I agree with Ginger........and if you know many Sheltie breeders, you will find that the majority of their dogs are debarked. Perhaps if you have only one dog, it can be trained not to bark........ever. I doubt it, but it's possible. When you have a few, debarking is the easiest solution. Consider this, while you're doing your training, all you need is a neighbor to decide enough is enough...and then you might not have to worry about training or debarking anything at all, ever again, unless you change your residence. Peggy ----- Original Message ----- From: <culzeans1@xxxxxxx> > Maybe Ginger, but I would certainly try training first. This is one dog > not a group like what you deal with. Training is less invasive than any > surgery. I think the dog is a living being and to assume they don't know > the difference is kind of mean and doesn't give them the credit they > deserve. I am not saying one way or the other what to do, but I too have > known many shelties and collies debarked and by the look on their face and > the sound they make, it does bother them. And I know shelties and collies > that it never bothered. And I have known sheltie breeders who train their > dogs from the get go and never have a barking problem. There is probably > as many answers for as many dogs who are barkers. I would find that > constant rasp and choking sound much more annoying than the bark. What > works for you is fine but for a single dog, a german shepherd, I would try > training first. It can't hurt and it could work. As I said, it is often > hard to find?one answer that works for all dogs. > It worked for my guy and maybe it could help Stormy. > Pam ============================================================================ POST is Copyrighted 2007. All material remains the property of the original author and of GSD Communication, Inc. NO REPRODUCTIONS or FORWARDS of any kind are permitted without prior permission of the original author AND of the Showgsd-l Management. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. ALL PERSONS ARE ON NOTICE THAT THE FORWARDING, REPRODUCTION OR USE IN ANY MANNER OF ANY MATERIAL WHICH APPEARS ON SHOWGSD-L WITHOUT THE EXPRESS PERMISSION OF ALL PARTIES TO THE POST AND THE LIST MANAGEMENT IS EXPRESSLY FORBIDDEN, AND IS A VIOLATION OF LAW. VIOLATORS OF THIS PROHIBITION WILL BE PROSECUTED. For assistance, please contact the List Management at admin@xxxxxxxxxxxx VISIT OUR WEBSITE - www.showgsd.org ============================================================================