I cannot understand why my dog has all of a sudden started to rush towards the front door at the speed of light, growling and barking at the postman/newspaper person.  He has never done this before, he's three years old now and been doing this for approximately 2 weeks now!  I just don't know why? How can I stop him?  He's just sent granddaughter flying to get to front door and I'm not impressed with him at the minute.  Any ideas?

You could try training him that when the door is knocked he will get a biscuit (or whatever treat you prefer) that when when he hears the door he will wait by the biscuit tin for his treat. (Do not reward him if he is growling and barking or has already flown at the door though!

a version of what sharon has said. but training him to do a certain behavior when the postman comes.
first i would get a baby gate to stop the mad rush. the perhaps train him to go to his bed.

If he's never done this when postie comes before, something has happened - either he is unwell 0r else postie has annoyed him by shouting, or accidentally banging him on the head with a heavy letter! I'd heard postmen in the past swearing at dogs who are just barking - OTOH we have a fab postie who our dog really likes

Yes - keep him under control and give him extra special tasty food titbits when postie comes - keep him as far away as you can to start with as he reallyneeds to be in his comfort zone where he doesn't react, then gradually get him closer over a period of time :)

Lindsay
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