Teacher’s dogs in classroom?

People don’t always know they are allergic to dogs. Children could have reactions and it not be obvious initially but every day over time their symptoms would be there and perhaps worse. How can the school ensure carpets or floorings are free for allergens? The playgroup near me has to fog the floor because they had an outbreak of D&V but animals every day?

@BloodyRoses even though I don't agree with creating scenarios to justify responses, your post brought to my attention that my comment to other posters was not helpful to OP, so thanks for that.

OP, here is a thread about why dogs are considered a positive and 'transformational' experience for students. There are also some comments around minimum safety standards etc

https://www.nationalschooldogalliance.co.uk/why-every-school-needs-a-school-dog-and-why-standards-matter/

FWIW, I don't think your concern is something to be mocked, so apologies to you if my previous comment came off that way, as it was direct towards the comments that aimed to instil panic rather than education for you to consider in addition to your concern

If you do a search, 'dogs in schools UK,' you'll find that there is a national movement to include dogs in the classroom as part of curriculum for a number of reasons so you will probably see that this will be a growing trend. Ask your school what safeguarding they have put in place etc. I'm sure they will be happy to assist.

Excuse any typos: it's just before 4 am and I've had no coffee yet

Those 'kids' who are afraid aren't the ones posting here? What about people in Guatemala who are allergic? That's what you sound like to me by making up scenarios that have nothing to do with the OP query.

FFS, you sound like an arsehole.

What about those kids that are scared of dogs? You think they should suck it up because you came up with great sarky response?

I love dogs. We have a dog. But there's no way that I think dogs are appropriate in a classroom with small children.

Apart from the risks in the classroom, where does she take the dogs to toilet? Hopefully away from school grounds.

Completely unacceptable. Report to them to the school head, the government, the police and news agencies to raise awareness. We cannot, and should not, allow our precious angels exposure to venomous and dangerous wild beasts like sausage dogs. The world has gone mad. If we allow this, what's next? A trip to the zoo? Reading? Social interaction? Stop it, now.

Have a chat with the teacher informally. With the level of anxiety you have for it I think you need to. Plan what you say and separate your fear from the concerns about the dog in class.

Dogs have no place in classroom or an office. The teacher will be focused on her dogs rather than the children. The person in our office who has two dogs is constantly talking to them, taking them out for walks at odd times of the day, presumably also to poo and wee or trying to keep them out of trouble.

I have dogs put their paws on my table and try to sniff my lunch. Doggie toys strewn in corridors or I hear them hurtling down the corridor. Thankfully no barking except very occasionally.

Just awful to have them foisted on you when all I want to do is get on with work.

I am a huge dog lover and adore dogs, but this is an accident waiting to happen. Far too much overwhelm for the dogs and a teacher and TA wouldn’t be able to give the supervision needed. My cockapoo is friendly, but when he’s around my 4 yr old nephew I never take my eyes off them, as him running around does make my dog anxious (probably as i’ve told him off for chasing them).

I think she's actually serious! 🫨

I wouldn't worry as long as they are well behaved and stay in their baskets, which I assume they are.

Insist that there are no dogs.

Just spotted your earlier post saying you are a teacher yourself. Sometimes as a teacher, you, perhaps, don’t want to be the ‘teacher parent’ who queries things. It can make you seem awkward or unsupportive of your teaching family.

However, you’re right; you didn’t ‘sign up’ to this. Your son is starting school which in itself is a big deal for you and him. Fretting about a dog in the classroom and feeling you’ve been duped is no good. Contact the Head for clarity. If you still aren’t happy with the response, request a ‘dog free’ classroom and teacher.

Some of the staff at my son's school used to bring dogs in. It was a positive for him he is a lot less nervous around dog's now. Dog's used to sense he was nervous and bark at him. Some of the children used to take staff dogs for walks.

Schools also do bring dogs in now for the children to read to. The children love it the dog's love it and it encourages reading.

Who is supervising the dogs when the teacher is supervising the class?

Agree. I turned down jobs because of this. Such a disappointment.

Absolutely bizarre that a teacher is looking after her two dogs, alongside well teaching 30 4/5 year olds. Unless it's a one off learning opportunity, YANBU

Me too, and when there was an office dog, it made my life miserable.
I love dogs but I can’t be around them.

I find it really weird that teachers bring their dogs into school, unless it is for sensory reasons.

but mostly because I have a four year old boy who doesn’t have experience being around them

This needs sorting though, your boy is going to encounter them throughout his life. Mostly positively, but there may be negative times too and he needs to know how to react around them.

Secondary teacher here of over 25 years. Have never known dogs in schools to be a thing. Seems crazy to me. Classrooms are very busy places. (I am imagining dog yoga; dogs running loose urinating and defecating.) The teacher’s priority is the children. It might be wise to contact the Head for some clarity regarding this and to convey your concerns. You won’t be the only one despite how other parents may have presented.

Well, DS is very allergic to dogs. Eyes puff up and run, nose swells and you can hear it when he speaks. His asthma also flares badly. No way on earth would I be okay with a dog being in his classroom!!

Adds a whole new meaning to teacher's pet 😂

Seriously though this absolutely ridiculous and should not be happening. How on earth is this allowed? Ask to move your DS to an animal free class. What next - the teacher beings her baby in too, or maybe an elderly relative that can't be left alone 🙄 ?

If any kids are allergic to dogs, their parents can raise it with the school - I don't think it's a good reason for a ban on all dogs being on school premises, just in case a child may have a serious allergy - they'll never completely avoid dogs in Britian anyway, there are increasing numbers of dogs being used for assistance, in addition to dogs being walked in parks, along rivers etc etc.

As the OP is concerned, she can ask for her child to be moved to a different class, claiming allergy or cultural issues causing concern about dogs, to ensure she gets the move for her son.

As one of the dogs has spent at least a year in the classroom, it's unlikely that the Head will bar the dogs - and if they were barred, it's highly likely that word would get around that OP was the one who raised it, leading to her, and her child, being unpopular with the kids.

Fuck that.

I was bitten by a dog at the age of 2.

Since when did animals take over children's safety?!