Mailmen and dogs are known to be a mismatched pair. They are two things that just don’t seem to go together… But in New Orleans, there’s a man who is breaking all of the stereotypes.
Meet Jason Hardesty, a New Orleans UPS driver who has the innate ability to make quick friends with canine companions. While most mailmen generally ignore or even run from barking dogs, Jason insists on winning their affection. He even goes as far as posing for a selfie with them.
It turns out that in Jay’s eyes, UPS might just stand for ‘Uplifting Puppy Selfies’!
The Pups Of Jay
If you’re interested in seeing these uplifting puppy selfies (hello, I think we could all use a little more adorable doggos in our lives!) then zip on over to his instagram account, #pupsofjay. You will not be disappointed! He makes a new post every Friday, showcasing all the different doggos he meets along his daily routes in New Orleans. Teacup poodles, retrievers, border collies, German shepherds, pomeranians, bulldogs, pugs… you name it! He even captions each photo with the dog’s name, which goes to show how well he really gets to know each and every pup. Jason certainly has a way with animals – he seems to be a dog whisperer. (1)
Why Do Dogs Bark At Postal Workers, Anyway?
Though Jason might be an exception, dogs have a tendency to bark at postal workers. It is because some basic psychological principles come into play. When a delivery person approaches the house, the dog barks to defend it’s territory. The dog then sees the postman leave. In the dog’s mind, his attempt to protect was successful, which feels like a reward. Rewarded behaviors tend to become stronger, and therefore the next time a delivery person comes to the door it becomes more likely the dog will respond once again in this defensive manner. Dogs may even begin to associate particular characteristics with “intruders”, such as uniforms, the bag they carry, or the vehicle they drive. These things can become triggers for defensive behaviors. (2)
Training Your Doggo To Be Nice To The Post Man
There are three things you can do to help lessen defensive behaviors, and train your dog to love the postman as much as the puppies of New Orleans.
- Introduce your dog to the delivery person. Just think about it: everyone else gets introduced to your dog, but the postal worker is forever a mystery. Talk about stranger danger! A simple introduction can go a long way.
- Allow the delivery person to give your dog treats, so your doggo can make positive associations. Depending on where you live, some postal workers might already carry dog treats on them. You could also slip a few over, explaining your intentions and the new type of association you want your dog to make with that person.
- General socialization is always a good thing. The Dog People state “The postal worker might be the tip of the anxiety iceberg, so acclimating your dog to the idea of strangers will make things better all around.” (3)
With all of these tips, your dog should love the post man as much as the puppies of New Orleans love Jason!
