Debarking: Not a Solution
Debarking, or ventriculocordectomy, is a practice that is considered unethical in most situations. Many veterinarians put it in the same category as declawing, ear cropping, and tail docking.
While some owners may feel that debarking is the only way they can deal with their dog, there are other options they can consider. Debarking is an invasive surgery that can cause many unintentional side effects or complications for the animal.
Types of Surgery
Oral
There are two types of surgeries that veterinarians use when devocalizing a dog. The least invasive process is done orally. This procedure tends to cost less because there is less work involved.
In oral surgery the vets place the dog on their stomach and then sedate them. They then go through the mouth to remove some of the tissue around the vocal cords. While this means that the animal will not have to be surgically opened, it can lead to an issue called webbing, which is some vocal cord regrowth (scar tissue) in the larynx. This complication can make it difficult for the animal to breathe or cause mucus to build up, leaving the animal hacking and coughing.
In an attempt to prevent webbing, veterinarians will try to do several smaller surgeries spaced out over a certain period of time to help reduce the chances of scar tissue.
However, statistics show that oral surgery is not as effective as the laryngotomy. In many cases, a laryngotomy is required to fix the webbing that oral surgery has caused.
Laryngotomy
The laryngotomy is a more invasive approach, requiring an incision over the larynx. The animal is placed on its back and the surgeon clips the fur in the area before going inside. Once inside they remove the tissues around the vocal cords, just like the oral procedure, but there tends to be less webbing. When they go into the animal surgically, they have better access to the vocal cords and can remove the tissue more effectively.
When getting a dog devocalized, owners have two different options they can choose from, besides the surgery. They can request a partial devocalization or a total devocalization. The partial means not all of the vocal cords are removed. A total debarking procedure removes the majority of the vocal cords.
The difference can be heard in the animal’s pitch and volume. Dogs that have had surgery tend to have huskier, raspy barks. The dogs are not completely silenced, only made quieter and have a lower voice.
Potential Psychological and Physical Problems After Surgery
Psychological
If dogs can’t express themselves vocally, they may resort to destructive habits like chewing or becoming more aggressive. There is also the potential for anxiety or depression because they can’t communicate the way they normally would.
In some cases it will be difficult for devocalized animals to be around other animals. Part of the way dogs interact requires vocal noises such as barking, whining, or whimpering. The other dog can understand what is being said based on the tone and pitch of the bark. A lack of vocal abilities can lead to misunderstandings and problems for the dog socializing.
The dogs will also not be able to verbally protect themselves. When a dog is trying to discourage something a child may be doing, they will growl or bark. If that ability is gone, the dog cannot give that audible warning. Instead, the dog might just jump into aggressive behaviour like nipping.
Physical
Anything that requires an animal to be put to sleep is considered a major surgery.
Surgery always has risks. There can be the chance of infections, allergies, loss of blood and other issues. Not all of them can be foreseen by the veterinarian performing the surgery.
Some of the more common issues are webbing, infections, respiratory issues and mucus build up. The dog could also have stitches and a wound that needs to be carefully watched until it heals. Owners will have to be available for ten to fourteen days to make sure the animal doesn’t rip the surgical site open.
There is also the possibility of something going wrong during the surgery. If a nerve is damaged, or if something is nicked accidentally, it can have life altering consequences for the dog.
Non-surgical Ways to Deter Barking
In some cases, courts have ruled that animal devocalization is necessary when the barking has been deemed a nuisance or is affecting someone’s day to day life. Some have considered it to be a more humane option than euthanizing the dog.
Pet owners need to be aware that devocalization is considered a last resort. There are other ways incessant barking can be addressed. Though removal of the vocal cords seems like the easiest to keep a dog quiet, it may cause many long-term issues that could be avoided if other methods are used.
Animal trainers suggest three different ways to deal with barking in a pet:
- Training
- Corrective Collars
- Accommodation
Training
With training, owners learn how to communicate with their animals. Instinctively, dogs need to understand the hierarchy in their home. The dogs behaviour is affected by their owners. If the owner is behaving inconsistently and not communicating effectively with the animal, it can lead to behavioural problems in the dog because it doesn’t know what pleases the owner.
Attending an obedience school or doing research can help an owner to communicate to their dog that they do not want them to bark. The dog will eventually learn commands that indicate if it’s allowed to speak or not.
This can reduce unnecessary barking significantly.
Corrective Collars
There are collars available that are designed to discourage any noise making habits that a dog has.
Some collars have electrical pulses, giving the dog a shock if they bark. Others have a vibrating setting that makes the animal uneasy.
Collars can be automatic, meaning the collar is triggered by the dog’s barking. If the dog barks it shocks or vibrates. These can be used to discourage barking altogether.
Other collars have fobs or remotes that owners can use to have greater control over the behaviours they wish to discourage, such as whining or begging for food.
Accommodation
There is a reason the dog is barking. It’s one of the main ways they can communicate with their owners or other animals. The tone and pitch of the bark can help owners to understand what certain body language means.
When dogs bark, they are expressing an emotion to the world. They may be happy, afraid, feel threatened, or could be trying to protect their family. Once an owner can understand the triggers for the barking, they may be able to make some changes, or accommodations, to avoid those triggers in the future.
Some dogs have separation anxiety and don’t like to be left alone during the day. When the owner is gone, they may bark and cause a ruckus. They may even cause property damage as they express their outrage at being left alone.
There are solutions for this behaviour, such as having someone drop in to give the dog a walk, taking the dog to a daycare, or even getting an additional pet to keep them company when the owner is out.
A bored dog will often chew and be destructive. Taking the dog for daily walks or providing more inviting options, like elk antlers, will help to prevent destructive behaviour or barking.
Prevention
The best way to deal with problem barking is to avoid it altogether. Those looking to own a dog should do the research on the breed they are considering. Some breeds are bred to be louder or have higher pitched, more irritating barks. Choosing a dog that is mellow and quiet will ensure that barking is not an issue.
It’s also important to check with landlords or condo associations to make sure that a pet is allowed. In some cases, there may be restrictions on pets or on the breed of dog that homeowners may have. Potential owners need to have as much information about their home as possible to know if they are picking a breed that is a good fit.
Research can also show whether the dog is better suited to a yard in the country or if a backyard will be enough. Some dogs prefer to have company and it may make sense to get two pets at once so they always have a companion.
Age might also play a role in the dog’s excitability and some owners may choose to rescue or rehome senior dogs.
