Getting a puppy and working 12 hour shifts?

Ruby Vee, BSN · Mar 23, 2017

Hwills94 said:
I work 12 hour night shifts 3 days a week, and I am going to look at a 2 month old German Shepherd in a few days. I live in a apartment (has a huge dog park) and currently have a two year old yorkie who went through me working 12 hours and he turned out fine, but they were day shifts. I've been wanting a big dog for some time and won't be starting up school for quite a few months so I feel like maybe getting a puppy now and training him would be easier since I won't be in school. My boyfriend said he will help take the pup out but thinks it's a bad idea because I won't be home at night and they are 12 hour shifts.. I'll always work the 12 hour shifts so it kind of makes me feel like I'll never be able get a dog on a nurses scedule... I was just looking for any advice on anyone who has done the night shift schedule and had a puppy.

Been there; done that and lived to tell the tale, although there were times when I doubted that one particular puppy would live through the experience. She turned out fine, too. Puppies have small bladders and little control, so there will be messes. And teething is a joy -- perhaps particularly so because I've had retrievers and they're "mouthy" anyway. (You haven't lived until your dog escapes your yard and brings home a used condom.) People will tell you not to do it, but I've always had dogs. If you sleep during the day, so will they. (And sleep all night with your boyfriend, too.) Training is key. Our current dog doesn't like precipitation, and won't go outside in it. He can hold it for at least 48 hours. We open the back door so he can go out in the yard, and if it's raining, he runs and hides. So 12 hours isn't the problem a lot of people make it out to be.

Been there,done that, ASN, RN · Mar 23, 2017

Your dog doesn't know if you are gone for 12 hours during the day or, during the night. Most dogs can hold it for the time you are gone. The bigger issue is, a German Shepherd will still need at least 15 minutes of exercise each and every day.. are you up for that on the days you work?

Been there,done that, ASN, RN · Mar 23, 2017

Ruby Vee said:
Been there; done that and lived to tell the tale, although there were times when I doubted that one particular puppy would live through the experience. She turned out fine, too. Puppies have small bladders and little control, so there will be messes. And teething is a joy -- perhaps particularly so because I've had retrievers and they're "mouthy" anyway. (You haven't lived until your dog escapes your yard and brings home a used condom.) People will tell you not to do it, but I've always had dogs. If you sleep during the day, so will they. (And sleep all night with your boyfriend, too.) Training is key. Our current dog doesn't like precipitation, and won't go outside in it. He can hold it for at least 48 hours. We open the back door so he can go out in the yard, and if it's raining, he runs and hides. So 12 hours isn't the problem a lot of people make it out to be.

"Been there; done that and lived to tell the tale" Thought you were talking to me for a minute :).

Wouldn't that be lived to tell the tail?

Quota, BSN, RN · Mar 23, 2017

How willing is your boyfriend to work on house training? Puppies don't have full control over their bladders until around 6 months old so they need to be taken out every few hours if you want them to learn NOT to poop/pee in the house. The more they potty in the house because no one took them outside the harder it's going to be to house train because that becomes their normal. If he's fully on board and willing to do what needs to be done go for it. If not I'd suggest looking into getting a young adult who is already house broken. 12 hours plus commuting time isn't ideal but it's do able for an adult dog in good health. Puppies, not so much.

Sour Lemon · Mar 23, 2017

Apartments are not long-term housing for most people and boyfriends are not always long-tern, either.

What will happen when you need to move and have difficulty finding a place that accepts large dogs? What will happen if you and your boyfriend separate? Is going back to school a possibility? Could you end up being away from home even more?

I have a younger co-worker who recently put up a picture of her large dog on social media saying that she "couldn't keep her". The dog is not even two years old ...makes me sad and angry. I love animals, but I think that people need to really think before taking them into their homes. Too many do not.

amoLucia · Mar 23, 2017

I'm not clear - do you and BF live together? Because if not, and you go to work, your puppy will be all alone. And LONELY. No human interaction.

Your neighbors and management prob will have issues with a dog that might be crying during the night. Even if BF manages to stop by to let the dog out, 'alone time' can be stressful.

And then there's the issue if the new puppy and your other dog will get along without supervision.

Disregard my post if there's the 2 of you together. But you DID comment that BF already has reservations! That does not bode well for a new puppy in the 'needy' phase.

Good luck.

amzyRN · Mar 23, 2017

Have you considered doggie daycare? That's what I'd do if I were going to get a dog, especially a puppy that would benefit with socialization and training. It's expensive but worth it.

amoLucia · Mar 23, 2017

OP - there have been other posts here on AN re folk wanting to take on new pets. Comments were varied but good suggestions were offered.

notanumber · Mar 23, 2017

First thing, you need to take time off to get puppy settled in. A month is ideal. This will allow you to get potty training and basic OB/manners a good foundation. You need to establish a routine and figure out what changes you need to make to your lifestyle to allow a high energy dog to live happily with you (and vice versa). It *is* doable, but I would only recommend it for people already experienced with this breed and puppy raising. It is a ton of work to do it right. And when you go back to work, you either need a very supportive network to help care for pup when you're at work, or have the funds to hire a walker/sitter to make sure he gets a good solid break or two to potty and play during your shift. You will also need a small puppy proof area set up overnight because there *will* be accidents. You cannot expect a young puppy to hold it for 8 hrs. You also will need to make time every day to train and play. If any of this is stuff you haven't considered before, I would hold off and talk to experienced breeders (responsible) and get more advice.

BSN16 · Mar 23, 2017

I have recent experience getting a new puppy and working 12's....honestly it has been miserable. Especially working night shift. I have a live-in-boyfriend who is also a nurse, but it was still a huge burden on us. Our dog was also a large active breed and it took a lot of work to provide him with the exercise he needs in the cold climate we have.

As far as potty training...this was also hard. We kennel him and i once left him 8 hours while i was at a class for work and i came back and he was soiled from head to toe in his kennel :banghead:

Another commenter suggested doggie daycare....which we use a lot and has really helped alleviate some of the stress it caused us but it gets expensive after a while

with that being said i dont think i could ever get another puppy. Yeah he was super cute and adorable and turned out to be a great dog (Now almost a year!). But i feel guilty that i didnt spend as much time with him as i should have and neglected him a lot.

Kkoroschetz · Mar 24, 2017

Currently have a Lab Puppy and away from my house 15 hours a day, due to my commute. Hiring a dog sitter to come twice a day and take him out to pee and play for 30 min has been amazing help! It also only cost about $20 a day! Check out rover.com or care.com!