Dogs Trust and Education: Junior Canine Carer Competition, School Workshops, Responsible Dog Ownership and Nintendogs

Recently Dogs Trust partnered with Nintendo and The Saturdays for the launch of a campaign that included the message 'a dog is not a toy' and focussed on some elements of responsible dog ownership. We've had quite a few questions since then about education and our use of video games in school. So, we thought we'd try and answer some of those questions and comments in one place.

Here goes!

1. Is Dogs Trust launching an education programme for the first time?

No. Dogs Trust already has an education programme that has been running in one form or another for over a decade. What started in 1999 with a handful of secondary school resources and a single Education Officer - who now runs the department - has become a nationwide scheme with 12 members of staff offering free school workshops in ten different regions across the UK.

Actually, it's not just the UK; Dogs Trust Ireland has its own programme, and we run training for overseas teaching staff too.

2. What does the education programme do?

The main aim of our education programme is to help children understand how to be responsible and safe with dogs. Our free school workshops, which are flexible and curriculum-linked, are a major part of that.

In addition, our education website www.learnwithdogs.org.uk hosts masses of pre-school, primary and secondary teaching resources and guidance notes. These can be used in addition to a workshop or on their own, so even if there's not an Education Officer in the area the information is still available and easily used in schools.

There are also games to help engage children with the topic, and resources and advice on running fundraising events.

3. Where does nintendogs™ + cats fit in? What is 'a dog is not a toy'? How did The Saturdays get involved?

nintendogs™ + cats is a real-time pet simulation video game for the Nintendo 3DS. Nintendo is donating Nintendo 3DS consoles and copies of the game so that, from September, Dogs Trust can use them in school.

The games will assist Education Officers in engaging children to think about what is involved in looking after a dog, from walking it to grooming it, to toilet training and the costs for all of this. The game allows children to put these skills to use in a safe, comfortable environment. Some will have never had any interaction with a dog so being able to build their confidence in the classroom is very beneficial. The children will also be taught about how to make an approach to a real life dog. So whether it means asking the owner first or not trying to wake a sleeping dog, this will all prove beneficial when the children come face-to-face with a real dog.

The partnership has actually existed for a number of years, since the first Nintendogs game was launched. You can watch a video of the previous game being used in the classroom in February 2009. The aim is to celebrate how rewarding owning a dog can be and remind dog owners of tomorrow that ‘a dog is not a toy’. It is also a response to the recent trend of dogs being treated as toys or fashion accessories and carried around in handbags. Dogs are not disposable items and any decisions when choosing a dog should be considered after ensure that the new owners lifestyle has been taken into account and the owner fully understands the responsibility involved.

The Saturdays are dog owners themselves and wanted to ensure the message is as far-reaching as possible.

4. My child loves dogs. What else can they do to get involved?

If your child is aged 7-11, lives in the UK or RoI and loves dogs, you might just want to show them the Junior Canine Carer Competition! The winners of this creative contest get to come behind the scenes at a Dogs Trust Rehoming Centre as well as receiving some Nintendo and Dogs Trust goodies.

You can read all about how to enter on our website.

If you have any questions about Dogs Trust Education that haven't been answered here, please do leave us a comment or find them on Facebook.

When a Labrador met a Meerkat

Glasgow Education Officer, Lorraine Hare recently had an opportunity to see what happens when Donny the Labrador made friends with Maku the Meerkat, at the Glasgow Science Centre's Dog Days exhibition.

The Glasgow Science Centre invited Donny and I along as part of a Dog Days exhibition for children. They created science experiments for children to get 'hands-on' and learn about dogs. There was a 'smelly test' where children found out about a dog's nose and put their own noses to the test to decipher different smells in jars. There was a hearing station where kids could learn about how a dog's sense of hearing works. There was also a chance for them to make dog toys from recycled materials and a picture activity about body language.

Donny and I had our own table with fun activities for children - colouring-in, puzzles and mini-workshops outlining responsible dog ownership and what a dog needs to be happy and healthy. Donny was the centre of attention and enjoyed having cuddles, demonstrating his clicker training skills, putting his nose into action on the ' Dog Treat Treasure Hunt', being brushed and having lots of cuddles. The kids learned lots about caring for dogs and parents joined in with the activities too - especially the Donny cuddles!

We met a Skunk (called Peanut) and a Meerkat (called Maku) as they were doing a short show for children in the exhibition room next door as part of another event. The gentleman who was caring for them on the day came into our room to say 'hi' and wondered if Donny would like to meet them. He thought it would be a good experience for the Skunk and Meerkat if Donny would like to interact with them. As Donny is a kind and gentle soul I was happy to let him say hello to both creatures! They were relaxed and happy the whole time and didn't seem in the least bit worried about Donny, and he was just the same. They sniffed him and the Meerkat was nose-to-nose with Donny for a while. I think they rather liked each other actually!

Welcome to Jo Morris, West London Education Officer!

Remember Natalie Dexter, the London Education Officer who is owner of the beautiful Megan? Well, she's just got herself a new team member to help cover London! Natalie has moved to our HQ in Islington, and in her place at Dogs Trust West London is... well, I'll let her introduce herself:

Hi my names Jo and I’m the new West London Education Officer. Had my first week at Dogs Trust and absolutely loved it. I have even had a chance to meet all the four-legged residents in Harefield and I have already fallen in love with a puppy called Mr Scatterbrains. Isn’t he cute?

I have been learning all about my new job and I can’t wait to get stuck in….. Bring on Monday!

Have a great weekend everyone.

Please give Jo a warm welcome! She's joined by another new member of the team, Scott, who will shortly introduce himself too as he joins Dogs Trust Kenilworth.

If you'd like to have Jo, Scott or any of our other regional Education Officers visit your school for a free workshop or check out our free teaching resources and games for children, just visit www.learnwithdogs.co.uk

Meet Dogs Trust: Lynne Jones, Education Officer

Recently, I was chatting to Hollie in the office about the work her education officers do around the country. "Can we tell more people about our education programmes through the blog?" asked Hollie. "Of course we can," I replied, "but the best people to explain what they do are surely the people that do it!". Days later I received this post from Lynne Jones:

Name: Lynne Jones
Location: Dogs Trust Rehoming Centre Bridgend, S.Wales
Job: Education Officer Wales

As an Education Officer it is my job to visit Primary Schools and carry out workshops during which I talk to the children about responsible dog ownership and safety around dogs. Making learning fun my dog Bonnie and I deliver interactive activities which are age related and designed to encourage team building and confidence skills.

Before I worked for Dogs Trust I had completed my PGCE in Primary Teaching and was supply teaching in a local school.

The funniest thing was attempting to do a workshop in a classroom that had 2 guinea pigs and try to convince Bonnie they weren’t interesting or worth a closer look! It was a very eventful session and I’d forgotten how determined she can be.

It can be challenging trying to manage a boisterous class of 30 children who are over-excited to have a dog in their classroom and ensuring Bonnie never feels overwhelmed or intimidated.

Bonnie is a 6 year old black Labrador cross collie which I got from Dogs Trust when she was 11 months old. Her handover form stated she was “Destructive” but this was due to her being a puppy and left on her own for long periods. Apart from chewing a few cushions and digging a hole in my settee to get to a biscuit she’s not been very destructive!! She is fantastic with children and people, is very greedy being a labrador so loves her food but is a wonderful companion. She had been very well socialized as a puppy and loves to play with other dogs. She has been well trained and is very calm when in the class so often children who were initially afraid of being in a class with a dog by the end of the workshop have plucked up the courage to come over and meet her.

My hobbies include horse riding, dog walking and swimming. I also like socializing with friends and going to the cinema.

My favourite food is anything with lots of cheese and ham on, so jacket potatoes, pizza, toasties, – I don’t like seafood much or hot curries.

If I could be anywhere right now I would be horse riding on the beach with Bonnie running behind and the sun beating down on us!

Photo Credit: Larry Barlow