Barking dogs tied up at the school gate

[Polestar50]

My daughter has just started in reception and every day over the past week there has been at least one dog tied up at the school gate

This morning it was a very barky one. Not aggressive in any way - just repeatedly barking to get its owner to come back.

The entrance is pedestrian only and has staggered barriers so all children have to pass within a couple of feet of the dog/s to get into school.

We have a dog ourselves and my DD Isn't especially nervous of them but the start of the school day is, understandable, already a bit of a nerve wracking time for new starters. Having to pass close by a strange, barking dog doesn't help make it any easier for them as they enter the school.

I can't imagine what it would be like for a child who is actually scared of dogs.

I feel like I want to say something but not sure who in the school to contact and am A bit reluctant to be to one of those parents from the off!

I'm sure I'm not the only one feeling this way though. What would you do?

If it makes any difference, all the dogs have been quite big, lab types. I'm sure they're soft as butter but that doesn't really make a difference.

We live in a very dog-gy area and I completely understand that people are trying to kill two birds with one stone and
are walking the dog straight after drop-off. I just feel it's a bit selfish as if we all did it there would be scores of dogs tied up outside.

This sort of thing annoys me. I stopped taking my dog on school run as she got a bit twitchy as she got older and would bark at everyone and clearly that was not okay. Before, I'd tie her up off the path so that if she did bark, she wasn't close to where the children were going to be walking.

Of course, the stupidity and carelessness goes both ways. I had left her well off the path once only to realise some kid was being encouraged by his parent to rush over there. She was terrified (she wouldn't bite a child but started barking so luckily I was close enough to rush back and tell the child not to run at a strange dog tied up to a tree). I've also had children holding out food for her while she's on the lead and the parents just stand there smiling indulgently. A) who says my dog can eat that food and b) what will you do when she lunges up to grab the tasty morsel being held out.

It‘a completely fine to email the school and you won’t be the only one. They then should contact all parents asking them not to leave dogs at the gates. Totally agree it’s really not on. I do take my dog on school run but keep him well away from the actual gates

I'm more worried about the dogs being tied and left on their own. They might break free, kids might untie them or they could be stolen.
Don't understand people leaving their dogs like this it's stupidity.

Email the school office. Our school specifically asks people not to do this.

Unforgettablefire
Yes – completely agree. It must be equally stressful for the dogs to be tied up and unable to move away with many strangers walking close by.

The one this morning clearly had separation anxiety and it was unkind to leave it tied up.
Probably better for the dog to be stressed and barking at home for a short while than stressed and barking at the school gates.

I dislike any dog near a school. It's not fair on the dog or the child. Child gets frightened, upsets them/won't go to school, or child scares dog, dog reacts and then is the one at fault, they've been put into a situation because of a thought-less owner. I would email the school.

Our school doesn't allow any dogs to be near the school gates, a few people do try but the head is soon onto them.. I like dogs but you can never be sure especially around a lot of little kids!

Email the office. Or go tell them about it in the morning if you can. Completely reasonable to do this.

I've just had an email from school saying that no dogs on school grounds and that they have children who are nervous of dogs so they shouldn't be exposed to them on the school run.