Four reasons why your postman can drive your dog wild

Even if your dog is usually very accepting of visitors and is well trained and well socialised, one common pinch point for dog owners is the appearance of the postman (or woman) every day at your door! Many dogs are perfectly fine with the approach of the postman, and some dogs even welcome the presence of this regular visitor, who may come with a kind word for them or a scratch behind the ears.

However, it is not at all uncommon for the postman to inadvertently become your dog’s perceived arch-nemesis, and their daily visits can potentially send your dog into a tizzy of barking, aggression and potential threat behaviour. Obviously this is both inappropriate and also possibly dangerous, and it is your job and responsibility as a dog owner to ensure that your postman can deliver your mail safely, and without feeling threatened.

Postmen and dog bites

The Royal Mail states that the single greatest hazard to the health and wellness of their delivery staff is dog bites, with recorded figures identifying an average of well over 2,000 attacks by dogs on postal staff annually. This places a real dilemma on the dog owner whose dog dislikes the postman. Delivery staff have a legal right to approach your door safely and without threat, and the Royal Mail may refuse to deliver your mail if they have concerns over staff safety.

There is also legal liability if your dog bites the postman or other visitors on your property, making training of your dog essential. Teaching your dog to accept the postman's presence may be challenging, as guarding and territory protection are deep-seated instincts.

If your dog tends to threaten or attack your postman, take immediate safety measures such as keeping your dog indoors during delivery times and placing a guard box over your letterbox to protect the postman's hands!

In the longer term, addressing the underlying causes of your dog's aggression towards the postman is important. Discovering what triggers your dog’s reaction is key to resolving the behaviour.

Read on to learn the four main reasons why your dog may become wild at the sight of the postman.

1. Territory Protection Instinct

The most obvious reason your dog reacts sharply to the postman is territorial instinct. The postman approaches your property, coming up your path or through the garden, right to the door. Not only do they arrive like any visitor but then they put mail through the door or letterbox, which can confuse or upset your dog.

Dogs may view the postman as an intruder as the postman’s visits are brief and not long enough for your dog to familiarise themselves. This perception of boundary intrusion triggers protecting behaviour.

Dog bites to postmen can occur face to face or through the letterbox, so consider postman-proofing your dog's space to keep everyone safe.

2. Repeated Delivery Visits Reinforcing Behaviour

The postman’s frequent returns can irritate your dog further. In your dog’s mind, once they have “seen off” the postman, they expect the threat to be gone. But when the postman returns the next day, it feels like an ongoing invasion.

This leads to a learned behaviour cycle, where your dog anticipates the postman’s arrival, takes a guarding stance and reacts aggressively to “see off” the perceived intruder every time, becoming part of their routine.

3. Unfamiliar Delivery Staff

The regular mail delivery person can vary due to sick leave, holidays or shift changes, which means your dog may not recognise a familiar face. Although your dog might adapt to a single consistent postman, the presence of different delivery staff can appear threatening and unsettling, preventing the development of positive familiarity.

4. Habitual Behaviour and Emotional Excitement

Dogs thrive on routines, and once an aggressive reaction is established at the sound of the doorbell or mail delivery, it can become habitual. The excitement or adrenaline rush from these encounters can also be emotionally rewarding for your dog, reinforcing the behaviour further.

To break this cycle, it helps to divert your dog’s attention away from the mail delivery routine and vary their daily activities to reduce anticipation and frustration.

As a responsible dog owner, your duty is to keep the postman safe. Although you cannot ask your postman to spend extra time to familiarise themselves with your dog, with positive training and behaviour modification, it is possible to transform your dog’s reaction over time.

Remember, a calm and well-managed dog ensures safety for all and a happier environment around your home.