey Doc. What are your thoughts on debarking, from a professional standpoint?

And yes, my dogs have alerted me more then a few times that they have been in trouble in the field.

[V-John]

One more thing. Wacking off a dog's tail, isn't done necessarily to make it look prettier. It's a function thing. You long tail guys I'm sure have pictures of blood being flung all over the place. No thanks. I hunt with a guy who has a setter and he has to tape the dog's tail to keep this from happening.

[birddogger]

I appreciate the informed replies - I'm just asking the question. It's not like I want to wack-off the dog's tail just to make the dog look more pretty

I realize you are just asking for advise, but there is no comparison between docking a tail and the debarking procedure. Docking the tail causes no adverse affects and prevents injuries to the dog. The same with removing the dew claws. Spaying or neutering for convenience only is another story IMO.

Charlie

[AzDoggin]

Thanks for the advice, but please spare me the "I'd rehome the dog..." or the "I wouldn't be owning the dog" type comments when your dogs have likely been altered in someway or another.

You asked for opinions of dog owners, 74, and that was mine. I'd never do the surgery, I would work hard to identify the cause of the barking and address that. As a last resort, I'd use the bark collar.

I do live in a more open area - that's just what I'd do.

[dog dr]

Hey Doc. What are your thoughts on debarking, from a professional standpoint?

honestly, that is one procedure that i havent the faintest idea about, and i cant even recall anything being mentioned about it in school. maybe i was sick, or asleep that day, i dont know. SO, i cant really comment on the side effects (if any), surgical implications, etc. from an ethical standpoint, IF there are minimal to no side effects, then i dont see a problem with it if there are no other means of dealing with the problem. personally, i think i would try the bark collar first.

[Danro]

Any unnecessary invasive surgery is a no for me. Seems like the cons far outweigh the pros.

[Cajun Casey]

Here is some information on the procedure (which does NOT remove the larynx or sever the vocal cords when correctly done) from the National Animal Interest Alliance. I am very well acquainted with it from my association with herding breed owners. I know of only two out of several dozen dogs that had to have the procedure repeated and the regrowth was not obstructing, they simply regained their bark. I personally know of two Shelties and a rough collie who would have been destroyed if not for bark softening.

http://www.naiaonline.org/articles/arch ... rk_qna.htm

I do not think it is a good idea for sporting breeds who may need to communicate when they are in trouble.

I appreciate the informed replies - I'm just asking the question. It's not like I want to wack-off the dog's tail just to make the dog look more pretty.

We don't have a dog yet, but live in a neighborhood with houses close by. We have neighbors with dogs that yap and bark at all hours and at most anything - it is a pain in the arse to deal with without burning bridges with the neighbors. Having said that, two wrongs don't make a right. Just because my neighbors dog barks like crazy doesn't mean I want to put that back on them with a dog I might aquire. Whatever dog we get, I am confident it will bark (and learn to bark from the neighboring dogs too) and we will deal with it. I doubt it would come to debarking, but it it did, I don't see it as anymore inhumane than wacking-off a dog's tail or having it spayed or neutered for convience sake.

Thanks for the advice, but please spare me the "I'd rehome the dog..." or the "I wouldn't be owning the dog" type comments when your dogs have likely been altered in someway or another.

First, I'll have you know that German shorthairs are pretty enough with or without a tail and the remainder of the stubtails can't be helped in the beauty department with either love or money.

Perhaps you should contact the Barker Breaker company for some literature to leave in the mailboxes around your neighborhood. I'm kind of kidding, but kind of not.

Truthfully, perhaps you should narrow your search by breed to head off barking problems. From what I have observed at trials, at the dog club, and at the trainer's kennel where I go, setters are the least noisy of the gundogs. Just a personal observation.

[kninebirddog]

get a bark collar of your dog barks

I am at a trial right now where one of the people here has a dog that had the surgery he is just as annoying....That dog still needs a bark collar as stated he just has a raspy yap yap yap yap yap yap :roll:

[mountaindogs]

never surgically. Had a rescue sheltie that was debarked and she would sometimes have to ask to go out by jumping on you after barking forever and no one noticed. You can hear it, but it's much easier to ignore. But a good bark collar and some training for most dogs. If you have a beagle or coon dogs you had just better get used to it. Even small herding are known for it.

[Ayres]

When one of my dogs is out in her kennel and won't stop barking, I think about using a bark collar or the de-barking surgery. However, this is usually sometime around 1:00 a.m. and I'm not thinking very rationally. On the rare occasion that happens, I simply go out to my kennels and shut the in/out door, locking my dog inside. I tell her goodnight, and leave it at that. That has always stopped the issue.

Honestly, my dogs only bark when there's a very real reason to bark. More often than not, it's when they need something (let out to potty, fed, go on a run) or when someone or something is stirring around outside. We don't need a doorbell because we know when someone pulls in our driveway. If I ever had a dog that barked constantly, and I've seen good dogs do this from time to time, only then would I even use a bark collar.