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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Dog in school

134 replies

Coffeeandcatsforlife · 14/09/2023 21:20

The head teacher has a Rottweiler dog who is by nature a huge dog. He’s brought in to school a lot and the children get to play with him and look after him. Aibu feeling uneasy about this. It’s a primary school.

OP posts:
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DustyLee123 · 14/09/2023 21:23

There are many schools that have dogs to help the kids in many ways.

Newuser75 · 14/09/2023 21:25

I know rotaries have a bad name but honestly I have never met a bad one in years of working with dogs. They are generally really sweet, like bigger labradors. If the dog is at school I presume it will have had some kind of assessment/training as the one at my sons school has.

Newuser75 · 14/09/2023 21:26

Rotties obviously not rotary

LondonLovie · 14/09/2023 21:28

YANBU it's less about the breed to me, than the fact this isn't a guide/ support dog. Full stop a dog shouldn't be brought in around children, they can be unpredictable and it's making you feel uncomfortable. You deserve for your kids to go to school and feel safe. It's an unnecessary issue the head is imposing.

GuardiansPlayList · 14/09/2023 21:29

I don’t like dogs as I have had so many bad experiences. I would hate that. I am happy with assistance dogs in schools but there is no need for any other animals in schools.

LondonLovie · 14/09/2023 21:29

If it has been assed and/ or has a special role then it should be communicated to the parents

Myusernamehistoryislong · 14/09/2023 21:30

Same situation at my primary school but it isn't a rottweiler. Not sure what it is actually other than massive and the parents weren't consulted, just informed. I'm not happy mainly because my son had a bad experience at the park with a huge German Shepherd when he was smaller and isn't comfortable around dogs as a result. I don't get the point personally and see no benefit. I honestly believe in my case the head teacher needed a dog sitter and saw this as the solution.

Duckingella · 14/09/2023 21:32

We have a Rottweiler;we were asked to take him into a local school to talk about dog safety (do's and don't's) as DH worked professionally with dogs and then the children who wanted to were allowed to stroke him (the dog not my husband)he loved it,he adores children.

cansu · 14/09/2023 21:32

There should be a risk assessment. I worked somewhere where a dog was occasionally in school. It was always on a lead and accompanied by its owner. The children did not play with it but were allowed to pet the dog under supervision.

Frosty1000 · 14/09/2023 21:32

Our school has a dog and a full on farm so I'm not bothered about that but a rottweiler is a breed I'd hesitate to have around children.

Ylvamoon · 14/09/2023 21:32

Is the interaction with the dog voluntarily or are children forced to be in the same room as the dog.

PS: I love dogs and think it's great! Better than a class hamster or fish tank.

Dullardmullard · 14/09/2023 21:33

LondonLovie · 14/09/2023 21:28

YANBU it's less about the breed to me, than the fact this isn't a guide/ support dog. Full stop a dog shouldn't be brought in around children, they can be unpredictable and it's making you feel uncomfortable. You deserve for your kids to go to school and feel safe. It's an unnecessary issue the head is imposing.

Why should one parent supersede the kids that are learning by the looks of it safely about dogs. Always supervised get it.

I have dogs that go into schools. Mine are also large breed well giant breed and are supervised and rested.

GeneralLevy · 14/09/2023 21:34

It’s getting common. There’s a school near me with an idiot annoying small dog, no boundaries and a trip hazard. At least a well trained large breed offers something.

Foggyfoggyfoggy · 14/09/2023 21:34

We had a rotty for 11 years. Grew up with my dc. She adored those dc and they greatly respected her. A ddog in primary is the best way to educate dc about ddog safety etc. More so given latest xl bully attacks.

Ssme92 · 14/09/2023 21:34

I think it's great! Some kids might never have the opportunity to interact with dogs. We do this in my school and the children with additional educational needs really benefit from it.

transformandriseup · 14/09/2023 21:36

A friend on mine who's daughter has started at a different school to mine has told me there is a dog which is in the reception class throughout the day. I would hate to be "that" parent who spoils it for the rest of the class but my daughter is terrified of dogs, even small ones, and I would hate to her to be scared of going to school. We are working on her fear of dogs but it's difficult when they are almost everywhere,

Hufflemuff · 14/09/2023 21:37

This is why we aren't allowed nice things anymore, because people are always out to poke holes in them.

I would have loved a dog at school! I'm sure the headteacher is completely responsible and isn't risking their career, children's lives and the dogs life for fun.

For those saying some kids might be scared of dogs - yes probably, but some kids are scared of spiders, but they're part of life! You can walk down the street and see dogs. Im sure these kids aren't forced to interact.

rockingbird · 14/09/2023 21:37

My sons school has two dogs in daily, it's a SEN school and obviously the dogs are assessed / therapy dogs and are a huge hit. But they also have donkeys and goats - it's very good for the kids as they do have some outdoor learning activities which includes looking after the animals. Rotties are big dogs but I've never met boisterous one - sadly they have a bad rep.

Clefable · 14/09/2023 21:37

Is it a therapy dog?

MaryShelley1818 · 14/09/2023 21:37

I'm a SW so go into lots of different schools regularly and 3 Primary Schools I go into have a dog (all owned by the HT). Seems to be getting more common.

MidnightOnceMore · 14/09/2023 21:37

This is nuts. The head needs a dog walker.

I guess you can complain to governors but not sure how far you'll get.

What do other parents think?

DustyLee123 · 14/09/2023 21:37

I’m assuming that the schools have insurance incase a kid gets bitten 🤔

DustyLee123 · 14/09/2023 21:38

I wonder what happens if a child is allergic to dogs.

DanceMumTaxi · 14/09/2023 21:40

This sounds very strange. Are you sure the dog hasn’t been trained as an assistance or reading dog? These dogs are family pets as well as working dogs. If it is, I wouldn’t have a problem with it. We have a big greyhound that comes into my school as a therapy dog. Granted it’s not a Rottweiler. However, if this is just the head’s pet, that’s not right and could potentially be a safeguarding issue. I’d be very surprised if the head didn’t realise this though so I’d guess the dog is probably trained, but this hasn’t been communicated to parents.

Lavender14 · 14/09/2023 21:41

I bring my dog into work with me sometimes in a youth centre. He's been coming in since he was a puppy and I base it on the young people so I don't bring him in if I think there's likely to be certain behaviours. Similarly i wouldn't have him in if he is unwell etc.The young people love him, he helps them settle when they're upset and I know he's exceptionally well trained and socialised. I wouldn't have him in if he wasn't. He is never left unattended and the young people are helped to understand his behaviours and how to approach him in a way that makes him feel safe. A lot of the young people I work with are in foster care etc and have had to leave pets behind so they enjoy having the opportunity to connect with animals they wouldn't normally get the chance to connect with. I think it's good learning for the kids and if you're worried I'd ask about a risk assessment and how it would be managed if a child was uncomfortable around the dog for your own peace of mind. Presumably the dog is with its owner and not in lessons since that would be a distraction for the kids.

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