85Lb Pitmix Companion (Ganzypants)

Hi everybody. I've been reading TT and taking it all in. I'm considering some changes in life and contemplating getting my cdl and going on the road. I've had my puppy since he was 8 weeks old and we have never been separated other than twice for an overnight. I don't know which one of us it was hardest on. Im currently in real estate and he rides along in my (his) suburban everywhere I go. I pulled a rather lengthy list of companies from TT that will allow my guy to keep working with me but can't find a way to accommodate the training portion. Anyone know anything that can be helpful to survival for a potential newbie and her pup?

Welcome Renee and really sorry it took so long to get a response to this.

There isn't much you can do during the training portion that I know of other than to let someone watch the puppy for you. I don't know if anyone would allow you to bring it along during training. So either send the puppy to a puppy daycare or have someone you know watch it for you. That's all I know of that you can really do.

Hi. I have a 70lb pit.

I will begin by saying there are A Lot of truckers that drive with dogs or cats. But after saying that i will also say that in my experience the road it's no place for a dog.

I spent over $1500 boarding my dog while i went to school and training. After that i had to get hired on by a company that allowed dogs. Some of them have breed or weight restrictions. After driving for 7months my dog one day became completely terrified of the truck. I'm Not sure what happened but the vet says it's common for their personalities to change like that. I tried everything even buying doggie hormone spray and nothing worked so I'm in the process of rehomeing my dog and it's painful.

But if you are considering driving with your dog you must consider pet care while your in the road. We have a petsmart plan which it's nice but also had to stop a few times at emergency places.

Remember your driving a truck and half these places don't have room for you to park.

Good luck to you and ganz.

As everyone else has mentioned - you are going to be out of luck for taking a pet while training. You are in someone else's home (truck), and it wouldn't be right to to impose your pet on a stranger. From what I understand - TRAINERS aren't allowed to have their OWN PET on their truck while they have a trainee onboard for the same reason. That and it's tight enough in a truck with two people, without adding a pet and their accessories to the mix. Lastly - the potential liability of having a pet bite or otherwise injure a trainer/trainee.

Many trucking companies have size (weight) restrictions, and some have "dangerous breed" restrictions also. Not getting into the debate about pits. I've owned them, friends have them - they are the sweetest things known to man. There are no "bad dogs" - only bad OWNERS.

You also have to consider with a larger breed - keeping them in such a restricted space. It's one thing to say "my dog loves going for rides in the car" - when those rides last an hour or two. Quite another to keep them in a space not much larger than a large dog crate - for weeks (not counting walks). I just don't think it's fair to THE DOG, to cramp them in such close quarters. Chihuahuas, Hot Dog Dogs, etc., might fare well in such a cramped environment. Pits, Rotts and other medium/large breeds - consider the pets comfort too.

Probably why many truckers have CATS. They're small, can climb and hide all over the place, are low maintenance (at least most are) and seem to adjust well to the small moving truck environment.

Rick

I'd love to volunteer my son. He has a fixed female who would love the company for a couple of months. He'd be way spoiled when you got back and you'd have to teach him to stop eating ur hats.

Hey, thanks for the input everyone. I am working on a sitter for him so he can be in his own space while I am in training. I will see if I survive training and when it's time to introduce him to the truck, we will play it by ear with his comfort level. He is one of my biggest priorities so my work and his life have to compliment each other smoothly. There may be a decision later involving OTR or local, but I will cross that bridge when I get to it. Haha Nancy- he loves stealing caps!

Holy smokes- I guess I need to resize the photos before popping them in. That is scarey! :p