What do you do with your dogs during 3 7a-7p shifts???

allnurses Guide · Jun 12, 2009

My lab stays outside in the yard in a large large kennel. The two pups (mini-doxies) stay in the basement - sometimes in a crate if I'm only gone for awhile. Sometimes I let them roam the basement.

steph

My_brain_hurts · Jun 12, 2009

I work nights. My dog (female lab mix) can hold it for a 12 hrs shift, including my driving time and getting off late, so probably 14 or 15 hrs is more like it. I have friends who have a "dog sitter" come to their house in the middle of the day. Lets out the doggies, plays with them for about 20 mins, then puts them up. Dogs love the guy :) I think they pay like $15 a visit or something like that, and she can call him if she or her husband will be home and he just doesn't come that day. Pretty neat. But that's during day shifts

tylerlvn · Jun 12, 2009

I had a doggy door put into my back door. It has made so easier. Now I do not have to worry when bad weather hits ect.

iHeartNICU · Jun 12, 2009

My greyhound would throw a fit if I left him in the yard for even 20 minutes. Haha, maybe it's just him but he has a totall attitude when it comes to being too hot, too cold, not enough cushion to lay on, etc, etc :) I guess if you put a comfy bed out there your two may not make too big of a fuss.

Do you have a local greyhound rescue group in your area? They may have good & reputable pet sitters, or someone who can just take them to/from the kennel, or come to your house at lunchtime and let them out & give them some love?

Best of luck, hope you find the perfect situation for you and your greys!

Medic/Nurse, BSN, RN · Jun 12, 2009

I would rethink that kennel plan - seems like it will be difficult for the dogs and you in the long run.

I used to have sister shepherds (Jasmine and Jezebel, but they have both passed at 13 & 11) and I'd note some of my finer moments for inspiration in keeping the dogs happy and safe - but, some make me seem a little stupid.

Gonna have to come up with another plan than the kennel. I like the pet sitter from the vet option - known quantity and most would be grateful for the chance to earn a bit extra.

I used to take my shepherd to work (after her sister died and the big grief started - she ate a metal mini blind, gashed her mouth and overall just went crazy). I ran out of options - be even went to a pet naturopath and I drew the line at "animal communicator" - so, I would leave her in my vehicle (only just outside entrance - also had a tie out in a grassy area that I could see, engine running as necessary) - staff would go out and "walk" her many times during shift (??? smoke breaks - I did not smoke and the dog was OK with it as long as she was away from it on the leash) - the kitchen would send a tray marked "Jasmine's Dinner" up of whatever delicacy was left over from dinner - we would occasionally bring her in the hospital (I know - but we in a tornado warning and the ER doc insisted --- I was worried about her peeing in the floor - he looked at me and asked if I thought that the floor had ever been peed on before :uhoh21: GOOD POINT, I think) and the HR director and CEO would even stop and ask about the dog. Yep - I was bat$#@! crazy (and now everyone has proof - eh???). Really - I had an unusual situation, had worked there a long time with many understanding friends - so, I doubt that option would ever be available again.

Get it - I am way sympathetic to your concerns. I also had a backyard at my other house (my nana had died and we did not live there) that had 800' of 6'+ fence with 2 layers (hand dug) of concrete block under the fence line to keep the digging from becoming an escape - so I get it. The "solution" I had did not last long - Jas went to live with my hubby at the lake (her dad!).

In hindsight - I wished I had just used a sitter from the vet office (but I was freaky about folks being in my house). Really, just buy a safe and lock up anything you feel at risk over and do what you always do for the dogs. The best thing to make sure they have a safe and happy life.

I say try the sitter route.

Good Luck.

Also, we have inside/outside cam's with remote internet access and can see our "children" (3 kitties and 2 dogs) now when we are away. There is a system coming on the market this month that should make that option more reasonable with many options - we are looking to install it in our other house - my husband thinks it is going to be a reasonable set up and allows us to check on our furry children - piece of mind is a bit more affordable than it used to be. :bugeyes:

http://www.vuezone.com

I hope you find a solution (or likely several) that will give you what you need.

:rolleyes:

.

sissiesmama, ASN, RN · Jun 12, 2009

I leave my dog at home when I am at work with no problems. I just make sure to give him plenty of attention when I get home, and then he snuggles up to sleep with me. And then I make sure to give him a ton of attention on the days I am off so that he still gets plenty of love during the week.

That's what I have done with my furbabies. My baby at home now is a mini weinie, only about 10 lbs or so. She does really well, and the first thing we do when I got home from work was to go outside and potty. I am not working now due to some cardiac disease, so she is stuck with me harrassing her all day, but while my dh and I were both working 12 or more hours a day, she did fine with it. I just always try to make sure she gets lots of attention when I'm home, or on my days off.

Anne, RNC

Ruthiegal · Jun 12, 2009

Fina a pet sitter in your area that can come let them out and play with them during the day. They are usually reasonable, just make sure they are bonded and will give you references. I love ours. I have cats that need attention when we are gone for more than one night. I know one gal that had one for her cat in the Summer who would go in and check and turn the AC on if it got too hot.... There are viable solutions out there! Good Luck.

TrailBlazerRN · Jun 12, 2009

At home it's just me and my mom. I live at college (sept-may) and my mom attends community college during the day. My grandfather comes over every weekday and takes my dog out for 15 minutes. Some days my mom drops my dog off at his house. He loves the dog, and the dog loves him, so it works out.

Do you have a relative or friend who would be willing to drop over sometime during your shift to take your dog out? Otherwise, a dog sitter/walker is a good option. There are many GREAT ones out there who are very trustworthy. You just have to do your homework and find one with a good reputation.

OrthoRN09 · Jun 12, 2009

I work 12's day/night. My dad comes over mid-day to let my dogs out for me when I'm on days. And he comes over around 2100 when I'm on nights to let them out before he goes to bed. He lives a couple miles from me and is retired, so it is very convenient for both of us. If he isn't available, I have a neighbor that has a 14 y/o son that comes over to let them out. I pay him $5-10 a day, depending on how many times I want him to come over. I would suggest hiring a trusted friend/neighbor or a professional dog sitter to come and let your dogs out. The dogs will probably be more comfortable in their own home and it will cost you less.

catlynLPN · Jun 12, 2009

I leave my dog at home when I am at work with no problems. I just make sure to give him plenty of attention when I get home, and then he snuggles up to sleep with me. And then I make sure to give him a ton of attention on the days I am off so that he still gets plenty of love during the week.

This is what I do. My dog stays by himself, I make sure he has food out, plenty of water, he has a fenced in back yard, a doggie door to get inside if he wants in. He has blankets on the floor. He's comfortable.

And when I get home we're just snuggling up and he sleeps on top of my bed.

But my dog is also a small dog and he sleeps alot. I think greyhounds are much more active and need more exercise.

But my dog and I seem to have adjusted well and worked out a system and routine together.

coffeeaftermidnight · Jun 12, 2009

But my dog is also a small dog and he sleeps alot. I think greyhounds are much more active and need more exercise.

Actually, this is a common thought about greyhounds that doesn't really ring true. Greyhounds are the world's fastest couch potatoes. My dogs lay around and sleep 90% of the time. They spend another 8% eating, 1.9% using the bathroom and .1% exercising. Ok, ok, I'm kidding with the stats thing, kind of.

They really aren't more active or require anymore exercise than any other dog. Yes, when they run they run super fast; but those are just quick sprints in the backyard and then it's immediately back to the couch for a snooze.

I do want to add a comment about doggy doors. I would not feel comfortable having a doggy door with greyhounds; as I don't want them outside when I can't see them. For most dogs it's not really an "instant" death sentence if they break out of their fence, however, because greyhounds are sight hounds and seeing something small move in the distance triggers a sprint (squirrel, bird, etc.) depending on how high the prey drive is - it's pretty much thought that a loose greyhound is a dead greyhound. I also know my three would never, ever walk through a doggy door. With having a tramatic past on the track, there are a lot of things that just spook them unlike most dogs.

rn/writer, RN · Jun 12, 2009

Sounds like there is potential for a job that would consist of going to people's homes and taking care of their pets' needs throughout the day/evening. I think a lot of people would be willing to pay $15-20 for a visit that would include feeding, exercise, fussing over, and whatever else could be fit into, say, a 45-min time slot. Someone doing that throughout the day and into the evening could make a decent amount of money for doing something they enjoy and the pets and owners really need.