When we hear the soft barking of dogs, have you ever wondered about the science behind it? This postoperative change mainly comes from a surgical operation called "Devocalization". Although this surgery has caused a lot of controversy, there are still many owners who request this surgery when permitted by law. The following will take you to understand the details of this surgery and related considerations.
"In some cases, devoice surgery may be an alternative to euthanasia."
Devoicing surgery reduces the barking of an animal by removing tissue from its vocal cords, but does not completely eliminate a dog's ability to bark. After surgery, a dog's barking usually becomes softer, specifically about half or less loud than before surgery.
Devoice removal surgery is usually performed at the request of the owner, but doctors will also take into consideration many factors, such as whether the animal has adverse reactions to anesthesia, whether there is a risk of infection or bleeding, etc. In some jurisdictions, this procedure may be considered a form of surgical abuse.
"Effective behavioral training is more critical than voice removal surgery, otherwise it will only treat the symptoms but not the root cause."
Excessive barking may be caused by poor socialization, anxiety, or boredom. Studies indicate that approximately 35% of dog owners face barking problems, and certain dog breeds such as setters are particularly prone to this problem.
Before considering devoice surgery, owners should first try other, less invasive solutions to deal with their dog’s barking problem. Designing the environment, providing more companionship, or seeking help from a professional trainer can help improve your dog's behavior.
Training is one of the effective ways to improve dogs’ excessive barking. Professional dog trainers can provide targeted solutions to help dogs establish better behavior patterns.
"Correct training methods can effectively reduce the barking problem of dogs, rather than relying on surgery alone."
Many animal welfare groups oppose devoice removal, arguing that it should only be used as a last resort. In some countries, such as the UK, voice removal surgery has been banned as a form of surgical abuse.
Legal regulations for voice removal surgery vary in different regions. In the United States, many states have varying restrictions on this surgery. The procedure is illegal in Massachusetts and New Jersey because of bills spearheaded by animal rights advocates with the goal of preventing accessible devoice removal.
“We should prioritize improving the quality of life of animals rather than forcibly depriving them of their voices.”
On the whole, voice removal surgery is seen as a means with good intentions to some extent, but its real effects and the ethical considerations behind it are still thought-provoking. When faced with the problem of excessive barking, should we focus more on solving the root causes of the behavior?