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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

AIBU regarding Dobermann at nursery?

125 replies

Kezebel · 02/08/2018 13:19

First post, but I really need perspective.

DS has very recently started morning sessions at a nursery. When picking him up today, I noticed a large Dobermann in the office. It was on a lead.

One of the staff then went 'yes, DS has been watching [dog name] all morning.' Then went on to confirm that the dog belonged to the manager/owner. The office is in an entirely separate area to where DS is. So presumably the dog was around the children in the morning.

It's really set my spider senses off. I'm not assuming that this dog will be anything other than controlled...but it's a fuck off Dobermann. Around unpredictable toddlers. Would you be happy about this?!

I'm not there to keep him away from it, actively teach him to respect it/look but don't touch/leave it be (which I do regarding all animals, when I am with him)

AIBU to feel extremely uncomfortable about sending him to nursery within jaws reach slightly dramatic?! of quite a large dog that I know nothing about?

OP posts:
skunkatanka · 02/08/2018 13:21

I'd change nursery and I'd tell them why. Absolutely ridiculous thing for a nursery to do.

Iamagreyhoundhearmeroar · 02/08/2018 13:22

Seriously? The nursery manager brings her Dobermann to work? Hmm

Bambamber · 02/08/2018 13:25

I wouldn't be comfortable with this at all. Not because of the breed of the dog, but I don't think any dog should be subjected to being surrounded by lots of children, some of whom are most likely going to be a bit grabby.

I would also worry in case any of the children had dog related allergies. I think overall it's just a recipe for disaster

TeddyIsaHe · 02/08/2018 13:25

Yeah, I really can’t see a nursery owner risking their livelihood to bring a dog to work.

ReevaDiva · 02/08/2018 13:27

I don't know. My childminder has three big dogs, and at first I was almost put off by that. But she was excellent at keeping them apart, never leaving them alone in a room, etc. And it's been great experience for the kids, as we'll certainly never have a dog.

I suppose it depends how careful and considered they are at having it around. My friend's school has a school dog! So it does happen; it just depends on how happy you are to accept it, and if not, find a different nursery.

Have to admit I'd do a double take at a Doberman!!

Wellthen · 02/08/2018 13:30

Either this has been done sensibly or it hasn’t.

Either

  1. The dog was in the general area of the kids (which is how ds watched it) but kept away from them, on a lead and under the control of the manager
  2. The dog was actually with the children after a thorough risk assessment. This should be available for you to see.
  3. The dog was with the kids cos the manager’s doggy day care fell through or something. It was not planned as an a learning opportunity or risk assessed.

1 would annoy me but I wouldn’t remove him. 2 is fine but I would ask to see the risk assessment and I also enquire as to whether the manager is in ratio at these times as her full attention isn’t on the children. 3 I would make a formal complaint about. Danger or not, it is not appropriate for a random pet to be at the nursery ‘all morning’

Pengggwn · 02/08/2018 13:30

Dobermanns can be nice enough. But it doesn't matter what specific breed of dog it is; to let you sign up and put your child into their care without being clear that the owner brings a large dog to work would fatally undermine my belief in their professionalism and honesty. It's just unacceptable.

Original poster
Kezebel · 02/08/2018 13:31

@Iamagreyhoundhearmeroar
@TeddyIsaHe

Yes seriously. It was there. I don't know how long for. I've not seen it there before. I'm presuming that it isn't there every day. Which is why I've posted for advice, as it definitely didn't feel right.

OP posts:
kalinkafoxtrot45 · 02/08/2018 13:31

No, this isn’t okay. Dobermans are beautiful dogs but a volatile breed.

RunningOverTheSameOldGround · 02/08/2018 13:32

I don't think any dog should be subjected to being surrounded by lots of children, some of whom are most likely going to be a bit grabby.

This^^. Poor dog! What a fucking stupid and irresponsible owner Angry. And if a child gets bitten then the dog will be the one paying the price, not that dickhead owner.

RunningOverTheSameOldGround · 02/08/2018 13:33

And yes, I’d vote with my feet and tell them why.

mumprincess12 · 02/08/2018 13:33

Just report either to the group manager or owner if part of a chain or to ofsted. It's not acceptable AT ALL!

LockedOutOfMN · 02/08/2018 13:36

I'd ask them to show you the risk assessment for the dog being around the children and if they do not have it then report to Ofsted and remove your child. I am afraid I would have lost all faith in the owner's judgement, honesty and professionalism.

PortSouth · 02/08/2018 13:37

Report to the council and OFsted.

Amanduh · 02/08/2018 13:39

Absolutelt unacceptable.

vandrew4 · 02/08/2018 13:39

you have no reason at all to assume the dog wasn't on a short lead all the time. And you were told your child had been watching him, not playing with him
Could they have taken kids in 2's and 3's to literally look at the dog?

Fenwickdream · 02/08/2018 13:40

I’d ask “does it ever or can it ever come out that office because if it does I’m removing my child”

No way in hell I would have that.

boobiequestion · 02/08/2018 13:43

Surely this breaks all sorts of official rules and health and safety.

I'd be raging if I'd found out my toddler had been round a dog all day without even letting me know beforehand.
Extremely unprofessional! I'd be tempted to change nurseries to be honest because if they were happy to do this in the first place, they'd more than likely do it again.

Original poster
Kezebel · 02/08/2018 13:46

Thank you all for your advice so far. In my gut I feel it's completely unacceptable.

As some of you have pointed out, dog could have been on a short lead entire time, and the children could have been led to look at the dog.

Will have to investigate. Should I go back to the nursery today, or call? Wondering if I call, a risk assessment could be 'produced.'

OP posts:
colditz · 02/08/2018 13:47

It was probably in the office behind a stairgate. No way would a loving dog owner subject her dog to 30 grabby 3 year olds.

Mia1415 · 02/08/2018 13:47

I wouldn't have an issue with this (my current and previous childminder's have had dogs). However you should have been told and there should be a risk assessment in place.

Just ask to see the manager and ask some questions about the dog.

faloma · 02/08/2018 13:49

When you collect later on, ask to see the manager and the risk assessment for the dog being there. I'd inform ofsted to be honest.

adaline · 02/08/2018 13:49

I bet the dog was on its own far away from the children! I doubt the manager would be stupid enough to let it wander around a nursery unsupervised!

Bazzlebear · 02/08/2018 13:52

Am I the only one who would be thrilled by this and see it as a great form of socialisation for young children? I would worry more that my children could develop irrational fear of dogs.

I'd be no more concerned about a doberman than a labrador or pomeranian. They are no more dangerous- it's a very outdated stereotype. Smile

If the dog was running loose and hyperactive in the children's room having its tail pulled etc with no supervision I would be more concerned, of course... but I highly doubt that has happened, as no reasonable owner would put their dog in that situation, let alone childcarer.

RomanyRoots · 02/08/2018 13:54

I wouldn't accept this.
A risk assessment, keeping dog away from dc, etc all good ideas but don't count for anything, accidents happen.