German postmen put dogs on the couch

German postal authorities train postmen to deal with dogs

source: Jane Burgermeister
Guardian November 21 2002 p17

Deutsche Post, the German postal services company, has started to train postmen to help them deal with dogs they meet on their rounds. The company filed 1,874 complaints against owners of dogs in 2001. Deutsche Post has considered and decided against usage of CS gas against dogs. Over 12,000 working days are lost as a result of dogs, the company claims. Animal psychiatist are teaching postmen to understand canine body language better,in order to recognize and avoid impending trouble. A trainer noted that dogs see postmen as coming onto their territory.
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