How does the dog handle your 12 hour shifts?

Nurses General Nursing

Updated:   Published

*I meant HOW*

I'm most likely going to be switching to 12-hour shifts soon. Although I am happy about it for me, I worry about leaving my two dogs alone that long. I don't really have family close enough to let them out, and I am leery of hiring a dog walker because the idea of giving a stranger a key to my house creeps me out.

So, I am just wondering how your dog handles the day. Mostly, can they "hold it" that long?

Jules A said:
How do housekeepers etc. get in? in the big picture $300 for a key isn't all that much to sell out if that is your only option.

The only housekeepers at the apartment complex are apartment staff, so they have access to everywhere. They just clean the hallways and such. True, $300 isn't much in the grand scheme of things, but it is still in violation of the lease, so if they found out I gave a stranger access to the building, I would be evicted. I guess my only option is to find a roommate!

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Specializes in Family Nurse Practitioner.
foreverLaur said:
The only housekeepers at the apartment complex are apartment staff so they have access to everywhere. They just clean the hallways and such. True, $300 isn't much in the grand scheme of things, but it is still in violation of the lease so if they found out I gave a stranger access to the building I would be evicted. I guess my only option is to find a roommate!

Where the heck are you living?  I'd look into this because it just doesn't make sense that nannies, dog walkers, home health nurses, etc., aren't allowed in the building, which could result in eviction.

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Jules A said:
Where the heck are you living? :D I'd look into this because it just doesn't make sense that nannys, dog walkers, home health nurses etc. aren't allowed in the building and could result in eviction.

I'm sure if it was medically necessary, they would allow it, but I'm 23. The places I have lived the past few years. I have never seen a resident above 30 years old, haha. I'm on top of a bar and within a 2 min walk of about 12 bars, haha. Not the type of place you'd find grandma at typically!!

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Thanks for all of the great advice. I am going to look into hiring a dog walker. I never thought about background checks and bonding and all that. Also, my parents said I could drop the dogs off at their house if I work 3-4 days in a row so that they don't go stir crazy. I just might miss them too much for that to be a frequent habit, though!

I really want to do the doggy door thing. I have one for during the day. But my one dog could bark at bunnies and squirrels for hours on end. That doesn't go over well with the neighbors!

Thanks again.

PS. I leave them TONS of water.

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Specializes in Critical Care.
A4L4S said:
Thanks for all of the great advice. I am going to look into hiring a dog walker. I never thought about background checks and bonding and all that. Also, my parents said I could drop the dogs off at their house if I work 3-4 days in a row so that they don't go stir crazy. I just might miss them too much for that to be a frequent habit though!

I really want to do the doggy door thing...I have one for during the day...but my one dog could bark at bunnies and squirrels for hours on end. That doesn't go over well with the neighbors!

Thanks again.

PS. I leave them TONS of water.

Link to get you started:

http://www.petsitters.org/ 

May I also recommend you talk to someone at your vet's office? Many pet service providers may drop off cards or pamphlets to advertise their services. While the vet will not take any responsibility re: the professionalism of the service providers, they may have other clients who have used the service provider and can offer references. I was looking at a couple of people before my friend's daughter stepped up. Figured I'd help her out and me too. Good luck to you and your babies.

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Jules A said:
Where the heck are you living? :D I'd look into this because it just doesn't make sense that nannys, dog walkers, home health nurses etc. aren't allowed in the building and could result in eviction.

I've lived at a complex like that a few, actually. Most wouldn't know if I gave a key to ten different people, but one of the complexes had very nosy people. For goodness sake, I had my MIL's dog in the car(tiny little thing, never stepped out of the car), ran inside to get a water bottle for 1 minute, and the next day I had a notice stating I was harboring an animal and had to pay $250 fee. They inspected my apartment twice and found no dog, yet they still said I was harboring an animal all because some nosy neighbor saw the dog in my car. I'd like to know why these people were watching me so much that they knew the car I drove. We didn't have assigned parking spots. Creeped me out.

Talk about some nosy neighbors! Needless to say, I moved asap.

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Wow, that is crazy!! I have never had those problems. We just have a ton of security cameras.

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You can also look for a rescue group for your dog's breed and email the local rep asking if any of the foster homes might be interested in helping out. I am a rescue rep for a dog rescue, and several of my foster homes currently dog sit and/or dog walk for people, and they are cheaper than the local doggy daycares here.

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