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Original poster

Dog and childminder - what to ask/expect?

80 replies

MummyOfSunbeam · 31/05/2013 20:19

Hi all

I am not keen on dogs generally (more a cat person!), but as a result I don't know much about them and so assume they are probably fine. But a CM I am very interested in does have a jack Russell dog who I believe roams free and is a much loved part of the family.

I am nervous about my 9 mth baby dd with a dog though. Various sites feature childminders with dogs who all seem to say dogs should never be left unsupervised with babies etc, and that even if peaceful for years can always unpredictably snap - I was startled to read that from dog-owners themselves!

What should I be asking about how much access the dog will have to my baby? In sine ways my total dog ignorance might be making me too relaxed here. My utter priority is her safety. I am HARDLINE about that.

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Karoleann · 31/05/2013 21:09

I wouldn't ever leave a child with a dog - unless they have no teeth.

Different childminder maybe!

ReetPetit · 31/05/2013 21:04

i would never my baby with a cm with a dog but that's personal preference. some people are fine with it, just like some are fine with smokers, i wouldn't be.

i don't believe that anyone with a dog can ever 100% keep it away, there are too many distractions, unless the dog is permenatly shut out in garden/kept in cage which would lead to an annoyed, put out dog imo.

is this cm your only option? i suppose it depends how much you like her and your own feelings about dogs.

Personally, aside from the biting/mauling risk i don't like the dog poo/animal hair stuff either, but that may just be me Wink

Original poster
MummyOfSunbeam · 31/05/2013 20:32

'.... Keep a dog apart from a mindEE..'

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Original poster
MummyOfSunbeam · 31/05/2013 20:30

Week thanks Lynette. I thought I would sound rather naive PFB saying that, but that is what I read elsewhere too.

Isn't it incredibly hard to keep a family dog apart from a minder though? I mean, doorbell and telephone - not to mention the 5 other children permitted by OFSTED. I mean - it ready baffled me how CMs manage even to look after more than one child and get to go to be toilet themselves! I struggle to do that with one! :)

OP posts:
LynetteScavo · 31/05/2013 20:23

Your baby should never be left alone with the dog.

Just like your baby should never be left alone in the garden with a paddling pool.

Even for a second.

Ask the childminder what their policy is, and also insist in never happens. "My utter priority is her safety. I am HARDLINE about that." I would say this.