Dogs are one of the biggest threats to delivery services across America. Therefore, it’s absolutely necessary that your FedEx ISP or Amazon DSP driver is prepared and knows how to react if a dog were to attack during a delivery. Knowing the proper reaction can prevent a potentially dangerous situation from becoming fatal. 

Before we talk about how to avoid being bitten, it’s important to first understand why dogs attack in the first place. Dogs have something called a “prey drive” that can be triggered by motion, such as running. This doesn’t mean every dog will react in such a manner though. Certain dog breeds can be more prone to having a stronger prey drive than others.

Now let’s get into some strategies that your driver can use to avoid being bitten.

Stay in control

When faced with an aggressive dog, it’s critical to remain as calm as possible. You have to fight the urge to scream, run, or react in a manner that could be interpreted as aggressive. Aggressive dogs will see another sign of aggression as an invite to escalate the situation. This is why it’s critical to remain calm and give as little reaction outward reaction as possible. This also means, no running! Running can trigger an aggressive dog’s prey instinct to chase and catch animals.

Avoid the Stare-Off

Direct eye contact with an aggressive dog must be avoided at all costs. Looking a dog straight in the eyes can make them feel like they are being challenged and they will react accordingly. When an aggressive dog feels threatened or challenged, they will not back down.

At this point, if you have successfully avoided having the dog attack, then the next thing to do is claim space. It is advised to stand slightly sideways while keeping the dog in your peripheral view. Standing this way makes a person a smaller target and can be possibly viewed as less of a threat to the dog. 

Claim Your Space

Another great piece of advice would be to take charge of your own space. This is when you take something, such as the package you are delivering, and place it out in front of yourself to help take up more space around you. Continuing to keep a calm, yet assertive demeanor will continue to demand the dog’s respect and help de-escalate the situation.

However, if the dog continues to be aggressive, you can attempt to distract it with another object. This could be a water bottle, or dog treats. It may be a smart idea to carry treats and throw them away from yourself to deter the dog from your direction.

The Takeaway

If the dog senses that it’s not being threatened, and the person does not show fear, it will most likely lose interest in the situation. It is unfortunate, but very possible that even the best efforts at avoiding an attack may not work. This is why it is also necessary your FedEx ISP knows what to do if he or she is attacked. Here at Paradiso Insurance, we love our dogs (maybe even a little too much!), but when it’s your employee’s life in the jaws of a dog, physical force may be necessary. Please reference this article for advice on what to do when a dog attacks.

For questions or for more information on any of our coverage options, give us a call at (860) 453-0116 and our parcel delivery experts will gladly assist you.