MAZNAT Posted March 28, 2015 Share Posted March 28, 2015 We are only one week away from brining our new pup home, a beautiful ridgeback boy. Such an exciting time... My partner and I are both shift workers, with forever rotating shifts with different start and finish times, including night shifts. We obviously want to prepare him for this as best we can. What have others found in regard to long term dog behaviour when their schedule is always changing? Any advice you can give? PS. Regardless of the shifts we are working, he will be given daily mental stimulation via training, plenty of play time and when he is up to it, (large breed dog) he will always be walked twice a day regardless of our work schedule (and left with plenty of interactive food toys etc). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cosmolo Posted March 28, 2015 Share Posted March 28, 2015 Provided puppies are fed with enough frequency in these situations a lack of routine IMO is actually far better than a strict routine. Dogs without routines are frequently more flexible, with less "set in stone" expectations and as a result less anxiety. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Spotted Devil Posted March 28, 2015 Share Posted March 28, 2015 Yep, the routine in my house is that there is no routine. However there is consistency! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MAZNAT Posted March 28, 2015 Author Share Posted March 28, 2015 I'm so glad to hear these replies -- that's what my partner and I had imagined happening, but with an overload of information available, I was getting nervous that our new little guy just 'had to have routine'. Thank you so much. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tdierikx Posted March 28, 2015 Share Posted March 28, 2015 I worked 12 hour rotating shift rosters when my 2 oldest dogs were pups... and they are the most stable tempered of my 4. The other 2 are more fussy when it comes to routine, but I'm not completely rigid with my routines nowadays, and they are getting over it... *grin* Plenty of quality time when you ARE there is much more important... and socialisation is a big must! My older girls went to the ice rink with me on Friday/Saturday late night sessions, and got to run about on the ice after the session was finished... everyone loved throwing a puck for them, even the rink staff (who would have them in the office while I skated). T. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Spotted Devil Posted March 28, 2015 Share Posted March 28, 2015 My dogs know that wake up could be 5am or 11am and adapt accordingly! Of course youngsters still get taken outside regularly but they learn that sometimes you come back to bed afterwards. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OSoSwift Posted March 28, 2015 Share Posted March 28, 2015 Mine have a very open routine a no routine consistency type of deal. Works just fine :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ravenau1 Posted March 28, 2015 Share Posted March 28, 2015 Shiftwork house here too, with frequently changing shifts as well, usually week about. The dogs adapt really well, for them it's just normal life :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MAZNAT Posted March 28, 2015 Author Share Posted March 28, 2015 So pleased to hear all these comments. As they say, start out how you want it to be down the track. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BC Crazy Posted March 31, 2015 Share Posted March 31, 2015 (edited) I have retired now but have owned BC's all my adult working life of all ages & types. Working dogs, rescues etc. I always worked shift work,6 days a week,between 10 to 15 hours daily. I was starting work at 5am so up at 4am. Never had an issues. My dogs had a routine of organised kaos but they were always loved to bits,exercised,feed & had some training up to basic obedience. They never knew when any of this was going to happen but it always happen on a daily basis☺ Edited March 31, 2015 by BC Crazy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now