One of the most controversial subjects in the field of dog training is the question of debarking surgery. Debarking surgery is a procedure designed to minimize the volume of a dog’s bark. It is generally used by those with dogs who have both a loud bark and a tendency to bark incessantly. The procedure is most commonly used on very loud larger dog breeds. Shetlands and collies, for instance, make up a large percentage of those dogs subjected to the surgery.The procedure generally requires the use of a general anesthesia and involves punching, cutting or otherwise manipulating the tissue around a dog’s vocal chords to soften or significantly reduce his ability to bark. Access the areas targeted during the surgery can come either through the dog’s mouth or via an incision on the dog’s neck.

Debarking does not, usually, complete eliminate dog’s bark. The volume of the bark is decreased substantially by the surgery, but most dogs will still have some bit of “bark” left subsequent to surgery. It is sometimes referred to a bark softening for this reason.

Not surprisingly, debarking is a very contentious issue, with experts having lined up on each side of the argument. Some advocate debarking as a helpful last-resort for incessant barkers while others maintain the process is cruel and unnecessary.

The Debarking Advocates

Those who support the continued use of debarking procedures argue that it is generally pursued only in egregious circumstances. Only dogs who have been resistant to alternative methods of reducing their excessive barking tend to be subject to the procedure. The surgery is reserved, the say, for problematic pets when no workable alternative exists and when the nature of the dog’s bark makes them a legitimate nuisance-not merely an inconvenience.

They argue that the debarking surgery, if conducted by a properly trained veterinarian creates a more pleasant life for the dog. No longer subject to constant criticism and correction for his barking, the dog’s quality of life is enhanced.

Some have even maintained that the debarking process saves dogs’ lives. They state that dogs with constant barking issues are often abandoned by owners or given to shelters and eventually euthanised as result of a barking problem that can be surgically corrected. Proponents of debarking see the surgery as a form of behavior modification can be a great benefit to frustrated humans as well as the dogs themselves.

The Debarking Detractors

Those who oppose debarking operations often do so on the grounds of inhumanity. They object to the surgery on principle, noting the dog has no ability to consent to the action and that since it is not a health-related matter, the elimination of a dog’s bark via surgery is simply moral wrong. There is no justification to expose the dog to the risk of surgery for the mere sake of convenience, they will argue.

Additionally, they note that the surgery does nothing to eliminate the underlying reasons for the dog’s constant barking. The dog is likely to continue to “bark” albeit silently or at a lower volume because root causes of the unappreciated behavior are not addressed. This cuts against the potential benefits of the surgery as the real nature of the dog’s life is not changed-they still suffer from the same issues as before. Post-surgery, however, they suffer in relative silence, which decreases the owner’s impetus to explore what problems led to the errant behavior in the first place.

Those who reject the procedure also note the medical risk inherent in any major surgery and any procedure requiring use of a general anesthetic. This line of thought purports that the risks associated with the procedure outweigh the minor benefits that may it may possibly produce.

The question of whether or not a dog should be considered a prospect for a debarking procedure remains a highly personal one. There are many who would argue that, under the right circumstances, a dog and owner can both benefit from the procedure. There are just as many who reject the procedure out of hand as a wasteful act of inhumanity.

Debarking surgery remains a controversial and divisive issue within the dog community and it is not likely that a consensus will soon emerge either for or against the procedure. There are reasons to support the practice often seemingly solvent act debarking, yet many reasons to be distrustful of the procedure, its true efficacy and moral justifications.

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Everyone’s familiar with the trope of the tiny terrier barking its little head off at a perceived intruder as if it were a rottweiler. They nip at heels, bark at strangers, run around the house as if they own the place. It’s such a common stereotype, in fact, that it’s hard to imagine a small dog that doesn’t act like this. In fact, this story has kept a lot of people from choosing small dogs.

But it’s important to understand that this sort of bad behavior stems more from the owners than it does from the pet. It’s a lot like how the behavior of little brats who run around screaming in restaurants has a lot more to do with bad parenting than it does with the children themselves. With proper training – which may need to come from a professional – small dogs can be taught to behave themselves and not to be yappy little hellions.

The Cause

Perhaps the largest cause in bad dog behavior is the same cause in bad child behavior: coddling. Because they’re so small and cute, owners tend to treat little dogs as they would a human baby, fawning over them, picking them up and cooing, letting them sleep in laps, and just generally failing to discipline or punish them when they should be. Barking, jumping on people, sitting on furniture – things that would be punished in larger dogs – are let slide to the point where the bad behavior is tacitly encouraged by the owner and the little dog is unaware or uncaring that its behavior is unacceptable.

The reason this starts manifesting itself in the traditional “small dog syndrome” manner is rooted in dog psychology. A dog that is never disciplined assumes that the reason he is never disciplined is that he is the leader of the pack, the alpha dog. The leader of the pack (or, in this case, the family), is responsible for the safety of the rest of the pack. That’s why the small dog will barrel around nipping at strangers, barking at presumed intruders, and generally acting like he owns the place.

The Solution

The problem here is a bit difficult, since you won’t be able to say “no” to the dog. Since it sees itself as the top dog in the pack, it doesn’t think it has to listen to you. You’ll have to show your dominance rather than vocalize your dominance. It’ll be hard at first, but remember that you’ll have to break your dog of these bad habits or forever live as #2 in your own house. If you can’t do it on your own, there are plenty of dog trainers out there who can help.

If you have other questions about dog behavior issues, visit http://www.houstonveterinarianclinics.com. Joseph Devine Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Joseph_Devine

All dogs bark at one time or another. I’ve had a dozen or so dogs during my lifetime and I have heard all of them bark at various times. But for the last fifteen years I’ve owned small, toy breeds such as Maltese, Yorkshire Terriers, Chihuahuas, and Dachshunds and the barking is unbelievable! I decided to investigate why this occurs.

Dogs bark when they have something to tell us or when something is different in their surroundings and they need to evaluate the situation. Just like infants and toddlers, making noise gets attention from the creatures around you who are able to help. I currently have a male Maltese and a female Yorkshire Terrier at my house. I have taken a survey over the past two weeks and found that they are most likely to bark when:

• they run out of drinking water and need for me to refill it
• they are missing a favorite toy and want me to locate it
• they hear an unusual sound and want me to know about it
• they hear a vehicle that they are not familiar with, or that makes a loud annoying sound, such as the garbage truck or a furniture delivery truck
• they hear an unfamiliar voice
• someone they do not know comes too close to them
• someone they do know tries to leave them

All of these examples are instances where they are uncomfortable with what is happening in their territory. They do not bark when the phone rings, the television or radio is playing, people they know come and go from the house, or when the dishwasher is on. They have become accustomed to these sounds and have no reason to be alarmed. My recommendation to teach you small, toy breed dogs to keep from barking so much is twofold. First, get them used to as many sounds as possible that are likely to be heard in your home on a regular basis, and second, do not subject your dog to sounds or events that you already know will be upsetting or unsettling to them.

Dogs truly are man’s best friend. If we treat them with respect and dignity they will give us years of faithful companionship.

Connie Ragen Green has been a dog lover for half a century and currently shares her home with three dogs, a cat, and a King snake. You can find out more about training your small dog by visiting http://www.YorkshireTerriersAreTheBest.com Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Connie_Ragen_Green