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

Nurses General Nursing

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I am a GN and will be working soon. I plan on my two greyhounds :redbeathe going to a kennel, during my second of three 7a-7p, but they don't open till 8a, and I have to be at work by 7a. My friends and family all are getting themselves to work at this hour and can't assist transport. Wondering if any of you have run into this situation and found a solution. I know there are house pet sitters out there, but I don't really want anyone that isn't a trusted friend or family member in my home. Only thing I have conjured up is putting them in the backyard at 6:15 when I leave, give someone I hire the combination to my gate lock, and have them transport them to the kennel, and maybe deposit them back in the yard that evening, as the kennel closes at 6p. Any other brilliant suggestion??? Please!!! Thank you in advance :bowingpur

I know how you feel about people coming into your house - I'd be the same. But if you were comfortable with it, you could also see if anyone from your local pet hospital would consider coming over to your house during the day to take them for a walk, during their lunch hour or something. I work part time at a vet clinic and us girls often do things like that for our clients. Because we have a professional relationship with the client we would never do anything to ruin that trust. Just an idea :)

I agree with mrcstudent. Call your vet. I have 6 chihuahuas and that is how I found my petsitter. She is AWESOME!!! Comes to my house and I don't have to stress the dogs taking them to a kennel. The price was very reasonable. She charges a set amount per visit. Your vet should be able to either have a staff member come out, like mrcstudent, or have a recommendation for a reputable petsitter.

Good luck!

Specializes in NICU.

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.

Specializes in Emergency Only.

Probly should just get a roomate. No charge, and they pay half of your bills.

Specializes in ED, Flight.

Most times, my wife is home and so the dogs are untended for only an hour or two between her leaving for work in the morning and me arriving home.

You're working daytime shifts. The dogs can't stay in the yard? Ours do, when needed. Other than some digging, there haven't been any great problems.

Big Labrador, big sled-dog in the yard, the Border Collie likes to stay inside; even for 13 hours.

we have a fenced in yard with a doggie door and locks on the gates. we have signs on the fence with our emergency phone numbers-hubby's and my cell numbers.

we have a great pet sitter who does extra care for us when we're on vacation, and she also has taken one or two of ours to the vet for an appointment in an emergency when we just couldn't do ourselves.

pet sitters can be great if you don't feel comfortable leaving them with a doggie door and locked fenced yard. you just have to interview them just like you would a babysitter, reputable ones are insured and bonded and provide references. i don't know how much it means but ours is registered or certified (whatever) with the national association of professional petsitters. ours keeps keys to our gates and home, she has had them for over 6 years. we've never had any problems. just remember if you don't like the first one you interview, try another. as well have the dogs interview the sitter, if they don't like the sitter interview another one.

Specializes in Emergency Only.
Most time's...The dogs can't stay in the yard? Ours do, when needed. Other than some digging, there haven't been any great problems.

Big Labrador, big sled-dog in the yard, the Border Collie likes to stay inside; even for 13 hours.

Americian White Shepherd would be nice to Breed, wouldn,t it?

FriZZBBBEE------

He WILL Catch it

Specializes in Emergency Only.
Most times, my wife is home and so the dogs are untended for only an hour or two between her leaving for work in the morning and me arriving home.

You're working daytime shifts. The dogs can't stay in the yard? Ours do, when needed. Other than some digging, there haven't been any great problems.

Big Labrador, big sled-dog in the yard, the Border Collie likes to stay inside; even for 13 hours.

DiiGGing Yes1

vERY c OMMON...

g'zzzzZZzzZ

Safety 1st!!!

Right???

Mine stays home in his crate but I work nights and my s.o. works days/evenings (not healthcare). We don't have a fenced yard but it wouldn't be appropriate for him to be outside without us anyway as he's small enough that hawks would deem him tasty.

Why are you uncomfy leaving them? If it's bathroom issues, have you considered a doggie door? If it's socialization, I'd also suggest a dog walker or sitter. If it's destructive boredom while you are away, I'd suggest a walk and maybe some training before you leave in the morning and frozen kongs! KongTime is a really cool dispenser that will release toys on a timer so there's something "new" for them to play with even while you are away.

I also think hiring someone to transport them from your yard and back would work if that's what you are most comfortable with.

Somedays I am gone 14 hours because of work and school but I use a doogie door. I have a fenced in yard and it works great. However, she loves to bring the backyard inside the house. I have to sweep up dirt daily from the huge crater she likes to dig in the yard or the mud she tracks in on a rainy day. She loves water!

I am also considering get someone to walk her during the day. So she won't get so bored, maybe that will help with the digging.

Specializes in Home Health, Hospice and Med/Surg.

I have greyhounds. I don't suggest leaving them outdoors. Greyhounds don't have much body fat, so any temperature under 40 degrees requires a coat. Any extremely warm temps lead to overheating. They also are huge diggers (at least my three are) so being outdoors for any extended periods of time leads to giant, and I mean GIANT, holes in the backyard. They are also sight hounds which makes for a very dangerous situation if any escape happens.

As with nearly all greyhounds, we got them from a rescue group. We signed a contract stating our dogs would not be left unattended in a yard for extended periods of time (everyday during daytime hours, all night long, living in the yard, etc.).

I think the best solution would be to speak to someone at your vet that might be willing to come by your house for a "break time". This would also eliminate the risk of someone that is unfamiliar with greyhounds attempting to transport them (increasing the risk of one getting away from a handler). As you know, as a fellow greyhound "mom" they are very quick when they make their escape and can quickly fall in harms way - much more than say if one dropped the leash of a lab or golden.

Good luck!

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