why does she keep barking at the postman?

Question

our german shepard is 18months old.everyday day between 6am and 10am she is barking and groulin waitin for the postman.we have shut the stairgate so she cant get near the door and she still does it.anyone got any advise plz

hi thank u for ur replys.... she has never come face to face with the postman,we have had to put a metal cage behind the door as i think she might have his fingers.the only time she barks is if anyone knocks on the door but as she gets to the door we know if it is someone we know or not as she willcarry on if its a stranger,and stops if she knows them..she is very very good with children as she has been brought up with them.She sleeps at the top of the stairs and we have a stairgate which we have started to shut to see if that works but it doesnt.

Answer 1

She's doing it because first of all, she's doing her job and guarding the house. When someone approaches the door, she barks, that's what she's supposed to do. Most people who come to the door, then come in and are welcomed by the family. She doesn't bark any more. But she's been conditioned that when she barks at the post man, she "scares" him away. He leaves every time she barks and she thinks he's leaving because she did her job.

If she's friendly, you can try having her outside on a leash when he comes and introduce them. Around here, all the postmen carry milk bones for the dogs on their route.

Answer 2

Sounds like she's anticipating his arrival. Did he ever get close enough to hit her or kick her? If not, then I am guessing that this waiting is a game for her. You might try some other toys or games before the mailman arrivies to distract her. Or she is just being very protective. Does she bark or growl at any other people that come to your house? If it's just the mailman, I would wonderwhat may have transpired between them. I had a cocker spaniel that hated boxers - she was about 12 " high and would literally chase any boxer out of the yard - we never knew why, but we always knew when a boxer was around by her actions. Perhaps comical but it shows that dogs have preferences and likes and dislikes - some we just don't understand.

Answer 3

My dog used to bark all the time when the postman came around. I could not stop it. I learned to accept that my dog was naturally defensive of anyone he saw or heard come near the house. I bought him a chew toy to keep him occupied when the postman came around around and that seemed to work.

Answer 4

try geting the post man to come in your house and pet the dog and play with it and make it like him/her so the dog will get used to the postman and will stop barking :]

Answer 5

try putting a mussel on her or put her bed at the far end of the house.....if that don't work you can look into a shook collar that will very quickly let her know that this is a bad behavior.........if you don't do something it will only get worse.....
good luck

Answer 6

She is doing her job, she is protecting her home and her family praise her tell her she is a good dog them tell her that is enough it is OK