Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi Dr. Tobin,

How long is a dog at the vet for the debarking procedure?
How long is recovery at home, and are there any special considerations that need to be taken?

What can I do to ensure:
1. His bark remains quiet after the surgery
2. His airway doesn't close or get tighter (he already gags sometimes when he's running around, although he's in good health - and Chihuahuas are known for tracheal collapse)

Is it true that some vets don't debark based on principle?

My dog, Kuma-Chan, has been up for adoption for a few months, but no one wants him bc he bites. The no kill shelters won't take him either bc they're full (and he bites). My new landlord says that I can keep him as long as the neighbors don't complain. Try as I have over the years to control his barking, I feel it will get us kicked out of the apt. (In case you recall Chloe and Mugsy, we put Mugsy to sleep and we Chloe went to my in-laws. This move has been hard on everyone.)

I'm nervous about debarking him. Looking forward to your comments.

-Roni

Many vets will not do a debarking procedure because it is considered cruel. Dogs can be trained not to bark. There is a collar that gives a squirt of citrus oil, which dogs dislike, whenever the dog barks, so they learn quite soon to not bark. This is a much more humane approach.

Besides the option of a citronella bark collar for when you are not home, when you are there, there is a really good technique for controlling a dog's barking. When you reduce the habit, it also helps the barking when you're not there. Here's a link to an article that explains how to do it--it's easy, and it works!

http://www.veterinarypartner.com/Content.plx?P=A&A=1378&S=1&SourceID=47
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Kathy Diamond Davis, author, "Therapy Dogs: Training Your Dog to Reach Others," 2nd edition, and the free Canine Behavior Series articles at http://www.veterinarypartner.com/Content.plx?P=SRC&S=1&SourceID=47