Debarking your Sheltie.

[Hanne]

Here in Denmark (google translate)
October 15, 2010, issued a notice regarding a ban on the wholly or partly removal of the dog's vocal cords in force - what is called a debarking with another word.

Decree prohibiting whole or partial removal of dog's vocal cords (debarking)
The Executive Order states that it is forbidden to completely or partially remove the ballot of the dog and that it may pay a fine or up to 4 months in prison

 

[ghggp]

Well Hanne,

All I can say is, if the US had the same laws regarding animals as Denmark they would be better protected here!

The laws in the US are not strict enough when it comes to the welfare/protection of animals.

Just my personal opinion!

All puppy mills should be shut down!

 

[Ann]

Bark softening when done right does not remove the vocal chords, or any part of them. The vocal chords are nicked with a laser or instrument which reduces the volume of the barking. "Debarking" is an old-fashioned term from the days when it was done differently, probably by vets who didn't know what they were doing. I have never heard a bark-softened dog that doesn't bark just as much, but at a softer level. And they don't pant excessively, either. There is so much misinformation out there on this topic that it's astounding.
http://animals.mom.me/vocal-cord-surgery-for-dogs-12204671.html

 

[Chris]

Bark softening when done right does not remove the vocal chords, or any part of them. The vocal chords are nicked with a laser or instrument which reduces the volume of the barking. "Debarking" is an old-fashioned term from the days when it was done differently, probably by vets who didn't know what they were doing. I have never heard a bark-softened dog that doesn't bark just as much, but at a softer level. And they don't pant excessively, either. There is so much misinformation out there on this topic that it's astounding.
http://animals.mom.me/vocal-cord-surgery-for-dogs-12204671.html

Very true, Ann. In our area, there is a vet who is so skilled that many Sheltie breeders seek her out and travel to have her perform the procedure. She practices in a state that bans bark-softening, so she has become credentialed in another nearly state that does not have the ban. She holds periodic bark-softening clinics, and there's a waiting list.