On this page you will find some discussions on dogs and mailmen, and basic behavior appropriate for dogs in public.
Dogs and Mailmen
Dogs are territorial creatures. When you
are not home it is the dogs job to protect the home. This is instinctive
and there is little you can do about it. Even if the dog is not a
barker or aggressive towards strangers he will most likely be
uncomfortable with strangers coming and going.
Imagine if
someone comes by your house and when your dog barks the stranger
almost instantly leaves. Now imagine if this pattern takes place
every day. This would give a dog, and most people, a sense of power
and control over the person. That is exactly what is happening everyday
the mailman comes by. The behavior is being reenforced.
Unfortunately for the mailman, he is seen as weak, timid, and
easily overcome by the dog so that when he has to knock on the door to
deliver a package or the dog is out in the yard he will assert his
authority over the inferior "dog" and the mail man is bitten.
Two ways this can be avoided: 1. When you first move into a
new place or get a new carrier, bring the dog out on a good strong
leash, explain to the mail carrier what you are doing, and introduce
them. (This may not work as well with a long time mail carrier since
the dog knows his smell and has extablished his superiority.)
2. If the dog is unreceptive to an introduction, make a note of
when the mailman is comes by and keep the dog away. I tried introducing
Talbot to the mailman where I used to live but it was too late. The
habit was already imbedded. Although Talbot has never bitten anyone,
the mailman didn't want to take the chance and I had to opt for keeping
him away from the door when the mail was delivered.
Keep in
mind that the your mailman is a person and if he deems it vital to his
health he will and should protect himself. If a mailman gets bit it is
almost always the fault of the dog and/or the owner. Be aware of the
signs and take steps to protect yourself, your dog, and your mail
carrier.
Dogs in the Home
A friend of my brother, Wade, had a German Sheppard, Gunther,
trained in defense. One night Wade and his wife had ordered a pizza.
When the delivery person arrived he knocked on the door and it swung
open a bit. The delivery person walked into the house and Gunther saw
him, ran up and bit him. The delivery person ran out of the house and
later called Wade from the hospital. He told Wade what happened and
Wade said "Well, I hope you feel better" and hung up.
Obviously
the delivery person expected Wade to pay for damages, but once someone
is in your house uninvited they are trespassing. Again, the average dog
will protect his pack and his territory. If this had happened in public
it would be an all together different matter, but consider that in some
states it is legal to shoot a trespasser in your home.
The only
advice I have on this matter is to be aware of your surrondings. A dog
will be a dog. It is up to the owner to take responsibility for the
dogs actions, but it is up to the average person to be receptive to the
dogs instincts. they are not cute cudly living stuffed animals. Treat
them with respect.
Dogs in Public
Don't be stupid. No matter how friendly your dog
is there are some people who DON'T LIKE DOGS. If you are taking your
dog out in public it is your responsibility to see that the dog behaves.
Talbot has been off lead (leash) trained for 6 years but still has a
leash on when we go to the park, etc., where I know there will be people.
If Talbot runs up to someone to say hello and he were to get
kicked or hit, as much as that would upset me, it would be Talbot's
fault. He has been trained not to do that, and I could not blame the
assailant.
When I do have Talbot out without his leash I keep a
weary eye for other people and animals. I have to be able to reenforce
the teaching he has received before he gets himself into trouble.
Think how you would want someone to handle a 40 pound snake,
spider, rat, or whatever animal you may be uncomfortable around if you
were to meet one in the park.
