Hello,
my dance partner just got a dog, that is still a puppy and not quite trained yet.
I suggested we continue with our classes, assuming that he would have someone to babysit the dog, as he had said many times that he would have. Now he tells me that there might be the one or the other time when he will have to take his dog to class. He has asked the dance teacher by e-mail but has not got an answer yet.
I feel very uncomfortable about this, since it is absolutely unforeseeable how and if it will work out.
I find this very unfair, I feel that I am always the one that has to adjust to his "special needs"
What do you think?

Thanks,
Hannah

I see people bring little dogs to ballet class all the time, but these are adult dogs who know how to sit or lay still and wait quietly. If I were the dance teacher I'd be worried that the puppy would be disruptive. Why can't he just put the puppy in a safe room while you're gone, like the kitchen or the bathroom? That way if he makes a mistake, it's easy to clean up. The dog has to start learning sometime, after all.

If it's a puppy, it's bound to cause problems.
However, your dance partner will have to find out for himself, and my advice would be to tell your partner you'll go along with this, but only on condition that he has a 'plan B', which can be put in place at this lesson, should the puppy misbehave. This could be your 'special need'. He could take along a dog crate, and put the puppy in this (in another room to drown the barking) if he causes problems. He can buy a dog crate at any pet store. Make sure your partner cleans up any mess

I think, first of all, it would be up to the teacher and/or the owner of the studio if they want to allow dogs.

If they say it's OK, I'd simply agree that it's fine to bring the dog, AS LONG AS it did not disrupt or interrupt your lesson. (If for no other reason, lessons are too expensive to spend any of the time dealing with dog).

And remember, the puppy will grow up pretty quickly to the point it will either behave or can be left at home alone.

Good luck!

Hannah. I knew somebody who on occasions had to bring their dog. They also brought with them a heavy barbel weight which was ideal . The dog could be put in any position without getting tangled up with the chairs or whatever. Maybe if the dog likes the dancing his owner might take it to the movies.Only joking. There is a problem here. If the studio owner allows one he must allow all. Myself I wouldn't on any account take a dog to a lesson. >