Do any CM have dogs? how does it work

[jo25]

Thats about it really, am thinking of becoming CM next year (when we have finished building house) but we will have a dog. JUst wondering how it works and what do you do with yours during day? any advice would be gratefully recieved.

I am a CM with a dog. I always tell parents before they come to see me that he is here as some parents can be anti animals and its easier to say over the phone!!! He staysmout at meal times but generally wanders round or lays down and goes to sleep, most parents are really cool with it and some are glad have had 2 little boys who were scared and now they are not parents grateful for that!! Can be a positive but as I said I always tell them up front, think some people have an animal policy but I dont but do explain dog can be shut out if its a problem

Ok, thank you for your advice. This is a fairly new idea so there are lots of things to consider and put intoi place. I am glad that it works for you. Just out of interest what breed is your dog? ours will only be a puppy when this starts but having waited 17 years for this i do not really want to put it of any longer now we are in a position to have one and have been on breeders WL for nearly a year.

He is a mongrel we got him from dog rescue and is 11 years old Ido know CMs who have had puppies doesnt seem to be a problem

got told at course that if you have a dog you have to have an area penned off in your garden where the dog can go to the toilet

Thank you, am already planning to have outside kennel and run built for dog (to spend time on his own to stop seperatiion anixety) and we are having a play room built with its own private garden which will be penned of from the rest of garden. does this sound alright?

Sounds great you are so lucky to have that space!! My dog has a run and kennel in the garden and goes out there every morning before first mindee arrives and doesn't come in until after last mindee has gone. We only let him in kitchen and conservatory as they are washable floors and didn't want to worry about hair in lounge with baby mindees crawling on carpet.

I have two dogs, and I always tell people when they call too and it's never been an issue. We are out in the country though and everyone has a dog. My mindees love the dogs anyway - none have one at home so they get to see them here. It's a positive thing, in my experience!

Used to be dog owner and found it sadly put a lot of parents off - some said they were looking for pet-free carers.

Parents like to see a pet-free zone for crawling babies & at meal/snack times.

Ofsted like to see a pet policy which might include:-

• children are never left unattended with an animal
• animal is regularly wormed etc
• arrangements for storage of pet foods, water/food dishes etc.
• poop-free area of garden safe to play
• children wash hands after playing with pet

I also ask parents to sign that their child has no known allergies to animals/list of allergies and aversions.

I'm not a cm, but as a parent I think it would be a positive thing for my cm to have a dog. I know my dd's would love it.

my ds goes to cm with 2 dogs.he loves it and it didnt put me off at all,although we dont have dogs at home.

I have a dog (and two cats) and it has never stopped anyone from coming! Ofsteds comment on my inspection was

family have 2 cats, who sleep in their own beds in shut off area (well my utily but open through kitchen stopped with gate, and a pet dog who tends to sleep alot!!

LOL I hope she does my next inspection eh! Nothing about the garden. How I would love room just for kids your plans sound great good luckx

thank you everyone for your tips and advice, next thing is how to market this and trainig courses for myself! any advice welcomed.

We got a puppy (Gordon Setter) and a kitten just a few months before our son was born, and although it was hectic, it has turned out very well.

I'd not had a dog before, but my husband was very keen so we went for it. I was somewhat apprehensive I must admit, and we do plan to get another puppy (Irish Setter), but not until our son is walking as I don't fancy him crawling around with a puppy in the house.

What breed of dog are you getting? It might be worth putting together some information about the breed to give to parents, so they can see that it is a "child friendly" breed (if it is!).

thats a good point thanks, we are getting a curly coated retriever, (hence the 17 year wait) they are resonably rare and many people dont know that much about them or think they are a labrodoodle!! which they definately are not. I worked in show kennels for a few years so the dog will be really well trained.