who has a dog travelling with them????

hondaking38 · Mar 22, 2006

i sure would like to get a dog as a traveling companion..i was wondering about the pros and cons, for instance crossing the border...not so much going into canada as coming back into the states...if i feel interrogated every time i come back into the us, imagine what the dog would feel like...any input is appreciated..thanks brian

Draco · Mar 22, 2006

I've got a boxer that travels with me all the time. I only have had 1 delivery location turn me away for having him. That's the Ford engine plant in Dearborn must other places could careless. I don't go into Canada but I know people that do. They tell me the only thing you need for going in and out of Canada is a record of all current vaccines. They also have to have their rabbies tag on them. I love havin my boy with me, in the warmer months he makes me get out of the truck and walk. Good way to make sure you get exercise while on the road...lol.

TeamCaffee · Mar 22, 2006

Dogs are the best company. We have two Cocker Spaniels one is 10 the other is 15. We really enjoy their company and spends lots of time laughing over some of the things they do. Both love the truck and would rather be in the truck then at home. When we get their shots we have our vet write identifying features about them on their rabies papers. We have never had a problem crossing the Canadian Border. We have had to take them out of the truck a few times to be X-Rayed and usually the dogs just get lots of attention. We have never been asked to show there papers or even been questioned about the dogs. Now the bad part of traveling with dogs. They get really dirty and are hard to keep clean. A smaller dog could be carried around easier and not have to walk across the parking lots. If you do not have a thermostat controlled generator you have to worry about keeping them cool or warm depending on the season. Also if you want to sight see you have to worry about getting back to the truck to let them out. You also have to clean on the truck more due to shedding. With our company we do not get a lot of loads due to having dogs. We really love our dogs and they will have a happy home with us until they pass away. After they are gone we will not have another dog in the truck. The day we retire we will then have another dog.

terryandrene · Mar 22, 2006

HK:

We once had a small dog that was a great stress reliever as well as part of the family when we entered expediting. Your choice of dog is important. You don't want one that sleeps during the run and won't respect your need for sleep when the run is over. Face licking is not conducive to a good rest. We had no problems in or out of Canada because we had the required papers from the vet to prove rabies shots and country of origin. Its best to make sure a good description of the dog is noted on it's papers. A dog tag in not enough to get past all border agents.

Good truck ventilation is a must, as is the ability to heat in the winter. It's also helpful for the dog to have his special place when you need it to be inactive at the border, at the scales and at the customers.

dukesadog · Mar 22, 2006

Scottish terriers are good travelers, they have an over coat and undercoat type of fur that doesnt shed, arent a yipey little dog but have a deep voice when they do bark

There is a breeder in Fort Wayne that we got all three of our dogs from..she will send you a dog by airplane.

dukesadog

romoore245 · Mar 22, 2006

We have Chihuahuas, they are the mid size. They really are a lot of fun and do help with stress, but we had the worst happen once. We were getting some work done on the truck, put the dogs in a cage to take them to the motel, One didn't handle it well and made a break for it, we had this dog in the truck over a year she had a bad rear leg, never any trouble but that day she ran a mile in a few minutes. Took me half an hour to catch up to her. That was her last trip in the truck. Good luck.

brentwb2 · Mar 22, 2006

My wife and i had a German Shepherd and a Shepherd-Chow that travelled with us (at the same time!). We had to vacuum the truck 3 times a day and it was really bad whenever it rained b/c we had muddy paws in the truck. But we wouldn't have done it any other way. Whenever we would get out of the truck, they would take post in the driver and passenger seats until we got back to the truck. If anybody ever got too close to the truck, they would freak out. They were also our 'personal trainers.' As far as shippers, we only had one time (procter and gamble in tipton,ga) where they made me leave the dogs and my wife at the guard shack while we loaded. It was 90 degrees and they had to sit in the sun for an hour while I loaded the trailer. We learned that if we tie the dogs in the bunk, close the curtains and keep our mouths shut, most shippers and receivers are none the wiser. I can't help you with customs...we chose never to go to Canada.

ratwell71 · Mar 23, 2006

http://www.petfinder.com/

Help rescue a pet in need of a good home

Dogs are great companions and their devotion and love surpass that of most humans.

My advice is if you have a small cab consider a small or medium sized dog.

FAMOUS AMOS · Mar 23, 2006

Guess you can see who our lil companion is...Amos our Basset Hound. We get such enjoyment having him with us.

Border problems...or a lil slow?? Let Amos jump to the front and take one look at them with them sad puppy dog eyes and 99% of the time they fall in love. Then all the conversation is about him....with a smiling "have a great day".

Shedding...who would ever think a basset would shed so much...so we now try to make it a point to take him every 2 weeks to petsmart for his spa treatment...they have a great low shed treatment that helps minimize the shedding.

He has met so many new friends out here. We pass by other truckers and they are calling for him on the CB!!!!

garman351 · Apr 9, 2006

WHAT ABOUT THE DOGS LIFE!

What kind of a life would any animal have if they are supposed to be your company while in a truck all the time.

Dogs need to exercise and after you travel most of the day to reach a truck stop and you are glad to get out of the truck to take a shower etc, what about the dog who has to sit "again" waiting several hours in a hot truck waiting for you to return.

A lot of drivers would not take the time out to walk a dog etc, after they them selves are tired of being on the road all day.

Think real hard before you commit to the responsibility of a dog.

When you are tired and just layed down your dog has to do to take a leak? "a dog is more than company, it's a life style."
Garman

ScoobyMagee · Apr 10, 2006

Hi! all, I just wanted to say we travel with 2 of the greatest guys around. They are cute and loving (Lamb Chop & Biscuit) Shih Tzu pups we trained them on the road it was very easy. Also most motel 6 and red roof welcome them. Dogs are good for your health they keep ya walking.

ratwell71 · Apr 10, 2006

Good point. They keep you walking! This is so true. I would probably weigh more if it were not for my dogs. My dogs get plenty of exercise. Small dogs are better because larger dogs have problems with their joints. The constant vibration is not good for your pet's joints.

Garman has some very good points too. If you are going to own a dog remember that it is for the life time of the dog. It is a biggggggg responsibility. Whatever you do try to refrain from feeding your pet human food! This can cause so many problems.

guest · Apr 10, 2006

Oh Lord, I know I am going to stir up a hornet's nest with this remark; but, here goes anyway.....We don't travel with a dog but with a cat. Miss Mabel Louise is a 10 year old tuxedo cat (think sylvester) who was a confirmed house cat for 7 years until we changed her totally happy lifestyle. So, as for dogs I can't help you but I can tell you I wouldn't be near as happy without her as I am with her. Cats are like dogs....they take more work on a truck than they do at home; but, are worth the effort. We travel to Canada and have not had any problems with either the Canadians or US Customs...just be sure to have all shots up to date and all paperwork with you and available. We have missed out on some loads because of having a pet and have been told by some shippers that we have to put her in a cage and leave her at the guard shack (these loads are given back to dispatch because I don't leave my 4 legged child with anyone not for any amount of money). In other words, make an informed decision because I don't want to find anymore cast off pets in truck stops.
PS....No matter how hot or cold or wet or dry it is...I still don't have to walk the cat!!!!

LDB · Apr 10, 2006

I know this will stir the pot but here it is anyway. A couple weeks ago in one of the they all look the same to me truckstops I heard a commotion. I got out to see what the guy was screaming about. He had one of those automatic reel leashes in his hand. His dog wasn't attached to it. The dog had gone down a slope to a gully. This guy was yelling at the top of his lungs. Finally the dog came back up and was nothing but mud the first 6 inches of it's legs. I wanted to tell the guy those leashes work better when attached to the collar but just stood across the parking lot watching and wondering when the guy was going to stroke out.

Anyway, for the pot stirring, it seems cruel and selfish to keep an animal confined to a space as small as a truck interior for 95% or more of every day. When it's anything above a toy or miniature it's even worse. Animals need space and as much freedom as possible. I know many do ok in the trucks but dogs just aren't meant to only have 15 square feet of space.

Leo Bricker, owner trucks 3034, 4958
OOIDA 677319
73's K5LDB
Highway Watch Participant, Truckerbuddy
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Broompilot · Apr 10, 2006

I have a Pug, Movie with Otis, or the dog in Men & Black. They are quite excited little creaturs and they shed not alot but enough to probably drive me nuts in the truck.

My family insist that someday she is comming with me, (this is my second Pug first one made it for 15 years) My fear is she will sleep while I drive and vs-vs getting sleep could keep me from a run. But the postives, is she would be a great excersize tool or me to her, and what a conversation piece. Everyone Loves a Pug, if they love dogs at all.

First Pug I bought was in a Pet Store in a Mall talk about a chic magnet, try walking thru a mall with a Pug Puppy without attracting attention. Boy if I would have known that at 18 I would have never needed a pick up line.

So should I abuse myself and try her out here or not?

Bob and Hooligan · Apr 11, 2006

Hooligan has been traveling with me since he was 6 weeks old. His Grandfather was JR who was the star at any layover. Hooligan is a Jack Russell. When the phone rings, he usually beats me to the truck.

One time at Toyota, the guard greeted Hooligan by name, then asked me if I knew where I was going. When I started to drive away, he stopped me to ask my name!

There have been a few times when Hooligan couldn't come on a trip. Those were the loneiest runs I have ever made.

Although Jack Russell shed alot, they are great in the truck.

Lawrence owns Hooligan's brother, and he has produce several fine pups.

I wish you luck. Getting a dog is a great stress reliever.

Bob (Hooligan's Co-driver

cheri1122 · Apr 11, 2006

Leo - people weren't meant to live in that much space either, lol. We do it because it's worth the inconvenience - and a dog who is loved, & properly cared for, will be happier for the companionship than one who has lots of room, to be alone in, all day long. Lots of research has shown that pets relieve stress, which would be very good for a driver, and they increase exercise - also good. Basic obedience training is a neccesity, because a dog that doesn't obey isn't welcome (or possibly even alive - truckstops are dangerous places for a dog to run wild) for very long.
If I ever live in a place that allows pets, I plan to get one first thing. Just can't decide what kind - the dogs I have had would not be good choices, as Rottweilers & Labs are just too big. But every dog I see, on here & on the road, makes me wish I had one, too....

LDB · Apr 12, 2006

I agree it's also too small for people however we are in and out at shippers/consignees, going into the grocery store for provisions, fueling and other activities that get us in and out more than the animals. I also agree pets are good for human health in most instances. I just don't think it's humane, even when it's a well loved pet, to keep them in the truck, especially if it's larger like labs etc. that you see often. Their joints are abused terribly by the truck and confinement. I don't know if there's a happy medium or not. It just seems it's way more for the human's benefit than the animal's benefit.

Leo Bricker, owner trucks 3034, 4958
OOIDA 677319
73's K5LDB
Highway Watch Participant, Truckerbuddy
EO Forum Moderator
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Support the entire Constitution, not just the parts you like.

highway star · Apr 12, 2006

My Alumabunk van is clearly not enough room for a dog, but I would love to have the companionship. I have a friend whos out of the business now, but he used to take his blue healer with him in his D-unit. He had no worries at all about someone getting in when he was out of the truck. And, the dog absolutely loved being with him. He left him home once when he took a driver with him he was going to hire. The dog was an absolute basket case the whole time he was gone. His wife told him he would'nt be doing that again.