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

So if you're going to allow dogs to be carried in how large does the dog have to be before it's considered too big to be carried.

My DD's DP can carry their Rotti, so would that be okay.

I own a small dog , not one of those 'bloody fur babies' I hasten to add and I assume if a sign says 'no dogs' that includes my dog, carried or walking.

I think it's a good, healthy ritual to have, walking the children to school with a dog. I'd feel bad going for a walk and leaving my dogs. Equally I wouldn't leave my dogs tied up in the road. So solutions need to be found. Either spend a couple of weeks going without the dog and teach your children to walk in alone (in as in into the school grounds/building and say goodbye at the gates) or strike up a deal with another dog walking family and ask them to watch your dog while you take your child in, then watch their dog while they take their child in.

A girl in my class was attacked by a dog outside my primary school gates. She went to stroke it and it went for her face. Well done to the school wish more schools were on the ball.

That's awful. Parents really should teach their children not to stroke dogs without the owner's permission.

Of course it means no dogs

I've known dog owners struggling to juggle getting their DC to school, walk the dog before going off to work. Some people don't have the luxury of having a dog walker and try to fit walking the dog whilst doing the school run.

Then they shouldnt have a dog! My neighbours moan about finding time to walk their two massive dogs, both work full time and got the dogs fairly recently. Surely they must have known that such big dogs would need lots of exercise and that they needed to ensure that they could do that?

My sister and her DH want a dog but havent got one because they both work long hours and know that it wouldnt be fair on the animal to be stuck alone all day and then taken for the bare minimum walk because they are knackered after being at work.

Sometimes really loving animals means that you dont have any!

I don't know that the school can do anything about dog tied up outside the school premises, but they can and should insist on no dogs in school.Lots of kids are scared.They should feel safe in school.

Our school has a no pets policy as someone went Dropped their children off with a goat on a lead. Dp said that the kids loved it but the teachers were not so impressed.
I agree with pp, no dogs means no dogs.

Purpledaisy it was awful the scene was pretty horrific for parents and all of us. The girl in question left and attended another primary school. We met when we went to senior school and lucky the scars had faded but it could of been much worse but those involved acted quickly.

My dad always taught me not to stroke dogs I didn't know and I grew up with dogs. I make sure I teach my DC the same although people can undermine you and say it's ok then the dog starts yapping.

You know, it's not obligatory to have a dog. And i would think that most people who do could get up 20 min earlier each morning and walk the bloody think rather than dragging it to school and back.

And it is not hysterical to instist that certain areas are kept dog free, it's common sense.

do you not think that people's circumstances never change just because they have a dog?

No, but when circumstances change they need to evaluate whether they can keep the dog instead of expecting schools to make allowances for them.

No dogs means no dogs. You don't know who is allergic to dogs, who is petrified of dogs, nor can you ensure every single dog will be well behaved. I know someone who took their (normally well behaved) little dog into the school playground and it was so stressed out by all of the kids and then by being petted so much that it bit a child.

Of course this rule doesn't apply for service dogs.

I also agree with comments further up that if the only time you can walk your dog is the school run, and if you can't do that it doesn't get a walk then you shouldn't have a dog. If you already had a dog and circumstances change then the dog should be rehomed to someone who has the time to care for it properly - I've had to do this and while its sad, I knew it was selfish to keep a dog that I did not have the time for.

It must have been absolutely awful bubblegum. I'm glad at least the scars faded. What a horrible thing to happen.

I think a pony and trap was our record...

I hate it when there is a clear rule or policy and people start trying to find 'What if...' loopholes to get out of following it. It's immature. No dogs - it doesn't need further explanation.

I'd like my kids to go to ExConstances prep. Sounds like proper jolly japes

Our school has a no dogs rule, but there's generally at least one puppy carried in for a few weeks every so often. The school let it slide and I'm glad as I love puppies. But I also think that rigid rules are not a good thing.

Back in the real world these options aren't always that easy or affordable for some people. I'm a dog owner and lucky that I can walk them during the day but I've known dog owners struggling to juggle getting their DC to school, walk the dog before going off to work. Some people don't have the luxury of having a dog walker and try to fit walking the dog whilst doing the school run.

None of those things mean a dog should be taken onto school premises.

No dogs means no dogs. For those who are trying to get around the rules by carrying their dog, I ask what the hell are you going to do if a child comes close and your dog snaps/bites them because you are carrying it? You do realize your dog could be put down?

I hate it when there is a clear rule or policy and people start trying to find 'What if...' loopholes to get out of following it. It's immature.

I couldn't agree more. And what I hate even more is when, on top of trying to loophole out of it, they start arguing about how the rule (no dogs in the schoolyard, no children in the child free restaurant) is unfair, or somehow discriminatory.

No dogs means no dogs.

It's not just hygiene, it's pupils who are scared, and putting the dog at head height would make that worse.

People are sensible and keep them on a lead and I guess would clean up after them if need be.

LOL. No, all people aren't sensible.
All dog owners aren't sensible.
All dog owners don't keep their dog on a lead.
All dog owners do not clean up after their dog.
No dog owners clear up dog piss.

No dogs means no dogs.

And I say that as a dog owner who walks DC to school and then walks the dog separately. It would be great if I could incorporate ddog's walk into the school run but the rule is there and I respect it.

Also, if you can carry your dog it's probably quite small and therefore this applies.