Owning a dog while in nursing school- really stressed out!

Double-Helix, BSN, RN · Mar 19, 2016

To me, deciding to have a pet means committing to making sure the animal is well taken care of. Dogs may pee in the house for several reasons- physiologic inability to hold urine, anxiety/stress, lack of proper training or marking territory are a few. I would suggest discussing this issue with your dog's veterinarian to determine what might be causing the issue and what may be done for it.

One of the things a dog needs is regular socialization and exercise. Doggy day care or a dog walker is a good way to limit accidents in the house while ensuring your dog isn't as anxious or lonely and has a chance to work out some energy during the day. Puppy pads may encourage the dog to pee in a contained area and crate training may be beneficial.

Ultimately, you have to decide if you can really give this dog the life he deserves while in nursing school. 12 hour shifts can equate to 14 hours out of the house. Many dogs cannot physiologically be expected to hold urine for that long, and others become stressed or anxious. Properly caring for this dog will mean sacrificing financially to pay a walker or sitter. If you're unable to do this, rehoming your dog may be the best thing you can do for him.

joytotheworld21 · Mar 19, 2016

Thanks so much for your thoughts!! I definitely will have a dog walker for sure if he does live with me, that wouldn't be a problem to get access too. I just feel so bad because he has anxiety, otherwise he is awesome and is well excercised. And I did talk to my vet about it! He got blood tests done and everything came back fine! He's just a frequent pee-er lol

sadiemae1123 · Mar 19, 2016

Have you tried crate training? He would be less likely to pee if he has to stay in the crate with it. A crate also has a den-like quality that may make him feel less anxious when you're away.

Start by introducing it slowly. Make the crate cozy and offer a special treat he doesn't get any other time. Start with leaving him for just a few minutes and gradually build up to longer stays. Putting an old t shirt with your scent on it in the crate can also help make it more inviting.

Long walks and a play session before you leave would also probably help, along with a dog walker on days you'll be gone for a long time.

You could also offer to trade out dog walking or dog sitting services with another student who is on a different clinical rotation. You and the other student could also combine doggie play dates with study sessions to help socialize him better while getting your studying done.

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Mar 19, 2016

This thread has been moved to our General Nursing Student forum with the goal of being viewed by current nursing students who might be the owners of dogs.

CrunchRN, ADN, RN · Mar 19, 2016

Kennel training and am and pm exercise.

FatsWaller, BSN, RN · Mar 20, 2016

What is going to happen when your an actual nurse? Right now its clinicals but when you start working, you'll be doing 3-4 days a week at more than 13 hours a day. The roommate I have right now also has a dog, and I think it's really unfair. The dog never gets to go outside and has to hold urine for 14 hours a day, it's wrong. She's a young girl who is single and just wanted a dog, but when you're in this stage of your life, I feel a responsibility like a dog is a bad idea. I understand you already have the dog and love it, so it's a little late, but you're going to have to get a dog walker or someone to come and let it out and play with it.

ThatOneDude822 · Mar 21, 2016

I think, first and foremost, you HAVE to set aside some time to spend with your dog when you are home. When you get home from clinical, play ball or something with your dog for an hour or so. On your days off from clinical, take your dog for walks. It's doable. If people can take care of their human children, I don't think it's impossible to take care of a dog :)

As far as the "potty" issue, have you tried potty pads? They're basically like chux for dogs. That way your dog doesn't have to wear a wet diaper all day, and you don't have to worry about your personal belongings getting urinated on. Some people (and stay with me here) also train their dogs to use a litter box while in the house. I think either way you go, you will have some training to do, and there will almost definitely be an adjustment period, but you just have to stay on top of it and I think it will pan out. If push comes to shove, do you have someone who could stop by your apartment to let the dog out when you have clinical? Family? Friend? Neighbor? Hire a dog walker to do it?

Will you cage your dog when you leave, or will he get to run around the house? If you cage him, consider getting a large collapsable cage. They are about 5 feet long, by 4 feet wide, and probably about 3 feet tall. Even if you just use it on clinical days, it folds down small enough to slide under your bed (and it takes

Then of course the basics - food, water, toys, source of natural light (open blinds), a nightlight/lamp on a timer if you're going to be gone past dark. You can turn on the radio to a talk show station so your dog can hear human voices throughout the day (this supposedly reduces separation anxiety, but I haven't actually seen/read any actual literature on it, so I'm not sure).

Hopefully these tips help. They're just a combination of things used by a few nurses I know.