Stupid Mailman

[SkooterIsMe]

Wow those are some pretty ridiculous stories of stupid mail carriers! Some people are soo convinced that big dogs are going to bite them that nothing will make them believe otherwise.

It's funny because the meanest dogs I've ever met have all been small breeds. Shi Tzus and Pomeranians and Peckigneses (spelling?) can all be extremely mean. My dad's ex girlfriend has 2 shi tzus and the smaller of the 2 is vicious. She weighs about 10 pounds, which is about twice what she should weigh given her size. But is she ever feared by anyone? No. Because she's little. Ugh I do NOT like small breeds very much at all.

ANYWAY. That was a nice tangent. Still was unable to catch the mailman today, but I will eventually. I think that rather than having the postal service send me a condecending letter, he should have talked to me.

[HurricaneBox]

Well I sympathize with you, that is a terrible situation to be in, and the mail carrier really should have talked to you -BUT- you have to see it from their point of view too. If they assumed that every dog was friendly and loveable they would get bitten pretty fast. They have to assume every dog they see is a threat because of irresponsible owners that don't do anything about their dogs' aggression, or worse, encourage it.

I mean, I am super wary of dogs I do not know, because I have had the unfortunate luck to have been bitten not once, but twice (once was my fault, the other, the dog attacked me). And I am not a mail carrier that sees hundreds of dogs per week on their route. I am not as paranoid as this person seems to be, but at the same time can you blame them???? Also, you have the right to want Harley to bark at strangers, and part of me can't blame you. But you can teach him to stop on your command and behave himself. It is not his responsibility to guard your home, it is yours. If you cannot control this behavior, it is dangerous even if he never attacks anyone, which of course as a big loveable guy he never would. Just think, if you are not careful the Postal Service may just stop delivering your mail. What if this was another type of delivery person and the police get involved and take Harley away? All because you did not take control of the behavior.

I am proof that anyone can teach their dog to stop barking. Hurricane does the same thing, barks at anything he sees or hears outside, and like you, I like the fact that he is alert and guarding. But I have taught him that once I acknowledge his alert and tell him enough, he is to give that guarding over to me and be quiet. This way, he still guards and alerts me when someone is about, and if I want to I can let him continue if I need to try to scare someone off, but I can make him stop if it is the mailman or pizza delivery guy, etc. I control the behavior, not Hurricane. I honestly think it would be in your best interest to attempt to control Harley's barking, especially now with this incident on record. I know he is a sweetie and would never hurt anyone, but do you want to risk losing him should the unfortunate circumstance ever occur that someone wants him labeled as dangerous?

[elindave]

Have you thought of getting your previous mailman to talk with the new one or at least to tell the postal service of his positive experiences with your dog. I know the frustration, because last week we visited my uncle and he insisted we bring Nikita. While there, his DIL visited and as soon as she saw Nikita, she started screaming and running to another room. All this time we had Nikita in a down /stay and she perked her ears looking at her like shes a weirdo. I tried to explain that Nikita adores people and she just kept screaming 'she looks disgusting and scary, I don't want her near me" Then she told me i should have a gotten a small shitzu or something. I hope you get this resolved....let us know....

Eli
Nikita (Aug 28 07) fawn, floppy, docked

[Kaybie's Mom]

Originally Posted by SkooterIsMe

you asked if Harley is behind a fence or not. Our yard is not fenced, but he does stay in our yard. He only goes into the street if I'm with him, or if our neighbor accross the street (one of his favorite people) calls him over there.

Ok, I think this statement just seals the deal for me. This is 100% YOUR responsibility, and not the mailman's fault at all. You have a big barking boxer LOOSE in your yard with NOTHING securing him and you expect the mailman NOT to be afraid? You admit that you want Harley to be a "guard dog" but then you get upset when people are afraid of him? That in itself is contradicting. I for one will tell you that I had an experience of a loose pitbull that never did bark but was loose and scared the CRAP out of me.....not because it was a pitbull, but because it was loose and I didn't know what it was capable of.....and I reported that dog to Animal Control. There are leash laws for a reason. In my eyes, you have zero reason to be mad at the mail man. He's trying to do his job while you have a loose barking big dog in the yard.....that you admit you want to be a guard dog. Your dog needs to be contained, period.

[kayboxer]

Originally Posted by Kaybie's Mom

Ok, I think this statement just seals the deal for me. This is 100% YOUR responsibility, and not the mailman's fault at all. You have a big barking boxer LOOSE in your yard with NOTHING securing him and you expect the mailman NOT to be afraid? You admit that you want Harley to be a "guard dog" but then you get upset when people are afraid of him? That in itself is contradicting. I for one will tell you that I had an experience of a loose pitbull that never did bark but was loose and scared the CRAP out of me.....not because it was a pitbull, but because it was loose and I didn't know what it was capable of.....and I reported that dog to Animal Control. There are leash laws for a reason. In my eyes, you have zero reason to be mad at the mail man. He's trying to do his job while you have a loose barking big dog in the yard.....that you admit you want to be a guard dog. Your dog needs to be contained, period.

I agree 100%. If you read my earlier response, I said leash laws are there for a reason, to protect the dog and people. You may know your dog is friendly, but others do not, even if you tell them. I know adults who were bitten as children and are still fearful of dogs, it's a hard thing to overcome. I have a good friend who does the same thing, just leaves her dog in her yard with no fense or leash. He is fine and stays in MOST of the time, but the minute someone walks by with their dog, he is out of that yard, and it is scarey because he is a big dog. I had to change my route just to avoid him because trying to control my two on leashes when he is coming up to them is just too much. I tried to talk to her, but she just said he wouldn't hurt them. I'm not taking that chance.

[boxmom]

Originally Posted by SkooterIsMe

It doesnt help that the mailman is always wearing a hat and sunglasses. Harley always barks at people in hats and/or sunglasses. Most dogs do.

When you work outside for 8 or 10 hours a day this is necessary. A few years ago I would have probably sided with you on your post, but then I started work as a fedex driver. I have always loved dogs and never feared a single one. Dogs react differently to me when I am working. I tend to think it is all the scents on me which I have picked up from the various people places and things I have encountered on my route that day. Anyhow, I have been charged, lunged at, and almost bitten by dogs (and one cat). Once the office dog at a vet's office tried to bite me! Now I do know that I have developed a slight fear when I encounter a dog, which only makes matters worse. I can only imagine that this is much worse for somebody who may not have the love and experience with dogs that I have. Please do not assume these people are stupid. Our jobs are hard enough. Encountering uncontained dogs is a scary situation, especially on a daily basis. Somebody suggested that if you can move your mailbox away from you house it may help. I agree. Also making nice with the mailman, and intoducing him to the dog would be good. The P.O. has documented an incident with your dog, and unless it is a total lie, you need to protect your dog and yourself from any legal action if an injury does occur. I hope this helps your situation.

[SkooterIsMe]

Apparently nobody has anything to say that hasnt been said atleast twice already so let's drop it. People obviously didnt read that I understand why that mailman would be intimidated by Harley, but rather than having the post office send me a letter, he should have said something to me first. That's all there is to it, nothing anybody says will change that. It would have been better to speak to me first. I'm done with this discussion.

[My Boxer]

Maybe you should not have a dog. Dog's must be either contained by a fence or on a leash. Not out free to roam the neighborhood. That is unsafe for the dog and the neighbors. Why would you let you precious dog out unsupervised?

[SkooterIsMe]

Why would you post after not reading what I said? My dog does not roam the neighborhood. He stays in the yard. And what do you mean "dogs must be contained by a fence or leash?" Is that the law where you live? Because where I live it's perfectly legal for a dog to be in his own yard, regardless of fence or leash. As long as he stays in the yard, which for the last time, HE DOES.

Next time, read the thread before you post your opinion.

[boxmom]

I think that your thread is upsetting to people because everyone is just trying to help, and you are just looking for people to post about their "stupid" "ignorant" mailmen. It is a chance you take when you post a thread on a public forum with such smart people as boxerworld. As someone who does what your mailman does for a living it was nice to see that so many people have a lot of respect for that person. If your thread only received responses of how stupid other people's mail carriers were, while it may have made you laugh, it may have given some who read it the idea that mail carriers are just stupid. That is why I posted in the first place, in addition to looking out for you and your dog. I do not agree with what the previous poster has written, I am sure you are a fine dog owner.

[Jan]

This thread has run it's course. It is closed!