3rd year dog ownership

[futdoc251989]

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I’m currently a 2nd year DO student. I’ve had a dog for over 7 years now. I’ve had plenty of time to care for him (3 walks a day, etc) while living alone in an apartment so far in medical school. However, I’m aware that I’ll probavly not be home very much next year during rotations.

So to other current or former 3rd year students who owned dogs, what sort of lifestyle adjustments (hiring a dog walker, etc) do you recommend for next year, assuming I plan on keeping my dog (which I am)?

 

[cookiegrub]

Here are possible options:
1. A lot of people I know tend to send their dog to daycare; however, if your dog has never been to one or that they are small and scared, that may not be spontaneous and easy as thought.
2. Another option would be to give the dog to your parents to keep for that year.
3. Ask your classmates if any of their spouses are free and looking to save some bucks.
4. I wouldn't recommend this but rent a home with a backyard and get a second dog to keep yours company. Live with students so that there is always someone that might come earlier than you. This way the dogs can play but also do their bathroom duties without the need for someone to walk them around or let them out. You could potentially pay and probably should pay a person to come by and check on your dog(s) while you are away for most of the day on longer rotations. Also it would help if the house has a shed or something in which the dogs would seek shelter in the chance of rain or other adverse weather. Hopefully yours isn't a master escape artist.

 

[BorntobeDO?]

Dude, lots of people have jobs and dogs. You can figure this out. Your dog will live if you only walk him in the evening and morning and miss the 'midday walk.' Surely you have crate trained by now, and if not you need a yard.

 

[ciestar]

Most of my classmates with dogs hired a dog walker for every afternoon.

 

[alprazoslam]

Pee pee pads

 

[BluegrassBuckeye]

Doggy Daycare is amazing and has been my life saver during rotations. Obviously make sure its a reputable place because there are some sketchy ones out there. Sometimes I think my dog loves it there more than home which makes me jealous, but also really reassured that he's well taken care of.

 

[BorntobeDO?]

Most of my classmates with dogs hired a dog walker for every afternoon.

You classmates must be rich, wasting all that money on a dogwalker. Seriously Crate train or go with the pee-pee pads or go find a significant other who can help out on the occasional days you aren't back by 6 (which isn't that often in my experience with preceptor based rotations, basically only GS).

 

[ciestar]

You classmates must be rich, wasting all that money on a dogwalker. Seriously Crate train or go with the pee-pee pads or go find a significant other who can help out on the occasional days you aren't back by 6 (which isn't that often in my experience with preceptor based rotations, basically only GS).

Idk their circumstances nor is it my business to.

 

[alprazoslam]

You classmates must be rich, wasting all that money on a dogwalker. Seriously Crate train or go with the pee-pee pads or go find a significant other who can help out on the occasional days you aren't back by 6 (which isn't that often in my experience with preceptor based rotations, basically only GS).

Wish going into third year making sure my dog gets Q2 hour walks was my main concern lol.


Pee pee pads are a life saver

 

[samac]

Dude, lots of people have jobs and dogs. You can figure this out. Your dog will live if you only walk him in the evening and morning and miss the 'midday walk.' Surely you have crate trained by now, and if not you need a yard.

I get your point, but most people aren’t working 12 hour shifts like I did on a significant number of my rotations.
Kinda cruel to leave the dog locked up literally all day.

 

[TeddyBoomBoom]

There is roughly 0% chance that I would leave my adult dog locked in a crate for 12-14hrs /day.

I get it - dog walkers, daycare, etc, is expensive and frankly a pain in the butt.

Having said that, leaving my dog in a crate for that long is a nonstarter for me. Something else would have to be figured out.

 

[deleted645092]

I don't know if there is an "official recommendation" or whatever on how often your dog needs to go out but I don't use a crate for mine and I usually take her out 3x a day; Once when I wake up, again when I get home anytime between 5-7pm, and once more before going to sleep. It works great for her and she has never had an accident in the house or gotten a UTI from holding it. YMMV depending on the dog though.

I'm personally against crating a dog for that long except in special circumstances, it's literally 1/2 of their waking hours spent in a 3x3 cage.

 

[curbsideconsult]

Rover.com: Book Dog Boarding, Dog Walking & More

Or pay a 1st or 2nd year $10/day to take him for a midday walk. Plenty of students will jump at the chance for a break from studying and for some paid pet therapy.

 

[BorntobeDO?]

Rover.com: Book Dog Boarding, Dog Walking & More

Or pay a 1st or 2nd year $10/day to take him for a midday walk. Plenty of students will jump at the chance for a break from studying and for some paid pet therapy.

Most DO rotations are not close to the main campus. And you have suggested paying someone approximately $2.5k a year to walk a dog during the middle of the day, and think that's the 'cheap' option.

Compare that to a 100 count of pee pads that is 15 dollars: Amazon product ASIN B00MW8G62E
Once again, ya'll acting like you rich when you broke.

 

[curbsideconsult]

Most DO rotations are not close to the main campus. And you have suggested paying someone approximately $2.5k a year to walk a dog during the middle of the day, and think that's the 'cheap' option.

Compare that to a 100 count of pee pads that is 15 dollars: Amazon product ASIN B00MW8G62E
Once again, ya'll acting like you rich when you broke.

Not all rotations, wherever you are, will require you be present for 16+ hours a day. Some of them have banker's hours so likely OP won't need the services everyday for an entire year.

OP already asked about "hiring a dog walker, etc." so I was merely providing an option as a means to looking for these services. Maybe OP is rich, maybe OP is on scholarship and doesn't have to worry about loans like most of us.