The vehicle turned What's going LET train dogs repeating even whose ears are naturally floppy, like Great Danes, Boston Terriers, Boxers, Schnauzers, and Manchester Terriers, have traditionally had their ears surgically cropped to stand up straight. This custom has existed some breeds for hundreds of years. Initially, some of these breeds, such as Bull Terriers, were fighting dogs, and their ears were cut to reduce or eliminate easy target. Since dogfighting is illegal the U.S. today, this rationale is no longer applicable. Ears are cropped at 8 weeks of age. The puppy is put under general anesthesia, the ears are cut, and the sore ears are stiffly taped position to make them stand up straight. They be taped and re-taped for weeks to months. Postoperative pain medication is not routinely given, even though the ears have extensive blood and nerve supply. Even after all the torment, some dogs end up with floppy, bent, scarred, wrinkled, twisted, or otherwise disfigured ears. There is no reason to perform this painful, mutilating procedure, other than for looks or breed club standards). There is no health benefit to the dog. Contrary to pro-cropping advocates' claims, there is no scientific evidence that cropping has any effect on the incidence of ear infections. dog show judges now allow natural dogs of traditionally cropped and docked breeds their classes, and sometimes even reward them with blue ribbons. breed standards accept either cropped or uncropped ears. 1998, uncropped Boxer won every show leading to his championship, and went on to claim AKC Best Show award. Animal advocates have for years pleaded with the AKC and similar organizations to make cropping optional the more rigid breed standards. However, AKC's reaction was the opposite direction it amended the Boxer standard to specify that deviations from the ideal appearance must be penalized the show ring. AKC, breeders, and breed clubs do not want to a resolution passed San that might impinge on their demands for specific alterations of appearance certain breeds. Cropping advocates theorize that their breeds become unpopular and wither away, because no one want dogs that do not conform to the standard. However, a recent article Dog World speculated that people who previously avoided some of these breeds due to cropping requirements now be more interested them as companions. The appearance of breeds has changed and evolved over time, including the Labrador Retriever the most popular dog breed the nation despite its new look. The historic tradition of cropping and docking should be made as obsolete as the equally historic tradition of slavery. While cosmetic tail docking and ear cropping are clearly of no benefit to the dog, the issues become a little fuzzier when it comes to debarking. After all, a noisy dog is liable to find herself sitting a shelter awaiting death because the neighbors complained. There are few things as frustrating and even infuriating as a neighbor dog's incessant barking. people initially acquire a dog for protection as well as companionship. A dog is supposed to bark when there is something amiss. It's his job to guard his home and family. Homes with dogs are far less likely to be targeted for burglary and other crimes. Even a small dog is a big deterrent to would-be robbers. Neighbors understand that a dog bark at the meter reader, delivery person, or mail carrier for a minute or two. But they do not want to listen to 30 minutes of nonstop barking at every slight noise. It's only when barking is excessive that it becomes a problem. However, a problem barker is not the one at fault we must look to the dog's guardians for the source of the behavior. Chronic or excessive barking arises because the dog is improperly socialized or trained, or because she is