Dog lurching at children in playground

[Jogonlogonpip]

Would you say something to the owner of the dog or the school?

The rules of the school are that well-behaved dogs are allowed in the playground but this dog is a breed known for being aggressive and not good with children and the owner had no control over it.

It was on a lead but she was chatting and it was jumping up at little kids and lurching forward with no muzzle. It's not a banned breed in the UK but massive and typically used as guard dogs.

I walk my dog to school, but DD is old enough to walk through the gates by herself. If I do need to go onto the grounds I tie my dog up where people won’t need to go near her. If anyone approaches her they’ve done it on purpose as you have to go past the gates.

Other children love my dog as she’s a softie and DD loves being greeted after school by her.

I don’t see an issue with dogs on the school run, much safer than parents rushing and driving dangerously.

All the schools I’ve taught at have a ‘no dogs in the playground’ rule. Signs and in the newsletter.
You always get some arses that don’t think it means them, but usually it’s self-policed by outraged parents and smug children pointing out that others are breaking rules. Playgrounds are for children. Including those who don’t want to be jumped at, barked at or otherwise involved with dogs.
Want to meet dogs? Go to the park.

I'm very surprised that dogs are allowed in a school playground. They shouldn't be. They're a recipe for disaster, with young children running around.

"Well behaved" is open to far too much interpretation. That's why schools usually just have a very clear no dogs in the playground rule. Anything else seems crazy!

I agree that dogs can be great for children. I have no issue with the well behaved dogs allowed rule. The problem I have is with is larger unruly dogs that could injure a child. It was a puppy and she could manage it but it's grown into a huge dog and she can't control it. It will get bigger, too.

A lead & collar is no guarantee of control over a big badly trained dog with an owner who isn't paying attention.
Collars can be slipped, leads pulled out of a hand, a child could wander within snapping distance.

Not to mention the wee and poo that is likely to be deposited!

Notjusta · Today 13:22
"Well behaved" is open to far too much interpretation.

Exactly this. And as a dog owner and lover, I think it's madness to allow them in at all. Outside the gates for the school run, great. Actually in the playground, absolutely not. There are loads of people who are afraid of dogs and shouldn't have to be on school grounds with them unwillingly. Plus, isn't it a huge liability for the school?

I'm really suprised that dogs would be allowed in a school playground.

As others have said, well behaved is open to interpretation, and a dog that might be well behaved in a home environment might not be when surrounded by dozens of screaming children.

Also... Poop.

This sounds like an accident waiting to happen.

Lunging dogs are usually either over excited, scared or aggressive. The playground is not the place for a reactive dog for anyone’s sake, including the dog.

Exactly.

One person's idea of a well-behaved dog is another person's idea of a hellhound. A dog that jumps up at strangers isn't well-behaved. Whether it's due to excitement or aggression or fear is totally irrelevant.

The problem is it's pulling on the lead and lurching towards children and it's a massive big guard type dog.
Do you think that's ok??

It's not behaviour I'd put up with from mine but I'd not be particularly bothered by anyone else's as long as its leashed, I don't have to go near it. Its not like its being aggressive.

I've had several dogs and the last one was a border bearded collie cross and she had a habit of 'herding'. She was well behaved with my dh but I struggled with her. I've since learnt to be firmer with my ndn's dogs when I have them.

I live in a village a few minutes from the local school. Parents aren't allowed in the playground so it's not an issue here. But we do have to recognise that some children - and their parents - are nervous of dogs so maybe not in the playground. Perhaps a video of the dog's behaviour might be useful

WTF? Dogs should not be allowed in playgrounds at all.

It's very normal these days. Well behaved dogs are allowed in.playgrounds. lots of people walk to school with theor dogs

Two birds one stone!! Busy lives!!!

It's not safe to leave dogs tied up to railings anymore, plus your not in control of the dog then, there's no ossie with walking in with a well behaved dog, takes all of a couple of minutes! Honestly, mountings out of molehills. It's normal at our school, kids love it too, amd those who don't essential need to learn to live in a world that involves coming into contact with dogs from tome to time!

If taking a dog in the playground is the only option your life is too busy to have one.

This. Makes things much simpler.

And this is the problem.

Too many owners don't see an issue with a dog lunging on a lead around small children. Much easier to just ban dogs altogether than to go down the road of believing what owners' say about their behaviour.

If your dog lunges and jumps up on the lead, it shouldn't be in a school.

Define well behaved. You can't, it's open to interpretation.

Therefore, all dogs should be banned from the playground