Doggy Diplomacy

Everyone knows about not disturbing a dog while it is eating. Though I once knew a placid old German shepherd who would allow you to add and remove food from his dish while he was in the very act of eating it. He’d even sit three feet away and watch a crow help itself to his food. He also loved fetching a stick, he just would never give it up willingly when he brought it back; though he’s look disappointed if you tired of his game and walked away. So dogs are as individualistic as the humans who own them but a few guidelines apply.

First and foremost never enter a confined space when you see a dog occupying it. This applies equally to verandahs, entryways, a house, a car, a yard or a doorstep. If you have to deliver mail in person to a customer while supervised by a dog it were better if they came outside and closed the door, in any case never reach toward the customer; make them take the item from you. People who tie their dog to the front doorknob or worse yet, the mailbox subject both their pets and the mailman to needless stress. If you meet someone walking their dog or in their yard with the dog nearby always make sure the person takes an item from you, don’t reach toward them—such actions can be misinterpreted. Never stick your hand into a vehicle with a dog in it—again make the owner reaches out of it toward you.

We’ve all heard about dogs bred for aggression but I’ve also known a pair of Dobermans that would enthusiastically lick whatever part of one that was closest. Small, over-bred dogs seem to be the most excitable and high strung. I know a Yorkie who would take on an Irish Wolfhound without blinking an eye. The dog weighs 40 ounces. Lassie may have been made famous by Timmy but when a collie or any dog for that matter approaches you with its head lowered, it’s hackles and back raised and tail between its legs back off. I’d rather a dog barked at me than stood or sat there at attention watching my every move.

There is much advice about not looking a dog in the eye, keeping your hands in plain sight—in winter one tends to keep them wherever they’ll stay warmest, and talking or shouting at an approaching dog. In my experience this kind of advice is specific to the dog and person using it. Generally such encounters occur without much warning or time for philosophical thought. The one thing I would say is never turn you back on a dog—tough advice to follow when there are two circling you. Personally I don’t like having my heels dogged by a creature I don’t trust. The best advice when forced to work in an area that isn’t familiar to one is to be vigilant at all times and err on the side of caution—if you don’t feel comfortable don’t go near.

When asked by friends for advice about dogs when they canvass for charities or political campaigns I tell them wear light coloured pants, go hatless, and carry as little as possible—advice not available to letter carriers.

Tiger was a Heinz 57 dog on a corner lot with a backyard fenced in on both sides. Tiger started barking on his side of the fence the moment I got near his property made a dash around his house and resumed station on the other side of the house until I was out of range. While I was on vacation the relief had occasion to meet Tiger face to face—unfortunately he ran. As described by the customer who heard the kafuffle from her basement when she arrived at the front door there was an explosion of mail all over the yard, Tiger cowering in the garden, and a mailman with the rear-end torn out of his pants cowering in another corner.