The Dog Behavior Answer Book - Arden Moore [31]
Why the Fuss over the FedEx Guy?
Q The postal carrier comes to my house every afternoon and places mail through the slot in my front door. His arrival sets off my dog, who goes ballistic barking and lunging at the front door. Grange also launches into a barking barrage when a delivery person rings my doorbell. I’m not winning any popularity contests with my mailman or delivery people. What can I do to get Grange to calm down?
A Don’t you wish that you could just have a person-to-dog chat with Grange and explain the deal about delivery people? Unfortunately, he is abiding by a well-known doggy formula: Dog hears or sees someone in a uniform approach the front door. Dog sounds an alert to the leader of his pack (that’s you) and barks aggressively at the intruder. The intruder then retreats, leaving the dog to believe that he has successfully stopped another home invasion. The score is always Dog 1, Uniform 0 in this daily delivery game. Grange may bark out of a need to protect or out of fear or excitement, depending on his personality type, but each time this scenario occurs it cements his belief that his actions are working.
It is vital to ensure the safety of these folks in uniform. National statistics indicate that dogs bite about 3,000 postal carriers each year. For starters, there are a couple of things not to do when a delivery person arrives at your front porch. When Grange barks, do not say things like “it’s okay” or “good boy,” because that actually rewards him for barking. In his mind, he thinks that you are agreeing with his need to be a ferocious barking machine. At the same time, don’t yell at him to shut up — he’ll just think you are helping him warn off the intruder.
Here are some things you can do. First, see the previous question about teaching a barker how to hush. You also mentioned that you have a mail slot in your front door. That slot can deliver not only mail but also doggy treats. See if your postal carrier and other delivery people are willing to put treats through the slot. You can keep a sealed container of treats outside your door. The idea is to get Grange to anticipate good things when the uniformed people approach. (Sure beats junk mail!)
This technique is known as counterconditioning. You are striving to replace a bad association with a good one. If you happen to spot the mail carrier or delivery person coming up the street, you can implement a barking prevention plan. Sprinkle treats on the floor in front of your door for Grange to eat while deliveries are being made. Timing is important. You must present the treats before he makes his first bark. He cannot be madly barking while gobbling a shower of treats. It’s impossible for these two actions to occur at the same time.
PAW PRINTS
The world record for non-stop barking belongs to a cocker spaniel who was officially documented barking 907 times in 10 minutes.
Another strategy requires you to clearly step into the role of household commander so that Grange realizes when a uniformed person approaches, you will be the one who calls the shots. During this training time, you may need to fit Grange with a head halter or other tool that provides control without pain. When the uniformed person approaches, teach Grange to sit and stay while you hold the leash to accept the package in your doorway. Reward him with treats each time he complies. If you are not confident about how to put on a head halter, then seek help from your veterinarian or local dog trainer.
Instilling proper greeting behavior from the time a dog is first brought home should prevent any barking, snapping, or lunging habits