Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

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

530 replies

LoveTheirDogs · 07/10/2021 12:02

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?

OP posts:
Klac30 · 07/10/2021 12:37

@Rosesareyellow

I don’t understand how you can get so worked up about this. As long as the dogs are well behaved who gives a shit? If someone genuinely had an allergy they’d have to make different arrangements. Most people do like dogs or are indifferent to them. Most of the children will enjoy seeing them. Some might not and I’m sure they’re not being forced to interact with them. Why the drama?
Exactly this! It's not like a dig will be allowed to roam the school. It will be in designated areas meaning children who are allergic or scared won't have to have anything to do with the dog.
Britneyb · 07/10/2021 12:38

@LaurieFairyCake in the UK snakes and spiders are far safer than dogs.

C152 · 07/10/2021 12:38

WTAF? What about the kids / teachers / parents who are terrified of dogs or allergic to them? I'm in favour of general 'enrichment' activites which are actually well thought through, support the curriculum and run by professionals (e.g. get reps from the zoo or a local animal charity in occasionally, visit a local farm etc), but it sounds like these 2 are just taking the piss. Does everyone else get to bring their pet to school so it can become a 'school' pet as well?

lanthanum · 07/10/2021 12:39

"Hopefully the school would already know if any of the pupils were allergic to dogs."

In a primary, I think this is over-optimistic. A child who is allergic won't know that if they haven't had much exposure to them. Moreover, I suspect that the average 6 year old is unlikely to realise that the reason they have a headache or a really runny nose is because of the dog in the corner of the classroom, and I wouldn't guarantee that the adults would put two and two together either, even if the child thinks to say that their head hurts.

I can see that they can provide a useful service for some children, but I don't like the idea of their presence being enforced on everyone unless someone plays the allergy card.

And yes, when the idea comes from the dog-owner, you do have to suspect that the motivation is not right.

PineappleWilson · 07/10/2021 12:39

I've heard annecdoates of reluctant readers who will read to the school dog, when they won't read out load to an adult. If it works for the school, let them get on.

I'd commented at DS's primary that I always saw the caretaker walking her dog past our house, and it seems odd to me to see her without her dog. The head's reply was it was fine by her if the CT wanted to bring in the dog, so it's obviously feasible for other staff, not just the HT.

Original poster
LoveTheirDogs · 07/10/2021 12:39

See, I'm not so keen on birds, hamsters, fish, mice etc in general being used as pets. I think the whole thing about pets is weird tbh. Just let them run around in the world doing what they do already.

OP posts:
Mummyoflittledragon · 07/10/2021 12:40

I would also be asking for the risk assessment. I would also be asking where these dogs came from - as in which rescue and whether the rescue passed them on knowing that they were going to be school dogs.

These dogs absolutely should be trained before they reach the school, not after. Dogs, which appear perfectly normal in 99% of circumstances can suddenly react.

Mybalconyiscracking · 07/10/2021 12:41

Being a Head Teacher has been a shit job for at least the past two years, why not allow the poor sod one perk?

TracyLords · 07/10/2021 12:41

There are a large amount of Muslim children at DSs school: many of them avoid dogs. This would be so I uncomfortable for them

Datafan55 · 07/10/2021 12:42

My DNieces had this in their school for a couple of years. It does seem like a bit of a cheek! I’d happily take my cat to an office job, but feel that would be frowned on! If you have a class hamster or gerbil, it’s safely in its cage most of the time so you can get used to it or ignore it.

I remember my DB saying at the time that the school really wanted the head, and the dealbreaker for him was bringing the dog to work – so they agreed to it to get him.

One of the DNieces in particular is terrified of dogs, whilst the other one is a bit braver (and doesn't meet dogs that much). They would talk about the dog a lot - they were obviously fascinated by her; about her barking when they walked up to the school in the mornings (we talked re why dogs do that), about her coming in to the classroom and taking their friend’s dress in her mouth…(in a gentle way, from the sounds of it, but it made an impression! Depends if the dog bounded in or was brought in on a lead... No idea).

I was torn between thinking 'great, the exposure will help them' (I was scared of dogs as a child - we didn't have any pets or know anyone with a dog - and their Mum is scared of animals so all they manage is a hamster), and worrying about how they were being distracted from learning by fear.

(Head got sacked a couple of years later, so problem solved).

Walkinginawingingwonderland · 07/10/2021 12:43

I was all ready to say UABU but having read that they are rescues, that totally changes things. I would be very surprised if the rescue centre would have let them have the dogs if they knew they were going to be with so many children. Very few rescues will rehome to a household with 1 child, let alone a school full of them.

Stellaris22 · 07/10/2021 12:43

Are the enrichment activities voluntary or mandatory? Just don't sign your child up if it bothers you so much.

Are the staff insisting every child pets their dogs and interacts with them? Or are they more likely being kept out of the way and looked after?

Honestly, this is such a non issue that is unlikely to affect you (unless you go out of your way).

It's much better than animals being neglected, and is a lovely way to get kids used to dogs. This can include teaching kids about things like asking before petting and how to safely interact with dogs.

Therapy dogs are fantastic and hugely beneficial to children.

Original poster
LoveTheirDogs · 07/10/2021 12:44

They're not therapy dogs.

OP posts:
Comedycook · 07/10/2021 12:45

Well they don't sound like therapy dogs do they...seeing as they are rescue dogs from abroad. Most rescues in the UK specify homes with no DC or DC who are very used to dogs. What's the background of these animals? I really think it's outrageous

AnkleDeep · 07/10/2021 12:46

Both DSs are allergic so I'm glad this wasn't a thing when they were at school. So risky.

The class hamsters had to be reallocated in their day.

Lightningrain · 07/10/2021 12:46

A properly trained therapy dog (and teachers) can be massively beneficial. If I had a child that was scared of dogs I’d be welcoming the opportunity for them to get over that fear with a calm, well trained dog.

If these are Romanian rescue adult dogs however, I’d want to be assured they could be trusted around children. It only takes an accident like stepping on a dog’s tail to make even the most placid dog jump.

Rosesareyellow · 07/10/2021 12:46

WTAF? What about the kids / teachers / parents who are terrified of dogs or allergic to them?

What indeed?? I guess they will have to face their fears cold turkey as the dog greets them at the school gates or miss out on an education, or sit in the class room with eyes red and watering while the dog roams around under their table or find a new school to attend…
Or - wait for it - the dog may be kept in a designated area so those who are allergic or scared don’t need to worry about it.

Original poster
LoveTheirDogs · 07/10/2021 12:46

Anyone can get a non UK rescue afaik. It's not exactly regulated.

OP posts:
Blossomtoes · 07/10/2021 12:47

@LoveTheirDogs

They're not therapy dogs.
They don’t need to be therapy dogs. Just well trained and child friendly.
Original poster
LoveTheirDogs · 07/10/2021 12:47

What does that even mean?

OP posts:
Loopyloulou007 · 07/10/2021 12:48

I would also query whether the school had adequate insurance, if the dog was to hurt anyone. Sure it wouldn't be covered under the normal school insurance, as it's not a normal thing in school.

SunshineCake1 · 07/10/2021 12:48

School toddler. Great idea. Teach the older kids about the reality of teenage pregnancies!

Minibea · 07/10/2021 12:48

I could not be bothered to be up in arms about this unless my DC had severe allergies. I’m a bit Hmm about it being an enrichment programme and would rather they called a spade a spade but honestly who cares.

emmathedilemma · 07/10/2021 12:49

non-UK rescue centres tend to be more willing to rehome dogs to families with young children than the UK ones BUT I would be very cautious of them, particularly when they're being exposed to larger groups of children.
I love dogs and therapy dogs are amazing but this just sounds like free doggy day care.

Stompythedinosaur · 07/10/2021 12:49

Plenty of evidence for the benefits of contact with animals.

I'm fully supportive of dogs in school, as long as allergies are considered.