Having a dog in school
Discussion
Hi. I'm interested to know your unbiased thoughts on if you think its right to have a dog in primary school.
The background is, a teacher is introducing the family pet dog to the class. As I personally dislike most dogs (I know I'm the minority) and cant see any benefit I'm hoping for a more balanced opinion than mine!
My son is 6 yr/old.
Its a normal public primary school.
The dog is a French bulldog (not hypoallergenic apparently).
There was very little consultation before doing this. My child wanted to tick the box to "stay away from any contact with the dog" although I think the dog was there before we had a chance to return the form.
My argument is that at the last parents evening it was mentioned that my son could do with catching up a little with reading and this is now my primary objective. I don't feel having a dog around will help in any way with this and likely to cause more disruption to the class than anything else.
TIA.
The background is, a teacher is introducing the family pet dog to the class. As I personally dislike most dogs (I know I'm the minority) and cant see any benefit I'm hoping for a more balanced opinion than mine!
My son is 6 yr/old.
Its a normal public primary school.
The dog is a French bulldog (not hypoallergenic apparently).
There was very little consultation before doing this. My child wanted to tick the box to "stay away from any contact with the dog" although I think the dog was there before we had a chance to return the form.
My argument is that at the last parents evening it was mentioned that my son could do with catching up a little with reading and this is now my primary objective. I don't feel having a dog around will help in any way with this and likely to cause more disruption to the class than anything else.
TIA.
How often is it there? If it’s once a week for an hour for example then it’s not an issue but like the class hamster/gerbil or in our pre school a giant snail (don’t ask I wasn’t consulted).
If it’s every day I’d suggest she make other arrangements for her pet as that’s very distracting.
I share your view that schools in general are doing very little to enable covid kids to catch up. I know our kids schools aren’t.
If it’s every day I’d suggest she make other arrangements for her pet as that’s very distracting.
I share your view that schools in general are doing very little to enable covid kids to catch up. I know our kids schools aren’t.
Yes it happens.
I've even written a risk assessment for bring a listening dog in, so children can read to it.
And yes I own a dog.
Is it legal - yes perfectly (so long as everything is above board etc. etc.)
Is it sensible - nope. Don't be daft it's a f
king dog, lots of children, including ours before we had one, hated dogs.
Daft idea to me, approach Chair of Governors ask for risk assessment and insurance notification, explain your concern and suggest it's a bit silly really isn't it!
I've even written a risk assessment for bring a listening dog in, so children can read to it.
And yes I own a dog.
Is it legal - yes perfectly (so long as everything is above board etc. etc.)
Is it sensible - nope. Don't be daft it's a f
king dog, lots of children, including ours before we had one, hated dogs.Daft idea to me, approach Chair of Governors ask for risk assessment and insurance notification, explain your concern and suggest it's a bit silly really isn't it!
And it will all be wonderful until something happens & one of the children gets bitten.
So it's a 'No' from me.
ETA. Grew up as a child with gundogs & our own last dog was a softie Golden Retriever. Would my wife - a teacher - have taken her into school with a lot of small children? Not a chance.
So it's a 'No' from me.
ETA. Grew up as a child with gundogs & our own last dog was a softie Golden Retriever. Would my wife - a teacher - have taken her into school with a lot of small children? Not a chance.
Edited by paintman on Friday 1st April 16:25
Is this a one off thing or is it a regular thing?
If it's a one off event I don't see the harm as long as it is managed and children that don't want to interact with it don't have to.
If it is to become part of the overall classroom environment then I would say it's not right and it's a distraction to learning.
What age group are we talking about by the way in the class?
If it's a one off event I don't see the harm as long as it is managed and children that don't want to interact with it don't have to.
If it is to become part of the overall classroom environment then I would say it's not right and it's a distraction to learning.
What age group are we talking about by the way in the class?
Torquey said:
There was very little consultation before doing this. My child wanted to tick the box to "stay away from any contact with the dog" although I think the dog was there before we had a chance to return the form.
What does this mean?How could there have been very little consultation if a form was printed, distributed, you had a chance to tick it and return it?
Or did you just not look at it and return it quickly enough?
This place turns more into Mumsnet by the day. 
It's a dog, they're kids, it'll be the most exciting thing in the whole world for them to have a dog at school and something they'll likely remember fondly and enjoy.
I speak from experience because I still remember my old head teacher regularly bringing his golden retrievers to school when I were a boy and allowing them to wander around the school by themselves.
Lighten up.
It's a dog, they're kids, it'll be the most exciting thing in the whole world for them to have a dog at school and something they'll likely remember fondly and enjoy.
I speak from experience because I still remember my old head teacher regularly bringing his golden retrievers to school when I were a boy and allowing them to wander around the school by themselves.
Lighten up.
Cyder said:
This place turns more into Mumsnet by the day.
It's a dog, they're kids, it'll be the most exciting thing in the whole world for them to have a dog at school and something they'll likely remember fondly and enjoy.
I speak from experience because I still remember my old head teacher regularly bringing his golden retrievers to school when I were a boy and allowing them to wander around the school by themselves.
Lighten up.
I know It's a dog, they're kids, it'll be the most exciting thing in the whole world for them to have a dog at school and something they'll likely remember fondly and enjoy.
I speak from experience because I still remember my old head teacher regularly bringing his golden retrievers to school when I were a boy and allowing them to wander around the school by themselves.
Lighten up.
I have a young child.
I can't imagine reacting to the news that my kids school will bring a dog in by saying "there was no consultation" and getting all anxious about it.
I own dogs, and would have loved one at school, BUT times have changed and I don't agree with this. I'm surprised the school have okayed it, to be honest, unless we're not getting the full picture.
Trained and accredited PAT (Pets As Therapy) dogs going into care homes, etc, I get. They are properly assessed to make sure they'll behave appropriately and have the right temperament/can cope.
Just a teacher's pet dog? No.
I don't have children, so can't comment from a parent's point of view. I do, however, own several dogs, and would never put any of them in that position. It's not just about the children's safety, it's about the dog's safety. One incident, and they could be at risk.
I may be cynical, but it sounds more like an attempt to save on pet care costs!
Trained and accredited PAT (Pets As Therapy) dogs going into care homes, etc, I get. They are properly assessed to make sure they'll behave appropriately and have the right temperament/can cope.
Just a teacher's pet dog? No.
I don't have children, so can't comment from a parent's point of view. I do, however, own several dogs, and would never put any of them in that position. It's not just about the children's safety, it's about the dog's safety. One incident, and they could be at risk.
I may be cynical, but it sounds more like an attempt to save on pet care costs!
At the school attended by my grandaughter her teacher occasionally brings in her dog - it is referred to as 'the school dog'. When a child is joining the school the parents are told about the dog.
Won't have been possible with my daughter as she was (& still is) allergic to animal hair/fur, even if it is in a room but the animal has left.
Won't have been possible with my daughter as she was (& still is) allergic to animal hair/fur, even if it is in a room but the animal has left.
No, on the grounds of distraction. Children go to school to learn stuff, not play with cute doggies.
What on earth did the teacher think he/she was doing, and did the Head approve it?
Ridiculous.
NB Vintage skool doggery here: https://captainlimey.com/2015/07/02/defeeting-tero...
What on earth did the teacher think he/she was doing, and did the Head approve it?
Ridiculous.
NB Vintage skool doggery here: https://captainlimey.com/2015/07/02/defeeting-tero...
Edited by Simpo Two on Friday 1st April 21:12
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