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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

About dogs around the playground

28 replies

Greentomatoesrule · 05/03/2020 19:07

I have 2 young DC, aged 2 and 4. Both terrified of dogs after an unfortunate encounter with a dog at the park a year ago.

One DC attends preschool which is on the same grounds as the primary school. The primary school has a 'no dogs' on the grounds rule. There used to occasionally be a dog on a lead tethered to the gate when we dropped DC off but recently this has grown significantly and there are usually at least 5 dogs tied next to the gate at drop off. We have to walk through the gate, and a couple of the dogs are quite young, excitable, barking and jumping and my DC are just terrified as it's like running the gauntlet to get through the dogs.

Now I know that they will encounter dogs and that this is something we need to work on. But it's hard with so many dogs, and it feels like it undermines the purpose of the no dogs on the ground rule. Would IBU to have a quiet word to preschool to see if there's anything that could be done (just sending out something in the newsletter asking that people don't bring their dogs unless they really have to)? I know that it's hard for people to fathom that their lovely dog might genuinely cause terror in a little kid. I think I may BU as obviously I'm not a dog owner so have no idea of etiquette so wanted to check here before making an idiot of myself!

OP posts:
LochJessMonster · 05/03/2020 19:08

As a dog owner, I would ask the school if they could ask parents to tie them further away.

Right by the gates is an accident waiting to happen

Dreamersandwishers · 05/03/2020 19:10

Totally agree with LochJess. I have 2 dogs, very friendly, but would never tie them at an entrance, nor would I hover around an entrance with them beside me.
I would also talk to the school.

picklebarrelfalls · 05/03/2020 19:13

I have exactly the same issue at my school are we at the same one? Some parents are getting round the 'no dogs on the yard' rule by carrying them about like accessories 🙄

frostedviolets · 05/03/2020 19:15

I actually think that allowing them into the school grounds with the condition that they must be on a short leash and not interacting with anyone would by far be the best solution.

DS school has a similar rule, dogs can come in but they are expected to sit or stand quietly on short leashes.

Banning results in people doing as you describe, tying them to the gates which IMO is irresponsible and dangerous.

coolwalking · 05/03/2020 19:15

YANBU. Parents do this at our school too. The dogs bark and fight then the kids will annoy them. Always ends in tears.

Tell (don't ask) the school that they need to tell people to leave their dogs in a place where they aren't going to cause a nuisance. I would mention the past experience of your children.

Rainallnight · 05/03/2020 19:16

I completely agree with you, OP. Speak to them.

londonrach · 05/03/2020 19:18

Yanbu. talk to school

FleurNancy · 05/03/2020 19:20

Dogs by the school gate is an accident waiting to happen as many kids don't know not to approach strange dogs. I'd definitely mention to pre school.

TreeTopTim · 05/03/2020 19:22

I'm quite surprised at the vote because a lot of people treat their dogs like their children and usually if anyone says anything bad about dogs then they are going to hell.

YANBU

Wolfiefan · 05/03/2020 19:24

I have two dogs. I would never leave them tied up like that. Dogs should never be left unattended.
Dogs left to bark or jump up would be terrifying for some kids.
Are they tied to the school property? I wonder if the school could ask parents not to do it and then the Head stand by the gate to remind parents?

SnowyPetals · 05/03/2020 19:24

We have this at our school. The head asked people not to tie them close to the gate, which people have complied with. Now the dogs bark loudly. Every. Single. Day. Drives me nuts!

CrazyKitkatLady · 05/03/2020 19:25

Surely it’s safer for parents to bring them in on a short lead than leave them unattended?

Phillipa12 · 05/03/2020 19:29

Its an accident waiting to happen and one that did happen at my ds's school, a reception child was nipped as he walked past a dog that was tied to the railings. No dog is allowed to be left unattended now by order of the school, luckily its enforceable as the entrance for pupils is on a path owned by the school.

TheBouquets · 05/03/2020 19:38

Why do the dogs have to go to the school at all?

ilikemethewayiam · 05/03/2020 19:51

@thebouquets

Mostly because the kids the parents are going to collect want have their dogs greet them at the gate. That’s all I wanted when I came out of school, to be greeted by my four legged bestie. Sometimes I guess the parents might be combining the dogs daily walk with the school pick up. I do think it’s best to leave the dog at home though unless it’s unavoidable. Even the friendliest dog can bite if provoked and some children don’t know how to behave around dogs.

LettertoHermoine · 05/03/2020 19:52

YANBU. People are so stupid.

frostedviolets · 05/03/2020 20:02

Why do the dogs have to go to the school at all?

For me, I don’t drive and the school is a 30 minute walk one way through fields and woodlands.
So bringing the dog along is in theory a fantastic idea and I have done it a few times.

DS school allows dogs on short leashes which is great, unfortunately my other child’s school requires them to be tied which although I have done so on rare occasion it is dangerous and irresponsible for so many reasons.

Eckhart · 05/03/2020 20:02

Dog owner here. I would never do this, it's very inconsiderate and insensitive for people to think it's ok. Presumably there's a fence right round the park? Why can't they tie them to another bit of the fence? Expecting everybody (adults and children alike) to be happy to pass them is so thoughtless.

Gin4thewin · 05/03/2020 20:31

Our school is TERRIBLE for it. At least 5 all tied right next to the gate, all on extendable leads. Plus when someone gets a new puppy that gets brought onto the playground so all the other dog owners then take that as a que to bring theirs in aswell. That carries on till theres as many dogs as kids or someone complains, stops for a week then theyre all back on the playground again.

greybluefish · 05/03/2020 20:42

Surely it’s safer for parents to bring them in on a short lead than leave them unattended?

Or, I don't know...leave them at home.

Letting them on e playground would then lead to dog shit being on the playground which is hardly great for children either. There's always one inconsiderate arsehole that doesn't pick it up.

Vegansarefriends · 05/03/2020 21:00

My dc school have dogs at the school and three teachers have theirs with them all day. It’s great, the dc take turns to walk them in the grounds at lunchtime and they are great for comforting upset children.

It’s one of the reasons I chose the school. Never seen dog mess there in ten years of pick ups.

LolaSmiles · 05/03/2020 21:07

Asking school to put a notice about not leaving dogs by the gate is reasonable.

Expecting the school to tell parents they shouldn't have their dogs near the school and shouldn't bring them because your kids don't like them is unreasonable.

Wearywithteens · 05/03/2020 21:16

This reply has been withdrawn

This has been withdrawn at the poster's request.

oatybiscuit · 05/03/2020 21:40

YANBU

I've got a primary age child and a dog. One of the 'extra perks' that I'm looking forward to when I'm on maternity leave is having the time to walk my DD to and from school (instead of the frantic car dash we do so I can get to work at the moment). If I was utterly selfish, it would be very convenient to use the school run as a dog walk but I have absolutely no intention of doing so.

Our school (like most, I guess) has a no dogs on site rule. I won't break that rule and won't leave our dog tied to the gates. I wouldn't leave any dog unsupervised next to a few hundred small children (never mind biting, or jumping, I don't want my dog lost, stollen, kicked, frightened, over-excited, or falsely accused of anything).

Dog occasionally goes in the car with DP to pick DD up, but doesn't get out. Dog has only walked to school on the very rare occasions that DP and I are both off, then one can wait away from the gates with dog while the other walks DD into school.

I think you're right to raise it with school, and keep doing so until the situation improves. They may need to have staff out on duty at the end of the day until parents get the message.

berryfull · 05/03/2020 21:47

Crikey! I love all the dogs at our school gates! They always have happy children stroking them.