Dogs at meetings, activities and on-site
There may be times when it seems appropriate to bring along a dog to a meeting or activity. It is important that the introduction of a dog, as a one off or a regular feature, is carefully considered and planned.
Before a dog is brought on site, permission should be gained from and notice given to the leader in charge, Site Manager or the appropriate responsible person. On nights away, the permit holder will need to agree to a dog being present. Many sites may not allow dogs and this should be checked beforehand. The primary objective, of being a Scouts provision, should not be compromised to accommodate a visiting dog.
Sometimes the support of a dog is essential, such as a guide dog or assistance dog. There is no minimum age for guide dog ownership, so they may be at Scouts with an adult or a young person. These dogs have been trained to adapt in many situations, but specific considerations should be made. Cooking sessions or active games may give unfair additional distractions to the dog, for instance, so should be planned to accommodate this. The group will also need to understand that, while working, the dog should be allowed to carry out its duties without interruption. A planned session to explain how to behave around the dog should be held.
• The members of the group should be considered before any decision to introduce a dog is made.
• Parents and the rest of the team should be informed a dog may be present.
• Reasonable adjustments should be in place for group members, where necessary, before the dog attends.
• If a dog must attend, members with identified allergies or low immunity should not go near it.
• The young people should be fully briefed on how to behave around a dog:
o Do not interact with the dog, unless specifically told it’s OK by the owner.
o Remain calm, with no sudden movements.
o Do not put their face near a dog.
o No rough play.
o Leave the dog alone when they are sleeping or eating.
o Keep their own food away from the dog.
o Wash hands after petting any animal.
• Dog faeces must be cleaned up immediately.
• The dog must be in full health, regularly treated for fleas and worms and fully vaccinated.
• Dogs in season will not be included.
• The dog must be clean and regularly groomed.
• The dog must enjoy the experience, not just tolerate it.
• There should be a quiet & safe place they can go, separate from the group.
• The code of practice for the welfare of dogs has advice on ensuring a dog is healthy and happy.
In an unfamiliar situation, a dog can become stressed or over excited. If their handler does not spot the warning signs in their behaviour or know what to do, it can lead to serious consequences. A young person could be intimidated or frightened, or there could be a bite risk.
• Dogs must be well socialised and trained for a busy and noisy environment, with children and strangers.
• The owner must have reliable recall of their dog, in the event it becomes lose.
• Owners must have suitable third party insurance for their dog.
• The dog must be supervised by their owner at all times and on a lead.
• The owner must have a good understanding of their dog’s body language and an established, positive relationship with their dog.
• The dog should be able to walk calmly on a lead.
• Dogs who are unfamiliar or uncomfortable with each other should not attend at the same time.
You will also need a risk assessment for a visit by a dog. Remember to review this for your specific situation.