How is having a dog during nursing school?

MDS3 · Oct 23, 2013

By "out" on Fridays, do you mean outside your house in a yard? Because that is not fair to the dog. I would look into someone stopping by your house and taking the dog to the bathroom.

VampyrSlayer, CNA · Oct 23, 2013

Two walks generally isn't enough and you could come home to a destroyed house or very depressed dog. They are companion animals and it sounds like you don't have tons of time to spend with it. :/

altron2000 · Oct 23, 2013

I unfortunately had to think about that myself and I start the program in January 2014. I've decided to give my dog back to the breeder for safe keeping.

HelloWish, ADN, BSN · Oct 23, 2013

It sounds as if you will be gone most of the time. Pack animals need a pack - and you being gone most of the time may cause behavior problems! I think it would be prudent to wait until you are done with nursing school!

havehope · Oct 23, 2013

I have a four year old yellow lab. Although, I have not started nursing school I will not get rid of him simply because of school, no way. My fiancé now works a Monday-Friday 9-5 job, which has helped. However, before he would stay in the house for twelve plus hours when we both had to work a 12 hour shifts. What did he do when we were gone? I'm assuming sleep. Because, when I would come home you could barley tell I made the bed that morning. My pillows were all in the floor,etc. I have been rather lucky. Out of four years (including puppy stages) he has only chewed up one thing. A pair of Danskos, but that was half my fault for leaving them out. A 4-5 year old should be good, because they are getting a little older. Most people assist on getting puppies. If you wanted a puppy I would get it around May when you first get out for the summer (if you have summers off for school), that way you have 3 solid months to puppy train, etc.

krisiepoo · Oct 23, 2013

Please don't leave your dog outside for 12 hours... that is not a good proposition, find someone to let him out if need be.

Please rethink getting an animal while you're in nursing school. I have 4 dogs but I have a lot of help with neighbors and friends letting them out for me and feeding them on those long days.

As an animal rescuer with a local golden rescue group, I see dogs liek yours coming back in because dogs are pack animals and will not be happy with your schedule. You won't be happy with what happens when you're not home and crating a dog for that amt of time is ridiculous. Do the dog a favor and wait until you've a stable career

RN9742 · Oct 23, 2013

With that kind of schedule, I do not think I would take on a new animal. Even if the animal is well behaved, your time is going to be extremely limited. We already had a dog and cat when I started school, I have children and a husband as well. However the dog was used to me being home more often than not during the day, once school started and no one was here she did start acting out a little. She is a very well behaved dog, but I do feel she is getting the short end of the stick at times. She is a huge part of our family and I would never get rid of her, but because of that just like I have to make it a point to set time aside for my kids, I have to do the same for her. (The cat on the other hand demands attention no matter what I am doing, usually by promptly planting his butt in the middle of my med-Surg book while I am reading.)

HammockBound · Oct 23, 2013

I think you can find help during the week by getting some reliable kids to help..but you have to hire them. Personally, I would wait. I wouldnt want a dog home all day alone.

nlynrob · Oct 23, 2013

I have a boxer and she's been fine and very happy since I started school last fall. There are dog breeds that aren't super active. Not every dog wants to go for runs and be walked three times a day. There's a survey on the animal planet website that asks you questions about how often you'll be able to play with/walk your dog, if you want them to be a runner or couch potato breed, how high maintenance their coat should be ect. And it gives you a list of breeds to match your current ability and available time. Mastiff comes to mind as a pretty lazy breed. Small dogs also don't usually need to be walked long distances and can get a lot of energy out just running around the house. Besides it looks like there's only one a day week that's even a concern. Do a little research and find the right breed for your current lifestyle.

mclennan, BSN, RN · Oct 23, 2013

All dogs need companionship, they are social pack animals and you do NOT have enough time to spend with one. Bonding, playtime, and regular training are very important elements to being a successful owner of a happy dog. It's more than just walks and a yard. They need mental stimulation and active interaction with other beings, every day. Please wait until you have more time or more money to send your dog to daycare or have professional walkers. I also work in rescue, have fostered and owned several rescues of my own and have 2 right now. I have 20+ years experience with this, and your situation, as described, is not a good one for any dog, and you WILL have problems.

When you are ready to provide for a dog, rather than see the dog as providing for YOU, you are ready to take the plunge. Right now you are not. Nursing school is grueling and your attention will be 100% on that. That's not fair to a dog. Puppies are hard work (last one I had, I took a 2 months' leave of absence from work JUST for the puppy), and rescues that are older have a significant adjustment period and may have latent issues that will need to be worked on, resolved and maintained through training and interaction EVERY DAY.

Wait until you are not in a transitional period of life. Please.

Everline · Oct 23, 2013

I adopted a dog in February and started nursing school in May. He is five years old. I think it really depends on the breed and personality of the dog. I was worried about how he would do when I started school but he is just fine. However, I do not ever leave him outside while I am gone. He has an area of the house that is gated off so he can roam a bit and not be confined to a crate. If I am going to be gone more than seven or eight hours, then someone else will come and let him out at lunch time. He has a short walk in the morning before I leave and I take him on a 30 minute walk once a day in the evenings. I have had no problems with him being destructive or anything like that. But again, depends on the breed and personality. Some dogs are high energy and require way more exercise than that.

When I first got my dog he would really lose it (cry, whine, howl) when I left him alone even for a few minutes. I worked hard on making him more confident and secure before I started school and he is quite fine now. But if you are going to get a dog, realize that there will be a time of adjustment.

My dog lounges under my desk while I study. He is a fantastic companion and I'm so glad I have him. There is nothing better than coming home to see him. He jumps for joy and snuggles with me every time I get home. He is the sweetest. But a dog really is a big responsibility. I thought long and hard before I made that commitment and I chose the dog carefully with my lifestyle in mind.