Every job has occupational hazards. For people making home deliveries, those occupational hazards can be vicious dogs. 

Local dog trainer Gary Overs, owner of Gary Overs Kenneling and Obedience, has been doing a series of presentations for those who deliver parcels about the dangers dogs can pose and some of the warning signs. 

Overs said, first, when it comes to homeowners, be truthful about your dog’s behaviour when a stranger is at the door. 

“So many people will not be truthful. You'll say is the dog OK and they'll say oh yeah, yeah, yeah he should be OK and really, he's not,” Overs said. 

He added that he has seen an increase in dog bites and vicious dog behaviour over the years. He attributes it to rescue dogs that are being adopted out as pets that are older and were not trained during critical younger years. 

“Because I've been doing this for 40 years, we have never had problems like we do now, never. Back in the day, I'd maybe get two or three really bad dogs a year now it's every single class has two or three of them in it,” Overs said. 

If you are delivering a parcel, Overs gave a few tips. 

First, he recommended shaking the gate or door. A dog will recognize the sound of the gate and come running. If the dog comes running, check the dog's body posture. 

Overs said signs that the dog could attack include pulled-back ears and half-moon eyes. If the ears go up and forward and their mouth is clenched closed, Overs said a bite is imminent. 

If you are able to get inside the gate, look around and be aware of your surroundings and always leave the way you entered. 

If the dog starts showing aggression when you are in the yard, stare at the dog and slowly back away, don’t run but don’t stand still either. If you have a hat or parcel, put it in your non-dominant hand and dangle it in front of the dog if it attacks. Overs said a dog will bite whatever is closest to its mouth so have it bite the hat or parcel. 

As you are backing away, if the dog lunges forward, Overs recommends yelling at the dog to cut it out and let them know you are willing to fight back. 

Finally, if you are attacked, Overs said don’t be a victim and fight back by hitting the dog in the throat, neck or back. He said don’t hit the dog on the head as it will only cause them to bite harder. 

When it comes to delivering parcels and the dog is in the house, a delivery person should politely ask if a dog can be put into another room or kennel if they feel unsafe. Overs said most dog owners will remove the dog from the situation. He added to be aware of screen doors as dogs have been known to go right through the screen to attack. 

When all else fails, if you don’t feel safe delivering a package, Overs said you should go back to your vehicle and make alternate arrangements to drop off the package.