How to Stop Dogs from Barking at FedEx Trucks?
Does your dog go bonkers when they see a FedEx truck? Does their barking drive you up the wall? You’re not alone! Lots of dogs bark at delivery trucks. It’s a common problem for pet owners. But the good news is that there are some things you can do to stop it.
Why Do Dogs Bark at Delivery Trucks?
It’s helpful to understand why your dog does this. Once you know why they bark, it’s easier to fix the problem. Here are some of the top reasons:
- They’re Guarding Their Home: Dogs are protective of their homes and families. They see their home as their territory. They might bark at delivery trucks because they think the trucks are a threat.
- They’re Scared: Some dogs are afraid of loud noises. Delivery trucks can be pretty noisy, especially when they pull up to your house and drop off a package!
- They’re Excited: Some dogs bark because they’re excited to see the truck! Maybe they think they’ll get treats or attention. This is especially true if they’ve had good experiences with delivery people before.
How to Stop the Barking
Here are some tricks to teach your dog to be quiet:
- Get Them Used to the Truck: This is like slowly introducing your dog to the truck. Start by having them sit or lie down far away from the truck. If they stay calm, give them treats and praise. Slowly move them a little closer to the truck over time.
- Change How They Feel About the Truck: This is all about making your dog think good things when they see the truck. When you see the truck coming, give your dog their favorite treat or toy! Now they think, “Yay, treats!” instead of “Grrr, truck!”
- Give Them Something Else to Do: If your dog starts barking, get their attention on something else. You can tell them to “sit” or “down.” Or give them a toy.
- Teach Them “Quiet”: You can teach your dog to bark once or twice to let you know someone is there. Then you can teach them to be quiet when you say so. There are lots of videos online about how to do this.
- Ask a Pro for Help: If your dog’s barking is really bad, or you can’t get them to stop, ask an expert. A dog trainer or someone who knows a lot about dog behavior can help. They can teach you special ways to train your dog.
Important Safety Tips
While you’re training your dog, make sure everyone stays safe. Here’s how:
- Keep Your Dog Inside: When you know a delivery is coming, keep your dog in a room or a crate. This will stop them from running outside when the delivery person comes.
- Talk to Delivery Drivers: Leave a note for the drivers. Ask them to not go near your dog. Also, ask them to ring the doorbell before they come to the door.
- Check Your Fence: Make sure your fence and gates are strong. You don’t want your dog to escape!
Be Patient!
It takes time and patience to teach a dog new things. Don’t give up if your dog doesn’t stop barking right away! Just keep practicing and be consistent. With a little work, you can help your dog stay calm when the FedEx truck comes by.