Dog Safety Education at Brookfield Park Primary School with Bark Smart

Year 1 pupils with Dava upon completion of Bark Smart!

At Bark Smart, we’re on a mission to help children across the UK stay safe around dogs, and our recent visit to Brookfield Park Primary School in Skelmersdale was a shining example of what that looks like in action.

We were thrilled to spend 2 days educating all pupils from Year 1 to Year 6 on essential dog safety skills, from reading canine body language to learning how to behave calmly and confidently around dogs. And what a brilliant school it was! Every class was engaged, respectful, and full of enthusiasm, and the feedback from both pupils and staff was absolutely fantastic.

89% Improvement in Dog Safety Awareness

At Bark Smart, we track learning outcomes, and we were blown away by the 89% improvement score across the school. This shows just how well the children absorbed the lessons and how important this kind of education is. Dog safety isn’t just a ‘nice to have’, it’s essential knowledge that can prevent bites, reduce fear, and help children become confident and responsible around dogs.

Year 5 & 6 with Mrs Whiteside (head teacher) Albert & Booma

Meet the Bark Smart Dogs: Rani, Dava, Albert & Booma 🐾

Years 1, 2, and 3 were wowed by the majestic Rani and Dava, a father-and-daughter duo of Scottish Deerhounds. These striking dogs brought a sense of calm and awe to the younger pupils, with their owner Steph expertly guiding the children through how to interact safely with large breeds. The pupils were captivated by their size, elegance, and gentle nature.

Rani & Dava with owner Steph

Meanwhile pupils in Years 4, 5, and 6 had the special opportunity to meet Albert, a calm and charming Tibetan Spaniel, and Booma, a gentle giant Newfypoo (Newfoundland x Standard Poodle). These two were a huge hit and helped older pupils practice safe and respectful dog interactions, guided by their experienced handlers Ann and Angela.

Albert, Ann, Booma & Angela

Head Teacher’s Feedback

Mrs. Sarah-Jane Whiteside, Head Teacher at Brookfield Park, shared her thoughts on the day:

“This was an essential information session to keep children safe around dogs. It was delivered in a fun and clear way and our children have definitely taken away the key messages. Meeting the lovely dogs was an extra bonus.”

Why Dog Safety Education Matters

More than ever, families in the UK are welcoming dogs into their homes. But many children aren’t taught how to safely interact with them. Bark Smart bridges this gap by delivering age-appropriate, evidence-based sessions directly into schools. Our team uses a mix of fun, interactive teaching and calm, friendly dogs to help make the learning stick.

Year 1 learning how to approach a dog safely

Want Bark Smart to Visit Your School?

If you’re a school leader, teacher, or parent who’d like to bring the Bark Smart dog safety education programme to your school, we’d love to hear from you. We offer sessions tailored to different year groups and always bring along our carefully chosen, child-friendly canine companions.

📍 Serving schools across the North West and beyond.

📧 Email us at barksmart@dogsdirectuk.co.uk

🌐 Visit www.barksmart.co.uk