Pet Policy and Training Length to go Solo

Most seasoned vets will tell you that out on the road, is no place for a dog...and for good reason. Using common sense, I see why this is true even more for a new driver.

With that said, I too have a dog and have no one to watch her at home while I'm gone. There are very few good companies that allow a dog period, and even fewer training companies. Some companies that allow dogs and train, also have a peiod of 6 months to one year after training, before Fido can ride with you on the truck (make sure you understand their policy and probe a little)

I went to train with a company, and they changed their pet policy the week I started (no pets) after I prepaid for 6 weeks of non-refundable boarding.

With all that said, I too would like to find a good company that does training (over the road training, after a qualified school) and allows a dog of reasonable size after your training period.

I can totally see why companies are getting away from allowing pets, bad owners, damage to property, fuel cost (Ideling), restricted areas where they need to deliver loads, what to do with a pet, if the driver becomes ill......and the list goes on. I have made a commitment to care for this dog, and she is 7 years old......I have no intention of getting rid of her to persue a career, and in fact her being with me would help me stay on the road longer, being a more productive employee.

 

Rebel,

Take a look at Watkins & Shepard. I have just applied there and they do have a pet policy, and they really don't have a traditional training program like the other companies out there.

You will go through a 10 day orientation which includes some skills training, then you get your own truck and are on your way solo. I think you have to pay a $500 deposit and they have to "Interview" your dog, lol.

Just something for you to look into.

 

Kat,

I know US Express will take pets and they have the shortest training of 4 weeks (Due to a completely automatic fleet). But many experienced drivers tell me to stay away from the auto companies your first year, so you can make career changes into the future being able to drive either transmission. I'm very confused, because I hear so much negitive talk about all the training companies.......and I think to survive in this industry training will be key to surviving even the first year, much less a career.

I know there is a complete demographic of the population, that will never be good employees.......I know, as I was a trainer for many years in another field. I think there is alot of fall out in any type of training company.....but more so in this industry due to the major life style changes that very few can seem to adapt to. In other industries its a slow painful death, until you finally get rid of an unproductive employee.....in trucking seems to happen when they find out you have to work and not just drive or stress of living so close with a trainer for a few weeks or you have an accident. I think many of these companies have just become so jaded by all the lack of a work ethic and treat everyone the same, until they prove themselves........and some people just do not have the self-esteem to put up with this kind of treatment these days. I have a friend that works for one of the companies, that everyone on this board says is the worst, and he felt the same way, until he started to become a producive employee and had value to the company and now he gets great miles and loves his job and has a great relationship with his company. He tells me that he knows of other drivers in his company (students he went to school with and calls them "the problem children") that sit and get poor mileage, even though they run the same region?

Again this is just my newbie opinion, hopefully the vets will not beat me up too bad on these comments......I'm really hoping to stir some good advise for myself and my new friend Kat

 

I hope you find a good company that allows your pet to travel with you.

 

My dog's name is Katie and a Shetland Sheep Dog (mini colie or sheltie)

She tells me everyday, that she hears the call of the open road!!

 

why not get some of that dog training to help get rid of the anxiety, rather than plan your career around catering to it?

 

Punkin,

For me, my dog helps with my anxiety!! lol