Train the Dog Blog

The mention of devocalization surgery, also known as debarking surgery, bark softening, vocal cordectomy surgery, or ventriculocordectomy, might make any top dog trainer want to tout the effectiveness of positive dog training tips.

When a veterinary surgeon performs these procedures, he or she accesses the dog’s vocal cords through an incision in the throat, or by way of the oral cavity. Tissue is then removed from the vocal mechanism, lessening the volume of the dog’s bark.

Devocalization of dogs has been outlawed in the UK, along with ear cropping and tail docking. The declawing of cats is also prohibited. Debarking standpoints in the US are more diverse, with laws varying among states.

In the U.S., the ASPCA advocates debarking surgeries only in severe cases, when all dog obedience training techniques have been employed, and the dog is faced with losing his home or his life because of the barking. Additionally, the American Animal Hospital Association and the American Veterinary Medical Association both agree that vocal cordectomies should only be used when they are the only remaining option, as determined by a professional.

If all dog owners were to employ dog obedience training techniques that start by identifying the sources of their dogs’ barking, only a minuscule percentage of dogs would ever have to face the possibility of a debarking procedure. If the approach that many veterinary associations embrace would be generally adopted, it would eliminate puppy debarking procedures, in which breeders have the surgery performed on breeds that are more likely to bark because of their nature. It would also eliminate convenience debarking procedures, in which dog owners have the surgery performed before other dog training techniques have been implemented.

Whether a dog is barking out of boredom, fear, aggression, playfulness, self identification, or communication, removing the dog’s voice will never remove the reason for which he barks. Reducing or eliminating a dog’s bark might only add to his frustration, and remove an integral part of his nature; which, by the way, when properly controlled, can warn his owners of intruders, fire, impending danger, and the dog’s own entrapment or distress.

Humans often inadvertently reinforce dog barking. For instance, if your dog barks while engrossed in play, and you continue to play with her, her barking is reinforced. If she barks for attention, and you let her out of her crate, play ball with her, or even yell at her, you solidify the effectiveness of that bark in her mind. Or, if she barks at strangers, and you stroke her and talk softly to her, in an attempt to comfort her, she will view your actions as dog barking approval.

To curb dog barking, the stimulus for the dog barking must first be removed. Your dog should be rewarded when she is quiet. Positive reinforcement can be fast, easy, and effective when the correct dog obedience training techniques are used.

Personally, I believe that devocalization surgery is unnecessary in a majority of cases. It should only be considered after a dog obedience training program from a top dog trainer has been completed, and all barking stimuli have been removed. When the proper channels are utilized, there will rarely be a situation in which a dog’s nuisance barking will persist. You do have the power to keep your neighbors at peace and your dog away from devocalization surgery; that power is held within dog obedience training.

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Dog obedience training shows itself again. This time, it proves itself to be the foundation for yet another necessary dog human relationship element: Grooming.

Let’s assume for a moment that a professional dog groomer wouldn’t mind being scratched, bitten, or outright mauled by your dog, who will dependably freak out at the sight of a nail trimmer or clipper. Let’s assume for another moment that your dog groomer has to use restraints, muzzles, and other implements with which to control your maniacal hound.

Professional groomers certainly don’t enjoy dealing with dogs who haven’t been conditioned to being handled, deeming the dogs potentially dangerous, but they are better prepared to do so than the average dog owner. But putting that aside, what if one day, in the near or distant future, you’ll be required to groom your own dog? What if your budget, or the groomer’s sensibilities, no longer allow for your dodgy dog to make outings to the beauty salon? In that case, it can be important to consider the part that a dog obedience program can play in making your dog groomable:

Bath time isn’t popular among the canine population. Many don’t like water, and even more detest the removal of the pungent odors they worked so hard to build. But you can control the tsunami of soap, dog hair, and dirty water that plasters bathrooms with solid sit, down, and stay commands, starting with puppy training.

Doggie pedicures can be touchy, especially when they’re spent rolling around in attempt of a wrestling pin. Cut into the nail’s quick, and you’ll cause pain, bleeding, and a bad memory for your dog. When her dog training has taught her to sit or lie still for this painless procedure, you’ll spend less time on the ground, making pretzels out of you and her.

Ear Cleaning: Training a dog to sit still while you shoot cold liquid into her ears is no easy task, unless she already understands the sit and stay commands. Dog obedience training will make this task go more quickly, and with less wrestling, chasing, and head locking.

Tooth Brushing: Puppy biting can be a problem for this one; as can adult dog biting. Train your dog, as soon as possible, to sit and to learn to love the taste of poultry flavored toothpaste, and she’ll have herself some pearly poochie whites.

Coat care means daily brushing; but coat care without dog training means chases around the property, with you wielding a brush and some choice words. Mats can be detrimental to the health of long haired dogs, so training puppy at an early age to sit, get down, and stay still for this grooming essential is elementary.

Coat trimming, when conducted after your dog is well educated in dog training techniques, can result in a pretty Poodle pompadour, Bichon buzz, or Maltese mullet. But without that dog obedience training system in place, she could be in for nicks, lacerations, and crowning as the worst dressed at the dog park.

When your dog picks up thorns, burrs, gum, or other items that aren’t part of her biology, she’ll need to face objects like tweezers and scissors. If she isn’t the product of professional dog training tips, she’s likely to view these things as implements of torture and pain. Introduce these tools, along with dog training techniques, early in puppy training.

Dog obedience training programs, especially positive ones that implement standards like clicker training and crate training, are not only essential to the building of an obedient and well mannered dog, but are necessary for developing a dog who is confident and accepting of grooming.

Dog obedience schools often tell students to lift puppies’ ears, put hands in puppies’ mouths, and tickle puppies’ toes to condition them for being prodded. When coupled with positive dog obedience training techniques, these are excellent preparations for future grooming encounters.

Get to know the toothbrush, bathtub, and nail clipper with your puppy, as part of his dog obedience training system. This, along with dog obedience training techniques like the ones used by a top dog trainer, will mold a dog who not only acts like an angel, but looks a lot like one, too.

Learn more about dog obedience training. Stop by Dr. Nortey Omaboe’s site where you can find out all about dog training and what it can do for you.