How can I get the dog back in

[Lovebirdslovetea]

She picks and chooses when she listens. I was in bed and had to open the door to the postie suddenly. The postie leaves the parcels by the door because she knows I’m about to open the door and I wait until she’s left the gate to open it. Still in pyjamas at this point. When I do the dog runs out, won’t respond to her name and relentlessly barks. Pressing the doorbell, shouting her name, shutting the door and opening it again doesn’t work. I can’t get out after her because of my hair and am in pyjamas.
what should I do?

I've got a bolter and I answer the door to the postman and delivery people through the window. I can't close the front door off and she's a thug and will try to put the fear of Dog into all callers. So I just open the front window (which is right beside the front door) and take parcels in that way.

Fortunately she always comes back when I call, so I don't fear her escaping, but I don't want the delivery people to be terrified.

Make sure she wears an 'inside lead'. As soon as the door goes, take her by the lead into another room and shut her in.

So what if she barks? Better that she's safe.

This is what I do with the elderly rescue dog I've had for four months. And I have an excellent dog trainer, too.

100% agree with this.

If I hold onto her and she wants to run after someone she would rather bite me and claw and scratch at me and tear holes in my clothes to get out of my grasp.

I'd also add that 'holding' onto an anxious and/or aggressive dog is the worst thing you can do. You don't want to put them in a situation where they feel trapped because that is when behaviour starts escalating to biting or snapping at humans.

It sounds like there has been a complete breakdown in the relationship between dog and human in all honesty.

Ok I’ll get her an inside lead didn’t even know they existed

Swap your front door for a stable door to make it easier when you need to open it to receive a parcel.

Example here -

https://www.davesdoors.co.uk/stable-doors-78-c.asp?srsltid=AfmBOorCMyo079w5ArVWp5FJluovjmt-8YBaawnBfavanFlKsPm18g

Sounds like even very basic training hasn’t been done.

You need to start from scratch so she respects you and trusts you .

Absolutely re “ feeling trapped”
A dog will likely just struggle and try to break away in this instance.

A dog who was restrained while their nails were clipped panicked, but left loose on her bed with a licky mat ( Tesco beef paste) and zero struggles.

The problem with dogs, which no one ever tells you before you get one… they are people, with opinions and preferences of their own.
They don’t do what you tell them just because you did.
It takes time for them to decide that you are in fact in charge, and a worthy boss. My 12 yr old dog still hasn’t entirely decided.

My first dog, bless his heart, dropped to the floor and lay there, refusing to move, because he thought I’d hit him. I was trying to catch him as he pelted past in typical lurcher fashion, and just missed, catching his ribs in the process. I sat next to him on the pavement holding his entirely useless lead, until he decided he was ready to forgive me and move on.
He taught me a lot. Just because you signed a paper at the rescue centre doesn’t mean you’re in charge, according to him!

That is genius

Try teaching 'Ready Steady Go'. Practice without the postman first, use a squeaky ball or food or fluffy toy on a string - something very desirable. Then say Ready, Steady...Go!!! And then give them the toy, play a game with them with it. I only have to say 'Rea....' and he's there!

I used to have a runner and I put a baby gate across the front door.

That way my dog couldn’t run out.

I also put a baby gate on the front room door.
My dog would also bark when someone came to the door and was shut in but they barked less when the front room door was open and they could see.

It may not look the nicest but it only takes the garden gate not to shut properly and your dog could run further away and get hurt/lost.