Our dog nipped the postman.
Discussion
We've had our Border Collie cross rescue dog for over seven years and he had never exhibited any aggression towards any other dogs or people. We have had two professional dog-sitters comment on how loving and gentle he is. Over the years we have had countless visits from friends, relatives and tradespeople and he has greeted all of them with nothing more than a wagging tail.
Yesterday morning the doorbell rang and it was the the postman delivering a parcel. Our dog enthusiastically barked as most dogs do, and I let him meet and greet the postie as normal. Next thing the postie emitted a loud 'Ouch! Your dog just nipped me on the back of the leg!' All I could do was apologise for all I was worth and swear that the dog had never done anything like that before. The postie mumbled something, turned and walked away. I gave the dog a severe telling-off and made him realise in no uncertain terms that he had done something wrong. From now on he'll be prevented from greeting callers, just in case.
I put it down to our lad being over-enthusiastic rather than aggressive, but I'm worried that the postie won't see it that way. I'm worried that he may report it and have measures imposed against us or our dog.
I'm seeking reassurance rather than objective advice! It would break my heart if our beloved pooch was punished any more for his mistake.
Yesterday morning the doorbell rang and it was the the postman delivering a parcel. Our dog enthusiastically barked as most dogs do, and I let him meet and greet the postie as normal. Next thing the postie emitted a loud 'Ouch! Your dog just nipped me on the back of the leg!' All I could do was apologise for all I was worth and swear that the dog had never done anything like that before. The postie mumbled something, turned and walked away. I gave the dog a severe telling-off and made him realise in no uncertain terms that he had done something wrong. From now on he'll be prevented from greeting callers, just in case.
I put it down to our lad being over-enthusiastic rather than aggressive, but I'm worried that the postie won't see it that way. I'm worried that he may report it and have measures imposed against us or our dog.
I'm seeking reassurance rather than objective advice! It would break my heart if our beloved pooch was punished any more for his mistake.
I’ve got 3 dogs. All home pets. All bark at the door, all lovely once settled again. Thing to remember the barking isn’t a friendly cant wait to greet the person approaching their space. It’s a warning to back off. So when people see a little 10kg Boston barking they simply smile, when they see a 28kg lab barking they ask if it’s ok or does your dog mind. When they see a 7stone Doberman barking they don’t even want to know if he is friendly lol. All 3 dogs are barking for the same reason though. As an owner always be aware your domesticated wolf will bite. So not as much as a shock if you let the situation arise as that your buddy will protect you. The bark is the warning though.
Normally, Royal Mail will seek assurances that it won't happen again, in the first instance.
Any action will be limited to (probably) a letter asking you to take steps to prevent recurrence and (possibly) a visit from the local manager to check the situation and look you in the eye when you say you won't let it happen again.
Your postie will be fine as long as you keep the dog well away, nothing worse than wondering where the next bite is coming from.
No serious action is likely unless after assurances, your dog is allowed to terrorise the postie in future.
As an aside, it really is no comfort to be told the dog has never done that before!
Any action will be limited to (probably) a letter asking you to take steps to prevent recurrence and (possibly) a visit from the local manager to check the situation and look you in the eye when you say you won't let it happen again.
Your postie will be fine as long as you keep the dog well away, nothing worse than wondering where the next bite is coming from.
No serious action is likely unless after assurances, your dog is allowed to terrorise the postie in future.
As an aside, it really is no comfort to be told the dog has never done that before!
Catch the postman next time, apologise again and tell him the dog will be kept in when he delivers.
Some dogs (and quite often Collies) quite often react badly to fluorescent and bright colours, ours used to. If out walking and there was someone with clothing or a bag which was like that the hackles would go up and they'd bark a lot, possibly would have nipped if left to do so. It's a 'thing', you could probably research it, but i'm not sure there is an answer as to why.
Some dogs (and quite often Collies) quite often react badly to fluorescent and bright colours, ours used to. If out walking and there was someone with clothing or a bag which was like that the hackles would go up and they'd bark a lot, possibly would have nipped if left to do so. It's a 'thing', you could probably research it, but i'm not sure there is an answer as to why.
Nimby said:
Our border collie would occasionally nip ankles too, but quite gently. We were told It's herding instinct - not aggression.
A real attack bite is very different.
Yep ur Rottweiler does this too when he gets over-excited. I am 100% sure it’s the act of quickly pulling your leg away which makes it feel worse than it is.A real attack bite is very different.
It doesn’t mean seeing or feeling a dog with its jaw around you isn’t a bad thing but I wouldn’t be too upset and just monitor it a bit more.
Dave!
Nimby said:
garythesign said:
Our first dog was a rescue collie and showed similar traits
Our border collie would occasionally nip ankles too, but quite gently. We were told It's herding instinct - not aggression.A real attack bite is very different.
Whenever we kids got a bit loud or over excited the collie would always go for our heels.
bexVN said:
Playing devils adcocate here but did your dog definitely nip fhis person?
Did you see anything from your dog to suggest this happened and did the postie show where it had happened?
The postie didn't point out the exact place, but as he walked away I did notice a slightly damp patch on the back of his trouser leg, which I presumed was our boy's saliva. So yes, I'm afraid there was likely contact between dog mouth and trouser.Did you see anything from your dog to suggest this happened and did the postie show where it had happened?
Thanks to all who took the time to reply; I've learned a little more about dog behaviour!
This happened to a relative of mine, was only a Dachshund but drew blood so they got a visit from I think the police (may have been the rspca) with some ground rules (muzzle, not being left alone with children).
Royal Mail put an embargo on the house, they had to go-to the depo the next day to pick up any mail for a few months then the postman changed and normal business resumed.
Royal Mail put an embargo on the house, they had to go-to the depo the next day to pick up any mail for a few months then the postman changed and normal business resumed.
Plastic chicken said:
bexVN said:
Playing devils adcocate here but did your dog definitely nip fhis person?
Did you see anything from your dog to suggest this happened and did the postie show where it had happened?
The postie didn't point out the exact place, but as he walked away I did notice a slightly damp patch on the back of his trouser leg, which I presumed was our boy's saliva. So yes, I'm afraid there was likely contact between dog mouth and trouser.Did you see anything from your dog to suggest this happened and did the postie show where it had happened?
Thanks to all who took the time to reply; I've learned a little more about dog behaviour!
My two are very friendly but the younger one does occasionally get over excited and can nip when she does. Not so much now to be fair but I do monitor her to keep that excitement in check with guests etc, not something I have ever needed to do with our slightly older whippet!
I guess acknowledging that something happened and ensuring it won't happen again will resolve the situation this time.
I was nipped by a farm dog a couple of months ago - took me by surprise, as I'm used to being round dogs. It was a sheepdog and his nip is used to round-up sheep and humans too, in my case. No blood drawn as I was wearing jeans, but I had a shin length bruise for about a week and was given 6 free range eggs as well as an apology from the farmer's wife.
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