Calling all dog owners

[Blaze]

Why should you not wear a hat, Blaze?? That one is puzzling me!

Hats, particularly ones with brims or a peak, seem to disturb a dog's ability to recognise a person's features and they can become protective or defensive. Posties and police seemed to get bitten more than most, though posties haven't worn hats for a long time now. Unsurprisingly it's something people wouldn't think about when socialising a puppy.

We've seen several behavioural traits in our adopted dog which show he wasn't socialised as a pup. He's a nightmare when someone arrives at the door. Whilst we accept that he barks as a warning, we still haven't been able to teach him that when we allow someone in, it's because they aren't a threat to us.
He ran away the first time he saw me wearing a pair of Christmas antlers .....

[demi]

"He ran away the first time he saw me wearing a pair of Christmas antlers."

So might I !!!

[Veem]

Well done Antonia and it must be very reassuring to know that you have such lovely neighbours.

The habits of posties and dogs turn into ingrained behaviour. The postie arrives - the dog barks - the postie leaves. The dog thinks he's won every time!

[Blaze]

Good news Antonia and I'm glad to hear all went well. It's always wise to be cautious and it was thoughtful of your neighbours to keep the dogs out of the way when you arrived !

[suein56]

The habits of posties and dogs turn into ingrained behaviour. The postie arrives - the dog barks - the postie leaves. The dog thinks he's won every time!

Sounds about right V