The Real Reason Some Dogs Bark at Delivery Workers — And How to Handle It Without Blame

It’s easy to get embarrassed when your dog barks at the delivery guy. You might worry that your neighbours think your dog is aggressive. You might scold them or rush to hush them up. But before we jump to blame or discipline, let’s pause and ask — what’s really going on?

For many dogs, delivery workers aren’t a threat. They’re a mystery.

A stranger appears at the door. They don't come inside, they move fast, and they leave just as quickly. This unpredictability triggers anxiety in a lot of dogs, especially those who are naturally alert or protective.

It’s not aggression. It’s a form of self-assigned security work.

Some dogs bark to protect. Others bark out of confusion. And some just do it because it worked once — they barked, the person left, and they think they made it happen.

The context matters too. If your dog has experienced trauma, been rescued from an unsafe situation, or hasn’t been properly socialised, their default response to anything new might be to bark first, assess later.

So how do you support your dog without shaming them?

Start by observing. Are they barking out of fear, excitement, or habit? Do they bark at all strangers or only specific uniforms or people with certain body language?

Then, try to create consistency. Use a calm voice when the doorbell rings. Avoid rushing to the door in a panic. If possible, allow your dog to observe the delivery from a distance while feeling safe. You could also teach a "place" command, where they go to a specific mat or bed when the bell rings, which gives them a job to do rather than just react.

And if the barking persists, consider working with a professional — not to punish, but to help your dog build confidence and learn new ways to respond.

Because underneath the barking isn’t bad behaviour. It’s a dog trying to navigate a confusing world.

They don’t need to be corrected. They need to be understood.