Dog at school and child with phobia

[LittleMissMe99]

In my daughters school they have a wellbeing area where all children can go. If they're upset, lonely, just want a chat etc. Really lovely idea I think and works very well. My daughter who is 11 (just started secondary school) won't go because they have a dog and she is terrified of them. Full blown phobia There have been occasions when she has been alone at lunch time and wanted to go there (where there are other kids in a similar situation). But she's too scared. She's a very shy and anxious child and will not tell them shes afraid of dogs. I'm wondering should I mention it to the school? They won't get rid of the dog because of one student will they? What would you do?

There must be some way of supporting the children's wellbeing without the presence of a dog.
Some children have allergies, some are scared, some see them as impure etc etc.
And some just won't like them or want to be around them.

So I would tell the school. They need to know.

I'm not scared of dogs,but I really dislike them and often choose not to be near them.

I would bring it up with the school. But the phobia needs addressing as she will meet all sorts of dogs doing their jobs as she gets older, and won't be in a position to have them relocated.

Hopefully those dogs she encounters in future life won't be in areas designated for her wellbeing though.

Maybe see if there's any advice from the dog handler? If it's a registered therapy pet it will be very calm and might be a good introduction to be around dogs? Perhaps a session one to one or something?

Sounds like a lot of effort for OP and her daughter.

Just move the bloody dog.

near me (south east) there is a Cynophobia class run to help children overcome this fear with specially trained, calm dogs. They have very good results.
might be worth a Google to find out if you are near somewhere that does these

This 100%
My son had an awful fear of dogs, it really did make even doing the school run hard. Once he ran into the road to avoid a dog who was walking towards us.
We bought a puppy two years ago. The fear has disappeared altogether. He can walk past any dog now without jumping out of his skin.

It must smell horrific in the wellbeing area now. I wouldn't find it calming, unhygienic and revolting yes. But dog people don't get it so if the slt love dogs then that's it really.

I think you should let them know. There will be ways to manage this. Our school has a dog in sometimes. It is clear that the dog is always on a lead and with a staff member. If there were children who dislike dogs, he would be kept well away. Your dd should be able to access the area and the dog could be moved elsewhere whilst she does so. It will just mean that she will need to get a member of staff to let them know when she needs to go in.

I love dogs and always have at least one but I don't agree with having them in schools or workplaces. People should be free to go to their place of employment or education on a daily basis without fear.

I’m a PA to a young adult who had a real fear of dogs. I used to have to shut mine away when she came round. Gradually, we spent time outside with them just mooching round the garden whilst we sat and had a drink. Now, our dog is always by her side, and she always has one hand on the dog’s head. Her parents are over the moon, as the phobia had made life really difficult at times. Her brother now has a dog too, which she loves.

Well trained dogs will not fuss or jump up.

I’ve worked in a behavioural school with a rescue greyhound. He was an invaluable asset.

Most schools go for poodle type crosses, to reduce the risk of allergies. They will also be aware of children who are allergic.

Please tell the school that your daughter is scared, then they can tread very carefully with regard to the dog.

What would they do if a child needed a guide dog?

When a dog is in school it has be be fully assessed, so will be very placid and well trained. This would seem like a perfect way to help with you daughter’s phobia. A calm dog in a controlled situation is very different to a dog outside where it might run over to your child and scare her. Definitely mention the issue and se what solutions are offered. She can’t avoid dogs all her life and what a great way to build her confidence.

Totally agree.

And it's not just about fear.

I personally think dogs are revolting, unhygienic, smelly, slobbery, dirty, noisy, disruptive animals and I have never once understood why anyone would want them as a pet. I have no desire to share any space with them.

Also, What if you were allergic?

I don't like dogs and would be very unhappy if there was one in my workplace op! There are places for dogs and I don't understand the purpose of one being in a school or workplace unless it's being used as a guide dog? Is the dog here to learn or teach? I'd raise it with the school!

What cultures are they?

So all her friends and boyfriends will be chosen on the basis of whether they have a dog or not

She wont have any jobs that involve home visiting

She wouldnt work with someone who has a guide dog

A third of households have dogs.

@BruceHellerAlmighty The thing is, dogs are everywhere, and a phobia of dogs as opposed to an dislike is something that is worth the effort to fix.

Thinking about the things we have done in the past week or so where we have encountered dogs:

• Community gala day at park, lots of dogs
• Farmers market, lots of dogs
• Dog lives on path to nursery and sometimes is out and about with owner
• Beach with dogs
• Dog left outside local shop
• Many of DD's friends have dogs at home

And so on. If someone has a phobia of dogs, which are in so many places, it must severely limit their enjoyment of life. So yes, I do think it's worth making the effort to do something about it.

I should hope they wouldn't get Rod of the dog because of one students problem!!

As a mother you need to help her deal with her somewhat inappropriate phobia, how is she going to successfully navigate through her life being petrified of dogs?!

What a suprise the OP has not returned after the first post that's happening a lot lately.

Phone the school & explain her phobia and why she might be reluctant to enter the area that the dog is in, but at the end of the day you can't expect them to get rid of the dog for the sake of one pupil when it no doubt helps countless others

We had an amazing learning mentor in our secondary school, her guide dog accompanied her everywhere. There was over 1000 pupils in the school, many from cultures where dogs are often seen as "impure" yet I never heard a single complaint about her or her lovely dog.

Try & help DD with her phobia, dogs are everywhere these days, she'll struggle in life not wanting to enter a room where there's a dog.

Dogs don't belong in a school

I do think it would be a good idea to get your DD help to overcome her phobia - this could actually be the ideal opportunity to tackle it. She doesn't have to love dogs - but it could get rid of the fear so she can at least live her life without worrying about it. As much as one can take reasonable steps to avoid contact with dogs generally, they are a significant feature in society. You can get on a bus or a train, go into work or go just about anywhere and encounter someone with a guide dog or other service dog. Again, your DD doesn't have to particularly like or love dogs - but it is important to be able to be in the same space as one without being terrified as you cannot always control when or where she might encounter a dog.

Completely agree