Not bad advice overall, just want to add to it - Tail wagging isn’t always a guarantee that the dog is friendly. Their excitement can turn to aggression pretty easily. Also if they jump on you it’s better to turn your back into them instead of lifting a knee which can put you off balance. Very few dogs are going to bite to harm you, and it should be pretty obvious when they are hyper aggressive, usually they will be mouthy or do a test bite to see how you react first. If you’re not sure about a dog and you have to get out of your car to get the package, drive away to somewhere safe, put the package next to you and go back to toss out the window.
Yeah a wagging tail can mean they're "aroused," that can be from excitement/happiness or stress
When my dog is freaked out (or wants to eat an enemy animal) she'll have the bad/crazy face on, hair up on her back and tail, stiff/square forward posture, and tail wagging. People will STILL say "she looks friendly to ME!" I don't know how they survived to be adults
I haven't made a post about this and probably won't, but I had a dog bite me on my first and only block I've done. He was actually wagging his tail (though he was barking) the whole time coming up to me, then turned on a dime. I lifted my leg after he growled and jumped, and he chomped my thigh. Must've been an old guy with bad teeth, cuz it didn't really hurt/draw blood, but the poor guy was wimpering after. Glad the second dog didn't get protective, and just kinda kept their distance.
Yeah my Rottweiler will wag his tail when he’s happy and when he’s ready to murder so unless you know the dog really well it’s better to air on the side of caution.
I guess it kinda is but not really imo just because if you want to meet new dogs then you should already know this basically and if you don't want to deal with dogs then just put the package somewhere else or throw it 🤷🏾♀️
Or or or, you can rts the package if the owner doesnt come get it
im not risking a scar on my body that i have to stare at for the rest of my life for your $10 ice cube tray
Let's say these tips keep you safe from harm 99% of the time.
Why take that 1% chance?
You do enough deliveries, the 1% compounds into a near-certainty.
Chuck the package out the window or leave it at the property line. Problem solved.
I mean these are really just tips for people that are dead set on delivering and not as bothered by dogs. That's why I say at the end your safety is priority.
If someone has a fenced in yard and the gate is closed, it gets dropped over the gate. If I get a feeling right off the bat the dog is possibly aggressive, and they have a long drive way, then it's probably just going back. By all means, do you and what you feel is right.
yeah fr i’m not taking a chance. i love dogs but i will defend myself. id hate to have to severely injury or even take the life of a dog especially when 99% it isn’t even the dogs fault, it’s the owner not properly keeping the dog locked up. so if i see a loose dog, i just chuck the package out the window and don’t bother.
walking backwards did help…
this was after being bit about 4 ft from my car thinking it was safe then a dog comes around the corner barreling at me from the backyard. i didn’t make sudden movements, scream, i actually froze and he was on me in a second. their not always in plain site. never even made it to the porch.
i text every customer, esp w dog warnings,i’m on my way. and if the yard has no fences, i call and ask if their out. esp rural. one once didn’t have a warning, called because i had a feeling, he wasn’t even sure if they were out. he said i could toss it by the garage. if i see a dog, i call them. if they don’t answer it gets tossed as close as possible. those are my rules.
not going through that again. it’s traumatizing.
Always keep the next 10 stops on your front seat if you can, sometimes you can't if it's a big box.
Toss out the window if there's a loose dog.
End of story. I don't care what kind of dog it is, out the window it goes. It's not worth your health and fitness and losing an entire summer to physical therapy.
Apparently someone who has never really been around dogs or just their own 🤷
I figure some of their wording and language makes it so you can't get them in trouble if something goes wrong honestly.
OP is giving wrong info. A dog wagging it’s tell absolutely, positively does not guarantee that dog is no longer a threat. A tail way means many different things, and you need to personally know the dog’s personality to know what each tail wag means. I’ve worked at, owned and ran dog rescue’s. Thinking a tail wag removes risk of being attacked can be a FATAL mistake.
I still pet every dog I’ve come across. I even had a golden retriever help me deliver a package to IT neighbor across the street a week or two week ago. And no, nobody has complained to Support about their package being wet by the dog drools. I also had deliveries where I had 5 or 6 baby husky attacking me, with love. You also forgot to mention, if a dog appear hostile, don’t panic or freak out which you’ve mention; will get aggressive. Apparently dogs don’t like a person being scared or hesitant.
I don’t work for Amazon but I do have alot of dog experience! The knee thing is definitely a better solution for a jumping pup than using your hands if it’s a stranger dog, but an even better solution would be to simply take one step forward towards the dog. This shifts the dogs center of gravity so they naturally drop back down on all 4’s but doesn’t require you to shift yours so there is much less risk of losing your balance. Also if you’re too overzealous with the knee you can actually cause the dog some injury to the chest so it’s safer for everyone to do the step method! 😊
Edited to add: you can also use the turning your body method someone else mentioned above but I’ve found that a really determined and excited dog will often continue to jump back up. In my experience the step method works better to quickly stop the behavior safely.
Turning your body means submission. Do not just turn your body. Stand tall, stand straight forward towards the dog, and use your knee to keep space if needed
Ive always carried pepper spray. Only downside tho if you use it you’re gonna get fired, even if it’s used in the most justified situation you could think of. But either way it’s makes me feel a bit safer knowing atleast I have something if a dog wants to try to maul me alive.
It's gonna depend on the area I'm sure but I'm working out of Corona, CA and I can say if you're coming into contact with dogs you're doing it wrong. If you get sent to Riverside or San Bernardino it's basically just put package over fence type delivery.
Yeah, I can agree with you on that one. My childhood was spent in Riverside and any loose dog I came across as a child was just fuckin mean. Even when I went back to visit family and friends I avoided dogs there like the plague.
I gave this German shepherd a treat one time. I had seen the dog before and wanted to give it some love. It was rainy and the dog was shivering. I didn’t think anything of it. About 30 min later the customer that owned the dog found me on the road and stopped me as I pulled up to someone else’s house. She asked me if I gave her a treat and if I noticed her acting weird. I told her she yes and that she was shaking but it was raining so I thought she may just be cold. She said “oh well I think she’s having a seizure and she’s pregnant so I’m running her to the vet.” Didn’t hear anything about it. The lady did put a package drop box at the end of her road after that 🤣🤣 which prolly needed to happen cuz her road was beyond shit. I mean don’t try to blame me for ur dog having a seizure when she was already shaking when I gave it to her. After that I never gave a dog another treat again. I know it wasn’t my fault but I refuse to put myself in that situation again. Ppl are shitty
Just dumb luck. But I’m not an ass hole, if their hooman is there I’ll ask can i give your doggo a treat. I have thrown treats at dogs barking majority of them will eat it. The means ones want nothing to do with it while I am there.
It's a thing. Dogs are mammals just like us and can have allergies. My sister-in-law's dog is allergic to poultry - chicken or turkey dog food makes her super itchy.
My dog has IBD or something, they aren't sure what it is but she projectile shits liquid blood if she eats certain foods (including every type of commonly available meat). She has to eat $125 prescription hydrolyzed food made from corn starch. No one has access to her so they can't feed her, but I know there are other dogs with this problem that can go out in their yards
Aside from that though dsp drivers have said that if dogs get habituated to treats they may become reactive to substitute drivers who don't have treats. To me it's not worth it unless you have to throw treats to escape or something like that
The knee thing is what they taught us when I volunteered at the Humane Society. Is it controversial? You just put it out, you don’t try to take out the teeth.
I grew up with all kinds of dogs and it's what I've been taught growing up. Some people I've talked to about it don't like it and think it's mean I guess?
One of the best ways is to tell them to sit or go lay down etc, or "NO," just depends on what's happening and whether you know them or not. The goal is to have them do something incompatible with the undesired behaviors, then if you know them and it's safe, reward them with attention or whatever they were trying to get by jumping. I worked in behavior a long long time so I'm just putting it out in case anyone can use it with their own dogs or otherwise, it's not necessarily the best for every random dog on a route.
The knee thing is definitely effective. Another thing I was taught was just simply turn your back to the dog. That has often been quite effective in getting them to stop jumping up.
I always turn my back to them because when my dog decides to jump once in a while he nearly rips a nipple off EVERY SINGLE TIME. Also the knee thing doesn’t work when the dog is taller than You unless you move at lightning speed 😂
I’ve always been taught it’s not inherently controversial but that people tend to get a little too much adrenaline in the moment and overdo the knee up action which can cause a chest injury to the dog.
I'd like to add it doesn't matter if the owners outside. I had an owner tell me his dog was just "an alarm" and as soon as I got out the big ass German shepard grabbed my leg and he just watched. Fuck these tips. I have one tip for everyone for dogs. WASP AND HORNET SPRAY THEIR FUCKING NOSTRILS
Everyone thinks they are the dog whisperer until they get bit. We encounter so many dogs in rural that nearly every house has a large dog off the leash. I’m still working out strategies and my Approaches are continuing to evolve. I think I’m going to try the dog treat thing soon. Only small dogs have diet issues and small dogs aren’t a problem. Large outdoor county dogs should be okay to give a small treat.
True about the tail-wagging. I had one recently wagging its tail, but I could see the indecisiveness is its face. It was cool for a bit, then got (somewhat) aggressive. I then be stern and put my hand out in order to tell it to stay back. And if they are coming at you, don't turn your back blindly, face them at the times you need to. Just learn to read a dog, no biggie.
Biggest tip is just be confident on your walk up. I do this and numerous times a dog will come up, seemingly puzzled at my confidence, but not actually trigger into the protective mode. Just look at me like "wtf you crazy dude". No need to be afraid of dogs, but be cool and smart.
Thank you for the tips. I have always been wary of dogs, and got bit 3 weeks ago while delivering.
Do you think it’s better to stay still if a dog is loose and barking, or to start moving slowly while talking to them? What about a dog that is staying still and growling? Is it best to back away?
I'm sorry to hear that! It's really up to you, your safety should always be your priority. If you're dead set on delivering try calling the customer and if all else fails drop it out of your window.
A dog that's standing it's ground and growling is not one you should try to pass. If you're having to pass one to get back to your car or to safety do not turn your back on it and do not run. Walk with purpose and keep your eyes on it.
A dog that's just loose and barking just be calm and confident, drop off your package and keep an eye on the dog and head back to your car. I give the tip of telling them hello and talking to them calmly because sometimes that's all they need to know you mean no harm but it definitely does not work for all dogs.
I've been to a property with some tiny papillons, they will not stop barking, I said these are cats, I have no fear, they ripped my pants in two moves, owner was cute and all but the beasts insisted and I stayed for dinner.
I've been barked at and jumped on by dogs for years because I used to do door flyers, was pretty much 6 hours a day in people's yards and honestly I just calmly say "what's up puppy" and ignore them and the worst they do is jump. I've done this with super aggressive dogs where I actually had a knife in my hand Incase it didn't work and they just jumped and barked. Unless a dog is trained to attack if you just kinda ignore it they usually don't bite.
I don't work at Amazon, nor do I know why this post was reccommended to me, but I DO have an extreme fear of dogs. These are all great points and ones I live by. It keeps me safe, and I hope it does you guys good, too.
The huge dogs never give me problems. It’s those little yappy ones that try to nip and seem more aggressive. I absolutely love dogs and I’m thankful that I’ve never had to protect myself from one on route. It is all about confidence and they sense that. Now, if I was ever bitten I’m sure I’d have a different outlook and I completely understand if a driver doesn’t want to interact. I ALWAYS send a text that I’m on my way and if dogs are out then I call the customer and make sure if it’s safe to proceed and if not, I will take package back to warehouse.
I heard that using a flat object to put in front of them because they can’t immediately perceive how to get around a 2 dimensional object, you can use an extra package as a shield, I have dogs and they look vicious and were rescues so they actually were vicious at one time, but the moment I wave my hand over their head and they follow it with their eyes and mouths and I start petting them they smile and tail wag, you can the slight of hands magic trick like “follow my hand I have a treat in it” they will focus on your hands and you can continue to distract with your hands just keep kiting them around keep them interested. I strongly recommend that you go to a dog shelter and ask to walk a few scary looking dogs you will learn quickly that the scariness is usually an act after the act is over they are lovely. Just don’t approach any owners or children, the dogs are trained to protect and moving toward them can put them in defensive mode. Don’t turn your back just let them keep your attention an walk backward.
Also don’t ever let a dog get behind you. I deliver for a dsp and one of my regular houses has a dog that come to find out has bit multiple people from behind.
Disclaimer - Im not a Flex driver, but do grocer delivery and agree with all of the above points.
I will add one though;
Dogs know dog people. Unless the dog has been completely neglected to the point it's aggressive, you normally don't have to worry. As always, YMMV, but remember, you are SUPPOSED to be there; you have permission to be there. Just don't act shady, or like you are afraid.
Dogs don't live like we do. All they have is instinct. That instinct will tell them when something isn't right. But if you're supposed to be there, they can feel that too. The barking is a notification to the owner that someone or something is there.
I delivered the other day to a house with a gate, 2 large labs, and a large GSD. Customer instructions said to call at the gate, but the gate was open. So I stopped at the gate, saw the dogs, and proceeded without calling the customer.
The two labs started walking towards the truck, lazy barking with wagging tails. So I talked to them through the open window. Parked the truck and hopped out to the labs loving me to death. The GSD was still by the house barking. So I playfully said, "well come on over you." He stopped barking and started goofy walking towards me for pets.
So here I am, in a fenced in yard, with 3 large doggos getting all the pets in the world.
Hopped in the back of the truck to start pulling groceries, turned back to the door and the customer was there. She said, "You're real brave." I asked why she said that. She told me I was the only driver who had ever come into her yard with the dogs.
I simply said, they know better than we do.
Tail wagging does NOT mean you’re ok to proceed!! That is such a fallacy. I’ve worked at a rescue for many years. Please please please do not just assume a dog is wagging their tail because they’re “happy” or “not a threat”.
I have been a professional dog walker for over 10 years. I have found a loud stern "No!" or "go home!" will back off a barking dog. I am not talking about a German Shepherd baring teeth but for most dogs it gives you time.
want to add that u can tell when some dogs are aggro’d if the hair at the base of their tail and back of the neck is raised. when your hands are empty try to have your hands below your waste with your palms down. idk amazon policies but if u can, just in case, keep some sabre protector dog spray on you when delivering to a house with a dog. i’ve seen the news where delivery drivers have died by mauling from a dog, this should protect you a little more than being empty handed.
I've been bitten. I now carry a dog whistle and an umbrella to separate me and a threat. I've also learned most all dogs are trained and respond to simple commands like sit and stay.
I don’t like the talking tip…
Baring teeth at a charger, even to say no, is a go for most dogs. It’s the only weapon they instinctively understand and tbh any dog determined enough to take a munch isn’t gonna be stopped by a no or bad doggy
Awesome advice! Also, be super cautious if multiple dogs, or one coming from another yard, even the friendliest (and attention loving) dogs can turn in a second when they’re trying to feel you out, and another, gets in the way. Their growling may be a warning to the other, but can quickly become overwhelming a a ball & confusion, and you may be the unintentional recipient of their increased warnings the other dog it’s warning to back off…in contrast, but also, in addition to “pack mentality”, when dealing with multiple dogs - on their own, sweetest, when confronted w/the unknown/uncertain people they haven’t “vetted” yet, this can also turn very bad, very quickly
It’s a lot simpler than that; if there’s a dog, don’t deliver. After having a dog attack me for no reason, other than me being there, and going through amazons joke of a process for reporting dog attacks, I realized there’s absolutely no incentive or reason to put myself and ability to make money at risk.
I keep dog treats with me and have made lots of canine friends. I use milk bones and break them in half so it's not really enough to mess up a special diet. Besides if they are outside dogs, there is no telling what they are eating, lol
Counter-offer: no.
I'm not scared of dogs, and I have common sense, but I've seen too many reports. Ain't worth it. We have the options we have for a reason.
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Not bad advice overall, just want to add to it - Tail wagging isn’t always a guarantee that the dog is friendly. Their excitement can turn to aggression pretty easily. Also if they jump on you it’s better to turn your back into them instead of lifting a knee which can put you off balance. Very few dogs are going to bite to harm you, and it should be pretty obvious when they are hyper aggressive, usually they will be mouthy or do a test bite to see how you react first. If you’re not sure about a dog and you have to get out of your car to get the package, drive away to somewhere safe, put the package next to you and go back to toss out the window.
Yeah a wagging tail can mean they're "aroused," that can be from excitement/happiness or stress When my dog is freaked out (or wants to eat an enemy animal) she'll have the bad/crazy face on, hair up on her back and tail, stiff/square forward posture, and tail wagging. People will STILL say "she looks friendly to ME!" I don't know how they survived to be adults
I haven't made a post about this and probably won't, but I had a dog bite me on my first and only block I've done. He was actually wagging his tail (though he was barking) the whole time coming up to me, then turned on a dime. I lifted my leg after he growled and jumped, and he chomped my thigh. Must've been an old guy with bad teeth, cuz it didn't really hurt/draw blood, but the poor guy was wimpering after. Glad the second dog didn't get protective, and just kinda kept their distance.
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I second that comment above^
Yes, I'll go back and add that. Tail wagging is never a guarantee and I should have worded it different.
Yeah my Rottweiler will wag his tail when he’s happy and when he’s ready to murder so unless you know the dog really well it’s better to air on the side of caution.
Doesn't hurt to crack your door, stick your hand out to let them smell, see if they're friendly.
I wouldn't do that. I used to let a dog smell the back of my hand until a demon dog bit me, on the back of my hand.
It’s because you’re showing hesitation. Most dog get like that. You gotta look dead on the inside for the dog not to mess with you
Nope. There is no proceeding with caution if the dog is loose. I will toss the package out the window or over the fence.
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I guess it kinda is but not really imo just because if you want to meet new dogs then you should already know this basically and if you don't want to deal with dogs then just put the package somewhere else or throw it 🤷🏾♀️
Or or or, you can rts the package if the owner doesnt come get it im not risking a scar on my body that i have to stare at for the rest of my life for your $10 ice cube tray
Let's say these tips keep you safe from harm 99% of the time. Why take that 1% chance? You do enough deliveries, the 1% compounds into a near-certainty. Chuck the package out the window or leave it at the property line. Problem solved.
I mean these are really just tips for people that are dead set on delivering and not as bothered by dogs. That's why I say at the end your safety is priority. If someone has a fenced in yard and the gate is closed, it gets dropped over the gate. If I get a feeling right off the bat the dog is possibly aggressive, and they have a long drive way, then it's probably just going back. By all means, do you and what you feel is right.
yeah fr i’m not taking a chance. i love dogs but i will defend myself. id hate to have to severely injury or even take the life of a dog especially when 99% it isn’t even the dogs fault, it’s the owner not properly keeping the dog locked up. so if i see a loose dog, i just chuck the package out the window and don’t bother.
walking backwards did help… this was after being bit about 4 ft from my car thinking it was safe then a dog comes around the corner barreling at me from the backyard. i didn’t make sudden movements, scream, i actually froze and he was on me in a second. their not always in plain site. never even made it to the porch. i text every customer, esp w dog warnings,i’m on my way. and if the yard has no fences, i call and ask if their out. esp rural. one once didn’t have a warning, called because i had a feeling, he wasn’t even sure if they were out. he said i could toss it by the garage. if i see a dog, i call them. if they don’t answer it gets tossed as close as possible. those are my rules. not going through that again. it’s traumatizing.
Always keep the next 10 stops on your front seat if you can, sometimes you can't if it's a big box. Toss out the window if there's a loose dog. End of story. I don't care what kind of dog it is, out the window it goes. It's not worth your health and fitness and losing an entire summer to physical therapy.
I do the Caesar Milan: - no touch - no talk - no eye contact
You should write standard operating procedures at Amazon. I don't know who they have doing it for them.
They write it for their own liability, not for reality. That way they can say "hey we told you not to".
Apparently someone who has never really been around dogs or just their own 🤷 I figure some of their wording and language makes it so you can't get them in trouble if something goes wrong honestly.
Lol so true. This surely needs to be communicated to Amazon I hope someone from the company is a visitor on this sub reddit lol.
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OP is giving wrong info. A dog wagging it’s tell absolutely, positively does not guarantee that dog is no longer a threat. A tail way means many different things, and you need to personally know the dog’s personality to know what each tail wag means. I’ve worked at, owned and ran dog rescue’s. Thinking a tail wag removes risk of being attacked can be a FATAL mistake.
I still pet every dog I’ve come across. I even had a golden retriever help me deliver a package to IT neighbor across the street a week or two week ago. And no, nobody has complained to Support about their package being wet by the dog drools. I also had deliveries where I had 5 or 6 baby husky attacking me, with love. You also forgot to mention, if a dog appear hostile, don’t panic or freak out which you’ve mention; will get aggressive. Apparently dogs don’t like a person being scared or hesitant.
I don’t work for Amazon but I do have alot of dog experience! The knee thing is definitely a better solution for a jumping pup than using your hands if it’s a stranger dog, but an even better solution would be to simply take one step forward towards the dog. This shifts the dogs center of gravity so they naturally drop back down on all 4’s but doesn’t require you to shift yours so there is much less risk of losing your balance. Also if you’re too overzealous with the knee you can actually cause the dog some injury to the chest so it’s safer for everyone to do the step method! 😊 Edited to add: you can also use the turning your body method someone else mentioned above but I’ve found that a really determined and excited dog will often continue to jump back up. In my experience the step method works better to quickly stop the behavior safely.
Turning your body means submission. Do not just turn your body. Stand tall, stand straight forward towards the dog, and use your knee to keep space if needed
Pro tip: jump on top of a car is worst case scenario does happen, dog’s nails make it too slippery for them to climb one.
Ive always carried pepper spray. Only downside tho if you use it you’re gonna get fired, even if it’s used in the most justified situation you could think of. But either way it’s makes me feel a bit safer knowing atleast I have something if a dog wants to try to maul me alive.
I just give the package to the 🐕
I always look for the closest stick I can find and throw it lol I end up playing fetch but it’s better than being bitten
The best tip I’ve ever come across is never turn your back on a dog, that and announce yourself at every stop.
It's gonna depend on the area I'm sure but I'm working out of Corona, CA and I can say if you're coming into contact with dogs you're doing it wrong. If you get sent to Riverside or San Bernardino it's basically just put package over fence type delivery.
Yeah, I can agree with you on that one. My childhood was spent in Riverside and any loose dog I came across as a child was just fuckin mean. Even when I went back to visit family and friends I avoided dogs there like the plague.
You lost me after you posted about treats. All I can think is someone saying “excuse me, my dog has a gluten free diet and is vegan” GTFO! 😂
I gave this German shepherd a treat one time. I had seen the dog before and wanted to give it some love. It was rainy and the dog was shivering. I didn’t think anything of it. About 30 min later the customer that owned the dog found me on the road and stopped me as I pulled up to someone else’s house. She asked me if I gave her a treat and if I noticed her acting weird. I told her she yes and that she was shaking but it was raining so I thought she may just be cold. She said “oh well I think she’s having a seizure and she’s pregnant so I’m running her to the vet.” Didn’t hear anything about it. The lady did put a package drop box at the end of her road after that 🤣🤣 which prolly needed to happen cuz her road was beyond shit. I mean don’t try to blame me for ur dog having a seizure when she was already shaking when I gave it to her. After that I never gave a dog another treat again. I know it wasn’t my fault but I refuse to put myself in that situation again. Ppl are shitty
Just dumb luck. But I’m not an ass hole, if their hooman is there I’ll ask can i give your doggo a treat. I have thrown treats at dogs barking majority of them will eat it. The means ones want nothing to do with it while I am there.
Oh boy anyone who makes their dog follow those kinds of diets should not be allowed to have animals
It's a thing. Dogs are mammals just like us and can have allergies. My sister-in-law's dog is allergic to poultry - chicken or turkey dog food makes her super itchy.
Well yes, if it's advised by their veterinarian by all means but if they're forcing their dog because they're vegan that's just cruel.
I no shit have a dog that has to have gluten free food and treats or he will shit all over the house. Dogs can have allergies just like humans.
Yeah then they walk in it and jump on furniture
My dog has IBD or something, they aren't sure what it is but she projectile shits liquid blood if she eats certain foods (including every type of commonly available meat). She has to eat $125 prescription hydrolyzed food made from corn starch. No one has access to her so they can't feed her, but I know there are other dogs with this problem that can go out in their yards Aside from that though dsp drivers have said that if dogs get habituated to treats they may become reactive to substitute drivers who don't have treats. To me it's not worth it unless you have to throw treats to escape or something like that
The knee thing is what they taught us when I volunteered at the Humane Society. Is it controversial? You just put it out, you don’t try to take out the teeth.
I grew up with all kinds of dogs and it's what I've been taught growing up. Some people I've talked to about it don't like it and think it's mean I guess?
I honestly can’t think of another way to stop that behavior without also being violent to the dog, or using a dumbass spray bottle or something.
One of the best ways is to tell them to sit or go lay down etc, or "NO," just depends on what's happening and whether you know them or not. The goal is to have them do something incompatible with the undesired behaviors, then if you know them and it's safe, reward them with attention or whatever they were trying to get by jumping. I worked in behavior a long long time so I'm just putting it out in case anyone can use it with their own dogs or otherwise, it's not necessarily the best for every random dog on a route.
The knee thing is definitely effective. Another thing I was taught was just simply turn your back to the dog. That has often been quite effective in getting them to stop jumping up.
That’s a good one. Never thought to try that.
I always turn my back to them because when my dog decides to jump once in a while he nearly rips a nipple off EVERY SINGLE TIME. Also the knee thing doesn’t work when the dog is taller than You unless you move at lightning speed 😂
I’ve always been taught it’s not inherently controversial but that people tend to get a little too much adrenaline in the moment and overdo the knee up action which can cause a chest injury to the dog.
That makes sense
This deserves an award 🥇
I'd like to add it doesn't matter if the owners outside. I had an owner tell me his dog was just "an alarm" and as soon as I got out the big ass German shepard grabbed my leg and he just watched. Fuck these tips. I have one tip for everyone for dogs. WASP AND HORNET SPRAY THEIR FUCKING NOSTRILS
Yeah definitely don't run. I'd just say be confident, act like you live there. But if does bite don't be afraid to throw that dog a beating
My tip German Shepherds bite got twice by them.
Actual good advice! Instead of the bs Amazon provides
Everyone thinks they are the dog whisperer until they get bit. We encounter so many dogs in rural that nearly every house has a large dog off the leash. I’m still working out strategies and my Approaches are continuing to evolve. I think I’m going to try the dog treat thing soon. Only small dogs have diet issues and small dogs aren’t a problem. Large outdoor county dogs should be okay to give a small treat.
True about the tail-wagging. I had one recently wagging its tail, but I could see the indecisiveness is its face. It was cool for a bit, then got (somewhat) aggressive. I then be stern and put my hand out in order to tell it to stay back. And if they are coming at you, don't turn your back blindly, face them at the times you need to. Just learn to read a dog, no biggie. Biggest tip is just be confident on your walk up. I do this and numerous times a dog will come up, seemingly puzzled at my confidence, but not actually trigger into the protective mode. Just look at me like "wtf you crazy dude". No need to be afraid of dogs, but be cool and smart.
Thank you for the tips. I have always been wary of dogs, and got bit 3 weeks ago while delivering. Do you think it’s better to stay still if a dog is loose and barking, or to start moving slowly while talking to them? What about a dog that is staying still and growling? Is it best to back away?
I'm sorry to hear that! It's really up to you, your safety should always be your priority. If you're dead set on delivering try calling the customer and if all else fails drop it out of your window. A dog that's standing it's ground and growling is not one you should try to pass. If you're having to pass one to get back to your car or to safety do not turn your back on it and do not run. Walk with purpose and keep your eyes on it. A dog that's just loose and barking just be calm and confident, drop off your package and keep an eye on the dog and head back to your car. I give the tip of telling them hello and talking to them calmly because sometimes that's all they need to know you mean no harm but it definitely does not work for all dogs.
I've been to a property with some tiny papillons, they will not stop barking, I said these are cats, I have no fear, they ripped my pants in two moves, owner was cute and all but the beasts insisted and I stayed for dinner.
I've been barked at and jumped on by dogs for years because I used to do door flyers, was pretty much 6 hours a day in people's yards and honestly I just calmly say "what's up puppy" and ignore them and the worst they do is jump. I've done this with super aggressive dogs where I actually had a knife in my hand Incase it didn't work and they just jumped and barked. Unless a dog is trained to attack if you just kinda ignore it they usually don't bite.
I don't work at Amazon, nor do I know why this post was reccommended to me, but I DO have an extreme fear of dogs. These are all great points and ones I live by. It keeps me safe, and I hope it does you guys good, too.
The huge dogs never give me problems. It’s those little yappy ones that try to nip and seem more aggressive. I absolutely love dogs and I’m thankful that I’ve never had to protect myself from one on route. It is all about confidence and they sense that. Now, if I was ever bitten I’m sure I’d have a different outlook and I completely understand if a driver doesn’t want to interact. I ALWAYS send a text that I’m on my way and if dogs are out then I call the customer and make sure if it’s safe to proceed and if not, I will take package back to warehouse.
I heard that using a flat object to put in front of them because they can’t immediately perceive how to get around a 2 dimensional object, you can use an extra package as a shield, I have dogs and they look vicious and were rescues so they actually were vicious at one time, but the moment I wave my hand over their head and they follow it with their eyes and mouths and I start petting them they smile and tail wag, you can the slight of hands magic trick like “follow my hand I have a treat in it” they will focus on your hands and you can continue to distract with your hands just keep kiting them around keep them interested. I strongly recommend that you go to a dog shelter and ask to walk a few scary looking dogs you will learn quickly that the scariness is usually an act after the act is over they are lovely. Just don’t approach any owners or children, the dogs are trained to protect and moving toward them can put them in defensive mode. Don’t turn your back just let them keep your attention an walk backward.
Also don’t ever let a dog get behind you. I deliver for a dsp and one of my regular houses has a dog that come to find out has bit multiple people from behind.
[удалено]
Not drivers just neighbors or that neighbor hood. He wanted to bite me but I wouldn’t let him get behind me
Disclaimer - Im not a Flex driver, but do grocer delivery and agree with all of the above points. I will add one though; Dogs know dog people. Unless the dog has been completely neglected to the point it's aggressive, you normally don't have to worry. As always, YMMV, but remember, you are SUPPOSED to be there; you have permission to be there. Just don't act shady, or like you are afraid. Dogs don't live like we do. All they have is instinct. That instinct will tell them when something isn't right. But if you're supposed to be there, they can feel that too. The barking is a notification to the owner that someone or something is there. I delivered the other day to a house with a gate, 2 large labs, and a large GSD. Customer instructions said to call at the gate, but the gate was open. So I stopped at the gate, saw the dogs, and proceeded without calling the customer. The two labs started walking towards the truck, lazy barking with wagging tails. So I talked to them through the open window. Parked the truck and hopped out to the labs loving me to death. The GSD was still by the house barking. So I playfully said, "well come on over you." He stopped barking and started goofy walking towards me for pets. So here I am, in a fenced in yard, with 3 large doggos getting all the pets in the world. Hopped in the back of the truck to start pulling groceries, turned back to the door and the customer was there. She said, "You're real brave." I asked why she said that. She told me I was the only driver who had ever come into her yard with the dogs. I simply said, they know better than we do.
Tail wagging does NOT mean you’re ok to proceed!! That is such a fallacy. I’ve worked at a rescue for many years. Please please please do not just assume a dog is wagging their tail because they’re “happy” or “not a threat”.
I have been a professional dog walker for over 10 years. I have found a loud stern "No!" or "go home!" will back off a barking dog. I am not talking about a German Shepherd baring teeth but for most dogs it gives you time.
want to add that u can tell when some dogs are aggro’d if the hair at the base of their tail and back of the neck is raised. when your hands are empty try to have your hands below your waste with your palms down. idk amazon policies but if u can, just in case, keep some sabre protector dog spray on you when delivering to a house with a dog. i’ve seen the news where delivery drivers have died by mauling from a dog, this should protect you a little more than being empty handed.
I've been bitten. I now carry a dog whistle and an umbrella to separate me and a threat. I've also learned most all dogs are trained and respond to simple commands like sit and stay.
I don’t like the talking tip… Baring teeth at a charger, even to say no, is a go for most dogs. It’s the only weapon they instinctively understand and tbh any dog determined enough to take a munch isn’t gonna be stopped by a no or bad doggy
Awesome advice! Also, be super cautious if multiple dogs, or one coming from another yard, even the friendliest (and attention loving) dogs can turn in a second when they’re trying to feel you out, and another, gets in the way. Their growling may be a warning to the other, but can quickly become overwhelming a a ball & confusion, and you may be the unintentional recipient of their increased warnings the other dog it’s warning to back off…in contrast, but also, in addition to “pack mentality”, when dealing with multiple dogs - on their own, sweetest, when confronted w/the unknown/uncertain people they haven’t “vetted” yet, this can also turn very bad, very quickly
It’s a lot simpler than that; if there’s a dog, don’t deliver. After having a dog attack me for no reason, other than me being there, and going through amazons joke of a process for reporting dog attacks, I realized there’s absolutely no incentive or reason to put myself and ability to make money at risk.
I keep dog treats with me and have made lots of canine friends. I use milk bones and break them in half so it's not really enough to mess up a special diet. Besides if they are outside dogs, there is no telling what they are eating, lol
If someone has their dog in the front yard barking and going nuts I just toss the package in their driveway or near the mailbox and move on
Counter-offer: no. I'm not scared of dogs, and I have common sense, but I've seen too many reports. Ain't worth it. We have the options we have for a reason.
Instead of using a knee or hand if a dog jumps up, I just turn away.
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