[bucca]

sounds like you have a mailman who isnt to keen on dogs. i would do what you said and have a talk with your carrier. is your mailbox by your front door? if so can you put one up( which you shouldnt have to do) further away from the house so he doesnt have to come up to the house at all? if all else fails go and speak to the post master about your problem you cant be the only house with a dog on his route. good luck with your problem. if people only knew what mushes these great dogs are underneath.