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AIBU?

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Original poster

Is it weird to stand outside a school at 3pm if I don’t have a child?

226 replies

Whatislifegw · 07/09/2023 15:35

Before you think I’m crazy! I have a dog who I want to expose to loud and busy environments and live very close to a school.

would it be weird to just stand or sit near the school at that time for my dog to work on being in that environment.

my dog is a very friendly and 6 month old German shepherd because he’s so big I want him to be able to behave around strangers and strange children.

(I have my own toddler who wouldn’t be with me) ideally in a few years I’d like to be able to do the school run when it’s my turn and bring my dog at the same time.

OP posts:
Elly46 · 08/09/2023 20:25

It would be weird to loiter for a while with just a dog but not to walk on by slowly.

Onestepbeyonnd · 08/09/2023 20:33

Not unreasonable at all, I would start by taking him for a walk at the same time as children leaving and teach him not to get distracted by them. At same time you can teach those children who go straight in for a stroke how they must always let the dog sniff their hand first and never stroke a strange dog without this introduction first. It’s a big lesson that not everyone knows.
i wouldn’t just stand outside the school, as you could be labelled the strange creepy lady and get the police called on you, but walking your dog past is a very good idea.

NickyT64 · 08/09/2023 20:33

Whatislifegw · 07/09/2023 15:35

Before you think I’m crazy! I have a dog who I want to expose to loud and busy environments and live very close to a school.

would it be weird to just stand or sit near the school at that time for my dog to work on being in that environment.

my dog is a very friendly and 6 month old German shepherd because he’s so big I want him to be able to behave around strangers and strange children.

(I have my own toddler who wouldn’t be with me) ideally in a few years I’d like to be able to do the school run when it’s my turn and bring my dog at the same time.

I’m not sure whether to take this seriously! What on earth is wrong with enrolling you both on some sort of training classes?! You can not be standing outside a school in the way you are considering. I work in a school and I can tell you straightaway that you would be noticed, flagged as a potential threat and asked to move on/reported. Please don’t do this. Have to say I agree with @moofolk

littlehayleyc · 08/09/2023 20:34

I can’t believe some of the replies on here! Obviously I don’t know the layout of the road/school/car park etc but there are definitely ways you can train your dog at a reasonable distance as long as there is enough space to move away if you need to. When my dog was young and my kids were at primary, I used to get to school a bit early for pick up and stand/sit outside with him doing various things. Practising things he knew well, playing little training games or just sitting calmly. Once the kids started coming out I would stay at a distance so that people could avoid us if they wanted to, and so my dog couldn’t get crowded by unknown kids. It also helps to go and train/play games in that location when the kids aren’t around so you build up a picture in the dogs mind of how to behave in that environment. Assuming it’s a public space and not the actual school grounds then I don’t see a problem, and why it should matter to anyone else.

Rooroo42 · 08/09/2023 20:39

I got a German shepherd when my children were 14 months and 3 months old, I didn’t expose him to school environments as a puppy but of course he came to lots of play parks etc growing up, by the time my children started school he was bombproof and did the school run with me every day, he was such a good boy, 50kg, pure black long coat and so could look very intimidating but was the gentlest soul. Over my girls time at primary he became so popular with all the children (a rural village school and everyone knew him by name) he helped many a child and adult get over their fear of dogs, he trained as a search and rescue and a PAT dog. My point is I don’t think it’s necessary to take him to school when you have no reason to be there, you have a young child so in day to day life he is automatically going to get used to all of that stuff anyway.

alwaysmovingforwards · 08/09/2023 20:51

I'm sure you can find ways to introduce your dog to busy environments without standing outside schools like a weirdo.

hopsalong · 08/09/2023 20:53

Yes, very weird. Dogs are bad enough outside schools when they have to be there. Don't inflict your dog on a group of people you have no relationship with for no reason. Just take it to a quiet park or something.

eggandonion · 08/09/2023 21:17

I live near a few schools. A couple are on normal dog walking paths. I also live near a guide dog training centre. Some of the assistance dogs are golden retriever crossed with German shepherds and are very big. They need to learn to be around schools as some will be going in with children who need an assistance dog...strong enough to sit and stop a child attached to them running off.
Just another perspective.

Ssme92 · 08/09/2023 21:38

The one I walked past had about 6 different paths towards the school and a huge open area in front. I was well out the way the paths weren’t narrow.

But you were still close enough for a teacher to remark that it was a lovely dog?

And yes you are entitled to walk past a school but it is a bit weird to actively seek out a walking route with a school on it at a time you know the kids are coming out. People get reported for that kinda shit 😅

Wonderfulstuff · 08/09/2023 22:03

Yes it's weird. Why not just walk them through the town centre or the park like everyone else does when training their puppy?

ST10 · 08/09/2023 22:41

I'm a teacher - I wouldn’t recommend doing this close to the school gate. Other parents and school staff would find this very strange and some children are scared of dogs so wouldn’t be fair. I’m sure there are better ways to get your dog used to loud noises and children in a more appropriate way.

ElfieLea · 08/09/2023 23:01

Whatislifegw · 08/09/2023 20:08

I did have a genuine reason for passing by I was walking my dog.

and I did listen to feedback as my first question was about practice ignoring people and just staying in one spot to get my dog used to the environment I instead walked past.

the children weren’t there for my dogs benefit I simply walked past a school which I’m more then entitled to do and I gave everyone a wide birth I’m well aware not everyone likes dogs and took that into consideration.

i understand peoples concerns as I’m sure you’re relating it to your own schools but the one I walked past had about 6 different paths towards the school and a huge open area in front. I was well out the way the paths weren’t narrow.

If you had to stop to let people pass them then you weren't well out of the way. If a teacher remarked on your dog then you weren't just walking past. If you were just on your normal walk then surely your dog would already be used to it? I don't get why you asked if you were just going to be weird and selfish. If your dog is so well trained with kids, out doors off the lead etc then why do you even need to use other people's kids to see how well he does or doesn't cope?

What are you worried your dog will do if it's not trained outside of the school and what makes you so sure it's not going to do it now?

Kwasi · 08/09/2023 23:03

At DS’s school, you have to wait for your child outside the classroom. No
dogs are allowed beyond the school gate, which means parents can’t take dogs for school pick up, only for morning drop off.

StudentNurse3 · 08/09/2023 23:15

Some children are scared of dogs so I don't think you should stand too near. Also you can't take your dog for the school run as it won't be allowed on the school grounds.

gerryk62 · 08/09/2023 23:21

Weird
take your dog for a walk in the park

Bethanbee · 08/09/2023 23:40

It's a good idea. It will socialise your dog to the school run which is a unique type of situation. I would just stand on the public road that doesn't belong to anybody and let your dog experience it.

LizardLizard · 08/09/2023 23:47

I’m assuming your dog will be on a leash and not actually near to any children? Because if not, this sounds about as good a plan as seeing whether your blender is switched on by sticking your hand in it.

Screamingabdabz · 08/09/2023 23:47

Jeez thank God my kids are past school age. No dogs should be anywhere near a school. Ten years ago you wouldn’t have had a single one, people sensibly left them at home. But now it seems selfishness is the order of the day and we all have to be inflicted by them everywhere - even inside the friggin’ place as ‘therapy dogs’.

Just no. Barking, jumping up, snarling, blocking the way. That’s what the selfish dog owners allowed at our school gates at peak kicking out time. Absolutely selfish and no consideration.

You are in that same camp op. Entitled with no thought for folks in the melee that don’t want any animals around them, let alone some big German shepherd ‘in training to be around kids’. Ffs.

GirlOfTudor · 08/09/2023 23:50

What a strange idea. Why outside a school? There are many others places that are just as busy, if not busier. Why not walk through your town/city centre? Around a retail park on a busy Saturday? Walk through a local park/field at the weekend where there'll be loads of different types of people (and other dogs!).

Justleaveitblankthen · 08/09/2023 23:57

I would just take him to your local High Street and sit on a bench.
I have done this when my own were pups.
He will get loads of attention and people asking if it's OK to stroke.

RandomButtons · 09/09/2023 00:16

Whatislifegw · 08/09/2023 09:34

UPDATE -

I walked past and it went really well no children were eaten.

there was a lot of other dogs around to my surprise.

obviously I stayed out the way and stopped to wait if anyone wanted to go past so they wouldn’t have to go too close to the dog but he was mostly uninterested a teacher even remarked what a lovely dog he was.

Ah so your whole thread was just goady? You had no intention on paying any attention to what anyone said.

It doesn’t matter if your dog is dangerous or not. It’s all about you and you don’t care what anyone else thinks.

WhalePolo · 09/09/2023 00:19

Not really. School runs are busy and there are already too many people about rather than add to the traffic. Can’t the same be achieved by a walk in the park? Even though you think your dog is lovely, others may not and may not like dogs - or be afraid of them. My DD was chased once by a dog into the road and into the path of an oncoming car. She also had one jump up and scratch her leg. DS had an unknown dog come up and lick his water bottle. I bet the owner in each case would say ‘oh I’m sorry, dog has never done that before’. I was on the beach last week and a lead-less dog did a huge runny shit right in front of me and my children. I almost threw up. I told the dog owner who initially tried to claim it wasn’t her dog, and then looked extremely pissed off when clearing it up (leaving half of it still on the beach).

JustGotToKeepOnKeepingOn · 09/09/2023 00:36

It's really inconsiderate. So many children are scared of dogs. Please don't do this.

Duechristmas · 09/09/2023 00:37

Yes, it is, and you could have the police called if you do it regularly

Stressedafff · 09/09/2023 00:59

Why does your dog need to be on the school run? Can people literally not go anywhere anymore without taking their dog with them ffs. Not everyone likes dogs, some people are scared and allergic. I wouldn’t relish picking my kid up from school and the playgrounds absolutely rife with fucking fur babies