To introduce a dog into the family while CMing.

[Shoshe]

As some of you know, i was giving up CMing this year and going back into the outside work force.

plans have now changed, and I am carrying on for another two years.

DH has always wanted a dog, but while he was away most of the time I had said no.

Now he will be home all the time, we had thought of getting a dog. A staffie.

But with strict restrictions.

The dog was to be kept in a outside kennel within a fenced off area so that the children could not get within touching distance, while the children were here.

A Lot of the time the dog would be going to work with DH, although as he will be working shifts, there would be times that the dog would be in the kennel.

I have now put out a news letter to all my existing parents, all the feedback is negative.

Even if we changed the bred of dog.

The Dog would NEVER be with the children.

Would you send your child to a CM who has a dog, even tho the dog is securely locked away?

I would send my kids to a CM with a lab or something the kids were in contact with, but i would be very wary of a garden dog with no contact. Kids and dogs are great company for each other.

Don't put a kennel in tha garden, if you aren't going to have it as a family pet then don't bother. The poor thing would be miserable.

When we did our research labs were the ONLY dog safe leave with kids.

i'd have no problem if a childminder had a dog.

I have asked the parents if it would be different with a different breed, but the feedback was the same.

I wouldn't mind (Kennel in the garden with a decent bit of space no problem for me either if it's a working dog)... but I guess you're a bit stuffed if the parents said no. At least you can get one in a few years when you're no longer CM.

i WOULD LOVE MY CM TO HAVE A DOG. bUT WE ARE A DOGGY FAMILY, SO THAT IS WHY.

My CM bought a dog,admittedly its a "Sausage dog",but i still had my misgivings,but the dog is pretty docile.

I think that parents will be against it,butthats the chance you'd take.I stuck with my CM,but the other day she told me that the dog growled at my DD to warn her off,as he was eating,and she stroked him.

I understand it wouldn't be the dogs fault really,but I wouldn't be happy if she had been bitten,as she's only 2,so it's not her fault either really.

laweaselmys we do have a big garden so it would have all that, but think it is going to be a no go.

I guess I am more shock to be honest that families I have had for a long time, and who have said wouldn't use anybody else (and to be honest the reason I decided to carry on, was so that I could carry on with one of the families) were so negative, and feel that thy don't trust me to keep there children safe.

probably totally irrational to feel that way, but CMing does take over your home as well as your life, and feel that even more now.

sawyer that is why the dog would be away from the children, i wouldnt take that risk.

But as I have said it is a moot point, if I want to carry on in this job, dH will have to wait, although dosnt seem fair in one way.

My CM has a labrador and an Irish terrier and I must admit I thought very carefully about sending DD2 there (she was 5 months when she started). The dogs are mostly in the kitchen with a stairgate or in the garden, but I don't kid myself that DD2 never comes into contact with them - I'm sure there are times when they are going from one place to the other, or going out on walks when they are in the same room as the children. Luckily DD2 is now very fond of dogs, and really loves them. However, I guess if I'd had the choice of a CM without dogs, who I was equally happy with, I wouldn't have gone with this one.

ther is abosoloutely no way i would send my children to a cm with a dog

evenif it was the sweetest dog inthe whole world

and its not just the biting thing - i cannot stand dogs - i just think of them licking their arse and then my childs face

yuk

and if you were my cm nad you got a dog im afraid id have to find anothr cm

yeah i would but i maY as well live in a zoo does that count [lol]

My brilliant DH just said, well there is always time later. I want to cry.

My CM said they'd waited long enough for a Dog,and at the end of the day it was a job so "customers" would have to make up their own minds.But she'd let peoples feelings stop them long enough.

I wouldn't use a CM with a dog, but you say the dog will never be near the children. OK, so fair enough. But actually im not sure about this - from the dogs point of view. I have no problem with a dog having a kennel outside, its a dog after all and so long as it is used to it. But you are wanting to get a staffie, these are not good with being on their own all day and could well develop some behavioural issues because of it, especially if it is inconsistent. If you are hiding the dog away from the DCs but within earshot or eyeshot even the dog is going to develop a negative association with chidren. not what you want AT all.

No, sorry - you wouldnt expect there to be dogs at schools or dogs at nurseries, even if they were kept in the gardens, so its not acceptable in a CM. I do understand, I love dogs and have always had them, we have a mad JRT now, he is great with DD but OTT so have to put him out when other children come around.

If it is your first dog too, im not sure a staffie is a good place to start - they are fantastic dogs and actually very good with children but they are MENTAL!! and quite difficult to train.

soshe, would you like to swap DPs? Just until my DP gets over his dog wanting! He wants to get an american bulldog - they are like a staffie but bigger and even more stupid (if that is possible) but apparently excellent with children. But i just don't want another dog and he is desperate to have HIS dog i will probably have to give in. So i think your DH is being really understanding and you are both being really sensible.

Staffies and children DO mix, but only if you don't mind the children being bowling pins from time to time because they WILL get knocked over.

LEM the dog would spend most of the time at work with DH, it would only be when he was on nights 4 nights every 16 days that the dog would be in the kennel, even on DH's days off and sleep days he would take it to the allotments with him ( I have a feeling it would be glued to his side) so it wouldn't spend all day everyday in the kennel.

Anyway the issue is resolved by my fantastic DH.

shoshe, your dh is fantastic!

hooray for mr shoshe

Knowing as much about you as I do Shoshe, I am really suprised that your parents don't think you have considered this carefully and thought through the various implications involved for your mindees and probably written the disclaimers for signing already!

Personally, I don't like dogs and I don't think childen and dogs mix, but, I would have no problem what-so-ever in sending a child of mine to you!

So sorry, you were met with such negative feedback. I am strangely as [shocked] as you probably are!

Glad DH took it on the chin, but it was actually his choice not to move and therefore giving you a couple more years CMing, so in a way, it's his own fault!

well said mo. I agree wholeheartedly!

Crumbs, Im a childminder and have a dog, 2 chickens and a rabbit. I have no trouble getting mindees and never had any concerns raised regarding the animals-none at all and my dog being a goldie is quite big!

mo, fb me please

I'm on now.

iMum it's probably because it's a goldie - the "reputation" is "awww cute family dog" whereas a staff's rep is "thug trophy" and "viscious"

Stupid thing is, even labradors and GRs are becoming more aggressive as over-breeding occurs due to the high demand for "safe, family pets" carries on

Quite agree re breeding lewis.
I would never %1000 trust any dog with a child-you never know do you? but one of my mindees came to me as she was terrified of dogs and the mother wanted me to "sort her out" I did and they are now getting a puppy!