Question about my dog...

[romict]

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Hey all,

I was just wondering if it was possible to go to medical school and still take care of my dog? I got him last year and I love him to death, but I am concerned that with the time constraints of medical school I will not have the time to take care of him. I have excellent time management skills, but I was just wondering if anyone had experienced this dilemma. I am concerned with being away for large periods of time mostly because he is crated during the day and eventually (as we all do) needs relief. Would I have time to spend like an hour a day with him? Thanks for any advice!

 

[MossPoh]

Depends on the kind of dog.... It is plenty possible, but there are a lot of things one must factor in. Climate, city/rural, proximity of your housing to campus. Many dogs are perfectly content with a walk in the morning and a walk in the evening. If you control their feeding habits they won't crap all over your place. The breed is the biggest problem though. Small dogs are by far the easiest, and while not natural they can be trained to use pee pads and what not inside. Bigger dogs....or more energetic ones need to have a yard.(*Note: There are breeds that are exceptions. Greyhounds are great apartment dogs) That can shoot the cost of your housing up a ton. If you are lucky you can befriend a person who will walk your dog if it is a long day...probably for a small fee.

Also, certain breeds tend to get more attached to their owner than others. Rottweilers, golden retrievers, labs...pretty much any dog that thrives on making its owner happy. The separation anxiety can be murder for these dogs...and your apartment. I really don't recommend this kind of dog unless you have someone to check up on it.....or a second dog.

As much as I hate to admit it, cats make much better pets if you are gone all day. You play with them 10 minutes and they are usually pretty content. Now, I wouldn't go pawning off your dog but you have to ask how indepednent your dog is, size, energy levels, training level...etc. Crate training may be something to look into if it is a larger dog.

 

[Dr JPH]

I was just wondering if it was possible to go to medical school and still take care of my dog?

Absolutely.

 

[Lfribble]

Perhaps I'm not one to answer as I am just starting and don't actually know the time constraints, but I would absolutely think you could keep it. You'll need to give yourself some personal time and playing with a dog is a great way to relax.

 

[Orthodoc40]

Years 1 & 2 should be manageable.

I plan to go home for lunch and let my doggie out. It seems like classes end around 1 ish most days, so I can study at home to give him some companionship. There are a few afternoon labs but at least I will be able to give him some time during the day. I think he'll be miserable all alone all day as he has never been alone all day before (he is 11 years old).

Years 3 & 4 are the big worry. I don't know how a person can keep a dog and have it be happy during year 3 & 4 unless they live with another person that will be home consistently.

 

[mitawa]

I live in an apt complex that only allows cats, and although I am considering moving to one that accepts dogs I'd probably still have a problem. I have a very noisy pomeranian that doesn't like to be alone. So my neighbors would probably try to break into my apt and sedate him during the day when I am away at school.

 

[xTinaBna]

Hey all,

I was just wondering if it was possible to go to medical school and still take care of my dog? I got him last year and I love him to death, but I am concerned that with the time constraints of medical school I will not have the time to take care of him. I have excellent time management skills, but I was just wondering if anyone had experienced this dilemma. I am concerned with being away for large periods of time mostly because he is crated during the day and eventually (as we all do) needs relief. Would I have time to spend like an hour a day with him? Thanks for any advice!

awww! if you go to ccom i'll help you take care of your dog 🙂 but yes, you can take care of him. things that would help with choosing a school would be climate, location (finding apts that are pet friendly), and even not having attendance mandatory for your classes (maybe giving you more time to do what you wish)

 

[TPBC]

It really depends on how the dog did on the MCAT.

 

[romict]

My dog is a 9 month old Rhodesian Ridgeback who weighs 90 pounds. He has been to training and he listens very well. I always knew housing would be a problem but I was/am willing to sacrifice for my puppy. I just don't want to be unfair to him because I feel like he would go nuts if he had to be by himself all day, everyday. He is crate trained and can go 9 hours if he has too (not on a regular basis) in his crate. We have lived in a city without a backyard for several months. I get up early to walk him (25min) and usually take him to an offleash park in the afternoon when I get home from school for about 30min. Do you think this routine is possible with a medical student's schedule and in a place like Philadelphia or NYC?

 

[Buckeye4life]

It really depends on how the dog did on the MCAT.

My Corgi had to retake due to a 4 on verbal.

 

[MossPoh]

My dog is a 9 month old Rhodesian Ridgeback who weighs 90 pounds. He has been to training and he listens very well. I always knew housing would be a problem but I was/am willing to sacrifice for my puppy. I just don't want to be unfair to him because I feel like he would go nuts if he had to be by himself all day, everyday. He is crate trained and can go 9 hours if he has too (not on a regular basis) in his crate. We have lived in a city without a backyard for several months. I get up early to walk him (25min) and usually take him to an offleash park in the afternoon when I get home from school for about 30min. Do you think this routine is possible with a medical student's schedule and in a place like Philadelphia or NYC?

Yea it is possible. The biggest issue is you. You can never take a day off...but you seem responsible enough. 90 lbs is a big frickin dog though...hard to find apartments that allow dogs that size. Doable..but it'll be coming out of your pocket. Most likely a non-refundable deposit and maybe even a monthly pet fee. My place now only allows up to 60 lbs and it is a 200 dollar non-refund and then 20 bucks a month extra. Certain "dangerous breeds" are also banned...which I think is ridiculous..but oh well.

 

[apnea]

i'd probably completely bomb med school if i had to give up my critters, they's mah furry chitlins...

 

[Orthodoc40]

It really depends on how the dog did on the MCAT.

My doggie said - "MMMmm! CAT!"

 

[MSmentor018]

Hey all,

I was just wondering if it was possible to go to medical school and still take care of my dog?

absolutely! during 3/4 yr maybe a problem depending on your rotations otherwise you should be fine. I am in my 2nd yr and have 2 beagles that requires meds daily and it's not hard at all.

 

[romict]

Thanks for the advice everyone. I really appreciate it. Someone psyched me out about not having the time to care for my dog. I really could not imagine going anywhere without my buddy. I feel soooo much better knowing it can be done. 🙂

 

[toothless rufus]

My doggie said - "MMMmm! CAT!"

 

[Orthodoc40]

Thanks for the advice everyone. I really appreciate it. Someone psyched me out about not having the time to care for my dog. I really could not imagine going anywhere without my buddy. I feel soooo much better knowing it can be done. 🙂

I really do think that serious consideration has to go into how you will handle 3rd & 4th year, along with internship & possibly residency. There's some looooonggg hours that doggie is going to be lonely unless you've got a roomie or wife or husband or somethin'.

You made it to 1,000 posts before classes started! WHOA!