New Rescue and Complaint From Parent

[daycare]

I really would not put too much effort into it.

I would say to the DCD or DCM and tell them..

I just wanted to let you know that even though I highly doubt one of my dogs would ever harm a fly, I have decided to keep them separated from the kids. Although I have never seen the (new dog) growl or show her teeth to anyone, I wanted to make sure that I addressed your concerns.

At this point you are just making a lot of assumptions and I would just drop it and not put too much more thought or efforts into it.

[MamaBear]

We have two dogs... one small 10 lb dog and one large 150 lbs dog. They are well socialized & super sweet dogs ~ but I still choose to keep them away from the kids during daycare hours. My daycare parents all knew when they signed up that we had the dogs and were cool with it. If they werent cool with it then thats too bad for them and I wouldnt take them into my daycare.

My dogs have a separate area of the backyard and also stay in the garage thats locked away during daycare hours. I trust my dogs, but you really just never know. I'd rather not have to worry about what could possibly happen... so I just prevent it from being a possibility. Also prevents a daycare parent or child from making up lies about something that my dogs didn't do.

[Brooksie]

If I were in this position I would talk to DCD directly, whether in person (preferred) or on the phone. I would start the conversation, say what I needed to say and then give him the floor to respond. It would go something along the lines of ...

"Hi Tim. Susan mentioned something to me about how the new puppy growled and bared his teeth at you when you came to pick up Suzie the other day and I have to say that I'm a little confused so I wanted to talk to you and address it. When you came by I kept an eye on him and I did not see any of that behavior at all, in fact he was very friendly. I'm wondering if you are hesitant to the type of dog he is because he looks like he is a pit bull? Let me assure you that he is not, he is an American bulldog/Dalmatian mix. Or maybe you are concerned simply because we got a new dog? In either case I wanted to talk to you about it because of our partnership. I was thinking about a solution here and I thinking that maybe you can come a few more times to get to know our puppy better and I'll give you more background information about him from the rescue and his previous foster home to see if we can settle some of your fears. Really the only other workable option I have is to put the gates back up in the daycare space however since I removed them in order to create a wheelchair accessible space for little Suzie putting them back up will only block her access so that is not really an option. I was a little caught off guard since I didn't expect this reaction from anyone and none of the other families have a problem with the new puppy so I'm really hoping that we can think of a solution that we are both happy with. What are you thinking? What will make you happy?" ....

From there let him respond to get a feel for whether or not he was nervous about the new puppy because of his breed or just general fear period or whether maybe he really does have legitimate concerns.

One thing that I would keep in mind would be that when the original contract was signed there was only one dog that they got to meet before signing, now there is a different dog added which might have changed the original idea of what DCD thought he was getting. Another thought for me would be that this is my home and I would not let a client's opinion of something that I did change my decision. If I really wanted to get a new dog and I had a client that wasn't okay with the idea (and separating the dogs from the children wasn't an option) then they'd have one of two choices 1) live with it OR 2) move on.

Well put. They definitely have the option to leave if they want but after talking with DCM today that's not an option for her. I told her after DCDs statement and just the unknown of a new dog lumped in with a few other concerns we have decided to try gating off the kitchen and keeping the dogs in there part of the day. I did mention that that will not be all day long and the dogs will still be out during nap and outside play times. I did say this was something we were TRYING and hopefully it will work out. Also discussed the type of gates we will be getting so that we will still be able to have wheel chair access when needed. She seemed fine with all this and didn't express any concern over the new addition during pick up. She also noted that her son (who's very nervous about everything) has really started to warm up to the dog and didn't fuss about her being near him and I mentioned that he was throwing the balls for both the dogs when we were outside earlier (he's got quite an arm for a 14 mo old).

Today she also discussed with me keeping her DCG here (special needs) throughout the school year instead of going to school, and maybe doing a home school program/Home hospital daycare program for her and having her therapy here and creating an IEP. (shes has severe CP and is functioning on a 2-3 mo level). So I know they aren't planning on going anywhere. DCM said she really wanted to figure out how to keep her with me because DCG likes it here and she was at peace with me taking care of her, which is something she hasn't found yet. So I almost teared up. I'm really glad that I am able to make her feel that way and provide that kind of care and love, especially for such a special girl. lovethis

[Familycare71]

Well put. They definitely have the option to leave if they want but after talking with DCM today that's not an option for her. I told her after DCDs statement and just the unknown of a new dog lumped in with a few other concerns we have decided to try gating off the kitchen and keeping the dogs in there part of the day. I did mention that that will not be all day long and the dogs will still be out during nap and outside play times. I did say this was something we were TRYING and hopefully it will work out. Also discussed the type of gates we will be getting so that we will still be able to have wheel chair access when needed. She seemed fine with all this and didn't express any concern over the new addition during pick up. She also noted that her son (who's very nervous about everything) has really started to warm up to the dog and didn't fuss about her being near him and I mentioned that he was throwing the balls for both the dogs when we were outside earlier (he's got quite an arm for a 14 mo old).

Today she also discussed with me keeping her DCG here (special needs) throughout the school year instead of going to school, and maybe doing a home school program/Home hospital daycare program for her and having her therapy here and creating an IEP. (shes has severe CP and is functioning on a 2-3 mo level). So I know they aren't planning on going anywhere. DCM said she really wanted to figure out how to keep her with me because DCG likes it here and she was at peace with me taking care of her, which is something she hasn't found yet. So I almost teared up. I'm really glad that I am able to make her feel that way and provide that kind of care and love, especially for such a special girl. lovethis

Awesome!!! lovethis. So glad you talked with her and things went well. Dcg is Blessed to have you!!

[MarinaVanessa]

Well put. They definitely have the option to leave if they want but after talking with DCM today that's not an option for her. I told her after DCDs statement and just the unknown of a new dog lumped in with a few other concerns we have decided to try gating off the kitchen and keeping the dogs in there part of the day. I did mention that that will not be all day long and the dogs will still be out during nap and outside play times. I did say this was something we were TRYING and hopefully it will work out. Also discussed the type of gates we will be getting so that we will still be able to have wheel chair access when needed. She seemed fine with all this and didn't express any concern over the new addition during pick up. She also noted that her son (who's very nervous about everything) has really started to warm up to the dog and didn't fuss about her being near him and I mentioned that he was throwing the balls for both the dogs when we were outside earlier (he's got quite an arm for a 14 mo old).

Today she also discussed with me keeping her DCG here (special needs) throughout the school year instead of going to school, and maybe doing a home school program/Home hospital daycare program for her and having her therapy here and creating an IEP. (shes has severe CP and is functioning on a 2-3 mo level). So I know they aren't planning on going anywhere. DCM said she really wanted to figure out how to keep her with me because DCG likes it here and she was at peace with me taking care of her, which is something she hasn't found yet. So I almost teared up. I'm really glad that I am able to make her feel that way and provide that kind of care and love, especially for such a special girl. lovethis

Sounds like everything is working out great for you. I'm so glad!! lovethis. I hate to be the rain on someone's parade but I personally would want to speak directly to DCD anyway just make sure that the decision that DCM is telling you was a decision that they BOTH made ... not just DCM pleading with DCD or telling him to leave it alone. I've had good clients leave because a grandma wasn't okay with the idea of daycare for her precious grand-daughter so maybe that's why I would be leery BUT if you feel that everything is alright and that really isn't an issue anymore then congrats!! happyface

[Brooksie]

The dogs are doing very well in there new sanctuary! There was a little whining at first and our new girl Ireland jumped up on the gate a few times but once they realized we were still close by and could see us (a few treats didn't hurt either) they settled down and seemed to enjoy the space. The kids kept checking on them and wanted to get in with them and after half of the kids went down for naps I let the dogs out for a bit. Now they're settled down in the playroom while the kids are on their cots/pnps. I think this will work out nicely. thanks everyone for their help!

[Brooksie]

Awesome!!! lovethis. So glad you talked with her and things went well. Dcg is Blessed to have you!!

Aww thank you! I feel blessed to have her so we are even

[Lyss]

The dogs are doing very well in there new sanctuary! There was a little whining at first and our new girl Ireland jumped up on the gate a few times but once they realized we were still close by and could see us (a few treats didn't hurt either) they settled down and seemed to enjoy the space. The kids kept checking on them and wanted to get in with them and after half of the kids went down for naps I let the dogs out for a bit. Now they're settled down in the playroom while the kids are on their cots/pnps. I think this will work out nicely. thanks everyone for their help!

Glad it all worked out! happyface

[Familycare71]

The dogs are doing very well in there new sanctuary! There was a little whining at first and our new girl Ireland jumped up on the gate a few times but once they realized we were still close by and could see us (a few treats didn't hurt either) they settled down and seemed to enjoy the space. The kids kept checking on them and wanted to get in with them and after half of the kids went down for naps I let the dogs out for a bit. Now they're settled down in the playroom while the kids are on their cots/pnps. I think this will work out nicely. thanks everyone for their help!

Looks perfect!!! . Sounds like they can have the best of both worlds! Interaction but not having to put up with young kids all day. So glad it worked!happyface

[MotherNature]

I'm still floored that Blandino had a client who intentionally antagonized dogs that he was a complete stranger to. That's some gall & some balls to do that. I'd have been furious.