How many drivers bring pets on the road with them (advice needed)

Used to have a shepherd that bit at oncoming traffic...some kind of depth-perception game she invented all by herself. She was a handful in a half-ton, and downright hilarious in a Triumph Spitfire, but likely not a good choice for long-haul drivers.

Keep in mind that as well as breed, each individual dog has its own personality and little quirks.

 

I bring my 80lb dog.. She's very mellow & well-behaved. Kind of a couch potato. If she wan't this way, I wouldn't bring her along.

 

CondoCruiser, nobody needs a seatbelt except during the wreck they didn't expect to have. Same with a leash. My dog never needed to be yanked away from danger while on the road, but a leash is a much smaller hassle than dealing with a pet that's been run over, or mostly run over. I can't think of a downside to putting the pet on a leash when out of the truck. You never have to worry if someone will hassle you about a leash law either.

 

My dog knows not to go into the road. Even if he's playing with another dog and that other dog takes off into the road, my dog sits in the grass and waits for the other dog to return before resuming play. He won't chase cats, bunnies, or squirrels into the road, either...when they make it to the pavement, he stops the chase.

A benefit to having a well trained dog? I let the dog out, point him to a grassy area, and I fuel the truck while he takes care of his "business". When he's done, he makes his way back over to the truck and climbs in...he's got the timing down pretty well, and he's usually making his way back as I'm finishing up pumping the fuel....if not, I call to him and he comes. He goes back in the truck, and I head inside to pay for the fuel.

Another benefit? People (panhandlers, etc.) don't approach me while he's nearby and off-leash. He's a pretty good judge of character and notifies me if anyone shady attempts to sneak up behind me. Once he gets to growling and barking, most people will keep their distance rather than take the chance at getting into a scuffle with an 85 pound dog. He's VERY protective of me.

And quite frankly, I don't give a flying four letter word about leash laws. The ONLY time he gets put on a leash is when we go into a store where pets are allowed (i.e. petco, rural king, etc...) or the vet. Heck, even when I stay at a motel, he'll walk right next to me off leash into the motel and through the halls to the room. I've usually got my arms full carrying bags, dog food, etc. and a leash would just be more trouble than necessary.

 

IMO. Pets do better in pairs. Especially smaller dogs. As a pair they will keep each other company while you are out of the truck at customers or when driving.

The down sides have already been mentioned but be sure to clean your cab air filters regularly. The animals will shed and can cause problems with your heat/ac circulation. Animals do smell as well so be sure to have air fresheners with you and cleaners for the floor, bed, and seats.

 

Alot of company have a no pet policy, even lease ops., but if your able to have a pet, there great company when out on the road, I cant amagine not having my dog with me while im gone, she great in the truck, never had an accident, if you know what i mean, if Im sleeping and she's got to go, she will wake me up to let her out

 

I haul food grade tanker and it's federal law which prohibits me from having a pet... as well as company policy. Be sure of what you're regulations allow before you go putting a pooch in your hooch. Personally, I like the miniature Dobie though... if I were to have a pet it would be either one of them or a ferret (I had a ferret once... had so much fun with that critter... they are like a cat sort of).

'Bigfoot'
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Please cite this law. I couldn't find it on the FDA website and now I'm curious. Thanks.

 

I swear I've seen you somewhere years ago, GSD in a IH. You wore a cowboy hat?