Classroom VS Country

As an ex teacher turned dog walker, the similarities between working with children and working with dogs are alarming and hilarious at the same time.

This morning it occurred to me how taking multiple dogs out in public is pretty much the same experience as going on a school trip. You spend so much time teaching manners and good behaviour and then as a fairly chaotic and stressful challenge, you decide to put everything to the test and take them out into the ‘real world’ that has actual people in it.

‘Please God don’t let me lose any’ is on constant repeat in your head and you won’t relax until everyone is home safe. I had a teaching flashback today when I came across a member of the general public while out walking (a fairly common nightmare). Teachers know that feeling of being on constant alert when on a school trip, it’s like your senses are working on overdrive and you notice everything. It’s exhausting but as it turns out, is a transferable skill. I’m like that on ‘in public’ walks. You just never know what to expect.

I saw this woman from a mile away. No dog with her that I could see (phew!), she was walking at a slow pace with a walking stick, just enjoying the fresh air. I couldn’t quite tell where she was going to go next so I lined my children up at the side just to be safe. No, hang on, that’s not right. I got my dogs in a sit stay at the side, so the woman could walk past without the hassle of tripping over giddy dogs. She started talking and I immediately think ‘oh no, now I have to listen, give a polite response and keep the children, I mean dogs, under control. Pleaseeeee be good dogs, don’t let me down now’. She says how well behaved they are and that its so nice to see them having a lovely time. I thank her, quietly beaming with pride at my well behaved little group. She’s nearly past us now. I hold my breath almost waiting for something to happen. This is the exact moment where you would expect a small child to say something like “My grandma has a walking stick, you look old like my grandma but my mummy says grandma is realllllyy sick you know…” Thank God I don’t have to deal with unpredictable little people now! Oh no, wait. One of the dogs has moved and is humping her leg.

‘Get off! Off there!’

‘Oh no, it’s fine, I’m not fragile’ she says.

Fragility has nothing to do with it. I’m mortified.

‘Come here. Sit.’

A phrase that, if taught well, can work with both children and dogs. I never had to stop one of my children from humping the elderly, fortunately. Although, I have known children to bite. I believe its frowned upon to muzzle them though.

The lady walks away, happy to have seen the dogs and had a nice conversation. Back in my teacher brain, I do a head count for the millionth time before moving away again. Head counting – another transferable skill. ‘How many do I have in my group? 1, 2, 3, 4, 1, 2, 3, 4. Yep, got them all. 1,2,3,4,5…hang on whose is that? That’s not mine. Somebody round here must be missing it. Oh it’s with them. Right, good to go!’

There are plenty of moments of joy when I’m out walking dogs, just as there were when I was teaching. But when you’re taking care of other people’s most precious thing in the world, it can be quite stressful. That goes for both jobs. Finally, back to the van. It’s not over yet. Who will be sick on the way home? Not a teacher or a TA with a sick bag in sight.