Devocalization

Debarking, or devocalization, is a controversial procedure to permanently stop a dog from barking by cutting its vocal cords or removing laryngeal tissue. A common impetus for debarking is a neighbor upset at the dog's frequent or ill-timed barking. The procedure has come under fire partly because dogs bark to express a variety of emotions, such as loneliness, which could perhaps be addressed by other means, such as keeping the dog inside with the family instead of penned up in a yard. In addition, the surgery involves a great deal of pain post-operatively.

Up to 35% of dog owners report problems with barking, which can be quite a nuisance in populous areas[1].

References

• Debarking, HelpingAnimals.com.
• Landsberg, Gary: Declawing and Debarking: What are the Alternatives?.