Dogs and Nurses

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I was wondering if how many of you on here have dogs? I start nursing school in the Fall, and I am going to get a dog in May. I have wanted a dog since I was young, but could never have one because my family was too busy with sports, and other activities. So now I am getting myself a dog for completing my first BS degree. Also I want to get through the early puppy stage(1-2 yrs) while in school, since I have plenty of time.

For those of you who have dogs, how do they do while you are at work. I was wondering how they do with 12 hour shifts. I am single, right now, you never know what will be in 2 years. But I was just wanting any input on dog-owners.

Specializes in Cardiac, ER.
I can attest because I grew up with Brittany's, we hunted them and they were fabulous dogs. I want a dog that will play/jog with me, maybe train to hunt, but I don't want a couch potato. That's why I like Labs and Brittany's, and I like Boxers because I have never met a Boxer that was mean/I didn't like.

I think everyone should have a dog,.I can't remember a time when I didn't have at least one! I have however met some really mean boxers,.I live next door to one. I do blame this on the owners though. He was a sweet loving very hyper puppy when I first moved here,.about 5 years ago,..but he spends his days alone in the back yard and is almost never walked or even briskly played with in the back yard. He now growls and barks at anything/anyone who walks by and has actually bitten myself and my hubby over the fence! I feel bad for the dog because he is beautiful and could have been a great dog if he had a more responsible owner.

Training any dog makes him/her a better pet. I'm sure that's why you love your Brittany's so much. Training and regular exercise can make all the difference in the world! You might also keep in mind grooming. Do you want a dog that needs to be brushed daily and taken to a groomer every month? That can be time consuming and expensive. If you are sure you will always live (or at least for the next 10-15 yrs) in a place with a big, fenced yard and room for you and your pet to run than a bigger dog is great. Make sure you aren't going to find yourself in a 4th floor apartment in 2 yrs!

I have two mini dachshunds that I love and can groom at home. They don't do well alone though and really need each other. Someone mentioned Shelties, they are very smart dogs and love their owner. I use to show Shelties and they are great at agility training and learn very quickly! They do require a lot of grooming though.

Best of luck to you. I'm glad to see you're doing your homework rather than just buying the first cute puppy you see!

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Thanks everyone for the replies. I just wanted to see if it was possible to have a dog and work as a nurse. I have visited different dog forums and they almost make you feel like a horrible person if you have to work outside the home. It's like they think it is impossible to give the attention and love needed unless you are a stay at home parent or own a personal business.

PS. This thread is the reason I love this website. You can get information on almost any subject.

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Specializes in Psychiatric.

My dog is now 8 years old, so she was 5 when I became a nurse and 3 when I started school...I truly could not imagine never having had the pleasure of sharing life with her...on the other hand, I could NEVER imagine getting her as a puppy while in school...she's a Doberman, and as a puppy was quite energetic and destructive, as wonderful as she is as an adult. Dogs in general do deserve as much love and attention as you can give them, but puppies require a TON of training and stimulation that I never would have been able to provide while in school.

My best advice would be to wait until you're out of school and stable in a job before getting your dog...if you can't wait, please do your research to find the best fit for your lifestyle...different breeds do have different requirements and your lifestyle will be a factor. One other person suggested getting an older dog, and I think that's a fabulous idea, since there are so many dogs in shelters that need homes.:D

My dog is one of my best buds...at 8 she's still going strong and a puppy at heart despite a fairly pronounced heart murmur...she is truly a joy! :)

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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.

And a healthy owner...:>>:yeah:

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Specializes in Emergency Room, Specialty Infusions.

My firefighter husband and I work 12 hour shifts, sometimes together sometimes opposite.

We got a Papillion puppy when she was 3 months old. I was home with her for the first 2-3 months. We fenced in the back yard and put a little doggy door in so she could get in and out by herself. Expedited the potty training process for sure. When I went back to work, she did okay by herself. Very well behaved, no chewing....no soiling in house (she had her pet door). One of the neighbors said they saw her sitting on top of the kitchen table looking out the big front window a couple of times. And sometimes heard her barking in the back yard deck when she could see people walking on the sidewalk after the school yard got out.

When she was 3 years old, I talked my husband into getting another Papillion puppy. I felt sorry for my first dog when we both had to work 12 hour shifts. That didn't work out. She couldn't stand the second dog. Never plays with her.

I felt sorry for the second dog because she was real playful. She liked to chew...mostly shoe laces, the carpet, etc. Liked to dig the dirt out of the potted plants. When she was 2 years old we adopted a 5 month old kitten from the Humane Society. They love each other and play with each other all the time.

The dogs are 7 and 4 years old. They just sleep all day or look out the window on one of those window perches you can buy for cats. They have the pet door to go in and out. I know there are people that as a profession will come and play with your pets and take them for walks. Ours seem pretty content with our lifestyle. They're small dogs. 9lbs and 13 lbs.

If you don't have a significant other that can be with the dog when your at work....I think I would look into one of those dogwalkers.

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Specializes in Emergency.

i have a 1 yr old husky that i've had since she was 7wks old. huskies are NOTORIOUSLY high energy and require more exercise than most dogs. they're bred for endurance, so if they are not exercised thoroughly, expect messes to be made when you're away! she has taken, and will continue to take a lot of work...and even though i work 12 hr shifts....and on nights, at that....she's totally worth it.

puppies in general take a lot of work, so just be sure that you're willing to take on the responsibility, regardless of the age. i also recommend buying from a shelter. i lucked out with my dog who i got from a breeder....but muts generally make the best dogs. smaller dogs tend to potty train more quickly, but they may also be yappers and very territorial if not socialized with other people and animals on a regular basis. larger dogs make everything larger. larger poop, larger vomit, larger pee spots, and larger messes. but....i'm a big dog person so it's all in how you train them. most important thing is to BE CONSISTENT! if you don't want them in certain areas of the house or on certain pieces of furniture....don't let them...ever. even though they are cute and cuddly and you want to take a nap with them....if you don't want them on the bed when they are full-sized (trust me, they take up MUCH MORE room than you expect...even as puppies) don't let them start now. two dogs are usually better than one because dogs will develop separation anxiety when you leave. sometimes you'll get the dog that prefers being the only one, though. make sure your dog gets about an hour of exercise a day. that includes at least 30min of high running exercise...wether it's continually chasing a ball or wrestling/chasing you or other dogs. check for local dog parks....they're the greatest. i take my dog to the dog park or dog beach for 1-2hrs daily...even on nights i work. if i work 3 in a row...i force myself to get up early. makes me tired during the night, but it's my responsibility. good luck!!

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I always wanted a dog too but nursing school took up a lot of my time so I waited until after nursing school to get my dog. Please get a shelter dog there are many lovable dogs there :) http://www.petfinder.com And as others have stated it is important that you get a breed that has the right temperment and does not need a lot of exercise so it will fit in with your lifestyle.

Definitely you should crate train to begin with until you and your dog get used to each other and the dog learns what is acceptable behavior and what isn't.

And if you do 12s and you are still alone, hiring a dog walker or taking the dog to doggie day care is the best option. Regardless of breed, dogs still like to get exercise and be around others because they like to be in "packs". They will get lonely if left alone for hours at a time.

And most importantly, if you do not have the time to put in to train your dog then maybe it might be best not to get a pet right now. Taking dogs to meet other people/ dogs, walking them, teaching them simple commands, etc are important aspects of being a responsible dog owner.

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My wife and I recently lost our 11 year old Brittany and we are heartbroken. I work 24's and she works 12's. We trained him on an electric fence and put in doggie doors. He could come in and out as he pleases and would never leave the yard. He was the perfect dog. Didn't bark, chew or bite or run away.

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Specializes in Trauma.

I'm so sorry:( I remember losing my first boxer; it was one of the most painful experiences I've ever been through. They become so much a part of the family and words can never explain just how wonderful they are! I hope you both find peace and tranquility in remembering him as being the best friend ever:)

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Specializes in School Nursing.

I'm trying to figure out a similar situation. I just graduated and will be starting to work 12 hr nights in a few weeks. I would love to adopt an adult dog (Newfoundland, retriever, lab, mix..). I live with an elderly lady (who isn't able to walk dogs) but we do have a pretty good size yard. Is is better to keep 2 dogs or a dog and a cat so they can play when working 12s? I would prefer to walk my dog(s) just before I leave for work and when I return in the morning rather than hire a walker. That's a pretty typical schedule even for 8-5ers right? Also, you can't use crates when working 12s right? I'm getting a lot of criticism from the dog community instead of suggestions on how I can make this work. Thanks in advance!

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Specializes in MS, ED.
I'm trying to figure out a similar situation. I just graduated and will be starting to work 12 hr nights in a few weeks. I would love to adopt an adult dog (Newfoundland, retriever, lab, mix..). I live with an elderly lady (who isn't able to walk dogs) but we do have a pretty good size yard. Is is better to keep 2 dogs or a dog and a cat so they can play when working 12s? I would prefer to walk my dog(s) just before I leave for work and when I return in the morning rather than hire a walker. That's a pretty typical schedule even for 8-5ers right? Also, you can't use crates when working 12s right? I'm getting a lot of criticism from the dog community instead of suggestions on how I can make this work. Thanks in advance!

Not for nothing, but I'd consider the cat if you really want to get a companion animal right now before settling into your new job and schedule. I am also a new grad (May) and work 3-4 12s each week, (mostly nights, but alternate to days when needed.) A 12 hour shift is a play on words, IME, even if you live locally to your facility. Factor in travel time, shift, report, time overages (which will happen...and happen a lot), and travel home and you can easily eat up 14+ hours before you even walk in the door. That's an awful long time for any dog, even a housebroken adult, to be alone and unable to eat, drink or go to the bathroom. Think too about what happens when you get home - you're going to go to sleep, and that dog is going to wait another 6-8 hours to have interaction and exercise. That's unfortunately not much of a life for the dog, even if he had a friend.

I have a six year old (adopted) adult dog and she manages day shifts with two visits from a dog walker; night shifts are covered with DH at home sleeping, luckily. That being said - I wouldn't crate if I knew she was going to be cooped up for the entire shift alone; I'd invest in doggie doors and perhaps set up a comfy area in the kitchen or other tiled, dog-proof area in the house for her to rest while I was gone. JMO.

Good luck!

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Specializes in Plastics. General Surgery. ITU. Oncology.

Not a dog person. I have a cat who is relatively low-maintenance.

Hubby works a normal 9 to 5 job I work varying shifts. The cat don't care as long as we feed her :)

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