Dogs and Nurses

jollydogg_RN, ADN, BSN · Mar 15, 2009

I would definately not get a dog thats 1-2 years old then.

I got a dog last summer in between my first and secon year. a BEAUTIFUL and energetic 18 month old husky/yellow lab mix. Like I said... energetic. Moved it out to my fiance's house durin that same summer, backyard to play in, thought it would be good. But I go to school in Nashville, and she lives about 40 minutes down the interstate. She also was busy with school work and just started her BSN program this semester.

Dog had a chewing problem, and got bored and chewed stuff when no one was there. Tried a muzzle, worked for a bit, but got to the point where we'd take the muzzle off, go into the other room, and we'd come back in 5 minutes later and something would be chewed or the trash would be all over the place.

We eventually gave the dog away to a family with 3 kids who had someone at their house all the time.

My advice would be is that if you REALLY want a dog, is to get one thats 3-4 years old, needs a new loving home, and is already house broken and trained. Also one that is preferably crate trained if needs be. An outside dog would be best if you have furniture or valuables you dont want to risk being chewed or damaged. However, if you got a 3 to 4 year old dog you shouldn't have to worry about chewing. If so, it probably isn't trained.

Dogs are wonderful. They are a great stress reliever, a shoulder to lean on when you have a bad day in class or at clinicals, and just overall a great companion for bad days. Me and my fiance just got a 8 week old miniature dashchaund and are loving him. He actually goes to the bathroom outside, pees on the puppy pads, and does well in a crate, so we lucked out. Us getting him actually goes against all of the advice I just gave you! lol. but fortunately it worked out. She also has a 145 pound, 14 year old irish wolf hound/lab mix who just sleeps all day, so hes low low maintenance.

Good luck on your choice! And make sure whatever you do, make sure your new friend is spayed or neutered

Jules A, MSN · Mar 15, 2009

Hi,

If you are doing 12s I'd definitely suggest a dog walker or someone to at least let them outside to do their business especially because 12s are really 13 or 14s with commute time etc. As with people they can have physical problems if they have to wait too long as well as emotional issues if not given enough attention.

Check out petfinder.com for most any kind of dog that needs a loving forever home. Congratulations this is very exciting. I can't imagine my life without mine.

rngolfer53 · Mar 15, 2009

Well, I work 8s in stead of 12s, but my dog does just fine with that. It's often 10 or 10.5 hours from the last time she gets out to when I get home...........Only if she's sick is there a problem.

I would advise using a crate to keep a young dog in while you're at school. Puppies and adolescent dogs aren't that much different than human kids.....leave them alone and you're asking for trouble. LOL If you supervise them when they're free in the home, you can nip, no pun intended of course, any bad habits in the bud.

One thing you can and should do for any dog's well-being and your own sanity: take the dog for at least one walk of 30-45 minutes every day. Two is even better. A tired dog is a happy dog and a good dog.

feralnostalgia · Mar 15, 2009

I have a yellow labrador retriever who is 13 years old, and she's a wonderful member of the family =)

since mine is so old, she's starting to have problems holding her bladder. like humans, on both ends of the age spectrum dogs are liable to have accidents. when you're working, it might be a good idea to have a place outside to take your puppy - another wonderful thing you can do is find a local "doggie-daycare" that will both socialize your dog and give him/her a place to run around and be active and healthy while you're at work. my first job was at a kennel that did this, and it's wonderful for the dogs to get exposure to other people and dogs (makes them much less likely to be aggressive or fearful with guests or on walks), and it keeps them from being neglected or depressed when at home for so long.

if there's nobody to let your dog outside for 12 hours, they will have accidents inside. honestly I think it would be kind of mean to keep a dog cooped up with no interaction for that long, too. if they're left alone that long they tend to do things like chewing up furniture. when my parents were working they tried to coop up my first dog (a springer spaniel mix) in the laundry room...she jumped over the baby-gate they put up...when they put one on top of the other, she chewed a hole through the bottom one. they ended up filling the doorway with logs, at which point she chewed the linoleum off the floor! dogs NEED space to run around and things to occupy their time. they can't just be put away in a closet like a toy when people aren't home to be with them. they're just as social as we are. having a fenced yard to let them out can help, but socialization is still important.

I'd also encourage you to look at a breed appropriate for your living situation. buying a greyhound or a great dane when you only have a small apartment is not a good idea. there's a breed for every lifestyle, so look around! of course, many mixed breeds and rescue dogs can be wonderful companions, too. in my experience the mutts tend to have more personality than the purebreds. if you have a small space you'll want a low-energy breed. take a look at what the dog was bred for. if it was racing or hunting, you sure as hell better have a big yard and time for lots of walks and play, or the dog will eat up your house and you'll both be very unhappy. terriers and spaniels are good house-pets. beagles are adorable, but they will sing like an opera star if they're perturbed. border collies are smarter than most people on the street, haha. do your research.

what can you offer the dog in terms of exercise, attention, and space? what do you want out of him/her? have you trained a dog before? if not, you'll want to consider a breed that's easier to train. I might suggest you find training resources too - my family loves Cesar Milan's "Dog Whisperer", he has a book out that might be helpful if this is your first time training. also, always remember that positive reinforcement works much better than negative - treats/food are more effective at motivating behavior than hitting the dog.

again, if you're going to be working 12 hour shifts, I'd strongly recommend doggie-daycare or having a responsible person who can look after your baby. best of luck!

MHaffer · Mar 15, 2009

My dog is my beeeeeeest friend :heartbeat!!! She actually just had surgery last week for luxating patella, so she's getting lots of special attention during her recovery. That's a little warning for you, too: don't get your puppy at a pet store! My mom and I fell in love with my pup when we were just looking at a pet store one day (with NO intention of getting a dog) and we ended up taking her home, haha. I love her like crazy, but she does have a congenital knee condition that required expensive surgery and has also caused her significant pain and frustration. The pet store would refund our money and take her back :eek: but honestly who would ever give up their puppy!?!? NOT me. I have heard that hereditary disorders like what my dog has are very common in pet store puppies. So just a little warning for you if you were debating about where to get your puppy!

You don't have to worry about the early puppy stage lasting that long. My dog isn't even a year old yet and she has been out of the difficult stage for several months. I think house training and leaving her alone during the day and getting up in the middle of the night were only issues for about 5 months. BUT, I am in nursing school now, and I wouldn't count on having "plenty of time" during school!!! I am in an accelerated program, but I am in school or clinical 7-5, Mon-Fri and I'm usually studying during my free time. I would have never made it through the early puppy stage if I didn't have help with her. As for the 12 hour shifts, I don't know since I'm not working yet, but I definitely think dogs need to at least be let out during those 12 hours. I'm lucky that I live close to my mom and we "share" the dog, so I would probably just drop her off at my mom's for the day.

Having a dog is a huge stress reliever and they are just a joy to have around! I highly recommend it!

BMXMom · Mar 15, 2009

I'm in nursing school right now and I currently have two dogs. I have an adopted Aussie who I have had for 10 yrs. and a Rottweiler who just turned 7 months. I would look for a dog that is at least 1-2 yrs old. My little Rottie needs a lot of stimulation and play time. If she sleeps too long in her crate she's up all night. I would look for a dog that is low energy that doesn't mind sleeping those hours your at work. Good luck on finding your perfect pet.

MHaffer · Mar 15, 2009

when you're working, it might be a good idea to have a place outside to take your puppy - another wonderful thing you can do is find a local "doggie-daycare" that will both socialize your dog and give him/her a place to run around and be active and healthy while you're at work. my first job was at a kennel that did this, and it's wonderful for the dogs to get exposure to other people and dogs (makes them much less likely to be aggressive or fearful with guests or on walks), and it keeps them from being neglected or depressed when at home for so long.

Doggie daycare is fantastic! Before my puppy's surgery, she used to go to doggie daycare once or twice a week. She LOVES it! The dogs have such a blast, and the place I take my dog has constant live video of the dogs playing so you can go online at home and watch them play! It's addicting, haha. My dog is really looking forward to when she is completely recovered in 5 more weeks and she can go back to day care!

hotmama2be · Mar 15, 2009

If you are looking for a dog please adopt from a shelter ......thats the most human thing to do theres lots of puppys out there that need a loving home !!!!!!

leslie :-D · Mar 15, 2009

i have 3 dogs, one of which is a basset hound.

'marge' the basset, doesn't need room to run.

heck, she doesn't need room to walk.

she is perfectly content in being a flubby, supine goddess.

i would suggest someone like her.:redbeathe

leslie

Jayhawk4Life · Mar 15, 2009

Thanks for all the quick replies. I was wanting to get a puppy, I guess I mis-typed. I want to get through the puppy-years while in school. While in school, I will be living at home with my parents. When I start working, I could probably have my mother or father let the dog out after they get off work, which would be at around 3:30-4:00. I want to do whats best for the dog and I know my home would be great. I have been worrying more about this situation, than any of my school or admissions process,:chuckle. I have been reading training books, breed profiles, etc like crazy for like 8 months straight.

athena55, BSN, RN · Mar 15, 2009

hello jayhawk:

oh my gosh, that is great (about entering nursing school and adopting a pup)

i have had dogs all my life, as well.

i think it is a good idea that you get a puppy while you can spend at least 2 weeks home with her/him to aid in the housebreaking routine.

remember, for every month a pup is alive, that is about how many hours they can "hold" their urine.

now there are probably others on this forum that have more expertise in housetraining their puppies, but i think it has a lot to do with the breed that you have.

it is so do-able while working 12 hour shifts....but again my advice is if you have a long stretch of time off (great if you had like some vacation time) that is when you should adopt your pup, especially if the dog will be very young. you will have the time to get to know the pup, pick up on her/his habits etc...great time to bond!

i suggest also going to the library and check ing out some books....american kennel association has a great book out with every breed there is...pros and cons to owning a certain breed. also a lot of web sites out there that have great advice towards house training your pet dog/pup.

i have worked 12 hour shifts most of my professional life and my animals (i have dogs and cats and yes, they all get along! well, for some odd reason my 7 year old pit bull, after she grooms the cats she has the odd habit of then attempting to lie down on them....i went downstairs one day and saw katheryn lying down on the floor and then i saw four cat legs sticking out from under her....wouldn't be all that upsetting except for the fact that 1) the cat, angel, wanted to get up and 2) katheryn weighs over 90 pounds! but you must put some of the blame on the cats themselves as they could all jump away from the dog when she is around, but i guess they like being groomed by katheryn)

i digress: 12 hour nights i work and i suppose my dogs sleep much of the time i am not around. as a matter of fact, they sleep around most of the time (except when i am walking them or we play outside)

i am jealous! i wish i could have my dogs and cats with me now...but i am in the army and i am being deployed in the fall and since i pcs-ed here in may i have been out for 3-4 months at a time x 2 (since may! i don't even really know my neighbors, sigh) i have been in this apartment for only 4 months! i don't even have a plant, but that is the life i choose.

good luck with your pup. have you decided on a breed yet? hey we want to see pictures of your new addition, okay?

athena blame the deed, not the breed