Work and pets?

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Hello Angels!

so I'm thinking of getting a dog (preferably something the size of a German Shepard.... Maybe something smaller if nessisary).

The thing is I've never had dog before and I was wondering how you guys manage with full time jobs (I'll switch to less hours if I have to!) and other responsibilities?

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Specializes in Acute Care, Rehab, Palliative.

Mine is fine at home while I work. I just have to let her out as soon as I get home. I have 2 cats as well. Needless to say they just sleep.

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Dogs sleep most of the day. Just get him/her something to keep them active in your absence (i.e. chew toys, balls, ropes, squeakers, etc.) You can also put him/her in doggie daycare. I have a nurse friend that does that (she works overnight).

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Specializes in Critical Care, Med-Surg, Psych, Geri, LTC, Tele,.
Hello Angels!

so I'm thinking of getting a dog (preferably something the size of a German Shepard.... Maybe something smaller if nessisary).

The thing is I've never had dog before and I was wondering how you guys manage with full time jobs (I'll switch to less hours if I have to!) and other responsibilities?

Get a German shepherd! Ok. I should preface that with get a GSD if you really want one and know what having one entails. I grew up with them and they are amazing and intelligent animals!

You mentioned getting a smaller animal. Perhaps you live in a small home, as I do.

They shed like crazy! Big black tufts of hair on my patio and near her crate. (She's crated at night and when I'm not at home)

They are smart! So they can open crate doors and do lots of weird stuff.

I attend school full time and I taught my doggie to adjust. She knows where/when to poop.

I take her on walks to release pent up Energy.

I spent a bit of time researching doggie training before I decided to get one and I still spend time researching. I use websites (LEERBURG AND Ceasar Milan), the advice of local trainers, my friends who are dog experts, etc.

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I have 2 dogs. I give them a GOOD walk before work and when I get home they get a basic walk. They empty their cans and they do well.

Shepard are very smart dogs. My neighbors shepherd showed my larger dog how to open doors.

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I would not get a big dog that needs lots of exercise if you work full time and there is no one at home to serve as trainer, walker, and companion. Puppyhood is a critical time where you need to be there a lot to house train your pup. Dogs are also pack animals, needing and craving companionship.

I think if you are wanting a pet and you work a lot of hours with no one else at home, your best bet is a couple of kittens. I love dogs, but they require a lot of time and attention, especially when they are puppies. Staying home alone all day being unstimulated and lonely can lead to unhappy, bored, and destructive dogs. JMO.

If you truly can work less hours in order to devote time to a dog, I guess that's a different story, but think really hard about this. I know people who leave their dogs alone all day all the time, and that just doesn't seem very fair to an animal that really needs attention, training, companionship, and exercise. At least consider getting a dog that doesn't need a lot of physical activity (my friend has a bulldog, so ugly she is adorable, and that is not a dog that needs to put in the miles).

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Specializes in NICU, PICU, educator.

Consider looking at the APLs around you and see if they have a program such as a Prision Dog program. We have 2 mixed breeds (a whippet-beagle and a retriever-pit) from this program and they are housebroken, basic command trained, leash trained and socialized when they come out. No puppy stuff to deal with.

We have a couple of neighbor's that we can call to go over and let them out if we both get hung up at work or if the kids aren't home from college. Or find a dog service, my daughter works for one in the summer and she goes to people's houses during the day and let's them out and walks them.

With a puppy someone has to be home to let them out at some point during the day when house training them or they will go in the crate/house. Also, research the breeds you want. Some require much more time... GSD is one of them. They get pretty unruly without good training and supervision, they are that smart!

Good of luck with your choice, dogs are awesome

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You sound like you might be young? Please make sure that you're able to commit to any pet for life before you make the final decision to get one. Dogs live for a long time. What will happen if:

You move to an apartment that doesn't allow dogs?

Meet the bf/ gf/ of your dreams, but he/she is allergic to dogs?

They dog has behavior problems and barks all day or destroys your furniture?

The dog gets sick and requires thousands of dollars in veterinarian bills that you weren't counting on having to pay?

Just be careful, please! :) Too many people get pets and ditch them when its no longer convenient. It makes me very sad.

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Some breeds of dogs were specifically bred as working dogs. These dogs get really unhappy if they don't perform a function. I'm thinking GS would fall into that category. I can't imagine leaving a German Shepherd cooped up for 12 hours or more while a nurse works her shifts. That could make for some behavioral problems, destruction of property, and most importantly, a sad, unhappy animal. Be very sure you know what you're getting into and if you are being fair to that animal.

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Specializes in I/DD.

Don't be fooled into thinking big dogs need more exercise! I think a GSD is a great choice for a nurse, as long as you do the basic things that ALL dogs need to be happy. A good walk, continuous training (think of it as shaping, not training), and socialization. GSD's are very smart and can be very active but in my experience they are independent dogs. He is active when I'm home, but when I'm gone he is fine sleeping in the couch. My yorkie is another story. He is a lot more work.

I am all for rescues, but I would caution that for your first dog ever you should research a responsible breeder and get a puppy. My shepherd's breeder actually rehomes her females after 2 litters, so that is an option if you want to skip the puppy phase. I know too many people that picked up a "lab mix" and ended up with a border collie/cattle dog, or some other insanely difficult dog to own and train. Most dog "issues" are solvable, but it is hard to solve them if you don't have any experience with dog behavior. Unless you are 100% sure the rescue isn't just guessing, I would be careful. But if you get from a breeder don't let getting rid of the dog be an option, it is a serious commitment.

Having a puppy as a nurse is doable, just make sure you go into it with your eyes open.

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I've had German Shepherds too, and I disagree that they don't need a good amount of exercise.

German Shepherds isn't the breed for you if you're away from home frequently or for long periods of time. When left alone they can become anxious or bored, and are likely to express their worry in ways you don't like — barking, chewing, and digging.

The German Shepherd is an active and intelligent dog. He must be kept busy learning, playing, and working. Daily exercise, both physical (such as jogging and Frisbee) and mental (such as training sessions), is a must.

Originally bred to herd flocks all day, German Shepherds are built for action. This means he's got lots of energy that he needs to burn off with daily exercise.If you leave him alone for long periods of time without exercise, expect trouble. Boredom and inactivity lead to behavior problems — chewing, digging, and barking. The German Shepherd desperately needs to exercise both his body (jogging, a romp at the dog park) and his mind (training exercises like agility or obedience competitions).

Read more at http://dogtime.com/dog-breeds/german-shepherd-dog#R3luepvQdr4TLeGO.99

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Specializes in NICU, PICU, educator.
Don't be fooled into thinking big dogs need more exercise! I think a GSD is a great choice for a nurse, as long as you do the basic things that ALL dogs need to be happy. A good walk, continuous training (think of it as shaping, not training), and socialization. GSD's are very smart and can be very active but in my experience they are independent dogs. He is active when I'm home, but when I'm gone he is fine sleeping in the couch. My yorkie is another story. He is a lot more work.

I am all for rescues, but I would caution that for your first dog ever you should research a responsible breeder and get a puppy. My shepherd's breeder actually rehomes her females after 2 litters, so that is an option if you want to skip the puppy phase. I know too many people that picked up a "lab mix" and ended up with a border collie/cattle dog, or some other insanely difficult dog to own and train. Most dog "issues" are solvable, but it is hard to solve them if you don't have any experience with dog behavior. Unless you are 100% sure the rescue isn't just guessing, I would be careful. But if you get from a breeder don't let getting rid of the dog be an option, it is a serious commitment.

Having a puppy as a nurse is doable, just make sure you go into it with your eyes open.

This is why I suggested a bit older dog that has gone thru training. You aren't always guaranteed a good dog from a breeder also! I've had a couple of lemons lol But they required a lot of work and eventually figured it out with the exception of one who was unruly and crabby for his whole life. Another option is a breed rescue.

Most working class dogs need a lot of exercise to keep them out of trouble and calm.

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