Working 12s and having a dog/puppy

EPIC_nurse · Feb 10, 2016

I have a border collie that's about 2.5 years old. I only work 8 hour shifts but we have a family member that we drop him off with on days that no one will be home for 5+ hours. Is there a friend or family member that could stop by to let them out and play for a bit halfway through your shift? I'm most likely going to be moving this summer and I've thought of hiring a dog walker as well. It's hard when you have such an active breed to keep them entertained when you work all day. Have you taken any training classes with your pup? Working on training for 15 minutes each day definitely tires their minds out some. Utilize Kong toys with frozen peanut butter in them, feed meals in treat balls they have to work for. Teach him or her to play fetch (if they don't already) and use a chuck-it thrower to get some running in during a shorter period of time. (Although ball obsessions bring out another great side of border collies haha!) I might have done doggy daycare if I thought he would like it now (he's become a bit dog-selective), but I have heard tales of really bad ones that scare me a little. Just take them with you whenever you can in your days off! They love to be with their people :)

elkpark · Feb 10, 2016

I take my dog to daycare and have had a great experience. The place is always v. clean and smells fresh, the staff are great, and I've never noticed my dog coming home dirty or picking up any "bad habits." He loves it, and they really wear him out during the day. It's a national chain. They have cameras so you can watch the dogs online at any time during the day. Maybe you need to shop around and actually visit and tour some local facilities (that's what I did to find a place).

Ellie G · Feb 11, 2016

I have a Bernese mountain dog mix. She has the run of the house while I'm at work and seems to do fine. I walk her before work and play with her for a few minutes after work. I'm afraid to have other people into my home so a walker wouldn't work for me and doggie daycare is expensive. I work nights so I'd need to have her there for 3 days and nights each week (I work mine in a row)

NurseIndependa · Feb 11, 2016

I would recommend doggie daycare. If it is a good facility, they will be clean. I think it is worth it because when we took my dog, he came home tired and slept the whole next day too. Your puppy will become well trained socially through doggie daycare.

elkpark · Feb 11, 2016

I have a Bernese mountain dog mix. She has the run of the house while I'm at work and seems to do fine. I walk her before work and play with her for a few minutes after work. I'm afraid to have other people into my home so a walker wouldn't work for me and doggie daycare is expensive. I work nights so I'd need to have her there for 3 days and nights each week (I work mine in a row)

That works fine for me, too (I only take my dog to daycare one day/week), but, depending on how "young" the OP's dog is, the dog may not have the bladder and bowel control to stay home alone for >12 hours without "accidents."

t&g0913 · Feb 11, 2016

Can you deadbolt your door and just give her the garage door opener?

Emergent, RN · Feb 11, 2016

I have 2 dogs and they have access to a heated laundry room with a dog door. It's set up for them.

It's not natural for a dog to be alone. Look for a rescue, you don't have to start with a unhousetrained pup. The rescue people give good personality analysis, you can watch the pet websites for just the right addition to your little pack.

I found my one year old dog that way at 10 months, already crate trained, house trained and socialized. My old lab LOVES him.

vintagemother, BSN, CNA, LVN, RN · Feb 11, 2016

My German shepherd is able to stay at home when I have to be away. I did slowly transition her to it, when she was younger. But by the time she was about 5-6 months, I had 12 hr clinical days and she has had no accidents. She is 12 months now.

NICUnurse91 · Feb 11, 2016

Wow! Thank you for all the awesome recommendations!

I don't have any family in the area, or I would love to drop him off with them. I'm going to look into a dog walker (on care.com maybe?) and I would definitely give the walker a garage door opener and deadlock the door to the house.

And tomorrow I'm also going to check out a doggie daycare that another nurse on my unit recommended. I feel much better about it after hearing that some of you have had good experiences.

My pup is pretty well potty trained, I would just be hesitant to leave him alone in the house in case he decides he wants to chew up the furniture.

And, I would LOVE to adopt a rescue! But not sure if I'm ready for 2 dogs just yet ðŸ¤”

But thank you all for the great advice!

Cola89 · Feb 18, 2016

I would look into daycare if you think it might be something your dog would enjoy. I have a nine year old pomeranian, and he has the run of the house (including two foam beds, plenty of water, & dry food) while I'm away at work. When I work 12s, I walk him on my days off and when I work 8s, I usually take him on a walk, or at least a car ride :) when I get home. I have never 'crated' my dog --- I have trained him to "go potty" on an OUT! training pad when/if noones home to let him outside. I just dont agree with crating(lock caging) a dog. Especially not for 13 hrs!

if you are creative and caring enough you can figure something out that will work for you both.

Wrench Party · Feb 18, 2016

10 hours is the limit I let my dogs go without going outside. 14 hours is really too long for a young dog, so I'd hire a dog walker or a petsitter. There has to be reliable college students in your area.