gates open and shut on the way in and same on the way out

[lover]

let me tell you a story

for the last 14months ive been delivering to the same house which is situated on our busiest road.
it has double wooden gates,totally unsecured in the middle except for one of those clamp over bits of metal like on farm gates.it has a drive about 70 yards long and of the cotswold gravel variaty.ever since i started it erked me that i have to get off my bike open gates which both swing open grab my mail walk down the drive back fight to close the gate and off i go.

well they ve just got a new puppy.whilst being very sweet and small all the way down the drive its up my legs under my feet.post mail it then wonts to run infront of me to the open gate.so ive taken to having to catch the little darling myself,or bang on door and wait for them too.at first it was well youll have to shut the gate on your way in..no i said.i shut your gate out of curtisy once.
i,d put a box on the gate but you lot will never raise the flag he says.i assured him i would,i cant speak for anyone else.

now their constantly phoning and complaining i dont shut the gate on the way in.
if the dogs loose i dont even deliver.
the last time my stand in manager said he phoned up "dsm"(think thats what he said)and they said yes we are obliged to shut every gate on the way in and out not leave it as we found it..

questions....
should i leave my bike over 70 yards away behind a locked gate next to a main road where anyone could walk past and nick it or its contense.
how do i get in a large double gate which wants to swing open on its own and hold my mail.whilst trying to stop there puppy from getting itself run over.
and does anyone have anything in print that says we should shut gates going in aswell as out..either way

the dog attacking isnt an issue,the dog getting out is.also the dog forming a mobile trip hazzard and getting my trousers covered in what ever hes stood in on that day.

and the constant complaining with lying thrown in.like one morning she phoned to say i just cycled past and didnt even attempt to deliver the mail.yet i actually did deliver same as always cause the dog wasnt out.

well after the dom told me to close gate on way in(hes a known fabricator)i agreed till such time as i can varify what hes saying.but if the dog is out i dont deliver...thoughts plase

i know ive rambled on..forgive me

[stokes11eg]

We have all got, or had those gates (and customers) who are both dagerous and a menace.If you feel the gate is
unsafe, tell the Manager you are worried for your health and safety--get your manager to write expressing your concerns about the gate, and the dog --not only attacking you, but the possibilty of it escaping when you open the gate----
Good Luck--you live and learn in this job.

[trythat]

I'd go with if the dogs out, don't deliver (just endorse post 'dog out'), it's nice when its a puppy, but as you say, who wants a dog jumping all over them, plus what happens if he gets under your boot when walking down the path and goes for a flying lesson. I'd start riding the bike down the drive if it feesable. I gotta say though, if a dogs out, I've always tried to shut the gate both ways.

Plus if you use the dogs out reason for not delivering, then RM have to back you up (make your manager send them a dog loose letter), doesn't matter how friendly the dog is now, what happens if someone else kicks it etc, nothing to say he won't bite you.

[TrueBlueTerrier]

can turn into this

I would most definitely not enter that property when the dog is loose even as a puppy as you cannot know when or if it will change.

As to closing gates behind you for short drives I do that after I have delivered, for long drives I do close them behind me, as a courtesy, but if I know there is a chance that a dog may be loose I leave it open as an escape route. Perhaps the managers could ask them to ensure the dog is either tied up or inside when you are due and this would alleviate a problem that is basically of the customers own making.

[trythat]

can turn into this

That looked like all my puppy German Shepherd's, that I've had, there are not many puppies who look better than a GSD.

[TrueBlueTerrier]

can turn into this

That looked like all my puppy German Shepherd's, that I've had, there are not many puppies who look better than a GSD.

Your right they are a beautiful breed as a pup and when full grown. They are, when well trained, loyal and obedient and a joy to own. This is IMHO a situation caused by the customer failing to take on the proper responsibilities of owning a dog.

[DOM]

can turn into this

That looked like all my puppy German Shepherd's, that I've had, there are not many puppies who look better than a GSD.

It's usually the small dogs that bite.

If there is a dog out.....why risk it????

[brothermagrew]

can turn into this

That looked like all my puppy German Shepherd's, that I've had, there are not many puppies who look better than a GSD.

It's usually the small dogs that bite.

If there is a dog out.....why risk it????

It would be more correct to say that all dogs regardless of breed have the propensity to become aggressive, attack and bite. Courier article "Contrary to popular belief, 'dangerous' breeds were not responsible for most attacks on Royal Mail people last year".

Alsations (GSD) - 247
Jack Russells - 192
Border Collies and Collies - 182
Labradors - 78
Rottweillers - 45
Boxers - 21
Doberman Pinschers - 12

Having said that, in general terms whilst a nip or a bite can be extremely painful from a dog small in stature, it most likely would not be life threatening. The same however, can not be said for the likes of pit bulls or Rotties which we know from reading the press or browsing on the Internet have maimed and indeed been involved in 'canine homicides'. The term "canine homicide" refers to the death of a person which is caused by a dog.