[M.D. Holloway]

We have 3 - 2 labs and a Dachshund/Chawawa mix. The big choco lab is a barker - loud! He won't bark so much when I'm home but he does go ballistic when I am not around. Its his job (or so he thinks). We tried a shock collar on him but I think he actually digs the spark.

The way I understand it is that barking is done for a few reasons. In my case, he feels it is his job to protect and inform. He's a working dog. All dogs need structure and purpose and working dogs even more so.

I have noticed that the longer the walk I take him on, the calmer he is. I also work him inside for several minutes. We do a form of 'search for the snack' which can be a carrot piece, a piece of apple or a kibble. I put him in stay position, I will rub the snack on the floor, put it under a dish and then release him to find it. All 3 dogs love this. I have done a complicated route and used several upside down dishes. I noticed that it also calms him down - maybe he thinks that after a session of this he has done his work for a few hours?

I don't have answers but I would try to convince you not to do the surgery. Its gotta be painful and costly.