To Debark or not?

I would never do it. Sorry, but I don't like the idea of mutilating my dog that way. Plus I have heard the noise debarked dogs make and it's horrid, sounds like they are trying to bark with a sore throat. I know that doesn't help your situation, but debarking for me is too drastic and I HAVE a big barker!
 
I guess this also depends on who does the debark. The ones in the animal rights video were poorly done and squeaky (making a better example of their point). This is why you get an experienced vet to do it.

Those of us used to hearing a "regular" debark don't see it as "extreme".

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UM9DpluEkEY

In the above video, you can clearly hear Liesl barking from a distance, and you can clearly hear her not-debarked daughter barking. I would argue that the volume is probably the same, it's just the sharpness is gone. In my opinion, that makes a good debark. I don't want one of the ones demonstrated in the other video, those are too extreme for me. I want to be able to hear them when they get stuck in the basement. But I don't need my entire neighborhood hearing them while they play.
 
I'm fortunate to live out where I live. Because I have no neighbors right on top of me, any barking isn't a big deal, and despite my numbers don't have problems with dogs standing outside barking all day.
However, if it came down to neighbor complaints, which could lead to animal control complaints, it would be no contest. I would debark my dogs in a second if I was facing repeated neighbor/animal control issues and/or facing getting rid of my dogs.
I'm not someone who will debark just to keep it quieter for my own sake, but have no problem with someone doing it for theirs, or because of where they live.
I have known many debarked shelties, and they don't know anything is different. They still bark... it's just much quieter.
I think this is a really good article on debarking:
http://www.noisehelp.com/debarking-dogs.html
It is worth reading. I particularly find the part about it being comparative to s/n surgery interesting, and also the part about the actual benefits of debarking.
 
Our previous girl, Scout, had her bark softened by her breeder before we met her. When we adopted her she had a distinct "huff" sound as her bark. She was quite capable of talking/huffing at us constantly! It didn't deter us from wanting to adopt her in any way. It was just part of her wonderful personality.

Our boy Jagger is a BIG MOUTH! But since we are in a single family home, it's not an issue.
 
ClantyreSheltie said:
I guess this also depends on who does the debark. The ones in the animal rights video were poorly done and squeaky (making a better example of their point). This is why you get an experienced vet to do it...
Click to expand...

Admittedly, I never held a particular position on the subject of debarking until recently. When I had my 1st Sheltie years ago, the bark (believe it or not) was one of the reason I wanted a Sheltie (long story). Imagine my surprise when I got one of the few in the breed that rarely ever barked. He was a happy, healthy and well socialized pup, he just didn't bark often. I have followed this topic over the last few months since I have decided to get another Sheltie and (for now), I think I have decided that it would take an extraordinary set of circumstances for me to choose debarking as an option. I just don't like the thought.

That said, I may be the only one here who was extremely insulted by the tone and tenor of the anti-debarking video cited. I get their point! I even agree with their point to a degree, but I resent greatly how they clearly selected only examples that make their desired point knowing that there are likely others who can just as one-sidedly make the case for the reverse position. I applaud anyone who stands up for their convictions, but the video treats us as idiots in the process.
 
Debark

labgirl said:
I would never do it. Sorry, but I don't like the idea of mutilating my dog that way. Plus I have heard the noise debarked dogs make and it's horrid, sounds like they are trying to bark with a sore throat. I know that doesn't help your situation, but debarking for me is too drastic and I HAVE a big barker!
Click to expand...

You aren't mutilating your dog.You have to choose what is right for you.If you had the choice to make becuase of complaints on barking what would you do keep your dog or give him/her up?
 
I would not debark, it would only be a very, very, very last case scenario for me if there ever was no other way.
I find surgery too invasive to risk and an extreme solution (if any). Especially on a just in case basis, I also train train train and try to keep my dogs mentally and physically too tired to bark excessively when inside and find a place to live that is well sound insulated (IF I had to) and look for neighbours that put up with us...
not being judgemental to people who felt they had to debark, I have softened my stance on it, after listening and learning on this Forum.
But for me, personally I would say I would probably never do it, if I would it would have to be a do or die situation.
 
Speaking of animal rights activists, I find it profoundly ironic that they should stand against debarking and for neutering, which has the potential to seriously affect a dog's development.
 
But when you think about it Mignarda, it does make sense. Like I mentioned, their belief is one generation and out. So they are all for anything that limits the ability for dogs/cats/etc to be bred.
 
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