Chicago Dogs

[greek4]

When I was in looking at house in Chicago we came to a house with multiple animals.  There were rabbits, tons of cats, a few fish tanks, a rat, and some other creature in a cage.  To top it off, there were 3 collies, debarked and shaved.  Is it normal to debark collies?  I am assuming that is what was wrong with these dogs, they were friendly butt sniffers, but when they barked hardly any noise came out.  The shaving I can understand, even though they looked really dumb, I think they got a bad haircut.  Why debark it?

[lins_saving_grace]

When I was in looking at house in Chicago we came to a house with multiple animals.  There were rabbits, tons of cats, a few fish tanks, a rat, and some other creature in a cage.  To top it off, there were 3 collies, debarked and shaved.  Is it normal to debark collies?  I am assuming that is what was wrong with these dogs, they were friendly butt sniffers, but when they barked hardly any noise came out.  The shaving I can understand, even though they looked really dumb, I think they got a bad haircut.  Why debark it?

with the way people are in Chicago it doesn't surprise me that they debark their dogs.  They live in all these highrises and they get irritated by neighbor dogs.  So, maybe that's in the conditions of their apartment leases.

[GrumpyBunny]

I wouldn't say that it is NORMAL, but from what I understand, it is not uncommon.

My mom and dad have collies (heh, heh, I just posted pictures of them a minute ago), and they are NOT de-barked.  But, collies in general can be quite bark-y, and a lot of collies that you see come into rescue are de-barked.  If you go to a collie specialty dog show, you will find a lot of the show dogs there de-barked as well...

There may be some specific reason that I don't know about, or I may be wrong, but in my personal experience it seems that it is just cause they bark alot.

[greek4]

I didn't even think about it being required.
Dogs bark, my dogs bark a lot.

It is kinda like the issue of people coming to see my house (it is finally on the market).  Maia tries to scare them away by barking furiously.  Rocco just barks to say hi.

I don't want them not to bark because how safe would I feel then.  But I also don't want them to scare people out of the house quickly or annoy the neighbors. They are spending their first day in the indoor/outdoor shed today.  It is only 75 here so they should be comfortable.

Dogs bark, if you don't want an animal that barks, get a cat.

[lins_saving_grace]

I didn't even think about it being required.
Dogs bark, my dogs bark a lot.

It is kinda like the issue of people coming to see my house (it is finally on the market).  Maia tries to scare them away by barking furiously.  Rocco just barks to say hi.

I don't want them not to bark because how safe would I feel then.  But I also don't want them to scare people out of the house quickly or annoy the neighbors. They are spending their first day in the indoor/outdoor shed today.  It is only 75 here so they should be comfortable.

Dogs bark, if you don't want an animal that barks, get a cat.

maybe it's just a highrise renter thing if that's the case where it's required to have quiet dogs.  I'm sure if you get into the suburbs it wouldn't be a problem. 
But you're right...dogs bark. 

[brigid67]

I think debarking is awful...don't get a dog if you hate barking....I also hate declawing!!!!

[greek4]

I was in the suburbs.  I was in Romeoville, IL

[lins_saving_grace]

I was in the suburbs.  I was in Romeoville, IL

oh how sad.  Maybe it's just those people.

[lins_saving_grace]

Okay, again, I might be really stupid, but how do you "debark" a dog???  Does it hurt them?  Are their any negative reprocusions?

I've heard it's some simple surgory. 
Sounds horrible.

[Kiahpyr]

I've heard that some communities have laws against barking dogs weather it's in the suburbs or in the city. I feel sorry for those dogs.

lins_saving_gr ace, do you have cats? Just curious because I have three and was totally against declawing until I moved into my new house. My cats for some reason decided to claw on the wood work. I didn't have a choice to declaw them. It was only on their front feet and they don't go outside.

[lins_saving_grace]

I've heard that some communities have laws against barking dogs weather it's in the suburbs or in the city. I feel sorry for those dogs.

lins_saving_gr ace, do you have cats? Just curious because I have three and was totally against declawing until I moved into my new house. My cats for some reason decided to claw on the wood work. I didn't have a choice to declaw them. It was only on their front feet and they don't go outside.

I have had cats.  I love cats and want one...but my husband hates them and I really have outgrown the desire to change the litter box. 
I always declawed my cats.  I had one that would climb my exhusband.  They are just so sharp they need to be declawed at least in the front.  Mine always had their back claws.  I know it's mean to do it...but terribly practical.  it's done when they're so young they don't remember.

[jabear]

We met a lady at a dog show who told us it is no biggie to debarkt he dogs. She had collies (poor things sounded like they had larengitus) who barked a lot. She lived in an apartment in NY so it was imperative for her to debark them, or so she said. Apparently though, like mentioned above, it is not uncommon to debark a collie.

[Kiahpyr]

sorry lins_saving_gr ace I meant that to be for brigid67. I've had cats all my life and never declawed before they were destroying my house.

[Kiahpyr]

All three of my cats were declawed with laser surgery and altered that way too. It was great and I would recommend it to everyone. It has less healing time and they don't have to have their feet wrapped. It does cost more, but well worth it. If my cats still had claws Kiah's face would be all scarred up. One of my cats hates her and claws her every change he gets. The other two don't mind her until she gets out of line then wack.

[lins_saving_grace]

All three of my cats were declawed with laser surgery and altered that way too. It was great and I would recommend it to everyone. It has less healing time and they don't have to have their feet wrapped. It does cost more, but well worth it. If my cats still had claws Kiah's face would be all scarred up. One of my cats hates her and claws her every change he gets. The other two don't mind her until she gets out of line then wack.

Wow...they do it with Lasers now?  Wow...Sheba had it done the old fashioned way and Dr. Fred didn't wrap his feet.  He was ok in a day or two. 
Oh they get strong arms alright.  Almost like getting punched by Mike Tyson.