India loves door step delivery! From groceries to smart phones as the country remaps and alters basic as well as complex shopping experiences it is a period of adjustment. Logistics, traffic, infrastructure, inventory and of course the human element are struggling to cope and adapt. Add our pets and animal companions to the mix and it is quickly evident that if we do not address adjustments now- we are headed for disaster.
How do households with pets manage delivery persons?
For households with single of multiple pets this poses a unique problem. Senior as well as adolescent dogs must now learn to adapt their behaviour to a door bell ringing multiple times a day.
Traditionally, the local neighbourhood shop had a dedicated delivery person and your dog was probably his/ her friend.
Fast forward to life today, multiple new faces, scents, people, parcels arrive at your doorstep. The instant delivery way of life is slowly replacing an entire genre of shops, people and relationships. And since we expect our pets to now behave like 'little people' it is our responsibility to help them transition to this new instant way of life.
Especially for senior and adolescent dogs. Puppies and young dogs have their own learning curve and challenges to face.
Human training followed by Pet training
A badly behaved dog in most cases the result of badly behaved human. (yes, there are exceptions to the rule - but too few to mention)
As the care givers of our pets it is our responsibility to ensure we teach them how to behave. Dogs and cats are expected to act in accordance with human boundaries, they cannot do so unless you- their family and caregivers teach them the guidelines.
Banning breeds and eradicating street animals has never and will never be the answer to human indiscipline. A Chihuahua can be just as dangerous as a Doggo Argentino if it lunges at a delivery person on a staircase. A typical human reaction is to retreat tripping or falling down a flight of stairs can be fatal.
What can we do to help our dogs become Delivery Person Friendly?
It is our responsibility as pet families to train our dogs to help them get used to multiple people coming to the door/ visiting their home.
- We do not want our dogs to let random strangers into our homes, that is not the goal. The aim is to help our dogs stay calm.
- Teach them basic stay and come commands. Experienced dog trainers will tell you the stay and come commands will be life savers for you and your dog. These are important for both home and the outdoors.
- Uniforms matter - dogs associate pleasant and unpleasant experiences with uniforms (or similar clothing/ outfits). For e.g. A family dog was loving and playful with children family members, friends and all the people he encountered. However, when he encountered a person with a certain 'uniform' he was ready to attack. After a process of enquiry and questioning, it was learned that he had been hit and teased by a person in uniform.
- If you have a nervous dog make sure you have pet gates installed so they cannot run out of an open door. This immediately deescalates the situation- your dog and the delivery person will never meet each other.
So the aim here is get them familiar with delivery persons outfits, bags, raincoats, gum boots.... the list is long. We simultaneously want to make sure they are able to remain calm and obey commands. Challenging but not impossible- it takes dedication of time and personal involvement.
Quick Delivery Society
We have become an instant society. No patience, no manners and we are imparting this impulsive and erratic behaviour to our pets. Animals read energy, vibrations and feelings. Your constant state of vigilance waiting expectantly for a parcel is inadvertently transferred to your dog.
Patience and repetition along with consistency are important when you are trying to help your dog learn new behaviours and break old habits. We have a vast pool of talented and well trained behaviourists, trainers and vets who will assist you your efforts to make your dog delivery person friendly.
Do you have any tips? Have you tried modifying your dogs behaviour successfully?
Write to us and share your story - it may help another pet family.
