Britain is a dog-loving nation and we love dogs at Letterbox 4 You. However, we are fully aware that not all dogs love the postman. In this article, we explore why posties evoke over-excitement and aggression in our loyal pets. We also look at the ideal post boxes for households with dogs.
Why Dogs Bite Posties Through Letterboxes
We were surprised to read an article* in the Guardian which stated there are around 42 dog attacks on UK postal workers a week. What’s more, over 1,000 post workers have had their fingers bitten or bitten off as they attempt to deliver the mail. Can you believe that? It seems that even family pets of a placid nature can suddenly change as the postie approaches the letterbox. So, what is this all about?
For a start, it isn’t personal. It is simply that an unknown person is approaching the house. Dogs have amazing hearing and can detect the approach of the post person long before they reach your door. In this time, they can transform from relaxed to fired up.
Much of the behaviour is about protecting you and the home. Your dog is a territorial animal and their defensive response is about keeping you and them safe. To do this, they might snarl, bark, jump and bite. When the postie retreats to move on to your neighbours, the dog feels that it has been successful and this establishes a ritual.
Some dogs are startled by the sudden loud noise of the door knocker or bell and the behaviour is driven by fear. Others are excited by the arrival of someone at the door and jump and bark to show their willingness to play or be let out. All triggers can result in mail being snatched from the post workers’ hands, sometimes before they can get their fingers out of the way.
How to Stop Dog Biting the Postman Through the Letterbox
As a household with a dog, you are advised to secure your pet in a room or behind a baby gate before opening the door. You may also find it appropriate to keep your dog in a room away from the front entrance at the time the postie usually delivers. Now, this was easier when there was one daily round. However, with the rise of online shopping, multiple deliveries can be made at any time. Therefore, keeping a dog confined all day isn’t always practical.
In conjunction with a barrier, it is advised to train your dog to settle in response to the postman approaching. It involves reinforcing a new behavioural habit, where the dog is given a treat when they sit on a mat in response to the doorbell or knocker. This takes time to establish, as it goes against the impulsive reaction, yet this training can be effective.
External Post Boxes Protect Posties From Dogs
The other option is to buy an external post box. This can be situated at the end of the driveway, so the post workers don’t need to approach the front door. Alternatively, they can be next to the entrance, but with no direct access to the home. External post boxes allow all letters to be delivered without the risk of nasty nips.
These personal mailboxes prevent your letters from being chewed or shredded by an over-excited or aggressive pooch. What’s more, they are far more attractive than a large wire cage on the inside of your door. You’ll also find that using an eternal post box reduces the flow of cold draughts into your home.
We offer a fantastic range of European designs, from traditional to contemporary, so you can find one that best suits your style. In addition to being pet-proof, each of our range of post boxes is secure, lockable and weather resistant. If you often receive packages, we also supply quality parcel drop boxes for homes, with a larger opening and hold capacity.
Add Post Boxes to the Christmas Wish List
Are you buying or rescuing a dog this Christmas? If so, we advise you to add an external post box to your wish list. They are easy to install, can save you, your dog and the post workers from unnecessary stress and could prevent injury. Now, doesn’t that sound like a wise idea?
