No dogs in school playground. Is it ok to carry your dog in?

[LtEsmeHansard]

As long as they don't touch the ground?

Lots of parents with dogs at our school - mainly small ones - we are in a large city. It's right next to a busy road too so can't really leave them outside. Some used to tie them up in a corner of the playground but now the caretaker patrols that area to prevent it, so some parents are now carrying their small dogs in. I have not by the way, my routine doesn't necessitate taking my dog on the school run. Just seen a parent be asked by the deputy head not to carry her small breed dog in as the rule is "No Dogs" on school premises - but the reasoning for this has always been unhygienic in school playground. If dog doesn't touch ground then not unhygienic surely? So no harm done. Anyway thought I would put it to MN as it's something that I have idly wondered about over the school run years

[LtEsmeHansard]

I see my thread is still rumbling on. From reading all the responses and with a lot of them using their children's fear of dogs to justify why dogs shouldn't be near a school I want to say that in my opinion I believe it to be hugely irresponsible to not familiarise your children with dogs because they're NOT going anywhere and I also think that quite often conflicts between dogs and people could be prevented by a person having the ability to read a dogs body language and to know whether or not they can be approached. It's actually very simple. People can be unpleasant too but you don't teach your children to be terrified and keep away from all people in case they hurt them do you?

A dog can be trained to assist disabled people and to be taken into hospitals to comfort sick and unhappy people, can be trained to protect and serve people, look for explosives, drugs etc. There's scientific research that shows that positive interactions with dogs elevates mood and can help with depression. On a holiday I was on earlier this year I met an American ex serviceman with an assistance dog who had been trained to comfort him when he became anxious and panicky. He told me he had NO life, couldn't leave the house etc before he got his dog. To allow your child to live their lives scared and unfamiliar with dogs is a poor parenting choice imvho.

This thread was about dogs being carried into schools which I was on the fence about and by the end of it I probably think it's best but only because it's not a suitable environment for a potentially nervous dog - too busy and that could lead to problems for both kids and dogs and no one wants that. As usual though it's descended into a "Why We Hate Dogs" thread as they always do here on MN.

So I won't be back on the thread as it is my new policy not to get into bundles on MN and I think my post will probably annoy. It's not meant to. I really think it.

[7SunshineSeven7]

I believe it to be hugely irresponsible to not familiarise your children with dogs

Can I just say how massively insulting this is to people who's children loved dogs and were turned phobic after a bad experience or in worse cases an attack or bite.

There are plenty of posts explaining how exception would obviously be made for an assistance dog and they would never be asked to leave the playground. We are talking about general pets. It doesn't matter how much you know about a dogs body language they can still attack without you knowing; especially without a small child knowing.

The difference is, dogs can be massively unpredictable; as can humans but not in this situation we are talking about. Dogs who have been family pets have KILLED children in environments in which the dog is allowed. I think having one place dog free is worth it to keep people safe. That's not even bringing in allergies etc.

[paxillin]

As usual though it's descended into a "Why We Hate Dogs" thread as they always do here on MN. Not at all, OP. It quite rightly turned into "no means no".

-No dog means do not bring your dog, even if you think "everybody" loves it.
-No smoking means do not smoke, even if it is a cigar.
-No children means no children, and yes, that includes your PFB.

[Overshoulderbolderholder]

School rules are just that, the fact that they are aimed at parents rather than the children should make no difference. I do not, and never will, personally agree with every rule or law I have encountered but understand that negative consequences may and probably will follow any defiance on my part. How do we feel if our children either ignore or try to bend or justify non- compliance to school rules?? Some things we just have to go with....

[BusterGonad]

I like to carry my cat for the school run. It's get him out if the house and fresh air in his lungs.

[Fizzielove]

What about the kids who don't like dogs / have phobias about dogs! School is meant to be a safe place. No dogs means no dogs. As a dog owner I know this can be a pain but that's life. How selfish would you have to be to say that your need to bring a dog onto school grounds is greater than the child who is terrified of dogs, no matter their size.

[NataliaOsipova]

To allow your child to live their lives scared and unfamiliar with dogs is a poor parenting choice imvho.

But, you see (and I'm honestly not trying to be goady) I'd say the same about the works of William Shakespeare. But I don't like dogs. You do. They give you a lot of satisfaction and pleasure. That's great - but it's not for me. And not for my children.

I've just said this on another thread - but it's relevant here. I always teach my children not to approach a strange dog - sadly, many dog owners do not afford us the same courtesy. I dislike dogs. I would never approach your dog and I would never do anything to hurt or irritate it. I will stay well away from it. I will make sure that my children are under my control and do the same. So why is it okay for your dog to approach me or my children?

[TupsNSups]

Your last post op is one of the biggest loads of shite I've ever read.

[CockacidalManiac]

What a crock of passive aggressive shit, OP

[Bogeyface]

To allow your child to live their lives scared and unfamiliar with dogs is a poor parenting choice imvho.

THere is nothing humble about your opinion! Not even a little bit.

[Chippednailvarnishing]

Your parents clearly failed as they have allowed their child to live their life unable to actually read OP.

[JuddNelsoninTheBreakfastClub]

Usually the child has become scared of dogs because of dogs not on leads chasing and jumping on children which has happened to mine. In a public park this summer, a dog was chasing my children trying to get their ice cream, the owner was far away from the dog at the time and had to be told to go and get the dog. Dogs should not be in children's play areas but some idiots still insist on taking them in because it is their "right" which is what I was told by a dog owner.

[Chippednailvarnishing]

www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-17014827

The child in this attack goes to my DC's school. That's why I don't want dogs in the school grounds. Not because my DC's are afraid, but because she is quite understandably terrified.

[ginnybag]

Nope, no dogs means no dogs.

Frankly, I wish people would leave them at home on the school run altogether. Might mean the rest of us could get to the school without having to play hopscotch over all the poo on the paths surrounding it.

Our HT had to ban them on the playground because they had a solid week of kids tracking in stood-in poo that had been left on the playground every single day.

She then had to insist they weren't brought to the gates, because the gate area would up covered to the point where the caretaker was having to hose it down between drop off and pick up every day.

Now the council have dog wardens out in the streets around the school every day, because the locals are, rightly, complaining about the mess outside their houses. It's helping a bit, but not completely.

Not every dog owner is a responsible one, and until they are rules like this are going to be the consequence, unfortunately.

[paxillin]

To allow your child to live their lives scared and unfamiliar with dogs is a poor parenting choice imvho.

There will be less and less need to be acquainted with dogs thanks to some airhead owners. Our school had them on the playground until one owner let her snarling brute lose. The tying up on the fence was ok until other airheads tied their dogs up at the narrow school entrance resulting in dogs becoming territorial about the pavement and gate. So, banned. Our park is the same, dogs on leads only now after a couple of nasty incidents. How long before many parks will go dog free except for guide dogs?

[RoastChickenDinner]

FWIW Op, my DD has not been taught to be scared of dogs, she just is. Like irrational fears of spiders, mice or heights. She has not had any bad experiences. It is not therefore fair to expect her to face her terror on a daily basis for the sake of other people's convenience regarding their pet animals (distinct from assistance dogs).

[SpunkyMummy]

Lost my comment. If the dog gets one walk a day they shouldn't have a dog

I'm afraid of heights. Very afraid. And yet my parents made me go skiing, use the Skilift etc. I was terrified. Crying hysterically etc.
Yes, I'm probably less afraid of heights than I would have been. I can deal with heights now (but I absolutely hate skiing) And I'm certainly not "cured", I'm still afraid, I can just swallow my fear and am not reduced to hysterics anymore.

Maybe some parents don't want to do something similar to their kids (for some 'weird reason' and simply expect dog owners to keep their pets away from people when they're asked to do so. Plus, exchanging extreme fear of dogs with hatred (at least that's what happened to me with skiing) might not be the best either, or else we might get a huge group of future dog haters.

[LoveMyPatio]

My dds used to love dogs. Until they were knocked off their feet SEVERAL TIMES on REPEATED OCCASIONS by "just being friendly" dogs that were not on leads in areas where they should have been.

OP your last post was ridiculous and obviously goady.

[MsJamieFraser]

Yabu, dogs aren't allowed in the yard.

[MadJeffBarn]

I don't particularly like seeing dogs at the school anyway. Not because I don't like dogs, I adore them, but I don't fully trust any dog around children. Add in big packs of over excited touchy children with likely no owner in sight while doing a drop off.

[lostoldlogin2]

Dear OP.

My son has a very rational fear of dogs. One bounded across a room in my friend's house and tore his nostril in half. (Unprovoked) He had to have it glued and stitched back together.
That was one of those "she's dead soft ....wouldn't hurt a fly"

FUCK your opinion and fuck your dog. Seriously. Dogs have no place in school playgrounds. Leave the mutt at home and stop trying to force your personal preferences on people who DON'T LIKE DOGS.

We get that we have to put up with them....but they shouldn't be in playgrounds, kid's parks, soft play areas, shops, restaurants etc.

[GinAndTunic]

The more I think about it, the more I like this thread.

Sign on strip club: No under 18s allowed. OP: is it ok if I carry my child in?

Sign on ride at amusement park: You must be this tall to ride. OP: Is it ok if I carry my child on?

Sign in restaurant: No dogs (except guide dogs) allowed: OP: Is it ok if I carry my dog in?

Sign in pub: No smoking. OP: is it ok if I smoke if my cigarettes don't touch the floor?

[A7mint]

how is a fear of dogs, irrational?
Dogs bite,maim, disfigure kill.

[RoastChickenDinner]

A7 I describe it as irrational in my DD as, thankfully, she isn't aware of that fact yet. She has simply always been terrified from way before an age where she could rationalise anything.

[alwaysprepare]

Get your arse out of the bed early and walk your dog before the school run!