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Collies => Border Collie Discussions & Pictures => : greek4 August 23, 2005, 12:23:25 PM

: Chicago Dogs
: greek4 August 23, 2005, 12:23:25 PM
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?
: Re: Chicago Dogs
: lins_saving_grace August 23, 2005, 12:26:47 PM
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.
: Re: Chicago Dogs
: GrumpyBunny August 23, 2005, 12:32:26 PM
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.

: Re: Chicago Dogs
: greek4 August 23, 2005, 12:35:12 PM
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.
: Re: Chicago Dogs
: lins_saving_grace August 23, 2005, 12:36:46 PM
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. 
: Re: Chicago Dogs
: brigid67 August 23, 2005, 12:44:48 PM
I think debarking is awful...don't get a dog if you hate barking....I also hate declawing!!!!
: Re: Chicago Dogs
: greek4 August 23, 2005, 12:46:06 PM
I was in the suburbs.  I was in Romeoville, IL
: Re: Chicago Dogs
: lins_saving_grace August 23, 2005, 12:46:52 PM
I was in the suburbs.  I was in Romeoville, IL
oh how sad.  Maybe it's just those people.
: Re: Chicago Dogs
: lins_saving_grace August 23, 2005, 01:11:44 PM
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.
: Re: Chicago Dogs
: Kiahpyr August 23, 2005, 01:34:19 PM
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.
: Re: Chicago Dogs
: lins_saving_grace August 23, 2005, 01:37:31 PM
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.
: Re: Chicago Dogs
: jabear August 23, 2005, 01:40:03 PM
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.
: Re: Chicago Dogs
: Kiahpyr August 23, 2005, 01:43:02 PM
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.
: Re: Chicago Dogs
: Kiahpyr August 23, 2005, 01:49:45 PM
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.
: Re: Chicago Dogs
: lins_saving_grace August 23, 2005, 01:51:28 PM
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.
: Re: Chicago Dogs
: GR8DAME August 23, 2005, 01:58:40 PM
I've lived in theChicago Suburbs for 42 years and I have never had an animal of mine de-barked, nor have I ever known any one to have had their dog de-barked. I consider it cruel and inhumane. Don't de-bark your dog, train your dog. Unless I am mistaken they either cut the vocal cords or remove the voice box itself...eithe r way I think it is an atrocity.
Stella
: Re: Chicago Dogs
: Nicole August 23, 2005, 03:14:56 PM
I agree, Stella. Yikes. It sounds like a terrible thing to do.

I'm really against de-clawing kitties, too. I mean, people gotta do what they gotta do or whatever, but...wow. I just think its too weird. I have three and none of them are declawed. I trim their nails constantly, so they never have the sharp tips on them to scratch stuff. And, you can get little rubber tips called Soft Paws to put on, too. I guess I feel like if you're going to get kitties, find other options than declawing, cuz cats have claws.

Not to offend...just my HUMBLE opinion.
: Re: Chicago Dogs
: dohertyswissy August 23, 2005, 03:25:15 PM
That sounds awful painful for the poor puppies!  I have to agree with Stella - dogs bark, so train them when to and when not to bark!  Why would people do that??  I have to admit, Ranger's barks are one of my most favorite sounds in the world.  It either means he is happily at play or protecting his family.  Who would want to silence that?????

As far as cats go, my cat had a tendonectomy.  It is where the vet clips the tendon that allows the claw to actually extend out and dig into things (e.g. my couch, carpet, etc)., but they still keep the claws and no removing the "toe."    Tigger was my first cat...I found him with his littermates on the side of the road in a box.  Probably why hubby speeds up whenever I notice an animal on the side of the road.  Anyway, I just couldn't deal with him messing up everything, so this was a pretty good alternative.!
: Re: Chicago Dogs
: Khiori September 20, 2005, 04:49:54 PM
Wow, this is so sad!  I have a collie (Leo) and yeah, he likes to talk.  Often.  And about lots of things.  Sometimes I'll bark right along with him, we have a good time.  But then when we say "Enough" he'll stop.  He loves to groan and make lots of noises but that's just being him.  I'd never want to take that away from him.  He likes to talk!