Headteachers personal dog in playground whats your opinion

You sound highly strung and should chill out.

@BogRollBOGOF , I agree with every word of your post . My two dc are autistic as well.

For me it smacks of ‘do as I say, not as I do’ and ‘rules are for them because they need it, I’m more intelligent so above all that’.
But the fact it’s within a teaching setting doesn’t surprise me, a lot of them assume they’re levitating amongst us mere mortals.

My children had far too many unpleasant encounters with "friendly" dogs early in childhood. Owners of "friendly" dogs taught my autistic child that dogs are an unpredictable threat. Being autistic, he does not want to change and like dogs. Now as a teenager, he's now benefiting from size advantage and his strong dislike of dogs has little impact on his life now he isn't being bowled over, having picnics raided or having his sticks snatched from his hands.

Normal range spider phobia is far more disruptive to life, yet I doubt most people would appreciate me putting a house spider on them and laughingly saying that it won't hurt them and they need to get over it.

It's not the right and obligation of soppy dog owners to convert others into loving their animals.

Properly trained and managed therapy dogs have their place, and children need the physical and emotional space to learn to cope with them and work through their emotions. A staff member bringing in their rescue dog is not that situation.

DS1 certainly wasn't the only child in his class to struggle with the presence of dogs. Schools should be safe places, not Room 101 style aversion therapy for the primary benefit of the owner's pet care issues.

@Tabbsi , a genuine question, why do children have to like dogs ? It seems to be coming up a lot on this thread .

That’s such a sad attitude to have towards dogs :( no doubt it’s an attitude that will be passed onto your children, so if anything this sort of thing is great - teaches children that dogs can be wonderful animals worthy of respect and not all to be feared, even if their parents think otherwise!

The number of people on this thread wlho seem to think a headteacher would have somehow been too stupid to risk assess this activity, to consider insurance and allergies is disturbing.

I think if you don't like the headteacher and their leadership or the culture of the school you should think about leaving a finding a place which you like working in.
Life's too short to be unhappy at work.
I don't think the dog has anything to do with your unhappiness, it's like when you are unhappy in a relationship, everything they do is annoying.

Children deserve to be around people with positive attitudes at school.

But it can be anonymous if you don't put your name to it, and tell nobody. Just say you're a concerned adult

Have you considered reporting it anonymously to a higher level? eg asking if this has been approved?

I wonder if any dog bites to pupils would be insured for?

Good point.

I think this is a lovely thing. We share our world with animals. I imagine the vast majority of children love it.

I wouldn’t automatically assume she does know about allergies.
OPs post title suggests the dog is in the playground only, whereas it seems to be inside classrooms and the lunch hall.

Two issues. Children not liking /afraid of dogs. And those children with allergies. Of course these can range from sneezing to asthma/ breathing issues.
And yes it’s the Heads job to run the school, prioritising the needs of all the children there not to facilitate her needs and those of her dog. To avoid paying for a dog walker.

@HelenWheels , it hasn’t particularly restricted their lives not liking dogs . Obviously if it was a severe phobia it would be different, but they can’t be forced to like them .

Any dog can bite if feeling under stress or unwell but not showing obvious symptoms. I wonder if any dog bites to pupils would be insured for? I wouldn't like it.

I don't think the whole of the UK is dog mad (only 36% of households own one) but unfortunately the majority of dog owners are breaktakingly entitled and think the entire universe should learn to accomodate their pet.

A headteacher abusing their position of power by bringing their pet to work, knowing full well most colleagues and parents will be too concerned about any backlash to protest, is unacceptable.

Come on.

The head is not doing this because she thinks it's positive to have a dog in the school to help children with anxiety or to promote a home from home environment.

She is doing it because she can't be arsed training her dog to be left at home, and is too tight to pay for a dog walker/sitter.

Dogs do not belong in schools.

What a cavalier attitude!

(sorry, couldn't resist)

This country is going dog-mad, it really is ridiculous. If this completely selfish arrangement had been allowed when I was in school, I would not have been able to attend that school any longer (very allergic to dogs as a child). Absolutely shouldn't be allowed.

Head at my previous school used to do this and also bring dog through the lunch hall 🤢 I thought it was really unhygienic including walking dog on the playground. Plus it didn't account for children with allergies

I don't have an issue with this in theory, dependent on allergies within the school. The temperament of the dog would be my biggest concern.

A teacher at our old school did this with her cavalier and it worked really well.

I am astounded at all the posters saying how normal this is! I've never ever heard of a HT bringing their dog to school!

Anyway, I'd have thought that if this has all been risk assessed and approved, then surely this should have been communicated with staff and parents before just bringing it in daily?

As with many prev posts, there is no way that a dog roaming around a school would have been fine with me when I was younger. If it was on a lead with an adult when in public areas, yes I might have learned to like it or accept it. But having had zero experience of dogs, even a happy excited one would have overwhelmed me totally, esp if I encountered it in a corridor when on my own.

Well, if you insist on hating something then up to you.

Dislike away if it makes your life happier and more fulfilled.