Debarking

[glencorgi]

A few questions have come up in private e-mails and I thought I would address them here on the forum.

One was about debarking and it was asked with a tone that was disapproving and the implication it was cruel.

For the record, I am not in favor of debarking as a matter of convenience to avoid putting in training work that might correct the problem. Sometimes though, things aren't that easy or that simple.

Debarking, like with docking or dewclaw removal is not necessarily something harsh or cruel or evil. The dogs don't know, they still make noise and carry on as happy as little clams, just on a lower noise level. I've been around some debarked corgis and I would dare anyone to call their owners cruel or abusive. In fact, one of them is one of the best training and behavioral mentors I have.

Sometimes there are dogs that no behavioral training is going to correct the barking. Bark collars - those that spray when a dog barks don't always work and in multiple dog homes, a dog in close proximity can set them off with a bark when the wearer isn't even barking.

Corgis aren't necessarily known for NOT expressing their opinion or alerting their owners to trash being picked up two streets over. For those who live in townhome communities or condominium complexes or apartments, this need to "mention" the neighbor's are doing laundry can cause strife. Having a neighbor who doesn't like dogs, then there can be real trouble.

Several years ago someone on a corgi list faced eviction from her home due to her corgi's barking. She was given something like four to six week to resolve the problem, either find a new place to live, find a solution to the barking or get rid of her corgi. IF she didn't find a solution and kept her dog, then she risked it being seized as a nuisance and possibly put down. Now this wasn't a case of an inconsiderate owner who just let their dog do whatever, attempts at training to stifle her talkative nature had been tried. Given the limited amount of time she had, she did try some more extreme training options such as a shock collar I believe. (Even these have a place and time such as teaching snake aversion in the desert - a case of life and death for one's dog.) The choice eventually came to lose her home or lose her dog, neither of which she wished to do and she did debark her. No more complaint problems.

So while debarking should not be the first thing one turns to for a barker, there are times and instances where it can keep one's dog in their home and even save its life.

Just some food for thought.

Debbie

[CorgiMum]

I am not a fan of debarking either. Thank you for that Debbie, it is food for thought.

[corgimom]

I think my last Corgi was debarked by whoever owned her first - she made
a low "woof" sound about 5 times in the 11 years I owned her - that is all
that ever came out of her.

I ran into a lady the other day who was telling someone she was going to debark her Aussies because she had a few of them and they set each other off with their barking.

linda

[grnrom]

I say try training the dog not to bark or to stay quiet. If that does not work, and if it HAS TO be done, then I guess debark. I just dont think I could do it.. When Darwin barks and I dont want him to, which seldomly happens, I just made a leash correction and said "SHHH". Then I would praise him for being quiet. No problems or complaints. I live in a townhome

[darci]

I am not a fan of debarking.
With that said it would have to be extreme curcumstances and my last resort.

[glencorgi]

Originally Posted by corgimom

I think my last Corgi was debarked by whoever owned her first - she made
a low "woof" sound about 5 times in the 11 years I owned her - that is all
that ever came out of her.

That doesn't mean she was debarked, sounds more like she just wasn't a barker at all. Debarked dogs can and still do make noise and will bark at all appropriate (or sometimes inappropriate ) times. It just sounds like they are hoarse. Their "voices" do come back sometimes. So debarking doesn't completely silence them.

I ran into a lady the other day who was telling someone she was going to debark her Aussies because she had a few of them and they set each other off with their barking.

Which is not unusual in multi-dog situations. Those with two dogs can see how easily barkfests can get started. Now amplify that noise level 2 or 3 times for someone who has 4 or 5 dogs and the canine chorus just became a full choir. Sometimes for the protection of one's dogs, this can be the best option to keep them out of danger of being seized. Courtesy to neighbors who may not enjoy the sound of one's dogs barking the way we might is also something to take into consideration. While training is the absolute best way to deal with verbal canines, sometimes more drastic measures can be the only option left to one.

Debbie

[corgimom]

Deb,

you probably are right about my last Pem. We could not get her to bark no matter what. She would get really excited when we were going to get her a treat and she would do this little "tap dance" thing and would never make a "peep" I just never had heard of a Corgi being that quiet for their entire life - she barked at no one;strangers, dogs walking by, nothing . Only a low
"woof", at most, 5 times in the entire time we owned her. I thought that was
strange, given the breed.

Linda

[Fluffypants]

Jackie is not a big barker either . . . knock on wood . . . fingers, toes, and eyes crossed . . . holding breath . . .

[Chip's Mom]

Debbie:

I have never heard of "debarking" a dog. Is it a surgical procedure?