Having a dog during nursing school

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I am applying to nursing school currently. I can't imagine not having my lovely dog with me wherever I end up going. She is three years old, house trained, and pretty mellow....although she LOVES long walks.

Some clinicals may be 12 hours and there is a good chance that I'll end up working 12 hours shifts.

How do your dogs handle being alone for so long?

Specializes in RN CRRN.
You need to crate that dog! For his own safety. Not to mention lawsuits if he gets in any trouble when he's out.

To the OP, I agree - hire a dog walker. It could even be a responsible neighborhood kid to come and take him out for a short walk. (talk to the parents too, of course)

Or you could get a latch attached to the top of the door. Makes sense. Don't let your dog get hurt please! I don't want to be the one to hit him while driving because you didn't protect him. I couldn't live with that!

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Specializes in I/DD.
I just thought of an idea that may work for my dog. We used to crate him until he figured out how to unlock his crate, so we used a pad lock with a key, but he managed to loosen the sides and metal clips, that hold the sides together, to escape. We could use a pad lock on all corners of the crate. There's no way he would escape then.

Thanks for the advice.

haha...I'm amused...

But in all seriousness. I have a dog and I work 12 hour shifts. I didn't have him while I was in school because I still lived with my parents, but I probably could have done it. Just make sure that you get someone to let him out in the middle of your long clinicals. I don't like mine to go >8 hours without getting outside to pee, but he has gone a grand total of 14 hours alone in the house without being checked on (extenuating circumstances). He didn't make a mess but was a little neurotic :uhoh3: Plus, those long walks are GREAT for decompressing at the end of a long day!

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Specializes in Operating Room.
I just thought of an idea that may work for my dog. We used to crate him until he figured out how to unlock his crate, so we used a pad lock with a key, but he managed to loosen the sides and metal clips, that hold the sides together, to escape. We could use a pad lock on all corners of the crate. There's no way he would escape then.

Thanks for the advice.

Is your dog just a genius or what? Between this and how he can unlock the door and gain access to the doggie door to let himself out. :eek: You need to record him for a day. I wonder if he acts out because he doesn't have enough stimulation during the day. (I've watched too much Dog Whisperer.)

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I have a dog too. I take her for a walk in the morning before clinical and a long walk afterwards. My family let's her out once during the day. If I didn't have my family, I would hire a dog walker. I have had a dog walker in the past and it worked out great. It was not too expensive and well worth it to me and my dog.

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Thank you for all your advice. A dog walker seems to be the best solution for me. I wish i could have my parents look over the dog but they work full time too. Daycare is more expensive than a walker....

Sooo...i entered my pooch in a costume contest. If you can vote for her @ http://wildfireapp.com/website/6/contests/159250/voteable_entries/35081124

I would appreciate it so much! You can vote once a day until thursday :)

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What a sweetheart! Too bad she couldn't go to school/work

with you as a therapy dog assistant. Would brighten a patients day

to have your dog visit!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Glad you will have a dog walker, in addition to a walk an the necessary

br stop, it will be some company until you get home.

My vote is in for Nurse T!

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What a sweetheart! Too bad she couldn't go to school/work

with you as a therapy dog assistant. Would brighten a patients day

to have your dog visit!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Glad you will have a dog walker, in addition to a walk an the necessary

br stop, it will be some company until you get home.

My vote is in for Nurse T!

Thank you! And I wish she can be a therapy dog assistant but she is very shy and timid. I dont' know too much about her past owners but she was in bad shape emotionally and physically when I adopted her 4 months ago. Now she's doing great but still very afraid infront of strangers and especially men. So my dog walker will have to be a female for sure.

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