Pet Policy Enforcement

I don't know, hope you can find somewhere. That kind of put me off when I looked into it, didn't bother asking, you know it's like they want everyone to become a crazy cat lady with that rule (No big dogs in big truck? Probably the in$urance companies, run by crazy cat ladies)....

 

What does your mastiff weigh? Now, can it climb into a truck by itself? If not, can you lift it into the truck several times a day? Even if you can, you'll run the risk of hurting yourself or the dog. I would seriously reconsider taking him with you on the road. As cramped as a truck is, it wouldn't be fair to the dog to not have any room to turn around. Just my opinion.

 

Be creative; don't ask, don't tell.
That's what I would do. Don't let the dog ruin a good career. I get bashed on this forum for telling people to bend the rules; but I practice what I preach. I took my wife, in the avatar, with me all over the country even though the company had a "no riders" policy.

 

I'm with China on this one. I know one forum user who flaunts the pet policy - it's always about discretion, and what the company doesn't know - won't hurt them.

Personally I think a pet deposit AND a yearly fee PER dog is a bit over the top, but - it's their name on the side of the rig, not yours.

Welcome to the forum and good luck kids.

 

Be prepared to make a painful decision.... We brought our 7 year old boxer with us and she hated the truck, so much so she quit eating.. .It seemed it was too much of a disruption of her routine.. . I would try to re-home your dog before you even go anywhere... Some dogs do ok in a truck some don't, it seems though that the ones that do the best are ones that have been on a truck since they were pups. An 85 lb mastiff is going to take up a lot of room in a standard over the road truck, as did our 50 lb boxer. We were fortunate as a trusted friend was able adopt our boxer, but we see far too many dogs wandering around truck stops that someone dumped off! It takes a heck of a commitment to successfully have a dog on the truck....

 

Borrow a little poodle then swap it out with the Mastiff after you leave orientation.
This isn't actual lying, it's letting people assume.

 

I had a 100 pound dog riding along with me in a day cab, but we made it home most every night. When my situation at home changed and there would be someone there to look after him and another dog he could play with, I started leaving him at home. He wasn't happy with that. He LOVED riding by my side, but after a while got used to the new routine.

That being said, a dog that big in a truck full time with 2 people, it's going to be EXTREMELY tight quarters. I didn't live in the truck...you will be, which makes a difference. Space is limited, and a big dog takes up a LOT of space.

As for company policies, get caught in violation and you COULD be terminated on-sight. I owned my truck, and there was nothing in my lease prohibiting the dog. Company policy prohibited pets, though...and I went a few rounds back and forth over the matter on a couple occasions. Had one terminal manager quote the employee handbook...and then when I asked if I could see it, told me HE would get in trouble if he showed me because I was a contractor, NOT an employee. Well, if I'm not even allowed to SEE the employee manual, I can't very well be bound by its contents, can I? The terms of my business relationship with the company were in the contract, and that had no prohibition. As a company driver, your situation WILL be different. If they say "no pets" or "no dogs over a certain size", remember it is their truck. Be honest with them and make sure it is OK, or else we could be reading another "My carrier left us--and our dog---stranded on the other side of the country, and we can't find another job because they destroyed my DAC saying I violating company policies" thread.

Before you "bend the rules", know the risks. If you're willing to accept responsibility for the consequences, have at it. If not, don't risk it.

 

Don't fool with the system. Sorry to say pets can be a pain.
Yrs ago I saw a trucker who had to tie his dog to the fence near the guard shack while on the customer property. Most food and beverage producers don't allow critters on the property. 15 minutes or so may not be bad but could get stressful after a few hrs in the sun,rain,blizzard with no shelter...think it through....good luck.