De-Barking a dog???

thecatsmeow · Feb 27, 2006

So our lease is up at the end of August, and we're making plans to get a house. When we do so we're getting 2 dogs, a Bull-Terrier and a Siberian Husky.

I want the Husky, so I'm doing a lot of research, to make sure it's going to be the right dog for me, and make sure that I raise my pup right.

Well today I bought a book on Siberian Huskies, and I was reading about barking issues some dogs may have. I didn't know this, but you can de-bark a dog, which basically removes the vocal cords, so that when the dog tries to bark, it's just a squeek.

In my opinion, that's mean, but then I read on only to read that sometimes scar tissue can grow and suppress the tracia of the dog. That's cruelty! It boggles my mind as to why this procedure is still around if there's even the slightest chance that your dog can't eat???

Sorry, just had to vent. I'm so frustrated now!!!

MoochNNoodles · Feb 27, 2006

Oh my gosh! I never heard of that either! That is awful!

mom2cats · Feb 27, 2006

I first want to say thank you for doing research on the breeds your interested in

I would try getting in touch with purebred rescues, normally they have a lot of information to offer as they really try to learn all they can, have had the breed for a long time, etc.

Puppy mills/BYBs often debark their dogs to keep the noice control down, some do it more "humanely" then others. I would never do it, if you can't handle barking then you shouldn't own a dog IMO. Just like fur, barking comes with the dog.

My neighbor owned an American Eskimo who constantly barked, the neighbors complained and animal control came out. She debarked the dog without a second thought. Sure it sounds like it would be all right in this situation, but the dog spent, on average, 9-10 hours along in the backyard with nothing to do. I would bark to! I am sure the situation could have been handled much differently (i.e. bringing the dog inside with toys, having a sitter come to let him out).

thecatsmeow · Feb 27, 2006

Originally Posted by MoochNNoodles

Oh my gosh! I never heard of that either! That is awful!

Ugh, I know, I'm so disgusted with humans right now, my stomach hurts...>.< And I don't normally get so worked up, but damn, declawing cats, de-barking dogs.

Animals come the way God made them, and we should leave them the hell alone! If a cat's claws were ment to come out, they'd be detachable, and if dogs weren't meant to bark, there would be a massive population of the Basinji.

I just hate this, We wouldn't like to remove our vocal cords, or cut of the first knuckle of our fingers, why do we do it to them? For our own satisfaction...

*vent*...*breathe*...*vent*

thecatsmeow · Feb 27, 2006

Originally Posted by mom2cats

I first want to say thank you for doing research on the breeds your interested in

I would try getting in touch with purebred rescues, normally they have a lot of information to offer as they really try to learn all they can, have had the breed for a long time, etc.

Puppy mills/BYBs often debark their dogs to keep the noice control down, some do it more "humanely" then others. I would never do it, if you can't handle barking then you shouldn't own a dog IMO. Just like fur, barking comes with the dog.

My neighbor owned an American Eskimo who constantly barked, the neighbors complained and animal control came out. She debarked the dog without a second thought. Sure it sounds like it would be all right in this situation, but the dog spent, on average, 9-10 hours along in the backyard with nothing to do. I would bark to! I am sure the situation could have been handled much differently (i.e. bringing the dog inside with toys, having a sitter come to let him out).

Yeah there's a rescue called Husky Haven here in houston, and that's where I'm planning on getting my dog.

And that goes along with what the book says, a dog that's alone for too long, will bark out of lonliness...poor thing...

valanhb · Feb 27, 2006

It's a pretty horrible alteration in most circumstances, just like declawing.

It is also my understanding that a lot of drug dealers get this done to their dogs so the cops won't know they have attack dogs until it's too late. Horrible.

I'll move this to Other Animals for you.

thecatsmeow · Feb 27, 2006

Originally Posted by valanhb

It's a pretty horrible alteration in most circumstances, just like declawing.

It is also my understanding that a lot of drug dealers get this done to their dogs so the cops won't know they have attack dogs until it's too late. Horrible.

I'll move this to Other Animals for you.

Thanks, sorry about that.

That's another thing that gets on my nerves. Attack dogs, the Staffordshire Terrier / Pit Bull breed is a great bread. It's because of human err that they are like that...ugh

KitEKats4Eva! · Feb 27, 2006

Yes, de-barking is actually listed under the same bill in the RSPCA Animal Cruelty Act as de-clawing cats. It's a terrible procedure. People always want the quick fix - I say, teach your dog not to bark - pretty simple, really!! Although, I haven't actually heard of it being done for eons...

Oh - and a quick word of advice? I strongly recommend against getting two dogs at the same time, it makes things much harder than they need to be. I would get one first, settle it, get its training under control, and then get the other. Particularly if you want to get rescues - you will double your problems by getting both at the same time.

sharky · Feb 27, 2006

As a few others have stated de barking is not a kind thing to do ... I wouldnt get an animal from anyone that had or wanted me to do that.. I also agree with Sarah about only getting one at a time ... My little dog takes double the work of my two cats ,....

You are looking at two very different breeds I caution you to do through research( which looks like you have begun) ....

thecatsmeow · Feb 27, 2006

yeah, we're not planning on getting both at the same time. We want rescues, my husky is comming first, from Husky Haven, then it'll be a waiting game for the bull terrier from the shelter we currently work at.

But like i said, i'm doing the research. And if I decide that either or both breeds are not for us, we'll look into different dogs, I want to find the perfect match. I kind have a new-found fondness for Shiba Inus

KitEKats4Eva! · Feb 27, 2006

I think Huskies and Staffies should go fine together - and if they're both rescues you'll be able to learn a little about their temperament. They're quite different, which may be a nice complement to the other, Huskies being calmer and more serious, and Staffies being little clowns! Having said that, Huskies are pretty playful, too, and VERY friendly - same with both. You're going to have fun!

bab-ush-niik · Feb 27, 2006

Actually, one idea if you want two dogs is to get two are friends and need to be adopted together. The shelter in my old town always seemed to have problems when they had "paired" dogs. It was really sad, sometimes these dogs would have been friends for 10 years, so usually someone would call in and pay the adoption fees just to give them a better chance of getting a home together.

thecatsmeow · Feb 27, 2006

yeah i can't wait. I'm getting excited just doing the research!!!

sharky · Feb 27, 2006

I do adivise extensive cat initiation prior to coming home for either of those breeds... I love bully breeds but and I am be very closed minded they are very difficult with cats..

eupnea · Feb 27, 2006

That sounds terrible. There are other things you can do before resorting to such a traumatic surgery. The one bark collar I would recommend is Tritronic or something like that, I'm not exactly sure, I havent used one in years. A lot of people think those are inhumane as well, but if its properly used it will not harm the dog and is a much better alternative to debarking.

just as a side note, the dog would still be able to make some noise after debarking. It sounds terrible and painful.

thecatsmeow · Feb 27, 2006

Originally Posted by sharky

I do adivise extensive cat initiation prior to coming home for either of those breeds... I love bully breeds but and I am be very closed minded they are very difficult with cats..

My dogs and cats are not going to meet

.

We brought home 2, 6 week old puppies once and the cats went bizzurk. No, my hubby is going to build an extension to the house, with AC and everything for the dogs

. And they'll be allowed in the kitchen area, but there will be a door so they can't see our kitties

It's all planned out

trixshar · Feb 27, 2006

De-barking is an extreme measure. I work with rescue for a very bark-prone breed and there is debate about which is worse for a dog in a situation where the barking would force the owner to get rid of the dog. Would the dog suffer more in seperation from its bonded owner and the home it has always known?
A few people have taken the debark option in that case and report that the dog still barks, but all that comes out is a coughlike sound, which eliminated the neighbor objections.
However, it is a neither natural or kind, and should only be a lost resort. Many vets refuse to perform the procedure under any circumstances.

Incidentally, the barkiest breed is the Finnish Spitz. As far as I know, there is really no way to stop them, although I knew one who quieted when a vet visited told her to stop.

thecatsmeow · Feb 27, 2006

I'm suprised I just heard of this, I can't believe it's actually done. Ugh. These types of behaviors come from people not interferring when it starts, and if it's the breed, then people need to do more research before getting a dog! Or if it's an older dog, a lot of it can be determind at the shelter. People just don't think, and so to satisfy their immediate needs they are going to harm their animal??? It makes no sense! Can anyone explain this? Probably not...I just don't get it!!

KitEKats4Eva! · Feb 28, 2006

Oh I'd heard of debarking dogs long before I'd heard of declawing cats - the latter is just not done in this country and I could not believe it when I heard about it. The things that we humans have come up with to make the world more accomodating for us....its just sad

rosiemac · Feb 28, 2006

Originally Posted by valanhb

It's a pretty horrible alteration in most circumstances, just like declawing.

Just like declawing, thankfully removal of a dogs voice box is illegal in the UK

De-Barking a dog???

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