It’s a common cliché really; the mailman arrives every morning and your
fur-friend starts viciously barking, snarling and lunging at the gate. But what
triggers this reaction in dogs and why do so many dogs - even the seemingly
friendly ones - act this way towards your local mailman? Don’t worry, we aren’t
about to list all these professional dog training supplies you ‘need’ to combat
your angry pup – but we will unpack why your dog acts this way and how to cope
with the constant barking alarm your dog has become.
Why Dogs Hate the Mailman
1. Territorial Behaviour/ Stranger Danger
From a dog’s perspective, the mailman is someone trespassing
on their territory. Many dogs, especially certain breeds, have a predisposition
for ‘alert’ barking or actively protecting their territory through other means
(i.e. biting). This tendency to guard their territory dates back to a dog’s
past in the wild when canines formed packs and perceived any invaders as a
threat to their resources.
However nowadays, many dogs are still appreciated for their
alarm barks, but a more active role is often frowned upon due to its potential
for liability.
2. They Keep Coming Back
The whole barking behaviour is highly reinforcing for the
dog. If every time your dog barks, the mail man leaves, your dog will feel
compelled to repeat this behaviour as they think it makes them leave (and it
probably does). However, If the barking stops working, your dog will most likely
try something else and become more and more aggressive each time – making them
seem as if they really hate the mailman.
3. Addictive Chemical Release
Fear or anger in your dog causes the release of several
chemicals in the dog’s brain. The whole experience can be highly reinforcing
and even addictive. Fear is known for producing adrenaline, whereas, anger
causes the secretion of adrenaline and another hormone known as adrenaline. This
chemical bath they can experience can be quite addicting, which is also a
contributing factor to why you see aggressive behaviours repeat over and over.
4. Habitual Behaviour
What happens when your dog repeats a behaviour over and over?
It’s become a habit. Dogs are habitual creatures and they engage in behaviours
that work. If you combine the three issues mentioned above together, you’ll
understand why the behaviour of barking at the mailman almost becomes second nature.
Your dog doesn't seem to think twice about it; just the sight or the voice of
the mailman is enough to send them in over drive.
So now that you know why your fur-friend gets sent into an
anger frenzy just by the sound of the mailman, lets discus some ways to avoid this
frenzy.
How to Help Your Dog Accept the Mailman
Start Early
If your dog is still young, this is the perfect time to start
– but don’t worry if they aren’t there is still hope. Make sure to socialise
your pup as early on as possible, with as many different types of people as
possible. This will help prevent them from being scared or anxious around new
people. Furthermore, introducing your pup to the mailman from a young age could
help to build a connection between them. Lastly, be sure to reward your pup
when the correct behaviour has been displayed to help reinforce the type of
behaviour you want.
Prevent Repetition
If your dog is no longer a pup, this is the next best place
to start. You need to prevent the habitual behaviour of barking before it
becomes to ingrained in your dog. Stop allowing your dog to run outside and
bark their head off each time the mail man arrives. If possible try keeping
your pooch indoors, as far away from the sounds of the mailman as possible.
This step can take time, and a lot of patients but there is light at the end of
the tunnel. Furthermore, you can try speed up the process by rewarding them
when they don’t bark or cause a scene at the sight of the mailman.
Overall, you need to create a positive association with the
mailman. By associating high value treats, walks, or toys with the correct
behaviour towards the mailman your dog will eventually welcome them to the
property instead of barking their head off.
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