I have a shetland sheepdog and she has an extremely high pitched ear peircing bark. She drives the whole family insane with her persistant barking. We've tried lots of things and nothing works. were sick of screaming SHUT UP.
So my mom wants to get her debarked
I personally think its a good idea
Does anyone know how to find a vet who does that?
2007-03-21 08:26:43 · 9 answers · asked by Amy 2 in Pets ➔ Dogs
I also have shetland sheepdogs.I breed them and am in wisconsin. All of my dogs are debarked and Im loving it. I know here there is only a few vets in the state that does debarking because it is very controversial. They best thing I can recommend is to call around or do research on line for vets in your area that will do this procedure and then go from there. By the way, It does not hurt the dog. The procedure only lasts for a few minutes and the cut is no more invasive than if you got a cut. It is less than an inch long and the dog gets to go home right after that. Its much less invasive than say getting your dog nuetered or having some sort of surgery where they are all cut open.
One thing to think about is that it will not stop your dog from barking. They will be much quieter which is a relief but they will still be able to bark. They will sound any where from a raspy whisper to a quieter bark that will be about as loud as your own voice when you talk normally. If your dogs barking is something that will still drive you crazy after the dog is debarked it may not be something that you would like to consider yet at this time. You may want to go through doggy training to teach your sheltie when it is proper to bark. Sometimes you just need to remember that Shelties are barkers and no matter how much you yell at them or spank them or whatever your discipline routine is, they will never stop. That is one of the traits of the sheltie.
Debarking on a positive note is a great thing to do when your dogs are outside with close neighbors., or tend to bark alot. It still allows your dog to bark and act like a happy normal dog without constantly getting into trouble.Your neighbors and family can be a lot more tolerant of the barking, making everyone happier.
2007-03-21 08:47:40 · answer #1 · answered by CrazyHunter 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
So, how about you go under the knife and have your vocal chords cut, just because some people think you have an annoying voice? Taking away a dog's bark is like taking away their only way of communication. I think it is cruel that you are even considering it.
There's a funny thing called DISCIPLINE and TRAINING. You take your dog to a trainer (Petsmart does these classes regularly and relatively inexpensively). They can teach you and your dog commands that will prompt him to cease barking. I would hope that you cannot find a vet that would do it.
Also, having a dog with such a bark may just save your life some day if someone is trying to break into your house.
Please don't hurt your dog like that. Training is the way to go.
2007-03-21 08:38:05 · answer #2 · answered by Aquaria 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
That is a very extreme measure to take. There are collars that give them a little shock to help tame barking but totatlly debarking a dog takes away their way of communication from giving you warning if something is wrong, whining if she is hurt, growling to protect....
I would try all possible options, speak with your veteninary first about ALL possible options, before doing something so drastic.
I mean, what if you have an annoying voice would you want someone to take away your right to communicate through speech? I am not an animal activist but I do have a dog that barks and sometimes I have to yell SHUT UP, but try something that's not so drastic.
2007-03-21 08:36:29 · answer #3 · answered by Beth 1 · 2⤊ 1⤋
No, dogs were meant to bark. How would you feel if someone hated your voice and wanted to take away your speech? You just have to try harder, maybe take him to classes or a teacher etc. Do NOT debark him, it is making him incapable of speech, and you won't know how your dog feels, thus not being able to interact with him. Good-bye. If you debark him then sadly you're evil.
2007-03-21 08:36:04 · answer #4 · answered by zelrio28 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Screaming shut up at your dog just makes your dog think it's time to bark. That is how your dog probably perceives you. Why not try getting some training help before you start surgically altering your dog?
I personally find this procedure appalling.
2007-03-21 08:34:37 · answer #5 · answered by th3dogmomma 3 · 3⤊ 1⤋
buy a bark collar before you take her to a vet to debark, that is very cruel and painfull... if the bark collar doesnt work try a low shock collar... it doesnt actully shock like you think it more vibrates and they dont like it... but it doesnt hurt them either
2007-03-21 08:34:45 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 1⤋
You have to call around as all vets do not do de-barking.
I personally think it is a great idea. It is expensive but worth it.
2007-03-21 08:58:32 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
It is inhumane to do this procedure on a dog. Most Vets where I live, wont do it anyway.
2007-03-21 11:41:52 · answer #8 · answered by liz c 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
You might try calling some local sheltie breeders, they would probably know.
You might have to travel a bit to find one that does a good job of it.
2007-03-21 08:33:51 · answer #9 · answered by DaBasset - BYBs kill dogs 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋