AIBU to think school staff should make care provision for their dogs?

[LoveTheirDogs]

Our headteacher and business manager have both got dogs in the last six months. Now they're bringing those dogs into school. They're saying that the dogs are 'school dogs' which seems to mean that they're dogs that mostly hang around in school. They've also scheduled a number of 'enrichment activities' for the kids so that they can 'learn how to interact with different species' ie their dogs. AIBU to think this is taking the piss and they should just make provision for their dogs same as any other working person rather than having the whole school have to go to these (non-accredited) 'courses' that clearly cost a fortune and are only being put on so that BM and HT can tick a box that says everything is ok with them bringing their pets to work?

@MaryBoBary

It is shocking how many people think decisions like this are made off the cuff in a school. Of course this will have been agreed on by governors etc, and oak assessments will have been done etc. Stop being difficult and trying to come up with barriers just because YOU don't like animals.

Also do you know what head teachers earn? Do you really think they can't afford a dog Walker? As someone who works in a school it is very sad when you get those parents who complain about and have a problem with everything. Despite the fact it is only your children missing out or benefiting (if you let them).

I have worked in many more schools than you I am willing to bet.

I know firsthand that some heads make irresponsible decisions like this. I also know how proper safeguarding works and this dog would not meet the requirements to present an appropriate risk for the many reasons people have outlined. I'll list them again:
Only a six month history
Rescue with unknown history
No purpose built area
No member of staff responsible for it without full responsibility in other areas

Heads earn around twice to three times what a teacher earns and around 10/5 x what teaching assistants earn. Why aren't dog earners amongst these staff being given the opportunity for their dog to do it?

A properly sourced dog bought purposefully for this and planned for appropriately for its welfare by the head-on one disagrees with.

There is more evidence that this isn't the case than there is.

It's either poorly planned or abuse of position. Not great.

[quote Ericaequites]@Xenia
Why do you hate dogs?[/quote]
People don't have to justify why they don't like something.

The obsession with dogs in this country is seriously weird.

Our school has this. Paid for by the PTA

seems only naughty kids get to see the dog as a reward for not being misbehaving twats. the middle of the road kids and well behaved kids dont get a look in.

we do however get a lovely photo every month of the dog,.

seems only naughty kids get to see the dog as a reward for not being misbehaving twats. the middle of the road kids and well behaved kids dont get a look in.

Classic example of non teaching heads effecting policy. When teachers are empowered with trust in their own behaviour management skills rewards tend to be split more fairly ime.

I'm shocked at how many people are saying to ignore blatant breaches of policy and misuse of power for fear of being branded "that parent"... No wonder those in power in the UK get away with murder.

[quote madisonbridges]@Peoniesandpeaches. What you went through must have been traumatic and still must be. And I can understand that it has given you a phobia. I'm sympathetic to that.
Saying all that, I'm sure you wouldn't have to face a dog at your child's school if you didn't want to. Because you have a phobia about dogs, doesn't mean that other people shouldn't benefit from dogs. I'm not sure schools should tailor their activities based on experiences of people that don't even attend the institution.[/quote]
Oh how wonderful that you feel sure because in my experience every time a dog owner claims that they will keep their dog away from me it doesnt happen. I can guarantee there will be children with a phobia that is as severe as mine and even if school does agree not to take the dog to their class it will cause issues as that child will be singled out. I remember well from when my school invited a dog charity and I had to sit the lesson out - even now years later people I went to school with take the Mickey out of me for it. And this isn’t “an activity” this is a dog with no therapy training just being brought into a school but despite dog trainers etc on this thread saying it is a bad idea the prevailing consensus is that the OP should shut up because “aww doggies” and isn’t it nice.

I hate them for a lot of reasons. First of all they bite sometimes - my daughter had one bite through her leggins into her knickers which were ripped and into her flesh a year or two ago and this family has a lot of other facts like that. In her case she was a young adult and was out jogging in woods and doing nothing wrong at all.

Secondly they often lick me including leg and crotch. the owners say it won't hurt you. We so what? I just don't want hair on my legs and spittle on my legs or crotch - would the owner like me to lick her tights and crotch and leave my saliva all over her?

Thirdly our private estate where people trespass all day long ( we are not gated) is full of dog walkers (so law breakers) and I clear up the dog waste from our very very long grass verge. there is vast amounts of it. Obviously some dog walkers pick up mess but even those will not be able to guarantee 100% every single bit of bacteria is removed when they scoop the stuff up.

I also collect litter the trespassers leave across the estate and some of that is plastic dog containers.

Fourthly they make a noise to which i do not like to listen - eg was just out after finishing my first work raking leaves silently on a lovely autumn morning - in the woods opposite were two dogs (lawfully on that land so I cannot sadly shoot them) and owners barking so so loudly and their owners shouting at each other to be heard and there was peace utterly ruined by dogs yet again.

I could go on and on. I would like every dog driven out of England.

@Xenia

I hate them for a lot of reasons. First of all they bite sometimes - my daughter had one bite through her leggins into her knickers which were ripped and into her flesh a year or two ago and this family has a lot of other facts like that. In her case she was a young adult and was out jogging in woods and doing nothing wrong at all.

Secondly they often lick me including leg and crotch. the owners say it won't hurt you. We so what? I just don't want hair on my legs and spittle on my legs or crotch - would the owner like me to lick her tights and crotch and leave my saliva all over her?

Thirdly our private estate where people trespass all day long ( we are not gated) is full of dog walkers (so law breakers) and I clear up the dog waste from our very very long grass verge. there is vast amounts of it. Obviously some dog walkers pick up mess but even those will not be able to guarantee 100% every single bit of bacteria is removed when they scoop the stuff up.

I also collect litter the trespassers leave across the estate and some of that is plastic dog containers.

Fourthly they make a noise to which i do not like to listen - eg was just out after finishing my first work raking leaves silently on a lovely autumn morning - in the woods opposite were two dogs (lawfully on that land so I cannot sadly shoot them) and owners barking so so loudly and their owners shouting at each other to be heard and there was peace utterly ruined by dogs yet again.

I could go on and on. I would like every dog driven out of England.

Gosh you sound delightful. You'd happily shoot a dog? Wowsers. What a better place England would be without people who'd do that. Shame.. can't get rid of you just like you can't get rid of dogs.

And this isn’t “an activity” this is a dog with no therapy training

Again with the therapy training… there is no such thing.

My kids’ school has a dog. I don’t particularly like dogs but it’s brilliant. No child is forced to interact with the dog. For the most part it sleeps under the head teachers desk. But it’s great for kids who are upset or shy. Kids who struggle reading out loud due to confidence get to go to practice reading to the dog. It’s wonderful. It’s one of the teacher’s dog but we all love it!

@Rosesareyellow

And this isn’t “an activity” this is a dog with no therapy training

Again with the therapy training… there is no such thing.

There are Therapets in Scotland that are very carefully monitored and observed link to therapet training link to reading dogs.

In answer to the OP I agree that the HT is taking the piss. My dog came to work with me for a number of years but he’s an assistance dog and was very well loved by my classes.

Hilarious seeing the dog lovers get more upset about the theoretical possibility of a dog being shot - when trespassing !!! - than the documented risk of Brucella especially to the female children. That just about sums up the skewed attitude to canines that for some weird reason prevails at the moment.

in the woods opposite were two dogs (lawfully on that land so I cannot sadly shoot them)

You really are a psychopath.

I like dogs and I actually think it is cruel to keep two in an environment like this.

@ElectricDeChocobo

in the woods opposite were two dogs (lawfully on that land so I cannot sadly shoot them)

You really are a psychopath.

Yes, because nobody ever exaggerates a story for effect - especially on the Internet

People don't have to justify why they don't like something. The obsession with dogs in this country is seriously weird

I agree. Dogs are pets and should not be in workplaces (obvious exceptions such as dog groomers/trainers and animal shelters aside).

Some kids like dogs. Some kids do not like dogs. It is entirely possible for those who like dogs to have pets or see animals outside school. There is no need to impose them on those who don't like dogs.

When I was at secondary school the caretaker lived onsite and had a dog. Some people used to take it for walks at lunchtime. But it was never in the school building so was 100% possible to stay out of its way.

@Grellbunt

This is xenia we're talking about.

That just about sums up the skewed attitude to canines that for some weird reason prevails at the moment.

Do you feel the same about assistance dogs?

the PP talking about pet insurance covering injury in work places: Yes, for the dog! It won't cover damage to school or injury to a pupil by the dog.

No, not for the dog. It’s the public liability element. How could vet’s bill possibly amount to £1 million?!

@ElectricDeChocobo

in the woods opposite were two dogs (lawfully on that land so I cannot sadly shoot them)

You really are a psychopath.

Have you only just noticed?

Oh Xenia 🙄

@CottageOnTheHill

That just about sums up the skewed attitude to canines that for some weird reason prevails at the moment.

Do you feel the same about assistance dogs?

Obviously not but even the most rabid of dog owner has to admit there have been lots more people whacking their dog in a vest declaring it an assistance dog when it isn’t trained to do a particular task. Those I take issue with as it’s just cheeky fuckery and it undermines real assistance dogs (which are the only dogs I’ve managed to find even a modicum of calm with). Assistance dogs are highly trained however and there’s a reason why there are long waits for them because few dogs have the right temperament and intelligence for it.

I was asked and those are my reasons I hate dogs and for the record I have never shot one and I don't have a gun so the dogs of England are safe.

@CottageOnTheHill

That just about sums up the skewed attitude to canines that for some weird reason prevails at the moment.

Do you feel the same about assistance dogs?

No one on this thread has expressed any hatred or intolerance to assistance dogs. I dislike dogs but have zero issue with assistance dogs...obviously. They are highly trained and don't scare me as other dogs do. I also appreciate how important they are for some people

@Xenia

I was asked and those are my reasons I hate dogs and for the record I have never shot one and I don't have a gun so the dogs of England are safe.

Nah. Your reasons are why you should hate shitty dog owners