Childminder with a large dog

I would look for pet free house.
I absolutely love dogs and had one in the past but you can’t predict their behaviour as it animal at the end of the day.

DD's first childminder had an old
English sheepdog - she went there she was 6 months old and it was what decided it for me

I’ve grown up with dogs from babyhood (inc an unsociable German shepherd), very relaxed around them and would love one of my own. But no, I’d choose another cm.

Multiple children in a small setting/ noise/ potential roughness by small children is a recipe for untoward behaviour.

You need to remember that dogs are pack animals and become part of a human pack / family. The mindees are not part of the family. The dog is unlikely to feel the same about them than he is children who live in the same household imho.

Places never want to rehome dogs with very young children as they can be so unpredictable. My little one is used to our dog and vice versa, but occasionally my DS gets silly and might just randomly whack him on the nose for example. My dog doesn't react to this ( and I tell my DS no) but a rescue dog where they don't know the history you can't take the risk. There can also be issues where if a dog has been badly treated something random could set them off ( a noise, an action) Think some rescue places require kids to be 10+

I think you either have a dog and then a baby so the dog & baby grow up together. Or wait until the children are old enough to understand how to behave with a dog.

I can see that if your children are school age a CM with dog might be ok, but I would still be more wary of certain breads.

My CM has a large dog which is kept apart from the children apart from when they go to the park as the dog comes too which they all love. I like the fact she has a dog as my ds would like one but as I work FT don't think would be fair.

Personally I wouldn't have a childminder with a dog...and I have one ..

I wouldn’t have a CM with any type of dog. I love dogs but how do you know their idea of a risk is the same as yours.

Mine had a Rottweiler when I first sent my eldest. Lovely gentle dog, only barked when a car pulled on the drive. She sadly passed away recently. However if it was constantly barking, I'd be really concerned!

It would put me off, no matter how many gates or whatever they had.

Hmmmm I'm a CM & really wanted to get a dog soon. All these comments are making me realise it may not be something I can do as a CM. I don't want to put potential parents off before they even get through the door 🙈

I would find think it was a positive, the child could learn about how to behave around animals and treat them with respect. They could have great fun with the dog which would hopefully prevent dog phobias later in life. As long the cm is watching what is going on, I would be happy.

For a baby no. But my childminder has a dog and I love it. DC is school age however. We dont have a dog because of work, but DH and I both grew up with dogs. I think it's a great experience DC can have which we can't provide for now.

I've got large dogs and small children and I wouldn't.
Not because of the dog, I know what little DC can be like.

i wouldn’t and i love dogs (or i did before i had a baby ). it’s not just the danger but also the hair and dirt in the house. no thanks not on my pfb.

No chance

Jayfee woah, what did you do?

I wouldn't. Partly because I'm allergic to dogs. and partly because I don't know enough about them or any hypothetical childminder to trust that it would be entirely safe.

I wouldn't risk it. The cm will be busy with multiple children and even a small mistake could have disastrous consequences.

A query I have is why don't some if not all pet rescue centres allow families with children under 6 years old to re-home dogs?

I'm a dog lover and have a large Do myself
If I really really liked a cm and the only thing I wasn't sure about was the dog I would probably send my child there but if I was considering a few options it would be a massive negative

I’m a childminder with a large dog
I feel that that children get so much from him being around (learning how to treat animals with respect, daily dog walks, watching him doing funny things etc). I explain to all parents when they come and visit that he isn’t kept in the kitchen all day. He is part of the family and is allowed into any room with the exception of the dining room when we are eating. He is NEVER left alone with a child. Not because I don’t trust him, but because I don’t trust the children and as others have said it isn’t worth the risk.
You are right, you don’t have to take the risk. Yes there are other childminders... but I like to think that there are no other Childminders quite like me so if I’m the right fit it’s silly to decline the place due to a dog. The childminder will have had to explain to Ofsted how she plans to safeguard the children from the dog, and should have a policy on how she keeps the children safe and happy.
Also, my dog ALWAYS barks when a new family comes to see us. Such a pain in the bum but oh well. As soon as they come for their second visit he isn’t one bit bothered and spends most of the day asleep!

No way. Just because an animal is domesticated doesn't mean that it is safe.

Go with your gut.

I went to view a CM who had a dog, who told me a 'hilarious' story about the dog, who 'usually' stayed upstairs had let one of the little girls groomed him and when he got bored had growled at her and then left...

MASSIVE RED FLAG

I don't even trust my own dog who I have known since he was two weeks old, who is glued to my side day and night.

German Shepherd I grew up with was so soft she wouldn't go in the back garden if next doors cat was there. My sisters chihuahuas are badly behaved ankle biters. I'd take a large dog any day

Jay ** bad enough the incident happened but to lie to you about the bite.

If a dog needs keeping away from children it really should have a double gate so it cannot touch a child. My dog will literally sit by the baby gate and let visiting children pull his ears etc. So now I have a safe place for him where they cannot touch him. As much as I love my dog I don't trust him with other children, as you never know.

Poodles have very sharp teeth and actually make very good guard dogs. My parents had a poodle once accidentally bit my hand ( my fault as was giving it a treat during dog training ) and I had one very deep puncture wound.