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Primary education

Join our Primary Education forum to discuss starting school and helping your child get the most out of it.

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Original poster

School Dog - Advantages and Disadvantages?

108 replies

Diegomolly1 · 12/01/2019 19:01

Hi, does anyone have any pros and cons for a school dog please? Parents were not consulted and the children were informed first. Disappointed the communication from the Head was so late as it had been in the pipeline for a while. My other worry is that if the dog is not deemed suitable to attend in school there will be a lot of very disappointed children. But apart from this any experiences in other schools greatly appreciated. Many Thanks

OP posts:

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

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TeenTimesTwo · 12/01/2019 20:41

But why?

They don't consult parents over day to day school matters that don't actually impact the parents.
So they will consult, maybe, over uniform changes, changes to school day, but otherwise, no.

They will know which current children are allergic to dogs as it should be on medical info provided by parents. Some children no doubt will be scared, but the school will have thought of that.

They don't consult over whether to get an external in to do something on the Egyptians, or what sports to teach in PE, so why about getting a dog?

Original poster

Diegomolly1 · 12/01/2019 20:42

It will be the head teachers! 🙄

OP posts:

TeenTimesTwo · 12/01/2019 20:43

I would say 'oh how exciting, I don't know the answer to your questions, why not ask your teacher tomorrow?'

XmasPostmanBos · 12/01/2019 20:44

When I was at school there was a dog who came through the hedge to play with the children at break times.

Original poster

Diegomolly1 · 12/01/2019 20:44

Teentimestwo I am assuming you are a head or teacher??

OP posts:

Wolfiefan · 12/01/2019 20:45

In my son’s school it seemed to be a chance for one of the deputy heads to get a dog and bring it to work.
They chose a breed that i am rampantly allergic to!
A puppy is never good round kids. Bitey little fuckers.
And some kids are truly phobic.

BubblesBuddy · 12/01/2019 20:54

I would have thought a school would announce the imminent arrival of a dog in the regular newsletter. Or have some HTs given up on these?

WeaselsRising · 12/01/2019 21:31

DD's primary school has 2 school dogs. They live with the SENCO and stay in her office. The children love it and the dogs love to be read to

TeenTimesTwo · 12/01/2019 21:40

No, definitely not a teacher! Far too tough a job.

Just don't expect a school to consult parents on stuff that is about day to day stuff. I think they have enough to do.

Though I would expect news of a dog arriving to be covered in a weekly school newsletter. 'As your child may have told you, we are very excited that Goldie will now be joining us in school every Tuesday and Thursday ….'

Mishappening · 12/01/2019 21:41

They should consult parents of course. I had a very frightening experience with a large dog when I was very small - I would simply have refused to go to school if there had been a dog there.

I think the whole idea is bonkers.

OldBean2 · 13/01/2019 07:38

We have a school dog. She is hypo allergenic and does not lick. She does not go into the classroom of the two children who potentially could be allergic to her.

After the risk assessment and discussion with governors of which I am Chair, we decided the benefits were greater than the risks. We are almost 100 per cent Moslem, the saliva of a dog is Harun or forbidden so we talked to the Mosque. As the dog does not lick there are no issues... for those who took it to extremes of saying if the dog brushed past a suit and it would need dry cleaning three times, the Mosque gave us the religious references to answer it.

The benefits: she is a reading partner, works with children with special needs, I visit can be a reward or used to calm children down and on occasion she is used as an intermediary in difficult conversations with children.

We did not consult, we are not obliged to... we do not run the employment of other member of staff past parents so would not do this for a dog who is on the staff list.

Original poster

Diegomolly1 · 13/01/2019 07:49

If you think this is a day to day decision then I have to disagree. This is not just somebody coming in to talk about Egyptians it is a permanent dog which needs a risk assessment. As something as important as this it needed to be communicated so we could answer questions and raise our concerns before our children got excited.

OP posts:

Original poster

Diegomolly1 · 13/01/2019 07:52

Not obliged to yes but it is polite to with something as important as this. I feel sorry for the parents at your school too! 😢

OP posts:

CherryPavlova · 13/01/2019 07:53

Winchester college staff dogs have a tag that allows them access to school fields.
Lots of boarding/residential schools have dogs and other pets around. It softens the place and many children with special needs can communicate more effectively with pets than with humans. The lonely child gets someone to be with at lunchtime.
It’s a lovely idea. Why would you need to be consulted about such an issue? You don’t run the school.
My husband takes our dog to work regularly and the staff generally love it. As long as it’s not forced on anyone and has space to escape to then I cannot see a problem.

Original poster

Diegomolly1 · 13/01/2019 07:53

Staff list? 😂 😂 😂 😂 😂 😂 😂 Oh well at least my child will read to someone! 🙄

OP posts:

tabulahrasa · 13/01/2019 08:01

“She is hypo allergenic”

There’s no such thing...

One of my teachers had a dog he brought to school, it had a bed in his supply cupboard - we weren’t allowed anywhere near it though, it was a grumpy westie.

Original poster

Diegomolly1 · 13/01/2019 08:04

Do any of you have kids? not to be consulted as parents??? My child is frightened of dogs as so are many children. You are also assuming it is non allergic but how do you know with any breed. I am stunned people think we shouldn't be consulted, you are all barking mad! I have had dogs and I know the mess and hard work they are. Staff will be spending time cleaning up after this dog, letting it out frequently. I can't get over it messing on school grounds?

OP posts:

IceRebel · 13/01/2019 08:11

I know 2 schools who have a "school" dog.

One comes on a Tuesday and Thursday, didn't start coming until at least a year old and so was a lot calmer. She sits and listens to the children read in the morning, has a break over dinner and a long walk, then is in the nurture room in the afternoon to help calm worried and anxious students. She also has a small area of fenced off grass which is where she does her business. It works very well.

The other came every day from a very young age, so underwent all the training on the job, which was very tricky in a busy school. 2 years later he isn't the best behaved dog and can be jumpy and excitable. he will sit and listen to readers but it's on his own terms, and he often spends most of the day in the office, with a quick run around the field when children are in class. I don't think he benefits the school, and it's more they like the idea of having the dog (mention him at open days).

It can be a great asset to the school if done well, however I would be very wary as the novelty soon wares off and they can become a bit of nuisance.

trumpstinycock · 13/01/2019 08:15

OP you have some reasonable questions:

my child is frightened of dogs
where will it do its mess?

These are appropriate concerns to put to your headteacher in an email.

At my DD's school the school dog is in school twice a week (belongs to a teacher) and has a designated area around the side of the building where children don't go, where she is taken to do her business. The area is cleaned regularly.

Parents are required to sign the dog policy when they sign up for the school. Children who are allergic / phobic are kept away from the dog and she doesn't go into their classroom. She is a certified therapy dog. So far 100% of phobic children now adore the dog. It's absolutely been a positive experience for us.

Ask your questions, ask if they have a policy. Try not to worry.

CherryPavlova · 13/01/2019 08:16

I don’t think it’s necessarily the pro dog people who are barking mad. No such thing as a hypoallergenic dog. Not all dogs make a horrible mess and need clearing up after.
Best way to reduce fear is generally to have desensitisation through safe contact with a nice, gentle dog.
Dogs are very good for anxiety too. Perhaps you should get one?

CherryPavlova · 13/01/2019 08:16

Lots of hospitals now have dogs too.

Vargas · 13/01/2019 08:17

Our primary school has a dog and it’s fantastic. We weren’t consulted and I’m not the slightest bit bothered about it. If your child doesn’t like dogs just tell the school. One well trained dog isn’t hard work and doesn’t make much mess. I think you’re over dramatising this tbh.

NaughtToThreeSadOnions · 13/01/2019 08:23

Are you reading the replies OP?

yes children are afraid of dogs - parents are asked wether they want their vhild to take oart in the scheme. You will get a letter you just say no. Or you use having a school dog as a gentle way to have a dog and reduce the fear.

Same with allergies.

Your rolly eyes when it comes to children reading to the dog, theres actally a fair bit of reseach about how benifical reading to a dog is.

As for the mess, i suspect he/she will be taken off site at lunch time etc to do its business. Its not like at homs when they'll lef it out in to the garden it wont be teachers getting up all day to let the dog out.

Although i think yes the school shoukd have had some consultation ie dear parents here are the advantages of having a school dog, this is where ours will come from (reputale breeder/dogs trust) heres what breed it is(lab/doodle/calm around children breed) here's who it will live with (head/depty/class teacher) and heres who will be responsable for it during school hours (pne of the TA'S/Parent helper). But your are being over negative and not actually interested in the positives

Original poster

Diegomolly1 · 13/01/2019 08:29

I think i have just mentioned i used to have dogs and actually completed a dog behavioural course. I am quite experienced around dogs. My dog died.

OP posts:

trumpstinycock · 13/01/2019 08:31

I am quite experienced around dogs. My dog died.

Sorry, and I know this is mean, but 🤣.

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