Our dog, Honey, is very protective when strangers come to the door, especially repair or delivery people. We usually put her in the back yard or a bedroom and then listen to her bark her head off until the person leaves.
Today, we had our washer repaired. My husband was home to deal with the repair. When I saw the van pull up outside, I got Honey's leash and took her for a walk. She is very good about not barking at people on the leash so she didn't even notice him. After we walked around the block, I just took her on my afternoon errand to school and the store. The washer was fixed and the repairman was gone by the time we made it home.
I figure that sitting and riding in the car was more interesting than being locked in the bedroom. It was certainly quieter. Of course, it was a cool spring day, not the height of summer or I wouldn't leave her in the car for any length of time.
Other ideas to divert your dog's attention might be to schedule a vet or grooming appointment during those times, or even a "doggie daycare". There are some places that offer drop in playtimes by the hour or 1/2 day.
By Jess from Hillsboro, OR
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How you handled the comfort and safety for all involved here is so sweet, Jess, and I'll venture to bet that Honey appreciated the fun jaunt so much more than having been upset being couped up! ;-)
Your Honey sounds a lot like our Hannah! Thumbs up for your plan on repair day.
Like your dog, ours is also great on the leash and doesn't bark or show any aggression to people or animals when out for a walk. Also as you did, we had a barkfest whenever delivery people came by.
UPS man, FedEx man, garbage man, recycle man--mail carrier--anything big on wheels would set her off. The barking drove me nuts inside the house; and letting her outside to continue to bark is a no-go in our neighborhood. We have an elderly neighbor with no tolerance for a big dog barking more than a few moments.
One day when I'd had enough, I mulled over what would be an even stronger distraction for her than those "intruders". In our case, Hannah has a ton of ball drive--she'll carry a ball around all day long and wears us out playing catch. So, when I heard the mailman coming down the street, I took her out in the yard to play catch until he passed our house.
And--it worked! That was about six months ago, She has gotten to the point at which when she hears the trucks coming, she finds her ball and heads to the back door.
Don't know if this may help you, but anyone out there with a protective, territorial barker that also has a love of ball or frisbee play may find a little peace and quiet this way. :)
These are great ideas and got me to thinking. I wonder if taking the dog for a walk before the repairman arrives and then coming back while he is still there in the house the dog would see him as an accepted person and not an intruder at that point? I will try this next time a repair man comes let you know the results.
With no dis-respect the worst possible thing you can do is isolate the Dog when visitors enter the house. Keep the lead in a handy place when there's a knock at the door leash the Dog make sure they are close to you on your left side then answer door. If the Dog is large and powerful you will need two people. You sit on chair with leashed dog another person lets visitor in.
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