John,
No response yet, what a surprise!;)

I just wanted to say that I felt a huge amount of guilt and sympathy for my dog this week following having him castrated. I keep on wondering if it was REALLY worth putting him through the anasthetic and all that pain. He looked so sad. It would break my heart if I was to put him through so much pain in order to take away his lovely voice. I just could not do it.

Sorry would you please refresh my memory, why did you have your dog castrated? JH

I had him castrated because every book I read and every dog owner I met and even the vet all advised me that it was a responsible thing to do and better for the dog's health in the long run.

Hi Beany Baby,did you agree with all your findings or did you just go along with the opinions of those you stated?
Christine2

Hi Christine2. Sorry, but I don't quite understand your question. Please would you rephrase. Ta.

My previous post was just something I was thinking about over my dinner. I don't particularly agree with debarking, but then again I am not disturbed by my dog's bark, so I am not really in a situation to comment. Neither do I agree with eating dog. I am starting to also feel that castration might have been needless for my doggy in the light of the pain/trauma it put him through, but I have been informed by others that it was "for the best". Now, castrating male humans...now I wouldn't rule that out sometimes!

I don't want anybody to think I'm being a know-it-all or anything like that, it was just a theory I came up with over my macaroni cheese.

Hi Beany, my theories tend to pop up when I`m doing something run of the mill as well! :)
I had my male castrated for the same reasons you did & have now come to the conclusion it was totally needless as well & I regret it. It sounds like you feel the same. We sur do live & learn.
Christine2

Jackie - you're not having a senior moment are you ;)
The reference to voice is because this is the debarking thread - not a suggestion that castration stops barking :D

No Sara just wondered why the poster had castrated their dog, you know why I'm interested in castration and peoples reason for doing it. Jackie H

oops - sorry Jackie :D
I should have known better ;)
Would you still give me that job despite insulting you lol !!!

OK, the sentimental bit first. I think de-barking is cruel because I think it is.

However, the real basis for my opinion is as someone stated above - you would be removing a large part of the dog's ability to communicate (particularly with other dogs) and for no reason other than personal convenience.

My dogs bark a bit much when at home and about to go for an outing, but usually the command "Shut up!" has the desired effect.

I am, perhaps, lucky in that I live in a country area (an island) with good access to lonely beaches - and I LOVE to hear them bark happily as they try to round up gulls! The younger dog, particularly, has a lovely bark, and I would miss it.

On a beach, being allowed to bark as they please is a large part of their fun in being out. Removing that would be an atrocious act.

Sara, as you and I know, I'm prone to senior moments so you are pardoned, but please remember to read all the questions carefully before attempting an answer. You know when an exam paper said that I used to think what difference will that make, is there a clue in one of the questions that will help with all the others. Used to have senior moments then too.:D :D Jackie H

Yes you can still be my imaginary employee, especialy if you can spell for me.

Every breed of dog has natural characteristics and if the individual dog falls within these characteristics then the owner should, if they did their homework before buying the dog then they should know these characteristics and should have allowed for them when the decision was made to buy. If the dog falls far outside these natural characteristics then there is almost certainly a reason. In this case, to me anyway, the way forward is to find that reason and do something about it.

As I have said, I know nothing about the laws in America, the nearest I have ever go to there is the bow section of the Isle of Man ferry on the way to the Tourist Trophy races. Are the laws there so restrictive that the normal behaviour of a dog is illegal? I can't believe that to be a fact????

John

In certain areas where people live in close quarters to oneanother yes, the laws can be very strict. First there are high fines than if there is still a problem you have to move or get rid of the dog. I agree with you that dog owners should do research before getting any breed. Researching would certainly prevent many problems including (maybe) this one.
John you sound like a homebody, you should get out more.(just kidding).

Carissa

GET OUT MORE? ME?
Carissa!!!! Ill have you know I went into town only last month! and that is all of 2 miles away.

Best wishes, John

Hi Carissa,
Just wanted to say Hello and say I understand where you are coming from. I am an American (NYC) living in England and I find I use words (fad, trend, etc.) and people misunderstand and get upset...
It's a challenge, being mid atlantic, after 5 years my Brit hubby is almost translated. This is a fab site, lots of intelligent and informative folk all having their say about the pooches!!!
But, I do get frustrated with the negative USA threads...boring.
Best,
Megbel

Yeah Megbel I can see what you mean. I don't think I take vocabulary quite as seriously as I should when posting on this board. I guess I'm kind of laid back and just hope people catch my drift. American bashing is sad, after all I thought the Brits and us were supposed to stick together, I wouldn't dream of bashing them, I sort of like their quirky ways (relish them actually).
John,
Why not take a nice trip across the pond to Chi-town? I'll show you the sites. There is something about you John that just screams for adventure!

Carissa

At my time of life Carissa, I can't take the excitement. Pipe, slippers and a glass of malt is the most excitment I'm allowed these days. ;)

Best wishes, John

and so say all of us---weve met jon in his wilder moments-NOT for the squeamish

Sorry again John, but your not fooling me. It appears that you haven't fooled anyone else either. Admit it, your a wild man at heart!

Carissa

Moi? You just watch after a malt or three!

Hi Bumble, Megbel, thats awful did I miss something Then ? where's the America bashing ,which thread? mustve missed it. OR Was it deleted as would be normal for abusive posts ?.
I must say I find most people on here extremely friendly,OK , Ok yes so we get a bit touchy sometimes,get on our high horses,but I dont think we are racist at all,at least I certainly hope not .
Best Wishes.

Hi Mattie,
Occasionally there has been a slight comment here or there. Nothing major. If I felt the people on this board to be racist I wouldn't be here.
I think you're all great and have a lot of good dog related advice.

Carissa

Thanks BEE glad thats cleared up

Here, here.
MOST people are fab. I guess it is just that whole seperation by a common language thingy. But, there are some folk out there that just don't like us and love to jump on the, "Oh no, evil Americans..." band wagon.
No more generalizations, please.
Best,
Megbel

Oh! Megbal, now whats that if not a generalizations, I've never hear the term 'evil Americans' - fat yes, but evil never - and how we have the cheek to call the Americans fat when you look at a cross section of our (UK) population's back sides, fanny to you I belive, see I even speak the lingo. Oh! I include my back side in that too. :) Jackie H

I was just using 'evil' as an example...not that people have said it directly, and some people do react to us ( and many other nationalities) very quickly. Perhaps it's more apparent to me because I am American.
To be honest, I'm not too fussed, you get used to people saying daft things, that's life. My husband calls me a septic all the time. I won't repeat what I call him...'cause then I'll be in trouble with a bunch of other folk around here. As for the fat thing...I agree, The Bristish are blimping out as well, just goes to show that us Americans are faddy, trendsetters.
Fanny? Where I come from, it's a girl's name.
Best,

Megbel

Hi megbel, It even happens in various areas of our own country. You wouldnt believe the stick I have taken in he past for being an "Essex" girl!

Not to mention for being English sis ;-).

Generally we call it butt or rear end. If it's large than you're a fat a**. In ancient times fatness was regarded as a sign of prosperity which was usually only exhibited by royalty. So hey what can I say?

So hey I'm poor but I'm very well spoken;)
Anita:D

Mine doubly so!!! :D :D

am i blind or has the person who started this thread not replyed to it.....(apart from the 3 post).....guess he realised he was wrong