Pets Not Allowed During Training

I learned I will need to spend a substantial amount of time (2-5 weeks) in OTR training at pretty much all big companies that hire rookies, even after completing thorough training at CDL school.

I have a 45-50lb lab mix. It is going to be exceedingly hard to leave him with others for any more than 1 or 1.5 weeks. I suppose I can try and pay for professional boarding by day for as long as needed, but I really would like to avoid that.

Is there any way to avoid this dilemma? The dog-friendly companies seem to always require me to spend about 2-5 weeks on the road with a trainer before I can bring the dog. Is it ever possible that a trainer may be cool with a dog? Or am I being naive about that? Or are there smaller companies that I can find that will hire me out of CDL school without an super long 1-on-1 OTR training period?

I appreciate your help and your understanding. It's a special relationship I have with this guy, and the daily boarding costs would be really high. Thanks!

I am going to be blunt here; this is a tough, demanding, and very, dangerous job. Your skills and knowledge fresh out of school are untested and very elementary.

You are going to have your hands full “learning” while in training and will have little time to do much else except sleep. Anything or anyone capable of causing any distraction must be avoided.

Taking shortcuts and/or skipping road training is a very risky decision.

Second, a 50lb dog, the dog’s stuff, you, your stuff, your trainer and their stuff...living in a space roughly the size of a walk-in closet? Are you serious? Not gonna work.

Your priorities and commitment must be on your training; learning how-to operate safely and not on your dog right now. Once you are Solo, different story.

For the reasons GTown said, training companies will not allow you to have a pet with you during training. It's a safety issue for you and the pet. At CFI, I left home for school at the end of April and received my truck at the end of June. Companies that allow pets require pet deposits and may have size, breed and quantity restrictions. CFI requires a $500.00 pet deposit and as far as I know they will let you have your pet on the truck when you get it. Some companies will require you to have a period of solo driving without the pet before you can have it with you. And, you should know there are some companies that will not allow pets on their property. That means you have to find a place near by to board the dog for a few hours. Then what do you do if you stop takes hours and now the place you left your dog is closed? How will the dog react to the constant noise and movement of the truck?

Your best bet is to pay a family member to care for the dog or find a long term boarding facility. Good luck.

Absolutely no way would any company, or trainer allow you to do this. I suggest you either find someone to keep your dog for longer than company training, board your pet at a kennel or I even hate to suggest this.. re-home your pet. And BTW, CDL school is certainly not thorough.