Teacher’s dogs in classroom?

As this was an introductory talk for new intake she clearly doesn't know all the children well. She didn't check for allergies (which can be very severe, but even mild ones are miserable for the child if it's all the time). And given her statement about 'hoping' the second dog will be OK around the children she clearly doesn't even know her own dogs that well, never mind the children.

This won't be fun for all the children. And it will be hugely stressful for the dogs.

We used to have animal handlers coming into school regularly they brought, snakes, big spiders, rats, rabbits, guinea pigs etc.

Fearfulness around dogs arises from dog owners refusing to keep them under control and imposing them on other people.

If every dog a child encountered walked on by when they saw them, unless the child wanted to interact, they wouldn't be frightened. But when they run up to them, jump up at them, make them fall over and yes, potentially bite them, that makes them nervous.

It is not for the rest of us to change our behaviour, it is for dog owners to make sure their pets are well trained and do not upset other people.

However, in reality I do have to change my behaviour and avoid certain areas because I know I will encounter badly trained off-lead dogs.

Exactly.

When I was at secondary school the school caretaker had a dog and people used to go and take it for a walk at lunchtime, but that was completely their choice.

Imposing them on the kids is wrong.

If they think that it's nice for some kids to pet dogs, they can provide that opportunity. But not force the issue.

Lie and say he's allergic.

Its absolutely ridiculous. Can you contact the council?

I've never heard of a teacher doing this and I'd not be happy with this as a parent and I'd be speaking to the headteacher about it to put a stop it. That could be a very stressful situation for the dog and even if that dog is normally friendly and brilliant with children, a class of 30 plus kids would be very overwhelming and stressed out dogs bite, which puts the kids and the dog in danger.

Also considering the number of children already in the classroom she shouldn't be distracted by her dogs and focused on the children's needs.

They do...kids upon entry give information about allergies...

So they do know that information. If no kids have allergies then no kids have allergies. It is all documented and kids with allergies have pics up for certain things - things like kids with celiacs means they avoid playdough etc.

If parents omitted that information on the registration forms then why are they not informing the school?

Schools have to risk assess a fart these days. Even using scissors and sand and playdough. Saying they will not have risk assessed is ludicrous.

This is so strange and I'm so surprised this is allowed. I really dislike dogs (dangerous and unhygienic) and would hate this scenario and definitely speak out. My son also doesn't like them and is possibly allergic. Lots of children are. Animals are for outside IMO. I feel the same about dog-friendly offices 🙄.

Did they say the dogs are running around? Why is one kind of dog for comfort ok but not another dog?

To all posters with this attitude I say let children with allergies to dogs suffer with severe reactions. My child loves dogs so not my circus not my monkey. NICE🙄

The same with a peanut allergy, not my child's problem. Shame on schools that don't consider children with allergies.

The teacher will ensure that there are no highly allergic children before doing so and she'll ensure nervous pupils don't have close contact unless they want to.

When will she do that? She didn't ask about allergies or discuss arrangements for nervous children at the recent meeting.

Shouldn't it have been done before classes were allocated?

I'd have thought that for allergies there would need to be forms filled in to be attached to the child's file.

I bet the schools insurance company are unaware.

Our school receptionist brings in her dog. Its an older dog and mostly sleeps in her office. The children do get to interact with him, but this is not forced. The younger children read to him. He has a part in the school play :) He is very much loved and happy. I think its brilliant for the children, and very calming :)

Yes, I do wonder if the head even knows? If they do then they are pretty clueless. I'd be tempted to go straight to the governors.

Do you know one of them isn’t trained? If so, that's particularly egregious.
But that aside, the school is just asking for trouble. Dachshunds are great dogs, but they're strong characters with a definite mind of their own. Even a well-trained and socialised one is a tricky proposition around a busy room full of kids IMO.
All it will take is one kid to (deliberately or not) poke one of them in the eye/pull a tail or similar, a growl or a snap as the dog (quite naturally) tries to defend and assert itself, and the school will be in the shit.

It really is simple! The school will not be insured for any dog related incidents. Ask the head about the insurance . . ,

Let's not pretend she's doing it for the wellbeing of the kids, she just can't be bothered to pay for a dog walker

This ... and it seems she didn't even pretend, with the "hopes he gets on with them" and she'd "try to work something out" if parents were uncomfortable

Much as I like them, this thing of having dogs absolutely everywhere is getting ridiculous and I'd certainly be having a word with the headteacher/governors

1. Dog surrounded by rowdy children all day. Not a great environment for it.
2. People with allergies.
3. People who are nervous around dogs.
4. Disruption by the dog/teacher/children all being distracted by each other.
5. Potential for harm for dog and children - I would have thought that any caring and responsible dog owner would not want to put their pet in a position where it could potentially snap at/injure a child. Could lead to dog being put down.

Provided your child doesn't have allergies I don't see the problem.
A lady in my estate is afraid of dogs she told me but I can't remember why, she's anxious anyway though so I do sympathise but her son has had no negative experiences with dogs is also terrified of dogs because of her. Her son, is good friends with my son and cannot come anywhere near our house because of his fear of dogs. There are dogs everywhere on the streets and especially since COVID when the dog population seemed to double. I am mindful of people being nervous of dogs when I am out and when people come into my home, but if I had a chance to ensure my child was not going to be nervous of dogs I would take it.

Fearfulness around animals is learned behaviour - do your best not to pass it on to your son. Does he like meeting friendly dogs when out and about? If so, let him. Most children love animals and get a lot out of both pets and seeing wild animals if given the chance.

There might not be a law but there HAS to be a school policy, risk assessment and insurance. I would ask to see these.

I work providing technical services, so frequent many schools, but rarely talk to teachers and have only stroked / said hello to the dogs, no idea on the philosophy.

One secondary (state) also has two free ranging cats, who are a huge hit with the kids. Like Larry the cat they are a fixture of the school rather than any staff member and the latest in a constant line of school cats going back to ww2

That seems crazy to me and I’m a dog lover with one of my own and a reception aged DD. Her school has a completely vetted, older and very reliable “reading dog” who I think the older kids can read to sometimes (DD has never mentioned this) one on one but a load of clumsy 4 yo s many with no dog experience or understanding, just wandering around with 2 small dogs ( one unvetted in that situation) is just not good for the dogs or kids. I’d maybe have a chat to the head about it if possible and ask for the risk assessment they’ve (surely?!) done.

Yes, this^^

They are a breed that tends to bond very strongly to one person and can be a bit aggressive and territorial towards people they don't know.

A lot of small people running around in close proximity to them, unless these particular dachshunds are particularly well trained, sounds like a recipe for disaster to me.

I would not be happy about this at all.