German postmen put dogs on couch

German postmen are being taught how to psychoanalyse dogs in an attempt to reduce the growing number of attacks. The classes are the latest initiative by postal authorities to tackle the problem. Last year Deutsche Post filed 1,874 complaints against dog owners.

Attempts to make owners erect electrified fences have foundered, and a plan to let postmen use CS gas against dogs has also been shelved.

A Deutsche Post spokesman, Friedrich Buttgereit, said: "People often see it as a subject for jokes but it's no joking matter." He said the attacks meant more than 12,000 lost working days, especially at Christmas.

Animal psychiatrists have been enlisted to train postmen. Mr Buttgereit said: "We also show them dog expressions and teach them to watch for the danger signs."

Trainer Stefan Biegier said: "It is a war of minds. The postman thinks, 'I come here every day and go very quickly: surely the dog understands this'. But the dog thinks, 'This fellow is on my territory and I must teach him a lesson he won't forget'."

Dorit Feddersen-Petersen of the Institute of House Pets at the University of Kiel said: "Every time the dog does not get the postman it will be more determined the next time. That's why they will hide waiting to leap out because they have learned from their mistakes the last time round."