Rotating shifts and a dog?

justme1972 · Jul 7, 2008

I have a dog and when he's gone, that is the end of the dogs, until my children get old enough to help out.

A dog is like a child...something that you always have to consider whenever you make plans.

Going shopping all day and having to cut it short because you "have to take the dog out" or having to decline working overtime because you "have to take the dog out."

Yes, you can get a fenced in back yard...but you always have to worry about someone stealing the dog, especially if it's a pure-bred dog.

I love animals with all my heart, grew up with them my whole life, and there is nothing like something fuzzy crawling up in your lap when you've had a bad day....trust me, I know.

987! · Jul 7, 2008

Hi,

I am considering nursing so I am always on the website. I JUST dog a puppy on Saturday. I never in my life thought getting a puppy would be so difficult. He has been crying ALL night unless I take him out of his crate and hold him. When I leave him in his crate and wlk out the room he cries and barks. IF you live in a house where there are no tenants then maybe it will be easier for you because I am nervous my tenants may start complaining. Please remember this pup will keep you up at first if you are ot playing with him (eg sleeping) - I came to work tofay, my eyes are half open, I am exhausted, and full of anxiety because I heope he isnt home screaming! I hope I dont have to give him back -- my advice is if you do get a dog a puppy may not be the best idea - maybe an older dog.

nebrgirl · Jul 7, 2008

I have a dog. He's older (12 years) since I started working two part time jobs and going to school. On one hand it's not easy. I come home some mornings after a 12 hour shift and want to do nothing more than go to sleep, but noooooooooooo I have to take the dog for a good walk first. And some nights when I leave he looks at me like "where the *ell are you going?" But when I adopted him the guy at the shelter told me "If your daily about him getting his exercise he'll be more than content to lay around the rest of the day and be a good companion." So yes Jesse is work, but I love him and he's worth it!

dusky1228 · Jul 7, 2008

I work in an ICU and we rotate shifts. I work 3 weeks of day shifts then 3 weeks of nights. I really would like to get a dog but I am not sure if it would work with rotating. Does anyone have a dog and rotate or know anyone who does? Thanks!

My hours are very erratic! I am on call, getting called out in the middle of the night, work long hours some days, shorter hours on other days. There is no rhyme or reason to my hours. :) I have a small dog (5 lbs) who is now 4 1/2 years old. Prior to that, I had a slightly bigger dog (18 lbs). Both of my dog were litter-trained, which resolved the biggest concern I had about my hours. My bigger dog was impossible to crate train-like yours, he cried incessantly in the crate, yet was quiet as a mouse outside of it. So with him, I gated him in the tiled kitchen when I was gone, with a TV on, and a microwaved heat pack (he loved heating pads, but this was a safe alternative). I left him for longer and longer periods, and he did well.

My current one is a real pro. I could not have created a better dog if I tried. He's quiet, non-destructive, uses the litter box and is just a cuddlebunny in general. He's only truly happy when I am home though. I have a friend who lives in the same apartment complex who has a small dog, so I often bring him there for the day, especially when I have to work long hours-so he attends "doggy daycare". I also have a local dogsitter-a licensed/bonded dog sitter who I can call to come in, check on him, walk him, play with him or whatever, and I use her when my dog may not be feeling well and I don't want to leave him for a long period without checking on him.

For me, the benefits far outweigh the "bad", but you have to look at what you are willing to do.

Rotating shifts actually seems to be a minor problem. Dogs adjust well if you give them the time and attention consistently, and that is very possible with rotating shifts. The suggestion for getting an older dog might be a good idea though-then hopefully they would be housetrained.

Good luck!

NurseWannabe1129 · Jul 7, 2008

Dogs take a lot of effort.

If you want a loving pet, I'd go for a cat instead. Give them a litter box, a toy, put some food and water in a dish and they are good to go for the day. Not to mention, they don't take up the whole bed like a dog would and they make for great snuggling buddies!!!

Oh.. And if the cat is going to be home alone for bouts of time, two would be even better. They are not too much to take care of. Just changing the litter every three days or so!

flightnurse2b, LPN · Jul 7, 2008

i would recommend adopting an already potty trained adult dog. a puppy requires alot of training and attention and its hard to do that when you are rotating shifts.

i just adopted a homeless kitten, shes 7 wks, and although she does her business in the litter pan, she still is just a baby and requires lots of attention! she wakes me up to play at like 4am, cries when i leave for work, has occasional tinkle accidents and gets into EVERYTHING!

but i would recommend a kitty over a puppy if you are concerned about leaving your pet home alone, cause cats are much more independant.

good luck! check your local SPCA and see if they have a pet they can adopt to you that they think will fit your schedule, they are usually good at letting you know which pets need more attention and training, etc. and will place you with a pet that is perfect for your home.

RN1989 · Jul 7, 2008

Whether your dog has a naturally great personality or not, every dog needs to have training. As a dog training instructor and wife of a vet (in addition to nursing) I see several of the posts that concern me.

Please take your dog to dog school and learn how to train them. Crate training is extremely important for the safety and well being of a dog. It will also go a long way in keeping him alive. Many people euthanize dogs that have inappropriate elimination or other issues such as barking and disturbing neighbors, when it is actually the owner's fault for the behavior and crate training would have averted the disaster to start with.

For people who cannot give a dog the daily walks that it needs that will assist your dog to become a well behaved member of the family, consider a cat or something that does not require you to go outside.

Cats too need more care than people people think. Not everyone is lucky enough to get a cat that will tolerate other animals, children, spouses, etc. There are trainers that specialize in cat training as well.

If you can't take the time, don't get an animal. They require more than you might think. It kills me every time someone comes and asks my husband to kill their animal because it peed on the bed, yells when they are gone, ate the couch, bit a child that was sticking his hand in the dog's food dish, scratched up the table etc. My husband treats clients much nicer than I would when explaining why he won't kill these animals.

Nearly all animal behavior problems are the result of human's inability to understand animal behavior and inadvertently reinforcing the wrong animal behaviors while expecting them to live in our world.

Don't forget - animals can't use condoms. Help them out, spay and neuter!

Thornbird · Jul 7, 2008

I work different shifts and so does my husband. Our dogs, who are well trained adults adapt fine to this. They are happy as long as they are getting their needs met. I like having more than one because they do keep each other company when we're not home. I had an older dog who died and the other dog did get lonely without his companion and was much more needy when I got home. I found him a nice friend at the shelter and he did much better. I love coming home to the greeting of my loving companions. True, I am sometimes tired and it's not so much fun for me to exercise them and play with them. But, they sooo appreciate it.

I think a lot depends on how well you adapt to rotating shifts. If you're going to get too tired, a dog may not be your best bet. Dogs who don't get enough exercise and play time will develop behavior issues as stated above. I have a lab and a medium size mix (maybe Australian Cattle Dog). They are energetic working breeds and perhaps need more active playtime than smaller breeds. But then they are content to curl up and sleep when I do. Word opf caution on breeds, a lot of people get labs as pets thinking they are low energy dogs. Not so! And they do get destructive if ignored. They are very people oriented pets and don't like being "outside" dogs and being big dogs I don't think it's fair to crate them for long periods. I have adopted a few over the years from shleters where you find many of them because people didn't understand their temperament.

If you get a dog, don't be impulsive. Research breeds and find what dog will suit your lifestyle best. Even mixed breeds generally have some predominant breed that you can go by. Consider an adult dog as puppies are babies and can't be left alone for long. Even an adult dog will probably need training since there is often some negative about the dog that is causing it to be homeless. This is not usually the dog's fault and can be rectified with good training. I would not want to be without my dogs and they are adaptable. But, they are family members and a big responsibility.

Good Luck!

To anyone who thinks kids are any help with pets, forget it! The pets are the adult's responsibility. Kids never seem to want to play when the dog does. People who think that having a pet will "teach the kids responsibility" end up very disappointed all the way around.

Jules A, MSN · Jul 7, 2008

I hope I dont have to give him back -- my advice is if you do get a dog a puppy may not be the best idea - maybe an older dog.

Please do some research on how to train your new puppy. Whoever you got him from really should have helped you with this, sigh. Taking him out of the crate when he cries only reinforces that if he cries long enough you will take him out and hold him. I know how heartbreaking it is to listen to them cry but it is part of their learning and growning up process.

If you think there is any chance you are not going to give this puppy a forever home I would urge you to return him now rather than wait until he is no longer little/cute and ends up joining the many wonderful dogs that are put to sleep every day.

Jules A, MSN · Jul 7, 2008

Whether your dog has a naturally great personality or not, every dog needs to have training. As a dog training instructor and wife of a vet (in addition to nursing) I see several of the posts that concern me.
Please take your dog to dog school and learn how to train them. Crate training is extremely important for the safety and well being of a dog. It will also go a long way in keeping him alive. Many people euthanize dogs that have inappropriate elimination or other issues such as barking and disturbing neighbors, when it is actually the owner's fault for the behavior and crate training would have averted the disaster to start with.
For people who cannot give a dog the daily walks that it needs that will assist your dog to become a well behaved member of the family, consider a cat or something that does not require you to go outside.
Cats too need more care than people people think. Not everyone is lucky enough to get a cat that will tolerate other animals, children, spouses, etc. There are trainers that specialize in cat training as well.
If you can't take the time, don't get an animal. They require more than you might think. It kills me every time someone comes and asks my husband to kill their animal because it peed on the bed, yells when they are gone, ate the couch, bit a child that was sticking his hand in the dog's food dish, scratched up the table etc. My husband treats clients much nicer than I would when explaining why he won't kill these animals.
Nearly all animal behavior problems are the result of human's inability to understand animal behavior and inadvertently reinforcing the wrong animal behaviors while expecting them to live in our world.
Don't forget - animals can't use condoms. Help them out, spay and neuter!

Bless you RN1989!!

P.S. In response to another post: please people clean your cat boxes daily letting them go a few days will only increase the chances of inappropriate elimination.

RN1989 · Jul 7, 2008

Oh yes, I forgot....Look into PET INSURANCE! It is cheap compared to the cost of an emergency or unplanned health problem.

So many animals are euthanized because people can't afford emergency treatment. And other animals live lesser quality lives because their families couldn't afford the best treatments.

If you think you can't afford pet health insurance, take stock of your soda, coffee, candy, magazine, book habits. Cutting back or out these frivolous things will pay for your pet health insurance coverage. In return, you get the love of your favorite furball and the assurance that you can work with your vet to provide great care.

Pet health insurance: saves time - no need to agonize over how to pay for treatment; saves money and helps pay those unexpected and expected vet bills; saves guilt - you won't feel guilty that you couldn't give your pet what he needed; SAVES YOUR PETS LIFE!