Pupils learn that it's a dog's life!

Date published: 17 April 2010

There are some new students at Astley Sports College in Dukinfield – the four legged variety, pet pooches !

The school is starting a six week after-school dog training course with 15 dogs belonging to pupils and their families. The owners are hoping to learn about improving their dog’s behaviour.

The course is the inspiration of the Multi Agency Support Team (MAST), made up of agencies working together from education, social care, the police and health who are currently working with all schools in Dukinfield and Hyde on areas of identified need around inclusion, community participation and emotional wellbeing.

Kevin Barnsley, a retired police dog handler is running the course in association with the MAST team, organised by retired Police Officer Andy Faithfull a key member of the MAST team, with Eamon Murphy, Headteacher and Melanie Warhurst, Deputy Headteacher.

Organiser Andy Faithfull said: “Our overall aim is to help pupils and their families learn effective principles of managing behaviour and building relationships with their pets. This training will help to promote extended school activities, bringing families into schools outside of school hours."

Free pooper scoopers will also be given to every owner that enrols on the course and will be part of the message about educating owners about dog fouling – an issue that that the local nurseries have been complaining about.

Margaret Bullock, Tameside's Educational Psychologist and coordinator for MAST explained:”The course is topical after the recent visit of Cesar Milan, the Dog Whisperer, who appeared at the MEN last month and is currently on a tour of the UK. As anyone who watches The Dog Whisperer knows, it’s the people who learn, not just the dogs. You’ve heard the expression ‘you can’t teach an old dog new tricks’ – with the help of owners we’re hoping the opposite is true!”