The school is getting a school dog

[Worriedaboutthedoggy]

The school had sent out a newsletter today that they are getting a school dog. The letter has all the positives mentioned - they are getting it from a reputable breeder and good bloodlines, it is a hypoallergenic breed (labradoodle), it will be staying in a family environment when off duty (presumably with a member of staff), it will teach the children about the importance of caring for someone - but I still am feeling a bit weird about it, can't put my finger on why exactly.

I am not sure about the impact on the dog - won't it be stressed by the usual playground ruckus? What if it turns out to be wrong temperament?

I am also ashamed to admit that one aspect that concerns me is financial. The average lifetime cost of keeping a dog in the UK (according to google) is around £18K, and I can't help feeling that there are better ways to spend these money (the school is currently fundraising for quite basic things).

Please do tell me I am BU and a total killjoy, and please do tell me your positive stories.

@fascinated a very reasoned response.

You do realise no child would be forced to interact with the dog?

I have Asthma. It is exacerbated by animals. My sister has a labradoodle and I can't go to her house without my inhalers. I don't think there is any such thing as a non allergenic dog.

A school dog sounds like my idea of hell. Lots of people don't like dogs, why should they be imposed on them in a place like a school which should be a safe place for everyone (including the staff).

By all means have a pet.

But they don't belong in schools (or workplaces unless you work for Guide Dogs or an animal rescue place, obviously).

You do realise no child would be forced to interact with the dog

If a dog roams around the corridors a child (and staff members) have no option but to interact!

Its very unlikely a dog would be roaming the corridors.

I don’t pay tax to fund dogs in school, I pay it to fund education.

And yes they are forced to interact with the dog.

Unreasonable and if my school did this I would be looking at an official complaint to the ombudsman / judicial review for misuse of public funds and maladministration.

Surely this cannot be real? Would a school really do this?

If a dog roams around the corridors a child (and staff members) have no option but to interact!

Such drama! The dog won't be roaming round the corridors it'll be assigned a certain area and the children brought to it. If it is roaming like a rabid lion it'll be with a staff member and under control I wonder how some people get through life, have you never walked past a dog not on a lead but walking to heel?

@fascinated you dont get to decide where your taxes are spent. The nearest you get is voting.

And no where does anyone know if this is being funded by the school.

Ask for a judicial review. Just because you dont like it, doesnt mean anyone is doing something legally wrong.

We got labradoodle on advice of paediatrician btw as DD was desperate for a dog as were we but she really needs to live in a bubble really

If her allergies are so severe why a labradoodle and not a poodle?

I don’t understand why people think a poodle cross is “better” for allergies when it’s the poodle coat you’re trying to breed into a labrador...it’s the lab coat you’re trying to avoid so why on earth breed it into an already hypoallergenic poodle?

I don’t think much of a paed who can’t work out basic coat genetics either.

If her allergies are so severe why a labradoodle and not a poodle?

It's a question that many poodle cross owners cant answer. Lab cross does not improve poodles. Just like poodle Gene's dont improve labs either.

I’ve fostered hundreds of dogs

I truly believe this is a bad idea. A dog is never 100% safe. Lots of people are phobic of dogs

You can also never trust how a dog will be personality wise. We had a dog. Who was beautiful. Gorgeous puppy. Played well. Trained to a T. Few years down the line. It got attacked by another dog on a walk and turned on us eventually. Such a shame.

These things can and have happened.

fascinated do you pay your taxes for hamsters, guinea pigs and chickens? Do you understand that education is about all sorts not just learning to write?

Lots of people don't like dogs, why should they be imposed on them in a place like a school which should be a safe place for everyone

This. Bloody dog-lovers just can’t grasp that not everyone feels the same way.

I doubt there would be roaming, but just being in the building would be difficult for me.

DD was desperate for a dog as were we but she really needs to live in a bubble really. We drug her With antihistamines and don't tell DH she's allergic but I can't see how you could drug an entire school!

There is so much wrong with this that I really don't know where to start. Your poor DD. We all make mistakes but that's pretty shocking.

Surely this cannot be real? Would a school really do this?

You have read multiple accounts of dogs in schools and it working really well, right here on this thread

Bloody dog-lovers just can’t grasp that not everyone feels the same way.

SOME dog lovers think that. SOME.

Most of us don't. Most of us go out our fucking way to make sure no one is inconvienced by our dogs. But you wouldn't know that - because we've gone out of your way too.

@SharkasticBitch you are right, most dogs I see are great and well behaved. But I don't want one in my workplace thanks. It crosses a boundary.

I'm pretty sure there will be no dogs roaming corridors and no kids forced to interact with them

Blimey.

But I don't want one in my workplace thanks.

Perfectly understandable.

Very much in favour of this, as long as the dog is well looked after and not treated like a toy.
As well as all the other good reasons, I’d add that attacks on guide dogs are increasing. Cab drivers and shop staff are still refusing to let blind people In with guide dogs, even though refusal is illegal. We need children to learn to coexist with animals.

I love my dogs. I wouldn't want to take them to work. The biggest one always wants to be on my lap. Not helpful for meetings or typing.

If they had doggy day care at work then maybe

I would also have been terrified if there'd been a dog in my school. Can't stay far enough away from the things.

About guide dogs (and in my view, the need for children to become used to dogs) - 75% of blind people surveyed had been refused access to a restaurant, shop or taxi, even though that’s illegal.

www.guidedogs.org.uk/how-you-can-help/campaigning/our-current-campaigns/access-all-areas

I think it's a lovely idea, our school has one. He actually belongs to a teacher who pays for it and takes it home etc. I suppose if the teacher left then doggie would too but he's been there a few years.
from the teachers pov I suppose he gets to take the dog to work, saving on doggie day care, the dog is well socialised and happy, the kids gets so much out of it and other people help with the dog in school hours etc.