[Dailydrool] Not barking and debarking

[Beverly Szaton]

I think that some dogs take a looong time to be comfortable enough in a new
place to bark. It is a form of self-assertion, after all. All those other
dogs barking, that must be intimidating when you are the new kid on the
block. You know how some people don't say much when they're in a large
group, but others are yakking it up and blaring laughter? Well, I believe
dogs have the same response to new situations, and that some are simply more
cautious, more inhibited, quieter and less verbal than others. And some are
budding alpha dogs-- when they bark, the others listen. But then they don't
have to bark very often.

Debarking is usually done when an owner  has a lot of yappy dogs and doesn't
want the neighbors complaining. Walking through a large dog show you may
encounter groups of certain breeds (not Bassets and unnamed here) that have
a whispery, hoarse "bark"and these usually are debarked.
Others are puppymillers who do not want the authorities and/or neighbors to
know they have two thousand dogs living in a 10x10 ft shed in the back
forty. I do not know how de-barking is done outside of a Veterinarians
office and I do not wish to know, but doing it unless you are a Vet IS
barbaric and cruel and my thoughts on punishment for those people are
equally barbaric and cruel.
Some dogs, otherwise wonderful pets, just don't know when to shut up. Faced
with constant complaints,or official visits from the police, some people
choose to have their dogs debarked. By a Vet. It is not as horrible as you
are imagining. No cuts are made from the outside-- or at least they don't
need to be-- it is done in a manner very similar to a tonsilectomy, and 99%
of the dogs have a hoarse, whispery back afterwards. This belies the
criticism that they cannot communicate with other dogs. Maybe not long
distance, but certainly up close. If it keeps the dog in the home instead of
rescue or the shelter or worse, is this cruel? Don't send me your answers. I
already believe what i believe. I do not think de-barking should be a
routine response to a noisey dog but when the chips are down and the Cops
and Animal Control are at the door, it is something to consider.

MomPerson who DadPerson thinks should be debarked.
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