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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?
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 Plus, those long walks are GREAT for decompressing at the end of a long day!
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. 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.)
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.
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 :)
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!
What a sweetheart! Too bad she couldn't go to school/workwith 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.
RedWeasel, RN
428 Posts
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!