Many people believe that debarking is the best, easiest, and most effective way to keep a dog from barking loudly. Yes, debarking may solve this problem, but not in a positive way. Debarking is a surgical procedure that carves out some of a dog's vocal cords through an incision in their mouth or neck. This process is used to soften or get rid of a dog’s bark. However, the costs outweigh the benefits. Debarking has negative side effects that are shown through post-surgery effects, cases gone wrong, and solutions other than debarking.
Debarking is stressful for dogs because they are no longer able to use their first defense mechanism. Instead of the animal being able to defend itself through noise, it feels like they need to go straight to their second defense mechanism, biting. Often times when a dog barks humans tend to think that it is a warning sign and they back off even though the dogs may being playful; however, it is better to be safe than sorry. If the dog is no longer able to bark as loud as before, humans may not be able to read the animal and realize that the dog is trying to express fear or anxiety. Humans may approach the dog, and get bitten because they were not able to recognize the warning signs (“Debarking”). Another post surgery effect is that the vocal cords swell and
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scarring occurs. Which can cause the bark to resume as strong or worse than before, block the dog’s airways, or cause the throat to swell, resulting in heat stroke, excess coughing, or infection (Grossman). Either way, all of these results require a second surgery. One example of a debarking backfiring is Grossman’s, a dog trainer, story she has a foster home for dogs, meaning that she takes care of multiple dogs at a time until they are adopted. She recalled a specific example, “several potential adopters told me they couldn’t take her because the sound was just too gut wrenching.” As explained before, debarking surgeries do not always go as planned; in this case, the dog’s bark sounded like a “veteran smoker” and the noise was less appealing that than of a normal bark (Grossman). She states a fact in her article explaining that “research on the subject indicated that barking is not one of the top five reasons people tend to give for dropping off their dog at the shelter”. This is an example where if the animal had not been debarked then, she could have been adopted. Another example of a devocalization gone wrong is Stella, she was having a devocalization surgery like any others.
A relatively low risk and quick surgery; however, after the surgery Stella’s vocal cords began to swell and she was having trouble breathing one day while playing. Her owners realized it and rushed her to the veterinarian. The doctor had to perform an emergency surgery that involved cutting out the swollen tissue which required a large incision along her neck leaving an ugly scar. This surgery was much more expensive than the original devocalization or hiring a dog trainer and could eventually require another removal of swollen tissues (Devocalized: Stella’s
Story). There are multiple solutions to prevent a dog from barking other than a surgical process. One way is to hire a dog trainer and allow them to work with the animal. Another solution is through treats, also known as positive reinforcement. When the dog does not bark give them a reward so they connect the thought of “if I do not bark, then I get a treat”. Also, take the dog into a quieter area where he or she would not feel the need to bark, or as a last resort, give the animal up for adoption. This goes to show that there are many other options that do not involve devocalization. While many people would agree that debarking is a very inhumane action, others would argue that the possible consequences are worth it. When someone has a yappy, high pitched dog, their neighbors are complaining, and their landlord is threatening to kick them out, debarking sounds like the best option. They have tried to prevent the dog from barking but it just is not working. that they are not able to prevent from barking then it is easy to cave into the easiest solution even though it may not be the best thing for the animal. Many people may even argue that the animal’s quality of life is increased because they are no longer yelled or reprimanded constantly for their barking. In conclusion, devocalization is an inhumane and unnecessary procedure. The process is cruel, there are many example that show the negative affects, and there are other solutions that do not include cutting holes in an animal’s vocal cords. Animals are not able to speak or show their opinion on the matter and they definitely can not do it if their voice is over halfway gone.
Many people associate a negative connotation with the dog breed “pit bull.” These dogs are thought to be dangerous and problematic. However, much of this can be attributed to the mass amounts of negative media attention that pit bull breeds receive as opposed to other breeds of dogs that can be just as dangerous. For example, The National Canine Research Council did a four-day study on dog-bite repo...
After World War I, there was an increase in bite reports by German Shepherd Dogs, a breed used by the Nazis. Pit bulls are the most recent breed of dog to be misjudged. In this paper, we reviewed the following questions about BSL: who is affected, why are they targeted, does BSL work, and is the media to blame? Pit bulls are targeted in this ineffective solution to dog attacks.
First, it is extremely important that you seek medical attention immediately. As a result of the dog bite, you are susceptible to deadly diseases and serious infection. Second, you should consider seeing a counselor. Being bitten by a dog is a traumatic experience. Often, as a direct result of the trauma of being bitten, a victim might have an irrational fear of animals, suffer from nightmares, or experience other symptoms associated with psychological trauma of being bitten by a dog.
The missing element of negative-based reinforcement, or punishment & collars for training such as choke, shock or prong can allow positive canine training solutions a way for both canines and their owners. Such an element could well be the obvious advantage for such kinds of
Animal hoarding is a very common issue, and is not being reported the way that it should be. These situations need to stop being overlooked and dealt with correctly, not only to save the animals’ lives, but to keep the owner and their family in wellbeing. Animals are very important and should be taken care of very well. When they are put into a hoarding situation they cannot go out and get the help that they need. We need to be their voice and speak up for them. It is necessary to learn the signs and behaviors of animal hoarding.
In order to change the sound, these folds must close over the larynx, so they are removed. Debarking however can save dogs lives. Many people get rid of their dog if it barks too much, thus sending them to the pound. It can also help to debark your dog if you live anywhere where the neighbors can hear the dog barking. This procedure can help the relationship with the owner and the dog because the owner wont have to constantly get onto the dog.
Vivisections, medical research that harms the research subject without providing any benefits to them, is supported by philosophy professor R.G Frey on the basis that the using and killing of animals is morally permissible because humans' quality of life exceeds animals' quality of life. Frey does not disregard the fact that vivisections harm animals, he sees no difference in the pain felt by humans and animals; nonetheless, Frey does not believe that all members of the moral community have lives of equal value. He believes that sacrificing the lives of those with less value is better than sacrificing the lives of those with higher values. Therefore, Frey defends the act of vivisections on the basis that humans' lives are of greater moral value
Animals are precious, loving, and sweet creatures but many are having their lives cut short. Did you know that 7.6 million animals enter shelters every year? Of those animals, thirty one percent of dogs are euthanized and forty one percent of cats are euthanized. If you do the math, that is 2.4 million dogs and 3.1 million cats. Why are we doing this to our animals? They're living creatures just like us, even if they can't tell us. As you read this paper, you'll learn about what euthanization is, learn the reasons for shelters killing our furry friends, and get an inside look at the terrible practice of euthanization.
Every pet owner knows there are enormous responsibilities that go along with having a domestic pet. In order to keep ones pets physically healthy they must be feed and given exercise properly and played with on a regular basis. It is also important to protect other people, property, or pets from your own animal. There is another responsibility that not all pet owners think about, however: spaying or neutering, or “fixing.” What does “fixing” your pet mean? Spaying- removing the ovaries and uterus of a female pet (Merriam-Webster, par.1.). Neutering- removing the testicles of your male pet (Merriam-Webster, par. 1.). This surgery solves more problems that pet owners may not be aware of. Due to overpopulation of homeless and animal sheltered
Pets are a common sight in many households today. In fact, according to the APPMA National Pet Owners Survey, 63 percent of U.S. households own a pet. At the top of this percentage are dogs and cats. One of the most important decisions an owner of a dog or cat has to make is whether or not to get them spayed or neutered. There are various reasons why people choose to not have this done, but all those reasons can be proven invalid. Many factors come in to play as why this is such an important thing to do. The effects of dogs and cats not being spayed or neutered has become such a major issue that it should be a law that all pet owners have to get their pet spayed or neutered.
Should the torture of an innocent animal go unpunished? No, it should not; the real question is to what extent should the perpetrator be punished? The most basic definition of animal abuse is the intentional act of inflicting physical pain, suffering, or death on an animal; this includes monstrous neglect (the act of withholding food and water) that causes an animal to suffer, die, or be put in imminent danger of death. Currently, animal cruelty offenders are not punished to the extent that some believe they should be. Animal cruelty should receive mandatory jail time because the abuse towards an innocent animal is deemed inhumane and oftentimes is a precursor for violence against humans.
Canine shock collars allow citizens who have lack knowledge the ability to so call train a dog. The collars basically give the dog sometimes a warnig beep or sound, then if proceeding to do the action an electric shock to the neck. Hunters usually use this device to teach Canines to be aggressive to other animals and as punishment for wrongdoings when hunting. Shock collars can make Canines fearful of other animals, territorial, and also aggressive towards owners (Emmerson). The technology of shock collars allows humans to torture mans best friend, with electric shocks through the neck.
Animal abuse is a travesty in our world that must be stopped. Every year, millions of animals suffer because of human actions, directly or indirectly. Whether it’s abused dogs and cats or even mistreated circus animals, their suffering is as real as it would be if it happened to us. Even animals who are raised on farms simply for human consumption should not have to suffer. One of the worst parts of humanity’s role in animal abuse is that there are easy ways for people to help that they are either ignorant of or simply refuse to do. There are many examples of animals who are abused by humans, but there are also ways for people to help prevent and put an end to animal abuse.
Chapter One: Animal Negligence Animal Abandonment Animal abandonment. The word makes me sick. The whole IDEA of animal abandonment sickens me. Basically, you decide, Oh, I don’t want this dumb pet anymore.
Animal Cruelty has many forms, many reasons and most importantly many victims. It is a growing problem in today’s society. Many people may wonder why people abuse animals. The thought is simple, however the answer is a little more complex, there are three main types of animal cruelty. The three reasons are as follows: unintentional, intentional, and cruel intentions. I will discuss each one in more detail.