possible to have a dog during psych residency?

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Seems common in other threads like this, for other specialties, to say "NO F'ing Way"

although i do know an IM intern with a 2 year old and a labrador, and a husband who also works 70 hr weeks so I guess where there's a will there's a way
 
Most of my co-residents have dogs, but many/most of them are also married with kids...I don't, would love to have one, but I just can't see it without a partner to help out.
 
Monocles said:
Why not get a cat? 🙂
Click to expand...

Count me as always in favor of cats. Actually, you should get two, so they can keep each other company. Or three, or four...

Here is the thing about dogs. They actually miss you when you are not around. Unlike cats, who only miss you if you leave them alone without a friend. But even if you have two dogs, then you just have two dogs missing you. Two dogs who probably don't just use a litter box and so will have bathroom needs that will go unmet if you aren't there to let them out and take them on walks. Would you want to hold your bladder for 8-12 hours at a stretch? (I mean, you may in fact find yourself doing that on busy days, but at least for you it is a choice.)

Think of a dog like a curious, lonely, destructive-when-bored 3 year old. You can leave them by themselves, and probably nothing bad will happen... but the question is whether you *should.* If you are able to accommodate a dog's needs adequately, maybe by arranging for a service to walk them once or twice during the day, or by having a roommate or significant other share the responsibility for looking after them, you can make it work. But that doesn't mean that the dog won't develop separation anxiety and be miserable while you are away.

Cats on the other hand, are more like surly teenagers. They are also curious and destructive-when-it-suits them, but they can toilet themselves and as long as you keep the food and water dish topped up, they won't care if you are on call all night. Also, they are the perfect animals and I wish my spouse wasn't allergic.
 
It's funny you mention this. When I was interviewing recently, I asked an intern if she felt like she was able to have a life outside of work. And she said, "Yes, I have a dog! We went on several walks yesterday". I was sleep-deprived and momentarily taken aback because having a dog didn't sound like having a life to me. Then I realized that taking care of a dog by yourself demands a significant amount of freedom so you can walk it, play with it, train it, etc. And this resident was on one of the heavier rotations at a program that seems above average for psych in terms of work hours. And the night in question was a weekday night.

From what I know, I think you should be able to have a dog. Unless you go to Duke or NYU and live far from campus.
 
Yep, very doable. Three dogs, two cats, seven chickens here. Just make sure you have a dog sitter that can help out.
 
Promethean said:
Count me as always in favor of cats. Actually, you should get two, so they can keep each other company. Or three, or four...

Here is the thing about dogs. They actually miss you when you are not around. Unlike cats, who only miss you if you leave them alone without a friend. But even if you have two dogs, then you just have two dogs missing you. Two dogs who probably don't just use a litter box and so will have bathroom needs that will go unmet if you aren't there to let them out and take them on walks. Would you want to hold your bladder for 8-12 hours at a stretch? (I mean, you may in fact find yourself doing that on busy days, but at least for you it is a choice.)

Think of a dog like a curious, lonely, destructive-when-bored 3 year old. You can leave them by themselves, and probably nothing bad will happen... but the question is whether you *should.* If you are able to accommodate a dog's needs adequately, maybe by arranging for a service to walk them once or twice during the day, or by having a roommate or significant other share the responsibility for looking after them, you can make it work. But that doesn't mean that the dog won't develop separation anxiety and be miserable while you are away.

Cats on the other hand, are more like surly teenagers. They are also curious and destructive-when-it-suits them, but they can toilet themselves and as long as you keep the food and water dish topped up, they won't care if you are on call all night. Also, they are the perfect animals and I wish my spouse wasn't allergic.
Click to expand...

Completely agree with this. My wife and I have a dog (avatar related) but there is no way that I would've been able to care for her on my own.

In the absence of someone to help you take care of your dog and/or lots of money to pay for a walking service/doggy daycare, I can't recommend having a dog until your schedule becomes somewhat stable with decent hours. Even now I wouldn't be able to take care of my dog on my own in a way that's fair to her, if that makes sense.
 
At a minimum, a dog during training would take any one of 3 things: money for walkers or day care, a spouse, or a yard with doggie door. This is minimum, 2 of three is better and all three will be best if you vacation.

By the way Nick, did Daisy ever get her house?
 
If you're single, I wouldn't recommend it unless you have a nice fenced in back yard, a doggie door, and you buy two dogs to keep each other company. Dogs are pack animals by nature and don't handle loneliness well. If you've got a partner it's obviously doable.

Going to +1 cats. They're naturally solitary, so keeping one around alone isn't cruel.
 
Search the threads and find out how to get a letter to take your dog to work with you.

It will be much easier then. 🙂

I had to pay a dog walker $10 / day during residency. That cut into the budget a bit.
 
Last edited:
I had a dog and a wife who was also a resident, she also had a cat which also unfortunately is still with us (not a cat guy).
 
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