Debarking a dog is a surgical procedure that cuts and partially removes the vocal cords to quiet or soften its bark. A debarked dog usually retains the ability to vocalize in lower pitched, raspy sounds.
Why Do People Debark Dogs?
Dogs bark for different reasons. They show emotion through barking when they are stressed, afraid, aggressive, happy, or excited. Dogs have various pitches and volumes of barks and some dogs bark more excessively than others, irritating owners as well as neighbors. Some breeds such as Beagles, Schnauzers, and Shelties tend to be barkers. Problem barking can usually be handled in several ways. The situation causing the barking may be remedied or the dog may be trained to control its annoying behavior or the dog may be relocated to another setting. In rare cases, when none of these solutions are possible and the dog is in danger of being abused or euthanized, debarking is one final option.
Sometimes criminals debark their dogs to silence attack dogs or dogs they use for fighting.
How is Debarking Done?
Debarking may be approached in two different ways. One way is through the mouth. The veterinarian reaches into the throat to the larynx and removes part of the vocal folds using a biopsy punch, scissor, or laser. The other method is through an incision in the throat and through the larynx. All debarking procedures require general anesthesia.
What are the Risks of Debarking?
As with any surgery, there are the typical risks with anesthesia, bleeding, and infection. During the healing process, dogs may experience sore throat pain.
Because only a portion of each vocal cord can be removed in the oral approach, this method carries a higher risk than the throat incision method, of the cords growing back and the dog regaining near normal ability to bark. In some cases, scar tissue can later block the airway, requiring additional surgeries.
The throat incision approach is a more invasive surgery than the oral approach but is usually more effective and carries less risk of secondary complications. Some veterinarians use a laser, eliminating the need for sutures and lessening the amount of bleeding and pain.
Is Debarking Cruel?
Those opposed to debarking assert that surgery and its potential for future complications for the convenience of the owner is inhumane. Many believe debarking takes away the dog’s ability to communicate its emotions, as well as the owner’s motivation to address underlying issues causing the barking. The dog finds himself quite frustrated and stressed as his boredom, loneliness, and fears go ignored when the barking is quieted. This, in turn, can cause other behavior problems such as chewing or digging.
At K-state Media Relations, Dr. Kathy Gaughan, assistant professor of clinical sciences at Kansas State University’s Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital, states, “The surgery doesn't take away the motivation to bark or address any underlying behavioral issues.” She adds, “We attempt to identify the underlying factors that are contributing to the dog's bark and make appropriate recommendations for resolving the issue.”
Joy Butler - Writer, retired lab tech, mom, and animal lover with over 20 years' experience rescuing, kenneling, training and showing dogs.
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