AliceinWonderland Posted November 1, 2019 Share Posted November 1, 2019 Does anyone have a nursery dog? I'm thinking of getting a new family dog and would like to be able to take it into work with me rather than leaving it at home alone all day. thought it could sit in the office with me but occasionally see the children and they could learn a bit about care etc. I realise I would need a risk assessment and to make sure no children had allergies etc but wondered if anyone had one and how did parents react? have you come across any problems? Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sunnyday Posted November 1, 2019 Share Posted November 1, 2019 No experience but I think it all sounds wonderful What breed are you thinking of? 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stargrower Posted November 2, 2019 Share Posted November 2, 2019 I have a nursery dog! Lottie is a Labradoodle x Goldendoodle (officially called a North American Retriever, but nobody knows what that is!) So her mum is Labrador cross miniature poodle and her dad is golden retriever cross miniature poodle. She is about the size of a springer spaniel. Lottie has been coming to nursery with me since she I brought her home at eight weeks. She is now three and a half. Of course it was a huge decision but she has proved to be a loving, gentle, playful girl. I chose her breed and the breeder VERY carefully, knowing she would be spending a lot of time around babies and children (we are full daycare 0 - 5) Lottie does not shed at all, so is as close to being hypoallergenic as you can get. One thing I would say is that most dogs, especially young dogs, won't "sit in the office" for long periods without lots of exercise and stimulation first. Lottie has two good walks a day and goes to training and agility at weekends. She doesn't spend the whole day at nursery as I live fairly nearby so can drop her home for the afternoons. She spends a fair amount of time mooching about with the children, having lots of stokes and cuddles with staff, children and parents, playing in the garden and the rest of the time chilling/snoozing in her crate in the office. She loves people and cuddles/fuss. She has become a bit of a therapy dog too for staff and parents who are upset. When we were inspected, I made the inspector aware that we had a dog, but by absolute fluke, Lottie wasn't at nursery that day. The inspector asked the children about Lottie, but made no objection at all. I have a risk assessment which I can share if you need it. 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sunnyday Posted November 2, 2019 Share Posted November 2, 2019 She is beautiful 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AliceinWonderland Posted November 2, 2019 Author Share Posted November 2, 2019 she is beautiful! We are full day care too, 0-5. I'm thinking of a small breed, maybe cavapoo or something similar. Looking for a small dog which doesn't shed much and is calm and good with children. Going puppy hunting later today! Have found a breeder who's fully registered and has fab reviews. Lots of comments on how good the temperament of the dogs are. My plan is also that the dog would not be at nursery all the time but when they are, i would have plenty of time to take it on long walks or short ones with the children to the park. Hopefully they will grow into a dog that can spend time playing with the children, think it will be great for the children. Please can I take you up on the offer of the risk assessment Stargrower? I've started compiling a list of things to include but it will be very useful to see if i've missed anything. Did you have any queries from parents when you first got Lottie? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stargrower Posted November 2, 2019 Share Posted November 2, 2019 Thank you, she is gorgeous, but I am a bit biased! Yes, of course, I will post the risk assessment when I'm at nursery again. We've never had any objections from parents. Everyone says they think it's great for the children to be around a dog. We've even had some parents who were nervous of dogs and have been won over. When I show prospective parents round, I always make sure I tell them about Lottie if she is not there. If she is there, she shows them round herself ! I think before I got Lottie, I explained in a newsletter what was happening and asked people to talk to me if they had any worries. Then of course, everyone was smitten by a puppy! Puppy hunting, how exciting! Let us know how you get on! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AliceinWonderland Posted November 2, 2019 Author Share Posted November 2, 2019 Thanks, yes I’ve already started to write a letter to parents. But it’s too late now to back out, had every intention of just looking and getting information but have signed up to this little beauty below. We’ve called him Charlie, he’s a Cavachon. A little too young to come home yet but hopefully pick him up in 5 weeks. 6 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smudge65 Posted November 3, 2019 Share Posted November 3, 2019 Oh my goodness he is adorable. Lucky lucky children x 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sunnyday Posted November 3, 2019 Share Posted November 3, 2019 Gorgeous boy! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Louise_Leach Posted November 18, 2019 Share Posted November 18, 2019 Yes we have 2. Ash a 14 year old Labrador and Betty a 1 year old cockapoo! The black one is Billy who comes to visit often as he's Bettys brother! The children love having the dogs around. 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sunnyday Posted November 18, 2019 Share Posted November 18, 2019 Ooh lovely - I am enjoying these 'doggie pics' Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stargrower Posted November 18, 2019 Share Posted November 18, 2019 On 02/11/2019 at 21:02, AliceinWonderland said: Thanks, yes I’ve already started to write a letter to parents. But it’s too late now to back out, had every intention of just looking and getting information but have signed up to this little beauty below. We’ve called him Charlie, he’s a Cavachon. A little too young to come home yet but hopefully pick him up in 5 weeks. OH MY GOODNESS! He's beautiful! Sorry I had completely forgotten about the risk assessment but will find it and post asap. The children will be so excited! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nlns80 Posted November 18, 2019 Share Posted November 18, 2019 I am very excited to read all the posts and am definitely suffering from cute aggression seeing all these beautiful dogs. We had a nursery guinea pig which ended up being my family pet as well as belonging to the nursery. The children loved him but he, sadly died, this year and I decided not to replace him. However, I was thinking of getting a family dog - a miniature labradoodle or a cavachon, but I was worried about him / her having to stay at home while I was at nursery. I am very excited to hear all the positive comments about having a nursery dog! Could you email me the risk assessment too, please, Stargrower. I am going to begin the process of persuading my non-animal loving colleagues of the benefits of having a dog for the children! On a further note - could anyone who has bought a mini labradoodle or cavachon please forward me details of the breeders. I am concerned about puppy farming and would love to have some personal recommendation for when I begin my search for our puppy. Many many thanks, Carol x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stargrower Posted November 18, 2019 Share Posted November 18, 2019 This is Lottie's breeder. https://www.curtabemdoodles.com/ The contact is Samantha Bull. They are wonderful dogs and are given a great start in life through their enrichment programme. Anyone considering a nursery dog, please think very, very carefully about all the implications and how you will manage the dog, children, staff, visitors, parents etc. I don't mean to sound patronising, and having a dog has worked very well for us, but it is a lot of work to get the balance right for everyone. Don't get carried away with puppy cuteness! I'm not implying that anyone here would take the decision lightly but please do think about all the pros and cons before taking the plunge! 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stargrower Posted November 19, 2019 Share Posted November 19, 2019 Here is the risk assessment. I've left the 'level of risk' column blank as this will depend on the dog and the situation. LOTTIE RISK ASSESSMENT.docx 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AliceinWonderland Posted November 20, 2019 Author Share Posted November 20, 2019 Thank you for all the lovely comments, I'm having a good response from parents so far, so i'm getting very excited! Thank you for the risk assessment Stargrower, and I agree, it is a lot to think about, and everyone should think very carefully before going into this sort of thing. Going for a visit and a cuddle this weekend and to arrange pick up! Can't wait! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rebecca Posted November 20, 2019 Share Posted November 20, 2019 We have a dog too - our family pet Obe. He's big Boxer - a breed known for their excellent temperament with children. We researched breeders for a long time before we chose him. He spends most of his time in the office 'doing staff well being' but sees certain children when they would like to. He doesn't roam around the nursery and is always on his lead, with me, if we are talking to children. Children see him coming and going and ask to talk to him and he is always delighted for the attention. He is brilliant with SEN children and sits patiently while they talk to him - he barks if the children don't talk to him! He 'specialises' in transitions - if children are upset coming into nursery from home he will be ready to greet them and life becomes a much happier place. He goes out for a long walk with a dog walker each morning and so isn't short on exercise. Like everyone else says, we have a full risk assessment, we informed our insurance company and spoke to our parents about it. We tell prospective parents about him and explain that if the children don't want to meet him, they don't have to - it would be perfect;y possible not to know he is at nursery if a child doesn't like dogs. Our experience is that even children who are wary are curious and will built up gradually to giving him a tickle! 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
finleysmaid Posted November 21, 2019 Share Posted November 21, 2019 just a little word of caution (sorry) just be careful with some religions as some may not agree with having a dog in the preschool Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AliceinWonderland Posted November 22, 2019 Author Share Posted November 22, 2019 On 20/11/2019 at 16:44, Rebecca said: We tell prospective parents about him and explain that if the children don't want to meet him, they don't have to - it would be perfect;y possible not to know he is at nursery if a child doesn't like dogs. Our experience is that even children who are wary are curious and will built up gradually to giving him a tickle! I jusy had one concerned parent last night, Mum was bitten when young so is very afraid and have told them exactly the same as you, the child does not have to see the dog at all and have invited the parents to try and visit with the dog and see how they feel as things progress, they seemed happy after I talked to them. p.s. Obe is very cute! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AliceinWonderland Posted November 22, 2019 Author Share Posted November 22, 2019 On 21/11/2019 at 07:28, finleysmaid said: just a little word of caution (sorry) just be careful with some religions as some may not agree with having a dog in the preschool Very poor of me I know but I haven't heard of this, do you know which religions? Just for future reference as we don't have any children of particular religion at the moment, everyone seems to be non-committed! I know from family experience that some cultures think dogs are unhygienic (brother-in-law is Egyptian, although that could just be him, he is very fussy about a lot of things that aren't related to his culture). Thanks for the heads up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stargrower Posted November 22, 2019 Share Posted November 22, 2019 I hadn't heard about this either, although I know other cultures definitely don't hold dogs in the same esteem as we do. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stargrower Posted November 22, 2019 Share Posted November 22, 2019 Obe is a gorgeous boy! Love a Boxer Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rebecca Posted November 22, 2019 Share Posted November 22, 2019 On 11/21/2019 at 07:28, finleysmaid said: just a little word of caution (sorry) just be careful with some religions as some may not agree with having a dog in the preschool Yes, we wrote to parents before he arrived and he doesn't go into the rooms where the children are - they come to him if they want to 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
finleysmaid Posted November 22, 2019 Share Posted November 22, 2019 In islamic tradition (muslim) dog saliva may be classed as unclean. Children from these backgrounds may be fearful of dogs and parents may be particularly cautious.(Egyptians may well follow this religion!) We have such a diverse group that it is normal for us to have many religions represented...but like others have said that doesn't mean they follow their religion! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.