Milo Nipped The Postman

[Indee]

I let Milo and Riley out this morning and while they were there the gate went and the postman walked up the drive, Milo went tense and started barking and Riley shot out the bushes to join in. This seemed to wind Milo up more so he ran at the postman barking, he was very skittish circling him as the guy kept coming up shuffling through his letters. I'm there coming down the steps shouting at the dogs to quit it thinking to myself how scared Milo was when Milo caught the back of his legs. The postman flung his arms up and made a noise and Milo shot off into the hedge yelping (I could see that he hadn't been hit by postman) and Riley shot behind my legs. The postman said "well, I hope that didn't draw blood" while looking at the back of his leg (he was dressed in thick waterproof trousers and heavy long jacket). I said "I'm so sorry" and he just looked at me and said "Maybe you should keep your dogs under control" and walked off. When he past the hedge Milo shot out barking and he threw up his arms again and Milo just shot past and flew into the house. Both dogs had their tails between their legs for ages.

I'm really worried, they have never done anything like this before. It was obvious to me that they were scared of something (fear aggresion) because I know them so well, but I could totally see how it could be misinterrpreated (sp?). Was there anything I could do? Is there anything I could do now? IS it wrong to be cross at the postman, I feel it was his own fault to just keep walking when it was so obvious the dogs were unhappy?

 

[Trish]

my hubby works for the council servicing gas appliances,last year he was bitten on the leg in a similar incident and the dogs teeth did puncture the skin,this dog was tethered but it still managed to reach the gate,anyhow hubby just had to go to the doctors to cover himself and the tenant got a visit from the council to advise how to keep people safe from the dog from there on,and that was the end of it.

as far as the laws concerned im not sure about someone going onto your property with dogs livin there.

hope everythings ok though

 

[masta]

I let Milo and Riley out this morning and while they were there the gate went and the postman walked up the drive, Milo went tense and started barking and Riley shot out the bushes to join in. This seemed to wind Milo up more so he ran at the postman barking, he was very skittish circling him as the guy kept coming up shuffling through his letters. I'm there coming down the steps shouting at the dogs to quit it thinking to myself how scared Milo was when Milo caught the back of his legs. The postman flung his arms up and made a noise and Milo shot off into the hedge yelping (I could see that he hadn't been hit by postman) and Riley shot behind my legs. The postman said "well, I hope that didn't draw blood" while looking at the back of his leg (he was dressed in thick waterproof trousers and heavy long jacket). I said "I'm so sorry" and he just looked at me and said "Maybe you should keep your dogs under control" and walked off. When he past the hedge Milo shot out barking and he threw up his arms again and Milo just shot past and flew into the house. Both dogs had their tails between their legs for ages.I'm really worried, they have never done anything like this before. It was obvious to me that they were scared of something (fear aggresion) because I know them so well, but I could totally see how it could be misinterrpreated (sp?). Was there anything I could do? Is there anything I could do now? IS it wrong to be cross at the postman, I feel it was his own fault to just keep walking when it was so obvious the dogs were unhappy?

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"IS it wrong to be cross at the postman" he was doing his job and your dog bit him??? i think you are very lucky he didnt take it further

 

[hely]

im not sure the postman should be blamed, he has to come into your garden to deliver your post.

the first time our window cleaner came into our garden, i went outside and held gypsy's collar just incase she took a dislike to him (she didnt she just tried to lick him to death :- " ) IMO...its our responability to make sure our dogs are under control if someone...postie, milkman, window cleaner etc has to enter our gardens, after all they are just doing there job :thumbsup:

just my opinion, please dont be offended

 

[Indee]

I had let my dogs out and didn't know the postman was coming, and this isn't the first time they've met him, they see him lots. SO I don't understand why they took a dislike today??

I was in no way blaming the postman, but I feel if dogs are barking at you in the manner if he waited until I had them under control, then the situation wouldn't of arised. I did call out "hold on a mintue let me get them" but he just shrugged at me and kept walking up the drive. I wasn't saying I was cross at him because i thought it was his fault- i.e he'd done it to himself, re-reading what I wrote I could understand how it reads like that, I just meant it was his fault to ignore what I asked. if that makes sense? .

 

[hely]

ahhh im with ya now, well in that case its his own bleedin fault :- "

i didnt realise you had asked him to wait until you had hold of the dogs, if i had been him i would have waited, but if he thought he was ok to carry on then more fool him...i certainly wouldnt of have :- "

:thumbsup:

 

[whippetsrus]

Was the postman carrying a mail bag?

I was talking to a behaviourist a few years ago about reactions to postmen. Apparently the shape they make when carrying their mailbags can give off aggressive body language. Also the colour of their uniform can be a problem to some dogs.

I think I would be cross with the postman. To get that reaction from your dog something must have happened to them.

As far as I am aware as regards to the law, if you have a sign up saying the dogs are there you are in the clear as regards the postman taking action. If you are really concerned you can get free standing postboxes that can be positioned at the edge of your property so that the postman as no need to access your drive whatsoever.

If he is your regular postman, perhaps you could have a word when things calm down.

Hope this helps.

 

[jezza]

Could you perhaps put a post box at your gate so he doesn't need to come in? Who knows why they took a dislike to him this morning, dogs are funny little creatures aren't they.

Lenny has nipped our postie before now so I put a lock on the back gate so he has to come round the front instead. He moaned at this at first (lazy bugger!) but I just said tough, either he gets bitten or he goes round the front - simple as that

Got a new postie only yesterday so he tried to get in the gate at the back, lenny soon went and told him where to go but the daft man was still trying to open the gate while Lenny was going for his hand (w00t) I also have a massive sign saying 'do not enter' so if he gets bitten now, its his fault!

 

[Rae]

I'd heard that if you had a sign up saying ' danger dog loose/dog may bite' or something along those lines it could back fire - ie you are admitting to having a dog on the loose that may bite, and it would be safer to have a 'no entry' sign instead?

 

[nannypony]

I let Milo and Riley out this morning and while they were there the gate went and the postman walked up the drive, Milo went tense and started barking and Riley shot out the bushes to join in. This seemed to wind Milo up more so he ran at the postman barking, he was very skittish circling him as the guy kept coming up shuffling through his letters. I'm there coming down the steps shouting at the dogs to quit it thinking to myself how scared Milo was when Milo caught the back of his legs. The postman flung his arms up and made a noise and Milo shot off into the hedge yelping (I could see that he hadn't been hit by postman) and Riley shot behind my legs. The postman said "well, I hope that didn't draw blood" while looking at the back of his leg (he was dressed in thick waterproof trousers and heavy long jacket). I said "I'm so sorry" and he just looked at me and said "Maybe you should keep your dogs under control" and walked off. When he past the hedge Milo shot out barking and he threw up his arms again and Milo just shot past and flew into the house. Both dogs had their tails between their legs for ages.I'm really worried, they have never done anything like this before. It was obvious to me that they were scared of something (fear aggresion) because I know them so well, but I could totally see how it could be misinterrpreated (sp?). Was there anything I could do? Is there anything I could do now? IS it wrong to be cross at the postman, I feel it was his own fault to just keep walking when it was so obvious the dogs were unhappy?

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You have my sympathy! My whippet, Josh, had a scare :rant: from a postman in the past and goes mad now when they come. The paper boy (about 80!) is included in his wrath and was actually bitten, drawing blood. It is likely he went for the papers and missed and got the hand, but it was very upsetting. Luckily the poor chap did not take it any further. The dog is friendly, loves the window cleaner, other delivery men, and did love the postman until the incident. I put a mail box on the gate, and a bell by the gate, and problem solved. (We have only one access gate). My other dog, a gypsy lurcher dumped by the road, is quite different and has no problem with post and papers. I certainly don't in any way blame the postmen but if I were them I would carry some dog treats. Back in the fifties, the delivery men always had something for resident dogs and I never knew any to be bitten!

 

[kris]

i was once told that the reason dogs attack postmen so often is simple.this guy comes to your door every day he rattles the letter box(to be let in?) and the dogs owner doesnt let him in.next day he comes back and rattles it again and still the owner doesnt let him in.now from a dogs point of view this guy is obviously an unwanted visitor whom the family dont want to enter the family home.so thats why dogs attack postmen!simple really when you think about it!

 

[jue332]

i was once told that the reason dogs attack postmen so often is simple.this guy comes to your door every day he rattles the letter box(to be let in?) and the dogs owner doesnt let him in.next day he comes back and rattles it again and still the owner doesnt let him in.now from a dogs point of view this guy is obviously an unwanted visitor whom the family dont want to enter the family home.so thats why dogs attack postmen!simple really when you think about it!

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Yep that makes sense from the dogs point of view :thumbsup:

With my last dog it was a race to see who got to the letterbox first, she could hear the gate across the road being slammed shut then was on the wait for the postman to cross the road to our house, she had the timing down to a T :- " and if she got to the post before me the letters were shredded

My two whippets dont bat an eyelid to the post or anyone coming to the door, they just think everyone coming to our house is coming to see them and make a fuss of them :lol:

 

[~elizabeth~]

Dogs that get agressive at letterboxes or towards visitors at the door can cause serious injuries. A colleague of my fathers lost a couple of fingers from a dog bite whilst putting something through a letterbox. A GSD in the village got to hate the local postman so much he actually tried to attack him when he passed him on the street.

Mine aren't at all interested in what goes on at the front door or outside, but they are never left in the hall or front room as it's not something I'd want to encourage. Something I wish a neighbour of ours would put into practice. They leave their bull terrier in the front room all day long while they are at work, he hurls himself against the glass frantically trying to get at everyone that passes. The one day he got out he made straight for us as we passed.

I'm not sure of the exact psychology of it, but many dogs do seem to get very territorial about the area just in front of the house. Do you have a garden at the back you could use instead perhaps?

 

[Indee]

No we only have a garden at the front. They aren't usually "let out" I have always popped them on a lead and across the road intot he wood (theres a poo bin there too so it saves putting it in my bin) Its only on lazy days or very bad weather that they are let out the front. The post man never rattles our letter box, he usually opens the porch door and kindly slams it shut again :angry: , They have met the guy a number of times before. He doesn't carry a mail bag as he rides a bike, all I can put it down to is that due to the rain he had on his huge coat, and these heavy waterproof trousers that made a lot of noise He was very much dwarfed in the clothes, the way he was walking was very shuffley. He had a handful of letters which he was sorting trhough as he walked up. I'm thinking that Milo must of found something agressive about it. Riley joining in barking didn't help either.

I have never classed them as teritorial dogs, but I guess things can always change.