To think if you are that scared of dogs you shouldn't be doing deliveries?

[MummySharkDoodoododoo]

I do totally understand that people don't all like dogs. I understand that some are terrified of them.

But 2 deliveries this week have been by people that are too scared of my dogs, who are always shut in the kitchen before I open the front door, as I do respect that not every body wants to meet them, which is fine.

Today, the woman knocked on my door. The dogs barked, I shut them in the kitchen and then opened the door, she was stood 2 doors away, at the end of the driveway, shouting that she had a delivery for me. I was in my pjs and had no shoes on, so was expecting her to come and give them to me. She asked if the dogs were ok, I said yeah they are fine and are shut in the kitchen and can't get out. She came closer but still wouldn't come down my drive, I ended up coming out in bare feet and getting the parcel and signing for it at the end of the driveway.

Similar happened last week although he did deliver to the door, but said he wouldn't have knocked if he knew I had dogs

For context, one is big and one small. Both never hurt anybody and live with 4 kids, including special needs kids. They just bark at the door like most dogs I've met.

If people are that scared of dogs, that they can't come to my door with a parcel, surely they are in the wrong job? If the dogs were on my doorstep with teeth showing I'd totally get it, but surely once I've said they are shut in the kitchen that should be enough??? My mum hates dogs and doesn't go near them, but I shut them in the kitchen and that's the end of that. She was bitten by a dog years ago and I totally understand it.

Aibu to think this woman is in the wrong job???

Some of the responses thus far suggest that OP is being unreasonable. I don't see why.
She told the delivery person that she had shut the dogs away and it was safe to proceed. She appreciates that even though she loves her dogs other people might not.
Unless the delivery person had reason to think she was a psychopath, who would say she'd shut her dogs away and then let them loose to attack, there was no reason to stand two doors away.

I was never scared of dogs but I've been bitten no less than 3 times in the last 3 years (once by a very territorial dog belonging to a family member, twice by random dogs without warning).

My job doesn't involve dogs, but presumably if I were a delivery person, you think I'd have to quit.

Delivery people are probably among the most likely people to suffer dog bites, so it's not surprising that some develop phobias. I get that it is a mild inconvenience for you, but many people are rightly and understandably fearful of dogs and, as a dog owner, you should have to put up with the mild inconveniences that brings.

If the dogs are continuing to bark loudly I dont blame her for being nervous, delivery staff are regularly bitten by dogs that aren't happy having someone at the door.

Maybe I'm not being clear. I'm not saying she is unreasonable to be wary/scared, but her job is to deliver to my door, no? Rather than make me come out to her, in pjs and bare feet when I'm ill because she doesn't feel happy coming to my door

No you were being very clear.

I am laughing at some of the replies, please train your dog not to bark when someone knocks at your door 😂

I didn't say "please train your dog.." though, did I?
I simply asked if it were possible.
Was that a bad question?

Polidori not only is it not a bad question but it is entirely possible to train dogs not to bark when there's someone at the door.

It's possible, but the owners might not want to. I want my dog to bark when people approach the house/door.

It's possible, but the owners might not want to. I want my dog to bark when people approach the house/door.
And that's fine, but if someone wants to have a dog that barks at people who approach the door, then they should accept that some people might be unwilling to knock on the door (particularly those in a profession where dog bites are prolific).

They could get a delivery box installed instead.

I don't understand the replies that say "not everybody loves your dog" etc, when I've said that I understand that, and shut them away. I'm not expecting anything other than to have my item delivered like I paid for.

Dogs barking at the door protects us greatly from intruders and helps keep my home safe and secure.

I am more than happy to secure them in another room when I open the door.

It’s a an absolutely ridiculous question because dogs communicate by barking, I also think that the way you phrased it was pretty rude but these threads attract the dog haters like bees to a honey pot.

The majority of dog owners want to be alerted when someone is at the door, it’s absolutely ridiculous to expect them to embark on a training program to pander to a nervous delivery driver.

So, people shouldn't get badly paid jobs with too many deliveries and long hours, unless they're also willing to put up with barking (or worse) dogs. That's a selfish attitude, IMO.

Obviously dogs can bark but it's not nice for the rest of us, and can be scary on occasion. With good reason, according to the signs in our sorting office.

Sorry, people are now saying that it’s teadonable not to knock on a door if a dog is barking inside the house?

I would prefer it if DPD concentrated on sticking to the speed limits in built up areas but we can’t have it all can we?

reasonable

Why don't you have a bell or intercom or something on the gate that's linked up to your house? That way you can go out or reassure the person your dog is secured.

Part of my job involves going into people's homes, I phone ahead and ask them to have the dog secure before I arrive. Nobody should have to take the risk of being attacked when they're providing a service!

I think if the owner is able to communicate clearly -and be heard-before opening the door that the dog is locked in a different room, it makes a difference.

I don't understand the replies that say "not everybody loves your dog" etc, when I've said that I understand that, and shut them away. I'm not expecting anything other than to have my item delivered like I paid for

Because lots of people aren’t interested in the facts, they see dog in the title and run to vent their hatred.

Mayve i shouldnt be a child and yoing person worker as i have to visit families who have dogs although, like the delivery person, I don't, necessary know who has them and what they are like until I get there.
Perhaps I shouldn't do my job either.

Op, I think YABU.

I don't have a gate to put an intercom up and if she wasn't happy to approach the house after knowing they were secure then I can't see how it would change anything.

So basically, half of Mumsnet think dog owners shouldn't be able to have deliveries to their door, and instead should go out and meet the person who is paid to deliver said item,

Perfect illustration right there op

I possibly have the same courier as you OP. Drives me insane. My dogs are locked away, and yet she's also down the path, waiting for me to go to her. And yet every other courier are more than happy to knock and hand me my parcel at the door.

The majority of dog owners want to be alerted when someone is at the door, it’s absolutely ridiculous to expect them to embark on a training program to pander to a nervous delivery driver.
Doorbells and door knockers alert you that someone is at the door. A dog barking may be a useful warning for intruders but it can also intimidate anyone approaching the property.

If you want your dog to act as a guard dog, then one of the consequences is people may be hesitant to approach your home (particularly those who work in an industry where dog bites are common).

Good luck OP, mumsnet loves a dog thread. I have never had this experience luckily , dogs for fifteen years including a rehab rescue. My postman loves dogs, my courier carries dog biscuits

Shit I love dogs actually. Why do you think dog owners want their dogs to bark at the door?

I’m confused as to how she made you come out in bare feet?

Couldn’t you have chosen to put some shoes on?

I honestly couldn’t get worked up by this, you have your parcel. Unless you have a drive akin to Downton Abbey it isn’t that much of a hardship

Yabvvu not all customers are as dilligent as you, some will open the door, and the dog practically jumps on the delivery driver knocking them over, or displays aggressive behaviour towards them, without the owners doing anything. There is no training for that, dog owners should make sure their dogs are safe before opening the door to deliveries.