Dogs from the SPCA are being taught to socialise around children at Whangarei Primary School each week.
The Schoolies programme has been set up for dogs staying long term at the Whangarei SPCA.
SPCA dog trainer Ani Van Sinten says many of the dogs are not used to socialising.
"A lot of our dogs are family pets. They go to families with children, so we want them to be familiar with kids."
Every Monday and Thursday afternoon, the dogs are taken to the fence outside the primary school to train.