Three weeks in and worried about dogs

[bobbins]

Hiya, I'm a new postie and have just completed my first three weeks. I've had a number of incidents of dogs looking like they want to attack me. Twice so far I have been charged by a dog. The first time across a garden and the second time today whilst I was walking down the road. There was a dog out on a front lawn with two people and when it saw me it just ran. I chucked my bundle and bag off without knowing what I was doing and started shouting 'whoa' repeatedly. The dog then turned and ran back to it's owner.

There have been at least three instances where, if a dog was not being controlled by it's owner whilst on a walk, I would have been in big trouble.

I'm a little bit shaken by these incidents and I didn't expect it at all. I usually get on well with dogs. Is there anything I can do to avoid such things happening in the future? I cant see that I've done anything wrong at all. I suppose it's just part of the job?

Matt

[DGP1]

Happens to us all, just keep your wits about you and don't go into any property that a dog is loose and you should be ok.

[pike23]

dogs are part of the job i'm afraid, just make sure you check walk report before going out so you have some idea where dogs are on your walk,

[Lounge Lizard]

Hiya, I'm a new postie and have just completed my first three weeks. I've had a number of incidents of dogs looking like they want to attack me. Twice so far I have been charged by a dog. The first time across a garden and the second time today whilst I was walking down the road. There was a dog out on a front lawn with two people and when it saw me it just ran. I chucked my bundle and bag off without knowing what I was doing and started shouting 'whoa' repeatedly. The dog then turned and ran back to it's owner.

There have been at least three instances where, if a dog was not being controlled by it's owner whilst on a walk, I would have been in big trouble.

I'm a little bit shaken by these incidents and I didn't expect it at all. I usually get on well with dogs. Is there anything I can do to avoid such things happening in the future? I cant see that I've done anything wrong at all. I suppose it's just part of the job?

Matt

Your problem is that the dogs know you're afraid of them. Don't know what the answer is.

[bobbins]

I have never been afraid of dogs until now unfortunately. On Wednesday there was a bull terrier loose just wandering about on the street. It surprised me by sneaking up behind me. To say that I wasn't shocked when I saw it would be a lie. It walked with me around my route for about 10 minutes. That for me was not a fun thing whereas two weeks ago I would have been fine with it.

[fishtank]

You will get used to it.
I've been bitten several times,twice needing medical attention,once needing hospital treatment...but that's in almost 20 years.
I'm always wary of dogs even my own who wouldn't harm a fly but i'm not nervous around them,they tend to pick up on nervousness and it can spook them.

[delboy1969]

It's part of the job and you do get used to it but have to be aware at all times.

Unless I know the dog, I never ever go into a garden where there is a loose dog and will give a shout. If no response I just write 'dog loose' or something similar on the mail and date it to cover me back.

It's so easy to get caught out. I was very lucky not to lose the top of one of my fingers the other week. In line with the general rule of thumb I don't put my fingers in the letter box when delivering but I had a lapse moment with some tricky mail and the dog didn't bark and almost ripped the top of one of my fingers off!

Been in the job since January and just one bite so far. This dog has previous but the owners insist it doesn't bite (so all four of us are liars eh?). I get really irritated when owners get a bit shirty with you regarding their dogs!

[Himaggen]

Unless I know the dog, I never ever go into a garden where there is a loose dog and will give a shout

Surely you've been briefed on the correct precautions to take…It doesn't matter if you know the dog or not, you must not enter any property with a dog at large!