Dog Community

Posted : 6/9/2007 6:44:02 AM

I agree that 11 weeks is way too young, since there probably hasn't been any training or attempt to identify the cause of the barking (boredom?). I've never used one, but I suppose I can see the purpose. My male Chihuahua heads out the door barking just in case there's something there to bark at. It doesn't particularly bother me, but I have no doubt the neighbors aren't impressed at 5:30 in the 'morning when they go out for the first time. I've done clicker training, you name it, but it seems to just be in his nature to have that behavior and I've so far been unsuccessful in behavior modification.

Bobsk8

Posted : 6/9/2007 7:45:50 AM

This is what suprises me about this discussion. Two methods to stop your dog from excessive barking or barking at all.

1. A good Bar collar, used by millions of dog owners. Cost about $80, and dog stops barking almost immediately.

2. Surgery, that takes away the dogs ability to bark in some cases, is invasive to the dog's health, the dog can't warn anyone or other dogs to stay away and in some cases, can't even growl, and sometimes causes breathing and cooling problems for the dog. Cost...unknown... but I guarantee it is more than a good bark collar.

3. Training the dog not to bark. The preferrable method.

Why anyone would jump to #2 is beyond me....

pugtona500

Posted : 6/9/2007 8:45:20 AM

Just to clarify what I posted (and I know it wasn't a personal attack on me!). I do not use a bark collar, nor will I. I'm still plugging away at the behavior modification route, particularly since my neighbors are being very patient knowing that I'm working hard on his behavior. Luckily everyone around me has dogs and pretty much everyone has one issue or another. I guess that's the point I was making; time and training always need to be the first route for a non-aggressive, non dangerous behavior.

rwbeagles

Posted : 6/9/2007 9:32:53 AM

Moderator speaking,
Trying to enjoy my weekend but wanted to pop in and say...keep it civil folks.

It seems a LOT of anecdotal evidence is being discussed, and we need to remember that JUST because someone else's anecdotal's don't mesh with your's does NOT make that person a liar and suggesting such is paramount rudeness.

Keep it civil and respectful....yes that's important too...if you cannot....go post elsewhere, or perhaps even better, go take a walk with your dog, until you can do so.

Xerxes

Posted : 6/9/2007 9:54:46 AM

Why anyone would jump to #2 is beyond me....

I encourage you to meet a pack of pharaoh hounds, or even a pair of pharaoh hounds that haven't been debarked, on their own turf. You'll understand then. [

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timsdat

Posted : 6/9/2007 10:00:51 AM

I encourage you to meet a pack of pharaoh hounds, or even a pair of pharaoh hounds that haven't been debarked, on their own turf. You'll understand then.

Same goes with a group of shelties. When 1 barks I swear all the others have to bark for the next 5 minutes and they'll get into a barkfest. It's sort of like a uncontrolled nuclear reaction.

glenmar

Posted : 6/9/2007 10:13:57 AM

Uh huh. Ditto with german shepherds. And mine like to yodel in the morning. I swear, I start the coffee, not a sound, turn on the puter, not a sound, but the minute the pee starts to hit the bowl, yodel fest! And heaven help the household if a bit of gas sneaks out! Yippy skippy, the floors viberate from the increased yodeling!

Xerxes

Posted : 6/9/2007 10:18:51 AM

ORIGINAL: timsdat
Same goes with a group of shelties. When 1 barks I swear all the others have to bark for the next 5 minutes and they'll get into a barkfest. It's sort of like a uncontrolled nuclear reaction.

Tim I actually had to laugh out loud at that! [sm=rofl.gif] I've seen alot of Shelties that were debarked for the same reasons PHs are. And I've been on the receiving end of one of those uncontrolled barkfest reactions.

Listen to this video (watch it too if you want) and you'll hear how PHs act when excited... [linkhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rznf7pwc0yo]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rznf7pwc0yo[/link]

timsdat

Posted : 6/9/2007 10:30:45 AM

Listen to this video (watch it too if you want) and you'll hear how PHs act when excited...

Ed, I see what you mean. I didn't realize that PH's barks where softened. I thought it was mainly a Sheltie thing.

In fact my GF's 15 year old sheltie, who is mostly deaf now, when she sees the other pups barking she will join right in. She has no idea why they are barking but since they are doing it there must be a good reason.

Btw, That video is from Perry right!!

Xerxes

Posted : 6/9/2007 10:49:17 AM

Btw, That video is from Perry right

Sure is! What a great time too!

Bobsk8

Posted : 6/9/2007 2:56:03 PM

ORIGINAL: jennie_c_d

Here's the thing, though. Debarking is like anything else. For every right way to do it, there are 100 wrong ways. I once read a story about a puppy auction where debarking was offered, on the spot. The puppies to be debarked were done without anesthesia or pain meds, by ramming a pipe down their throats, and breaking their larynxes. I'm sure that *many* dogs done that way have serious problems.

Done of the debarked dogs I've met have had an issue. They still barked thier happy heads off, but it was quieter. I've known a Pap, some Shleties, and a couple of Dachshunds that were debarked.

That is pretty barbaric. It is amazing what some people will do to a dog and think it is acceptable.

janet_rose

Posted : 6/9/2007 2:59:57 PM

Same goes with a group of shelties. When 1 barks I swear all the others have to bark for the next 5 minutes and they'll get into a barkfest. It's sort of like a uncontrolled nuclear reaction.

My brother claims that his Golden Retriever never barked until she got around my sister's Shelties (and miniature poodle). It must be contagious!! [

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Pwca

Posted : 6/9/2007 5:07:53 PM

LOL, it IS contagious- how many dogs do you know who will ignore another dog barking right in their space?

timsdat

Posted : 6/9/2007 5:13:26 PM

ORIGINAL: Bobsk8

ORIGINAL: jennie_c_d

Here's the thing, though. Debarking is like anything else. For every right way to do it, there are 100 wrong ways. I once read a story about a puppy auction where debarking was offered, on the spot. The puppies to be debarked were done without anesthesia or pain meds, by ramming a pipe down their throats, and breaking their larynxes. I'm sure that *many* dogs done that way have serious problems.

Done of the debarked dogs I've met have had an issue. They still barked thier happy heads off, but it was quieter. I've known a Pap, some Shleties, and a couple of Dachshunds that were debarked.

That is pretty barbaric. It is amazing what some people will do to a dog and think it is acceptable.

I think that we could all agree on that. That is also the way I heard that drug dealers deal with their attack dogs.

Liesje

Posted : 6/9/2007 6:42:26 PM

Listen to this video (watch it too if you want) and you'll hear how PHs act when excited... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rznf7pwc0yo

Haha, that is comparable to the calmer moments at our shelter. But that was a cool video, watching those dogs run.

As for the debarking debate, I've never been in such a position so I can't really take sides. I suppose if my dog barked so much that I was going to have to get rid of her, I'd try a collar first and consider the surgery as long as I could get recommendations for a vet from other owners. In a perfect world, we could all train our dogs to shut up, but let's face it, some dogs are supposed to bark more, and some have barks that are more noticable and annoying than others. I feel about the same way I do about ecollars and efences - not ideal, but as a last resort, I suppose.

Anyone use a Bark Collar?