I want to adopt a dog from a shelter

AmyRN303, BSN, RN · Mar 29, 2014

Crate training is a great idea. It's very comforting to many dogs to have their own safe place. If there will be someone home at different times during the day for the transition time (which varies depending on the dog), I say go for it. I adopted my bubba while in nursing school and he's transitioned well into our home.

mrsboots87 · Mar 29, 2014

I say go for it. I got my dog before school started and he is 5 years old. He is a great dog. My husband works all day and I am gone most of the day. He has always hated the confinement of crates, but doesn't chew the houe or get into things (except the trash every now and then lol). I really like the comfort of my dog. He goes on walks with us and likes to snuggle my legs while I study, which is oddly comforting and helps me focus. I say go for it. And good idea on a 2-6 year old. Out of the puppy age, but not close to dying yet. I got my dog as a 6 weeker whos mom turned on the litter and killed one before attacking the others. He was a but crazy and hard to train because he was so little. It would be good not to stress over house breaking your dog.

As a side note, its awesome of you to be looking at a shelter dog. There are so many waiting for their new human parents to come love them.

RunBabyRN · Mar 29, 2014

I agree about crate training. We adopted 2 dogs over the course of my time in school (see my avi!). The first, sadly, was too aggressive, and had to be put down over Spring Break, but we adopted the back pup, and she's been great. However, she's terrified of the crate, as she was rescued from being food in Taiwan, where I imagine she was kept in a crate 24/7. We're working on crate training, but for now, she sleeps in a box at night.

Will someone be home with the dog at all? I know you said you live with your parents. I wouldn't think it's fair to keep a dog crated up all day. Can someone let out the dog for an hour here and there throughout the day, at least? My husband works from home, so she's very rarely here without us, and we take her most places with us. I plan to have her run with me when she's old enough (she loves it when we run on the property here). The first dog ran with me quite well.

Dogs are great stress relief (something we surely need in nursing school!), but also require a lot of work to be well trained. As long as you have the time to put in, go for it!

MedicalPartisan · Mar 29, 2014

I'm not a big animal person but since you won't be adopting a puppy and you won't have extended time away all at once, I say why not. I would always advise against puppies and consecutive 12-hour shifts, though.

Hpy_Vly_RNBSN · Mar 29, 2014

My boyfriend and I adopted a dog from a humane society I love her but it's been a little unfair to her with my schedule as a nurse My boyfriend is in the military and we see him on the weekends. Crate training hasn't worked. My dog being a rescue has some pretty severe separation anxiety. Plus I leave for work at 5 am and don't get home till 9pm I would never crate her for that long. So I leave her out with puppy pads and pray she doesn't chew everything in sight. Think long and hard before you get a dog because once you graduate your schedule will change and the dog has to be the one to take the brunt of a 12 hour work day. Plus getting a dog from a shelter while rewarding is always a gamble and a lot of work. Good luck.

alexhecht · Mar 29, 2014

Thanks you guys that was helpful :) I think I am going to go through with it and I will be super careful picking out a dog, thanks for the warning Hpy_Vly_RNBSN

Jenngirl34RN · Mar 30, 2014

I usually leave my dog outside, but I have a big fenced yard and a big covered porch that is protected from the elements. I say go for getting a dog if it will make you happy, as long as you will be able to spend the time to take care of him (or her) the way that he needs- playing, feeding, taking to the vet for checkups/shots, bathing and grooming, etc. You may want to also consider a doggie daycare type thing once a week if you can- that way the dog will get structured play with other dogs while you are at work and he won't get too lonely.

Everline · Mar 30, 2014

I adopted a dog a couple of months before I started nursing school. He was about five years old when we got him. He became very attached to me and we had some separation anxiety issues. I was worried about leaving him alone while I was in school. But I worked with him a lot and everything smoothed out. We confine him to two rooms by using gates when we go to work and school. His crate is in one of the rooms but the door to the crate is open. He naps in there. I can say that I am so happy to have this dog in my life. He is a joy. I say go for it with the understanding that there may be an adjustment period as you are getting to know one another.

tiredRNstudent · Mar 30, 2014

I have 3 dogs all adopted when they were around 3 years old. Two of them started as fosters, but we fell in love. First, good for you for looking for an older shelter dog! They are harder to get adopted because everyone wants a cute little puppy. I'd much rather have an older dog that (usually) comes potty trained. Some people swear by crate training. My dogs are always allowed to roam the house unless there's special circumstances (guests, they're in trouble, etc). Two of them are cuddled up with me right now :)

BusiestBSN · Mar 30, 2014

I also suggest looking into a pet daycare. Maybe once a week on your busiest or longest day, drop your pup off so they get a busy day of play. They will come home exhausted and sleep that night & the whole next day.

This is what I do with my dog & it really wears him out. Totally worth it!

annaotis · Mar 30, 2014

I actually volunteered at one of our local dog shelters for a while. I now have two pups from that shelter- the pluses and dangers of volunteering at a shelter!!! I agree with the above post about getting a dog that is at least two years old, definitely not any younger than that. Hopefully a lot of the "puppy" will be out by then. If you look at smaller shelters, like the one I worked at, they really try to discern the dog's temperament, anxious, energetic, etc so that an potential family will really know the type of dog that they are adopting. Many people adopt because of a particular breed, or because they are cute, or they enjoyed spending a bit of time with them at the shelter. They bring that dog home and have no real understanding of the personality of the dog. They often bring them back to the shelter and it isn't the dog's fault! The dog is being who it is. Please research your potential dog carefully, for your sake and for the dog's sake. I applaude you for wanting a rescue. They are the best and want nothing more than to give and receive love. They are so grateful to have food , and warm bed and a family- you can see it in their eyes. Good shelters will begin to crate train there dogs as soon as they receive them, and will let you know if you are looking at a particular dog, where they are in that training. Just started, midway or fully trained. I suggest with your situation that you pick one that is fully trained. Baby gates are another wonderful option in keeping the dog confined, but not stuck in the crate for hours at a time. My latest was not crate trained, but took to it after about a week of nightly howls and barking. He only goes in at night. During the day, he has abed in the kitchen and is confined there. After almost a year, we are starting to let him have run of the downstairs while we are out. Not one single accident, but a couple of small chew incidents. Two best training things you can do- train it to sit and stay prior to any food or treats and also before going out any door. Use gates to control their environment. It goes along way in the pup learning routine and respect for you. Sorry so long winded, but you can probably tell I have a passion for the pups! Good luck, choose wisely and everyone will greatly benefit!