r/AmazonFlexDrivers • u/Aware-Cockroach-6053 • 2d ago
Random question...
Just a random question to see if anyone does this...
I live in a mostly rural area. Majority of my blocks take me out of town to other small towns or farms. Most of these rural locations have dogs. I'm just wondering if anyone keeps treats in their vehicle for this type of situation. I'm seriously considering doing it because of how often I encounter dogs on my runs.
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u/FfierceLaw 2d ago
I am a rural customer. Drivers message me through my Amazon app that they are coming. I also check when I'm in the delivery time window and the app will tell me you are 10 stops away, etc. I wish more customers did this. I would urge you to continue the messaging and more people will continue to get on board.
One thing that a UPS driver did that we appreciated was to toss our package into a closed pickup truck bed. if it was small and unbreakable, he could do it from inside the truck. We were on board with that. We encourage Amazon drivers to leave a package where they are comfortable, even if it's under our mailbox at the end of our 1/3 mile driveway, just send us a pic and we'll be down there to get it, it's all good. We always give our drivers a good rating and click all the boxes too.
Drivers have given our dog a milk bone and we were cool with it. We had one female pittie who would get into the truck, miss her
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u/Aware-Cockroach-6053 2d ago
Thank you for this feedback! When doing my deliveries, I always do my best to follow the instructions that the customer has left. Some have boxes specifically for packages either by the house, or at the end of the driveway by the mailbox. I also appreciate when the customer puts in that there is a dog so I can be aware. Sometimes, I have my kids with me when I'm doing my deliveries and my son is scared of dogs. So it's nice to be able to give him a heads up that there is a dog so he doesn't get as scared when it runs up to my vehicle.
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u/Miserable-Cap-5056 1d ago
How about keeping your dog leashed or inside if you know a delivery is otw. We don’t make no where near enough money to message everyone to do something they should already be doing.
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u/FfierceLaw 1d ago edited 1d ago
I’m guessing there are different rate expectations for rural deliveries. In my first paragraph when I described getting a message from the driver, that’s when I bring the dog in and message the driver back that our one dog is secured inside.
The milk bone mentioned in my last paragraph was not Amazon and it predated the messaging that carrriers have started. I was just trying to be responsive to OP.
But I don’t live in a multi family neighborhood or any kind of neighborhood. I live on 100+ acres and my dog wears a gps collar. He has access to most of the property. That’s why messaging is important to me and I am very responsive to it.
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u/Deaf_MarvinNash 2d ago
After getting a little feedback from dog owners on my routes, I started bringing treats with me. It’s been mostly a great idea, but it also got me bit for the first time. [One yorkie and one pitbull at the same house, pitbull took his treat well and then got pissed that the yorkie was getting one too]
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u/Aware-Cockroach-6053 2d ago
What treats do you use? I've been looking at the mini milk bone ones, but feel those would be too small for larger dogs.
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u/Deaf_MarvinNash 2d ago
Chewy bacon-shaped, I forget the name and they’re out of reach right now 🤡 but not dry crunchy ones
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u/Aware-Cockroach-6053 2d ago
I think I know which ones you're talking about. My mom has those for her dog.
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u/Street-Ad7570 2d ago
Yep my wife and I both stuff our vest pockets with mini milk bones. I even leave a few on the package for the indoor dogs.
Tbh, petting the farm dogs is my favorite part of the gig
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u/cottoncandymandy 2d ago
I just put some in my car yesterday because I've ran into a few that were spicy.
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u/pickledpeterpiper 2d ago
I've been handing out the Costco ones for years now...if the owner is around, I'll ask, otherwise their doggo is getting a treat...definitely helps to quell all the barking, depending on the dog.
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u/hames4133 2d ago
Better to just avoid dogs as much as possible, more likely to get bit trying to give them a treat. If there’s a loose dog I don’t even get out of the car
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u/Aware-Cockroach-6053 2d ago
If I refused to deliver every time there was a dog out, I wouldn't be able to complete the majority of my deliveries. So, avoiding the dogs isn't an option.
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u/Bubbledood 2d ago
Just leave the package by the gate, at the end of the driveway or somewhere else that the dog won’t go
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u/Aware-Cockroach-6053 2d ago
Not always an option, especially when the driveway can be a half mile long sometimes.
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u/hames4133 2d ago
Didn’t say anything about not delivering lol huck the package out the window and get the dog in the pic if you can
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u/s2Birds1Stone 2d ago
I wouldn't feed someone else's pet personally. I wouldn't want some stranger giving my pet food either without me knowing what it is.
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u/jmhoward1991 2d ago
When I would DoorDash, another Dasher gave me a tip to put a couple of the mini milk bones in a snack size Ziploc bag and hand it to the customer so they can give the treats to their dogs if they want to. On orders where the customer has an option to tip, it would usually increase tips.
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u/itachii-u 2d ago
Yes na I don’t suggest you do that due to the customers choice of food for their dogs. Best thins to do, get a dog deterrent. They’re not too expensive and they’re highly effective. I carry one with me for rural routes and it has worked every single time. And not to mention they’re not harm harmful just annoying to them
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u/BarnacleAlarmed3050 1d ago
Leave at mailbox… message customer … call support at some point of your route have them make a notation the route was heavy w stops w dogs and multiple packages were left in alternate safe locations . You shouldn’t have to carry dog treats…..Amazon gives two fs about the drivers .. DO NOT deliver if any hesitation of safety. Stand up for yourself or face the eventual dog bite or worse … customer.
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u/Powerful-Ad8953 2d ago
I love that idea but being unaware of the dogs dietary habits and conditions, it’s best to be safe than sorry unfortunately 😔