Article on De-barking

Now before we get started, remember that everyone here loves their Sheltie. Be kind and gentle.

I'm lucky. I live in the country, so my furkids can bark all they want. Yet I respect the choice that others have made to debark. One "big" debarking center used by a number of professional breeders is near me. They don't cut the vocal cords; they perforate the vocal cords to decrease the volume. There isn't a scarring problem, and the recovery time is swift because there isn't a throat incision. Like any surgery, there are multiple ways to perform it. A highly respected Sheltie breeder I won't name bring all dogs to this place.

I suspect that many Shelties in rescue are there because of barking issues. And yes, I agreee that you need to research before you buy because Shelties are SUPPOSED to bark. It's how they frighten sea birds away fro the flocks on the Shetland Islands. That said, I respect differing views on the debarking issue.
 
“You may think it’s horrible,” she said. “But if I had to give up my dog or get the surgery, I would choose the surgery.”
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I think that last line from the article sums up my opinion very nicely.

For people who live in close quarters with their neighbors sometimes it does indeed come down to debark the dog(s) or give them up for repeated nuisance barking offenses.

I make no secret of the fact that Edan is debarked and, quite honestly, he STILL has a pretty darn loud barker on him. I'd HATE to see what it would be at full volume. The only way you can really tell he's debarked is to put him around other barking Shelties.

My breeder debarks all her dogs because she lives within 20 feet of neighbors on BOTH sides of her house. Debarking her Shelties allows her to continue breeding, showing, and more importantly, loving her dogs AND maintain a good relationship with her neighbors.

I respect those who feel differently; everyone is entitled to their opinion. All I ask is that you consider our circumstances and the reasons behind why these decisions were made.

Sure, in a perfect world we shouldn't have to resort to debarking our furry friends to keep the peace but this isn't a perfect world. I'd sooner have my dog debarked than to have to give him up because my neighbors felt he was a continual disturbance.
 
Interesting article. I hope I'm not risking his anonymity to say that I recognize the Sheltie guy who's quoted, and know him to be a very kind, decent fellow who knows dogs.

It's intriguing to see debarking getting attention from the national press, particularly in an article that is so non-sensational. Personally, I would think it unfortunate if it were to be banned entirely in the US, because it gives those of us who have multiple Shelties and near neighbors a very viable option to help control noise. Our dogs don't seem to be any less happy (or barky) than they were before the surgery - they're just a bit less loud.
 
Was a pretty good article...learned something..never knew fighting dog people didn't want their dogs to bark...that makes me concerned!!

Now if I had known that de barking was an option with my first Sheltie girly, Heather...I would have considered it!! That dog was something else with barking. My two now bark..but not to excess...Abby's bark can peel paint off the wall...I'm fine with it...but if I was forced to choose..debark or loss them..I'd de bark!!

Some of the comments about the article were interesting..comparing circumcisission to de barking...and the ones about de-screaming children...hmmm..maybe not a bad idea!! LOL

I personally don't really like it...to just do to all dogs..no, of course...but I'm not gonna judge anyone that does it...

Julie
Clancy & Abby
 
Excellant article.

I had no idea that debarking is illegal in my state.

I truly believe that if barking is causing stress and anxiety within the home...that debarking should definitely be an option. I write this as my two little beasts are barking up a wild storm in their crates :lol:
 
In my opinion:

I believe it should be outlawed.. do you want someone else to make the decision to cut your vocal chords or your childs?

IF you are going to get a sheltie you should already know that they tend to bark a lot. So instead of taking away their main way of communication ,,, hmmm how about get a different kind of dog or train him/her not to bark. if you cant train them.... well pay for some classes.(if you can afford the surgery ,,, you can afford classes) I believe it to be 100% inhumane and immoral.

The article talks about being in an apartment building. IF you live in an apartment you shouldnt have a sheltie... they need to run and run and run and run some more and play a lot.. i cant see them being happy in an apartment with the occasional walk down the street.



part of the article:
Critics of the debarking procedure say it is outdated and inhumane, one that destroys an animal’s central means of communication merely for the owner’s convenience. Many veterinarians refuse to do the surgery on ethical grounds.

I agree 100%!!
 
I do see your point Sheltieguy, but sometimes it's beyond your control. Maybe you got your sheltie when you lived in a house, but due to financial issues, you couldn't afford it anymore and had to move. Now you find yourself living in an apartment and it's either get rid of the dog or debark him/her.

I really do see both the inhumane side and the it's either I debark my dogs or turn them into shelter.

Hopefully, that's a decision I will never have to make.
 
Im not going to get into what you think is right or wrong...Are mine debarked..only one of them, why because no matter how much training, one on one time etc she got she still barked at everything. Shes out she barks shes in she barks...etc...Anyway living in the burbs it didnt leave me much of an option with her as I didnt want AC at my door everyday. Shes debarked. She can still 100% communicate every need she has. Its just at a much less shrill carrying level. Everyone is much happier including her that shes not being told quiet every two seconds!
 
SheltieGuy said:
I believe it should be outlawed.. do you want someone else to make the decision to cut your vocal chords or your childs?
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Not to be antagonistic, Sheltieguy, but dogs are dogs and kids are kids. Yes we love our pets, but they are not children.

For example, I would NEVER neuter my son....but don't think twice about neutering my dog.

Just a thought :biggrin2:
 
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