Night Shift and Dogs

[bluehealer]

I am a new grad who has been oriented to days and I am beginning night shift soon. My preferred shift! Yay.

my dog has been staying with my mom while I was on days. I felt it too long for him to be alone during the day. My dog is used to me working 11-7a as a cna. I'm sure he will do fine, so please no comments on how i shouldn't have a dog etc. he sleeps all night long and I know he will be ok.

im just looking for tips and advice!

Thanks

[meanmaryjean, DNP, RN]

Tips and advice about what?

[elkpark]

Yes, you state that your dog is accustomed to you working night shift as a CNA, but you're asking for "tips and advice"? Tips and advice on what??

[sallyrnrrt, ADN, RN]

I would crate train him.....he goes in crate when you go to work, but only if he is 4-6 months old ( able to hold bladder etc....the walk him when you get home....

[Cat365]

My dogs were fine once they were adults. I would potty and walk before work then again after work. Depending on weather I would turn them loose in the backyard while I slept. If it was raining (or I didn't have a fence) I would play an intense game of fetch, feed them breakfast, and they would curl up with me while I slept. With my one year old hyperactive lab we would bike instead of walk. (Well I biked, she ran). I would run into problems if I worked more than 2 12 hour shifts in a row though. I finally changed my work schedule so that wouldn't happen. In an ideal world I would like to build a kennel in my garage and put in a doggy door do she could take herself outside to potty at night when I'm working.

[Flames9_RN, BSN, RN, EMT-B]

When I worked nights (wife had a normal 8-5 job) I would walk them when i got home form work...fed them..then went to sleep....work up...walked dogs..fed them...chilled....went to work....they did very well.....but each dog is different.....1 could get a dog walker to come in, but that would prob interrupt ur sleep.