Going mental at postmen, dustbin men etc

Building on an earlier thread, when we first got Densil he never bothered much about the post, but now he has settled in he goes absolutely mental when the postman comes. He jumps up in the air at the door and we have a cage fitted to collect the mail. He does the same thing when dustmen come or parcel deliveries. We have to shut him in the lounge, which is right next to the front door and he is clawing at the door to get out. We have no idea what time our post is coming as we never have the same postman from one week to the next and never know what time they will call, so densil usually knows well before we do that he is on his way. He can see him coming through the window. I have tried distracting him with treats but that didn't work, so now am considering getting a water pistol to spray him with and distract him. Just wondering if anybody has any other ideas. When we can afford it we hope to build a porch over the front door and put a separate box on the wall outside.

Also, we cannot use our burglar alarm if we go out and the post hasn't been. Had a "pet friendly" alarm installed which said as long as dog is under 35 kilo is ok, and densil is just under 20k. On the day of installation however we were told it also goes on height, so when he jumps up in the air at the door he set the alarm off (as I found out when I nipped out to the shops).

We used the water spray bottle which worked wonders, box outside may be a very idea too.

Going to try the water spray - was upstairs when postman came today, so too late to do anything. Don't want to spend my life looking out the window for him - it would be much easier if they kept to a set time but could be anytime between 9am and 1pm.

Isn't it strange how even dogs of the same breed vary so much? Ruby never barks, doesn't move when the door bell goes or post is delivered. Just a really laid back girl I suppose.

We have this issue as well although it has gotten better over time. Have you tried ringing the bell multiple times during the day or asking people to stop over as frequently as possible? This will allow him to become more comfortable

jstaff wrote:We have this issue as well although it has gotten better over time. Have you tried ringing the bell multiple times during the day or asking people to stop over as frequently as possible? This will allow him to become more comfortable

We don't have a doorbell and I think going outside and knocking on the door won't be the same as seeing the postman arrive with mail/parcels in his hand. Also think the reflective jackets don't help. Tried the water spray yesterday and it did stop him jumping at door, but had to shut him in lounge because it was a parcel which had to be signed for and he was clawing at the door to get out. Have had a look round for an outside mail box but they are so small, we need something you can easily get a magazine in as we get a few of those delivered, and again this won't solve the problem when they knock on the door because it is too big for letterbox or needs signing for. Think the answer will be to build an entrance porch over the front door so we can shut him in the hallway, although he will probably start scratching at the front door to get out, lol.