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AIBU?

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Original poster

To be totally put off when childminders have dogs?

141 replies

MickeyMouseShithouse · 15/01/2023 07:06

and have them around the children?
maybe it stems from my slight fear of dogs - or the number of reports of children being mauled in the news.. but I would never want to hand my baby over to someone who has their dog around children. We have dogs in the family, all lovely and have never hurt a fly but I still keep the majority of my attention on them if the dogs is nearby as you just never know what could happen (especially with grabby baby hands)

It makes me feel awful that I can’t trust but sending my children off to a house with dogs in that I don’t actually know give me a sicky feeling.

OP posts:
MintJulia · 15/01/2023 08:16

YANBU

My backup childminder had a dog and I wasn't keen either. Her house was never as clean, nor her car.

I only used her if there was no alternative. I'm not scared of dogs but cleanliness is important when you have toddlers who crawl around and are too young for effective hand hygiene.

Can you find alternative childcare?

Outwiththenorm · 15/01/2023 08:19

I agree. Our dogs are gentle and used to our kids. But I don’t relax if they’re around kids they don’t know well. The only issues we’ve ever had is with kids (and their parents 😒) who are not used to dogs, running up, grabbing their faces, tails or ears like they are teddy bears.

Msstakes · 15/01/2023 08:22

Oysterbabe · 15/01/2023 07:20

There is zero chance I'd leave my kids with a childminder with dogs. We don't even do playdates to households with dogs.

Oh I hope your kids get used to being around dogs. Nothing makes someone more vulnerable that being scared of a dog.
I love dogs but the only time I was bitten was by a massive alsatian on a traveller site. We were visiting friends there but no one was in. The dog came bounding out and my boyfriend who was scared of dogs went behind me. I got the dog to sit but for a split second I got scared and the dog must of sensed it and went for me.
I vowed never to act scared around dogs again as I'm certain they know.
Our childminder had a dog and was brilliant separating the kids, and letting them get used to it and the dog them slowly.

DysonSpheres · 15/01/2023 08:23

Dinodigger · 15/01/2023 07:23

I wouldn't either. I would worry about the safety and also, houses with dog's always stink of stale dog. I really wouldn't want my child stinking and being covered in some manky dog hair all day. Gross.

Safety concerns, especially in view of recent news stories cannot be dismissed, however ironically, the very things we might find off-putting 'stale dog', the possibility of being covered in dog hair and other animal proteins, as well as greater exposure to outside germs bought in by the dog are the are the very things that are good for training children's immune systems.

There is huge epidemic of autoimmune illness in the population and among children, rates of childhood eczema, asthma and allergies are growing. My niece suffers very badly. I myself have chronic severe allergies. I cannot tolerate dog proteins or cats and any other proteins that are similar in structure to them.

For that reason, if I had kids a childminder with a 'smelly dog home covered in hair' would be something I would actually consider. Seriously.

They could provide an environment what I cannot and would not be prepared to, but is needed. A childminder with a well controlled pet is a bonus.

DonutsAreNotLunch · 15/01/2023 08:25

I am a dog walker and spend my life around dogs but I wouldn’t be happy about my child going to a childminder with a dog I didn’t know. Having said that my auntie was a childminder and had an absolutely lovely gentle dog that didn’t seem to stop her getting any work.

WandaWonder · 15/01/2023 08:26

We went to visit childminders and the first thing we saw was the head of a very large dog who jumped up and was barking at us through the fence as we were walking up the parh

She did apologise and said it was friendly, nice lady but no wy was our child staying there

We didn't leave a review or comment or anything just went elsewhere

Boomboom22 · 15/01/2023 08:27

Yanbu. My childminder has 3 dogs but they are in the house with her husband and she has another building for the business like a mini nursery. There are multiple gates and fences so the kids bit has 2 dog free gardens and if they do get free they can't get in. Plus they are tiny. If it was in the same building I'd not approve.

LolaSmiles · 15/01/2023 08:28

YANBU to decide a childcare setting isn't the right one for your family for any reason.

Ricco12 · 15/01/2023 08:29

I love dogs and have a dog but I don't not let him mix with other peoples children, only my own kids. If kids come to house he gets put away.

I don't think dogs and under 5's should be around each other. Dogs and primary kids are ok with close supervision at all times. My primary kids are never left alone with my dog.

I wouldn't send my young child to be cared for in a home with a dog unless it was locked away at all times.

Fundays12 · 15/01/2023 08:38

I don't have dogs but my kids did go to a childminder that has a cat and dog. We have cats so they are used to cats. I was wary of the dog until I met her. She is a lovely gentle chilled out Labrador who was very used to kids. However the childminder also put my mind at ease by ensuring precautions such as a having a proper gated off play room and a totally separate area the dog could sleep and go to. The dog and kids were not left alone. The childminder was very aware it was important to ensure the dog had a separate space to go too. The kids love dogs now because of the childminders dog. My eldest who went to a different childminder and had no exposure to dogs is still a bit scared of them at nearly 11. Lol though the childminders cat is quite something else. He is old, avoided the kids totally and Skeats made a beeline for me once I had dropped the kids off to get his head rubbed and totally bossed the dog about including kicking the dog out of her own bed.

thirdtimeluckyorwhat · 15/01/2023 08:39

Here we go again........... haters gonna hate

Noimaginationforaun · 15/01/2023 08:41

We chose a childminder with a dog for our 2YO. Assured it was always separated etc etc.

We moved to a nursery after 2 months. There were other issues too but at every pick up the dog would be barking, scratching at the door etc. Along with other things, it just really stressed me out!

PoIIyPandemonium · 15/01/2023 08:41

This reply has been deleted

This has been deleted by MNHQ for breaking our Talk Guidelines.

HappyFannyPetrow · 15/01/2023 08:42

thirdtimeluckyorwhat · Today 08:39
Here we go again........... haters gonna hate

What does this mean please?

Kanaloa · 15/01/2023 08:44

Msstakes · 15/01/2023 08:22

Oh I hope your kids get used to being around dogs. Nothing makes someone more vulnerable that being scared of a dog.
I love dogs but the only time I was bitten was by a massive alsatian on a traveller site. We were visiting friends there but no one was in. The dog came bounding out and my boyfriend who was scared of dogs went behind me. I got the dog to sit but for a split second I got scared and the dog must of sensed it and went for me.
I vowed never to act scared around dogs again as I'm certain they know.
Our childminder had a dog and was brilliant separating the kids, and letting them get used to it and the dog them slowly.

Show quote history

Please don’t spread this silly and semi-malicious misinformation. People get bitten by dogs because those dogs bite people. Implying that the people attacked by out of control animals (including children who have been horrifically mauled to death) are at fault because they were frightened is stupid and nasty. Whether you act scared or not if a dog wants to attack you it will do so.

I also wouldn’t choose a CM with a dog. You are the customer, you have the right to choose the place that’s right for you. Like I wouldn’t choose a nursery that didn’t allow parents to accompany their child into the room they play in, I wouldn’t choose a nursery that had a lot of apprentices, I wouldn’t choose a childminder who didn’t do many activities or outings etc. You can choose or reject a place for any reason you want.

AngelDelightUK · 15/01/2023 08:51

Those who said they wouldn’t use a childminder with dogs, what would you do if your CM then got a dog? Just curious

Kanaloa · 15/01/2023 08:55

AngelDelightUK · 15/01/2023 08:51

Those who said they wouldn’t use a childminder with dogs, what would you do if your CM then got a dog? Just curious

Give notice with immediate effect and leave.

Although a good childminder should realise they advertised as a no dogs household and that some people may not want that change, and should give appropriate notice so parents can arrange themselves.

Oysterbabe · 15/01/2023 08:58

AngelDelightUK · 15/01/2023 08:51

Those who said they wouldn’t use a childminder with dogs, what would you do if your CM then got a dog? Just curious

Definitely leave. A new dog is even more of a concern than one they've had for years and is used to being in the setting.

whataboutsecondbreakfast · 15/01/2023 08:59

HappyFannyPetrow · 15/01/2023 08:42

thirdtimeluckyorwhat · Today 08:39
Here we go again........... haters gonna hate

What does this mean please?

Presumably PP is referring to the recent influx of anti-dog threads on here at the moment.

There's about 5-6 a day lately.

Purpleparsley · 15/01/2023 09:00

All dogs smell and all dog owners houses and their clothes smell. They don't know it though because they are used to it.

ChildminderMum · 15/01/2023 09:00

AngelDelightUK · 15/01/2023 08:51

Those who said they wouldn’t use a childminder with dogs, what would you do if your CM then got a dog? Just curious

I would definitely leave. I wouldn't be keen on using a CM with an existing dog but getting a new dog (either puppy or rescue) would be a huge red flag for me - and I love dogs.

maddy68 · 15/01/2023 09:02

As someone who is frightened of dogs and potentially transfering you fears to your child. Wouldn't it be a good thing to use a per friendly childminder so they get used to dogs

Obviously if it depends on the dog!

harrassedmumto3 · 15/01/2023 09:03

Oysterbabe · 15/01/2023 07:20

There is zero chance I'd leave my kids with a childminder with dogs. We don't even do playdates to households with dogs.

Now this is overkill and a bit weird.

PuttingDownRoots · 15/01/2023 09:03

I would think twice about it. For one thing, is it fair on the dog? It could be a very stressful environment for them, have they got their safe space.
Secondly it would be the attitude of the childminder. If they were dismissive of concerns... no way. If they were aware of potential issues I would be more inclined.

whataboutsecondbreakfast · 15/01/2023 09:06

AngelDelightUK · 15/01/2023 08:51

Those who said they wouldn’t use a childminder with dogs, what would you do if your CM then got a dog? Just curious

I work with dogs, own a dog and love dogs but that would worry even me.

A calm adult dog who is used to children is very, very different to a potentially excitable puppy or, worse, a rescue with an unknown background.