Debarking Debate Yet Again

[J-den]

After 8 months of careful consideration, trying bark collars and every means possible to keep my dog from barking, howling and whining. I've decided to debark him. Why?? Well im moving into town very soon.. and dont want to run the risk of having to find a new home for a noisy afghan hound... wouldnt be the easiest thing in the world. I consulted with other breeders, exhibitors etc. and all recommended i give it a try. However i am now currently involved in a very heated debate with a friend who is labelling me cruel and irresponsible. As i have pointed out to him... if that is cruel i'd hate to see what you think of the people i have heard of drugging their dogs up for coat and temperament in the show ring, people abusing their barking dogs or letting their dogs be exposed to abuse from neighbours etc. People who keep their dogs on a tiny little cement pad all day... or people who simply euthanise their dog for barking without trying every possible option. As i am limited to time, money, space and council regulations, atm i cannot possibly take on another dog to keep him company. Debarking simply tones down barking, they can still make limited noise to communicate etc. So what do you think... is it crueler to have him debarked now and let him still have a happy full life or leave it to chance that he may have to be rehomed, end up in the rspca pound, euthanised etc as a result of his excessive barking??

[kat99]

After 8 months of careful consideration, trying bark collars and every means possible to keep my dog from barking, howling and whining. I've decided to debark him. Why?? Well im moving into town very soon.. and dont want to run the risk of having to find a new home for a noisy afghan hound... wouldnt be the easiest thing in the world. I consulted with other breeders, exhibitors etc. and all recommended i give it a try. However i am now currently involved in a very heated debate with a friend who is labelling me cruel and irresponsible. As i have pointed out to him... if that is cruel i'd hate to see what you think of the people i have heard of drugging their dogs up for coat and temperament in the show ring, people abusing their barking dogs or letting their dogs be exposed to abuse from neighbours etc. People who keep their dogs on a tiny little cement pad all day... or people who simply euthanise their dog for barking without trying every possible option. As i am limited to time, money, space and council regulations, atm i cannot possibly take on another dog to keep him company. Debarking simply tones down barking, they can still make limited noise to communicate etc. So what do you think... is it crueler to have him debarked now and let him still have a happy full life or leave it to chance that he may have to be rehomed, end up in the rspca pound, euthanised etc as a result of his excessive barking??

well i think if you have used , every possible way then i see no other choice . i rather do that then try to rehome him , were we know there isnt jsut a home out there for a dog that has barking issues

[merijigs]

I have lived with a very happy dog who was debarked before I got him. I wouldn't advocate debarking but if it's either that or lose the dog, get your dog debarked. He'll be fine.

[Nekhbet]

I dont have a problem with debarking if it is not due to simple lazyness on the owners behalf. I have a loud dog that can be very very annoying but a bark collar shuts her up. It's a breed thing.

But whatever you do PLEASE check your states laws and make sure you abide by them when you get it done or the RSPCA will have another random field day on someone trying to do the right thing

[persephone]

No problem with responsible debarking here .

I second nekhbet's suggestion to review the laws in your state! Don't leave it til the last minute .

[J-den]

Have checked the states laws etc. The law stands at if you have tried other possible options and feel its a last resort then you can legally do it. Have signed all the paperwork etc for when i get it done in a fortnights time. Was supposed to have it done today but prince was feeling a little off this morning... chucking and stuff. Breeder says this could be due to the heat. So $100 at the vet today for him to go under anaesthetic and for the vet to tell me his vocal cords are swollen. Meaning prince has really been barking and going off while i've been out! So hes on anti inflammotorys for 10 days.... seems it'll be in his best health interests to have it done!

[curlygirl]

After Prince has his operation just make sure he is kept as quiet as possible for 10-14 days. Barking a lot in this time frame could lead to more scar tissue forming and the operation not being as sucsessful. Speak with your vet but some even reccommend sedating the dogs slightly to help keep them from barking.

[Zug Zug]

I have an older girl that does a bit more barking than she should. I haven't had her debarked, but if it got really difficult and I had no choice then yes I would debark her before I would rehome her. At this stage it looks like that won't be necessary.

I guess the damage in our case has been to our relationship with one of our neighbours. The other neighbours are really lovely supportive people and don't mind the barking that she does, which isn't constant but is more focused on guarding the property when people walk past. But one of our neighbours is quite frustrated by it. We do what we can but I know she does bark a bit while we are at work during the day. We don't let her do it when we're home.

I don't necessarily consider debarking cruel, but when I hear the noise a debarked dog makes it leaves me feeling pretty sad. They just sound like they're choking or coughing. Not very nice, but better than losing them I guess.

[frufru]

However, they are not choking or coughing - this is simply a noise and you are responding to it emotionally, Zug Zug - the dog still thinks it is barking and is having a merry old time. I don't agree with debarking an entire kennel of dogs but if all other avenues have been explored it is not cruel and means there is one less dog barking for the anti dog brigade to complain about.

Good luck with your dog J-den

[J-den]

Thanks Curly Girl... i'll talk to the vet and see what he says... but it might just be a case of prince wearing the bark collar on/off for a week or so after the operation. Hopefully... he wont bark too much!

[CheekyMonkey]

I agree if you've tried all other avenue's it would be the nicest thing for him, If he was rehomed other people not be so nice and considerate of him, I've seen and heard about some rather cruel individuals and they might just dump him if it was really a nuisence.

I think i would rather try the slight sedation as if your saying the barking collars aren't working on him now then he'd still try to bark afterwards.