Dogs and nursing

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Hi, just a question to any nurses out there who have dogs.

How does your dog handle being at home alone for the 12 hours? I'm moving out of my house with my dog and therefore my dog will now be at home for 12 hours. Ideas? Opinions?

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Some nurses I work with hire someone to come walk their dog or send them to doggy day care while they are at work.

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Specializes in LTC, Med/Surg, Peds, ICU, Tele.

Maybe get a kitten and they will be friends. Or get another dog. Will the dog have access to an outdoor potty place?

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Specializes in cardiothoracic surgery.

It helps to make sure your dog is exercised before you leave for work. Our dog is alone for 2-3 days a week for about 10 hours, (I hate leaving him alone!). I make sure he is exercised before we leave for work, a long walk and playing fetch, and when it is nice out a run with my bike! I also try to exercise him a lot on my days off. This way he is less likely to destroy the house when we are at gone!

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Specializes in Medicare/rehab (prev), Ortho Research.

I am an animal person, I have 4 cats and a longhaired dachshund (Merlin...hence my screen name). The cats I had before nursings ( all charity case but adore them all, they are old, fat {not unhealthy but pleasently plump} and lazy...just the way I like em), my puppy was after (I had brought him to work since the day after I got him, at 12 weeks old, but always on a day off just to visit). When I worked at my old job they asked me to work a 12 (normally was an 8 hr shift that turned into a 10) and I told them ok, but I would need to take a long lunch to let my dog out...my boss at the time just told me to bring him to work with me (he brought his to work every day and she would wander the facility but not get too close to people...safe, but not too sociable). It was long term/medicare rehab and I did decide to bring him in with me (he is kind of attached to my butt with about a 5 ft tether so he never went too far away). I have to say...he did my med pass with me, followed my med cart (he was totally exhausted at the end of the shift, he is only 8 inches tall, heck I'm exausted after 8-12hrs and I'm 5'8") and for the most part my pt's loved it (the ones who did not like dogs or were allergic I just closed the door and he waited for me out in the hall). I had multiple offers to puppysit during meals (I taught him to not go into the dinning room because of health codes but it was nice that some families who the pt's ate in the room's were willing to help out...and spoil him too)I noticed my pt's were happier and calmer for my shift (animal therapy). I think for the ones who do love animals, it let them temporarily forget their ills and focus on something else (he is very cute and friendly). After that I brought him more frequently, it actually got to the point he knew how to activate the automatic doors and let himself out and back in...it was great ( I actually had pt's who always asked where he was after that and told me to give him an extra treat or hug from them). I will tell you... I always had a slight concern that he may pick up a dropped pill, eat it and have problems but fortunatly that never happened.

Anyway, sorry to derail...My fiance has a 96lb golden/lab (merlin is 15 lbs) and we actually crate them together while we go to work and she keeps him calm. There is a small amount of guilt for the time that they are crated but, they are happy, well adjusted and much loved.

Again sorry for the derail but I have to say...that was a great perk!

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My dog is really good - he's never destroyed anything since he was a pup (and even then only one destroyed a pair of my earphones that I left on the floor lol)...nothing since then. We have left him alone once for 24 hours and he was fine (we were actually expecting a poop on the floor but nothing!)...he has been left at home for 12 hours before also...

I think he'll do good as long as I buy him toys to keep him company and exercise him when I get home or before I leave...or both (but getting us extra early before a 12 hr shift is not fun! lol)

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Thanks for the reply Merlinsmom. That's awesome that you'd be able to take him to work! My Jack Russell would love the patients a little TOOO much. He's not a stereotypical hyperactive Jack until he's around new people awwwing at his cuteness! I don't think I will crate him. He's 5 yrs old now and never destroyed anything...he has had 3 accidents in the house and 2 of those were when he was a pup and being potty trained.

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If you don't have friends to come by and take your dog out, you really should try and get a dog walker. Dogs are social by nature and crave company - not a toy. I'm not trying to lecture or make you feel bad, but I tried leaving my dog alone for 12 hours when I first worked and the neighbors let me know that she cried a lot - just as you or I would do if we were kept away from our friends/loved ones for such a long time!

Eventually, I worked out a cost effective way of caring for my dog - I take my friend's dog when I am off for the whole day, and he returns the favor. The two dogs have become buddies, and I really look forward to my days off with the two of them, hiking and going to the park or beach. I think sharing the duty has made both of the dogs better-behaved and more playful. Perhaps you can find someone at work with a dog who is in the same boat but has a different schedule, and the two of you can work out a similar arrangement. Your dog will be happier, healthier, and live longer if you give him/her a better life. Good luck!

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Specializes in CVICU.

I have 5 dogs, and as long as they are exercised in the morning, they are just fine for 12 hours while I am gone. I try to schedule a pet sitter to come in when I work to let them out mid day, but there have been times when I have not been able to get anyone, and they have done fine. I do leave them with Kong toys filled with frozen peanut butter so they have something to chew on. Good luck with your move!!

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I've worked 12's (as a CNA) and my dog did ok, Like other's have said it's a bite to get up at 4:30 am to make sure he get's enough exercise before I go to work at 6, and then another decent walk when I'm off at 6:30. but I really believe with that much exercise, he sleeps most of the day when I'm gone...no destruction, no accidents, just warm greetings when I return. He's also about 12 years old now so I'm sure that helps. Now if anyone has suggestions about his gas problems this evening....lol.....

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Specializes in Psychiatric Nurse.

Hi

I've got four dogs and have no problems with leaving them alone when we are at work. We have a good size garden and a dog door.

I would be more concerned if I only had one though, I think they prefer company. Which is why we bought the second one, no excuses for the other two.

When we go away we use a housesitter, much nicer than kennels.

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Specializes in Medicare/rehab (prev), Ortho Research.
I've worked 12's (as a CNA) and my dog did ok, Like other's have said it's a bite to get up at 4:30 am to make sure he get's enough exercise before I go to work at 6, and then another decent walk when I'm off at 6:30. but I really believe with that much exercise, he sleeps most of the day when I'm gone...no destruction, no accidents, just warm greetings when I return. He's also about 12 years old now so I'm sure that helps. Now if anyone has suggestions about his gas problems this evening....lol.....

activated charcoal... they make biscuits with it...my boxer (he has passed bless his soul)...would wake himself up and leave the room he stunk so bad. The other thing is...the better quality food, the less they excrete...you get it right...also my vet told me there is biscuits for gas too...good luck!

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