Shift work and pets.

Sanuk · Oct 12, 2011

I think it can affect their behavior. My dog gets pouty for lack of a better word. When I work several 12's in a row, he becomes distant. Then once I am off he is velcro-dog and I can't go anywhere without him following.

I don't know what you can do to try and let her know everything is "ok" and relieve some of the stress she is probably feeling with your schedule change. Maybe with some more time, she will adapt. I hope your situation improves.

dudette10, MSN, RN · Oct 12, 2011

"Velcro-dog"...I like that term.

Can I also add that she's terribly gassy lately? Dog farts are the absolute worst. I feel so badly for her. :crying2:

canesdukegirl, BSN, RN · Oct 12, 2011

Hey D,

Dogs are absolutely creatures of habit. They tend to freak out when routines are changed. She is probably feeling insecure to the nth degree.

Does she socialize with other dogs? When I had to change my shift a couple of years ago, I knew that my dog would have a hard time acclimating. I took her to "doggie day care" a couple of times a week just so she could socialize, get some nervous energy out and not be alone so much. That decision was worth every single penny I spent!

Remember that dogs are pack animals-they like to be around others. Taking her to the dog park or taking her to doggie day care even once a week would more than likely calm her nerves.

She might be shedding more than normal because we are at the change of season right now. The seasonal change coupled with her nervousness will no doubt produce more shedding than normal.

If you can play with her for about 20 minutes a day-real, hard nosed wrestling (if she enjoys that-mine sure does!), throwing the ball, and having your undivided attention for this short period of time will reassure her that you aren't going anywhere. When I put my dog in puppy school (PetSmart offers a puppy obedience class that was an absolute GODSEND when my girl was a pup), my instructor gave me this tid bit of advice when I was experiencing some changes that would disrupt her routine. It worked.

Kiss her on the nose for me! I love dogs more than I love people. Yeah, I am dead serious. :)

canesdukegirl, BSN, RN · Oct 12, 2011

Oh, I forgot to add one thing:

My instructor also told me that we should never coddle our dogs when they show fear. This was extremely hard for me to digest. Her rationale was that dogs learn behavior from the attention that they get from us. For example, a dog that shows fear when a thunderstorm occurs. Our first instinct is to coddle them and show them more attention than we normally would. Dogs want our attention more than anything, and when we coddle them in times of fear, we are in essence rewarding them for showing fear. I know that it sounds weird...but she told me that if my dog started to show fear, to gently and quickly comfort them, and then ignore them. Oh. My. God. That was SO hard to learn! But when when the "fear stage" passes and they relax, reward them with a treat.

I read a book called "Understanding the Dog Mind" that explained my instructor's rationale. It would be helpful to read it so that you can understand and lead your baby in a way that she will feel safe and confident.

OK, give her two kisses for me!

BostonTerrierLover, BSN, RN · Oct 12, 2011

Going to sound crazy, but NickJR channel entertains our Boston while we are both away daily.

He loves the way they talk funny and enthusiastic! All the sounds they make are a plus too. Funny watching him watch the television like the RCA dog listens to the dialahorn! It sure is nice to come home to a calmer dog, (or dog shaped person!) lol.

Great Luck!!

Birdwatcher1, RN · Oct 12, 2011

Have routine bloodwork including thyroid done. Just like in people, many behavioral problems or changes are related to health issues. A good 'rule-out' to be sure your work schedule changes are the reason for behavioral changes, at very least. (I am a dog show person, with 25 yrs experience breeding/showing...and with a sister who is a veterinarian...I support all dog lovers, including those rescue and those of us who breed responsibly).

ApostolicGirl · Oct 12, 2011

Going to sound crazy, but NickJR channel entertains our Boston while we are both away daily.
He loves the way they talk funny and enthusiastic! All the sounds they make are a plus too. Funny watching him watch the television like the RCA dog listens to the dialahorn! It sure is nice to come home to a calmer dog, (or dog shaped person!) lol.
Great Luck!!

yep! We have a parrot and three dogs... they ALL love Nick Jr!

dudette10, MSN, RN · Oct 12, 2011

Hey D,
Dogs are absolutely creatures of habit. They tend to freak out when routines are changed. She is probably feeling insecure to the nth degree.
Does she socialize with other dogs? When I had to change my shift a couple of years ago, I knew that my dog would have a hard time acclimating. I took her to "doggie day care" a couple of times a week just so she could socialize, get some nervous energy out and not be alone so much. That decision was worth every single penny I spent!
Remember that dogs are pack animals-they like to be around others. Taking her to the dog park or taking her to doggie day care even once a week would more than likely calm her nerves.

Unfortunately, she is scared to death of other dogs unless there is a barrier between them. When she was a puppy, I took her to PetSmart for obedience training, and she hid underneath my chair and other human's chairs. I thought it was just her age, but nope. Any time she sees other dogs, she quivers. She's not even curious about them. I think she thinks she's human.

Oh, I forgot to add one thing:
My instructor also told me that we should never coddle our dogs when they show fear. This was extremely hard for me to digest. Her rationale was that dogs learn behavior from the attention that they get from us. For example, a dog that shows fear when a thunderstorm occurs. Our first instinct is to coddle them and show them more attention than we normally would. Dogs want our attention more than anything, and when we coddle them in times of fear, we are in essence rewarding them for showing fear. I know that it sounds weird...but she told me that if my dog started to show fear, to gently and quickly comfort them, and then ignore them. Oh. My. God. That was SO hard to learn! But when when the "fear stage" passes and they relax, reward them with a treat.
I read a book called "Understanding the Dog Mind" that explained my instructor's rationale. It would be helpful to read it so that you can understand and lead your baby in a way that she will feel safe and confident.
OK, give her two kisses for me!

Yeah, mine is afraid of thunderstorms and fireworks. And rain. If I told you her breed, you would be like, "WHAT?!" I've never heard of the no-coddling thing, but I think it's too late now. She's 7 years old and has always received coddling from me when she's scared. You're right...it's hard to NOT do it. Maybe I'm using her age as an excuse to avoid the heartbreak of not giving her a lot of lovin' when she's scared.

Have routine bloodwork including thyroid done. Just like in people, many behavioral problems or changes are related to health issues. A good 'rule-out' to be sure your work schedule changes are the reason for behavioral changes, at very least. (I am a dog show person, with 25 yrs experience breeding/showing...and with a sister who is a veterinarian...I support all dog lovers, including those rescue and those of us who breed responsibly).

Good idea. She is getting older, although she sometimes thinks she's a human-baby.

I take her once a year for her shots, but I've never really broached the subject of treating her for nervousness or behavioral changes.

nerdtonurse?, BSN, RN · Oct 12, 2011

We're a mixed household (cats and 1 dog), and I know when I went from working days to working nights, the cats about had a nervous breakdown. One cat got very territorial, to the point where the other cats don't come in the bedroom, that's HIS room. If I'm in the living room or den, then I "belong" to the other cats, and the bedroom cat doesn't enter the room. It's like they all had a sitdown one night when I was at work and worked out a custody agreement....the dog doesn't seem to care one way or the other, as long as food and treats are supplied....

nurse2033, MSN, RN · Oct 12, 2011

Can't help you, I have a tarantula, only need to feed it every week or so, doesn't go for walks, and does not need to be petted.

ktliz · Oct 12, 2011

This might sound totally crazy, considering you just started a new job, but.... assuming your family is supportive, have you considered getting another dog?

As much as we'd like to, we can't be there 24/7 for our pets, so I'm a firm believer in providing them with the companionship of other animals. The caveat to this is that it can be difficult to find the perfect personality to mesh with your current pet, and there is always an adjustment period (especially since your dog is so timid.) But, I think it would be well worth it in the end!