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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Dogs on the school run

93 replies

Sunshineshinning · 11/05/2018 10:24

Our school run is along quiet residential roads and footpaths. There are quite a number of dogs - most of which are on leads - particularly around the outside of a largeish park.

There are a couple, however, who are left to run free. They are all ‘nice’ dogs (eg Labrador, beagle types) and stay relatively close to their owners. However they do sniff around which scares my children.

So - would I be unreasonable to ask them to keep their dogs on a lead or do they have the (moral) right to keep them off lead?

Am particularly interested to hear from dog owners (esp those who do keep off lead - and think their right to have off lead trumps my right to not have a dog sniffing around).

OP posts:
MrsPepperpot79 · 11/05/2018 11:04

Dog owner.
As long as well behaved (and in line with whatever the local bye-laws are), in the park is ok to be off-lead. Outside though is just a no-no as far as I'm concerned. Dogs will sniff, which can scare people, and my dogs might, if a cat leapt out in front of them/ball was thrown, react just enough to out them in potential danger from cars on a street. Just not worth the risk!

leavesrfalling · 11/05/2018 11:05

Madmarchpear What makes the staffy foul?

Beamur · 11/05/2018 11:06

There is no obligation to have a dog on a lead, but it should be under control. There are some places where you do have to have your dog on a lead - these should be signposted.
I walk my dog on the school run, off lead part of the way but on a lead by the road. I don't want the dog to get run over and I do want to keep it under control around other dogs and people.
It is annoying, but if the dogs are friendly, there isn't anything you can do. Tell you children to simply stand still and quiet and pay no attention to the dog, it will quickly lose interest and go away.

KNain · 11/05/2018 11:08

Sounds like an opportunity for your children to overcome their fear of dogs.

Yes because that's how people overcome a fear of dogs isn't it? Hmm If someone was scared of heights would you suggest plonking them on top of the Eiffel Tower as an opportunity to overcome it?! Or maybe that would just traumatise them more!

I am very scared of dogs but I think on a lead or to heel is fine. But if they're not under control they should be on a lead. I don't let my DS run around all over the street and get in the way, or run up and pester random strangers so I don't think people should let their dogs do it to us.

Even if people aren't scared they might just not like dogs, or not want to be sniffed and pestered. Some dog owners need to accept that not everyone likes their dog.

Tinkobell · 11/05/2018 11:08

On streets dog should be on lead. In park if permitted dog can go off lead, owner nearby, put dog on lead if kids are around. I'm a dog owner.

Yokohamajojo · 11/05/2018 11:11

Dog owner here, we take our dog on the morning school run on lead but the dog is not allowed on to the school premises. In the morning the kids just go in by themselves. I don't see what a letter from school will do if the dog owners aren't actually parents of any school kids. If this is the case, not sure what you can do really if it is just random dog walkers using the park in the mornings.

Where are school is, there are lots and lots of dogs around but only a handful of them belong to parents of the school. (small school)

Scabbersley · 11/05/2018 11:11

I keep my dogs on the lead near the local school because when he was off lead children used to come up to him and try and grab him and cuddle him Hmm

I used to tell them that they had to ask the owner before they approached a strange dog as not all dogs are as forgiving as mine.

One of their parents then had a go at me for "shouting" at their kid.

Lots of people just don't understand dogs, so keeping him on lead and avoiding the school works for us.

Oliversmumsarmy · 11/05/2018 11:12

*Our school/council bans dogs on school property unless they are guide dogs etc.

If a lone dog is found on school property the school is kept shut and animal welfare called for removal or if violent then dog unit called.

No kids allowed out until dog is seized and owner when found is visited by police and head of school if children are students there with strict instructions of what will happen if a child or adult uninjured*

Very Catherine Tate Grin

Scabbersley · 11/05/2018 11:13
Grin
Hissy · 11/05/2018 11:13

So these dogs are in a park adjacent to a path you use which is separated by a knee-high fence?

The dogs are in the park, being exercised, and your kids will need to learn to read the situation and understand that they are not at risk.

You are the key here OP, you can support your kids gaining this skill/strength they will need as adults.

sammyrainbow · 11/05/2018 11:17

Dog owner
As an owner of a not “nice” dog - which by the way is a silly way of putting it as more bites happen from “nice” dogs if you check statistics. I don’t take my large Akita dog on the school run as too many kids are not taught how to behave around dogs. So they pet too hard or squeal too loud and get in the dogs face. Which is the problem! Although in 13 years she has never once barked or bitten anyone - I don’t trust the kids to behave around her. She’s 7stone and could easily really hurt a child. Teach your children not to be scared as that isn’t helping them at all. You do walk through a park at the end of the day. Take them to rescue centres and ask owners regularly if your children can stroke their dog. This will help build positive relationships with dogs and teach your children important lessons on how to behave around them. You will find that in time and after letting your children interact properly with dogs (always check with owner first) that it will be easier for them. Visit blue cross.org.uk for advise on being safe with dogs- an important lesson for you and your kids x

TomRavenscroft · 11/05/2018 11:19

I'm intrigued as to the criteria for what is and isn't a 'nice' dog. I'm assuming it's a bit like naice ham.

Original poster
Sunshineshinning · 11/05/2018 11:20

@hissy - no the dogs are on the path too (not in the park) walking with their owners to school.

I don’t actually know why I mentioned the park - it felt sort of relevant but it isn’t and is obviously confusing!

OP posts:
Lucisky · 11/05/2018 11:23

According to the Internet, it is a criminal offence (under the road traffic act 1988) not to have your dog on a lead on a public road. I must say, I didn't know that!

Original poster
Sunshineshinning · 11/05/2018 11:23

And thanks all for your comments - next time I see them, I definitely will say something as it seems I’m not being unreasonable.

OP posts:
Starlight2345 · 11/05/2018 11:25

My DS has dog phobia and has had cbt ..

I get annoyed with some dog owners who just shout over he won't hurt you when my DS is panicking. .. it is no help to him what so ever. Call your dog away.

I don't understand why some dog owners think it is ok to allow a dog to approach a child.

I would approach them and ask them to keep them on a lead or next to them as it is stressing your children out.. Some dog owners seem incapable of understanding that some children ( and adults for that matter ) don't want there dog to come sniff them say hello.

Bettyfood · 11/05/2018 11:25

I think the dog owners are a bit irresponsible if they are letting the dogs run about on a pavement near a road. I take my dog on the school run but don't go in the school grounds with her.

Thought the thread was going to be about no-one being allowed to walk their dog at school drop-off or collection time!

Original poster
Sunshineshinning · 11/05/2018 11:26

I’m not sure what a nice dog is either Smile but I guess if it was snarling / intimidating I would have said something without a second thought. The point was really the dogs were doing nothing really wrong - just the mere fact that they were off lead.

OP posts:
itstimeforanamechange · 11/05/2018 11:27

Dogs should be under control - doesn't matter if off-lead or on-lead. You can have a perfectly well-behaved dog off-lead who will sit quietly next to their owner and a dog on the lead who's pulling and snapping at people

Agreed. I do prefer dogs to be on short leads, but accept your point. Yesterday I was out running and someone had three dogs, none on leads, but they didn't bother me at all. If you know your dogs won't approach people it's fine.

Sounds like an opportunity for your children to overcome their fear of dogs

No sounds like an opportunity for dog owners to accept that their animals are pets and it is not ok for them to inconvenience humans. In any event, it's in your interest to keep a dog under control so eg it doesn't run out in front of a car. It's not just about being scared, I don't want a dog that's had its head up another dog's bottom sniffing around me or jumping up at me. They can also cause accidents if they eg trip someone up.

LittleGreySheep · 11/05/2018 11:28

My dog is a vicious little yappy 12lb thing. I keep her on the lead for safety. Annoys me no end when people let their dogs off the lead and they approach my dog - how can I prevent her from attacking if your dog approaches her? Same with children - they think they can stroke her because she's small and cute with fluffy pigtails. I won't be responsible if your child touches my dog without permission and gets nipped.

afreerangeperson · 11/05/2018 11:31

Foul Staffy Hmm
Deed not breed. In fact that staffy is probably less likely to bite than a Jack Russell or Collie.

Ariela · 11/05/2018 11:33

Is the path a footpath/pavement at the side of the road? In which case the dogs should be on a lead because of the road.
You could talk to the local dog warden if your council has one and see if (s)he can talk to the owners from an official point of view

Hissy · 11/05/2018 11:34

@hissy - no the dogs are on the path too (not in the park) walking with their owners to school.

Ah, that is different yes.

You would be far better served though supporting your children overcoming the fear.

We can't control what others do or don't do, but we can (try to) control our reactions.

angryburd · 11/05/2018 11:34

"No sounds like an opportunity for dog owners to accept that their animals are pets and it is not ok for them to inconvenience humans"

How are a couple of dogs "sniffing about" in any way inconveniencing anyone?

TrashPanda · 11/05/2018 11:35

There are quite a few dogs taken on the school run at DS school but they aren't allowed inside the grounds. A couple are tied up outside and some owners have arranged for their kids to be allowed out to meet them at the gate so don't leave the dog unattended. Never seen any poo near school or had any problems. At the moment I am more annoyed about the blokes smoking in the nursery car park when they arrive slightly early for pick up.

When I was at primary school one of my classmates had a houdini of an Airedale Terrier called Murphy and he was quite often spotted in the playground after escaping and walking himself down to school. He was a proper softy and classmate just used to tell him to go home and he would.