Driver Lifestyles

The Ups and Downs of Having Pets on the Road

The general issue of "Pets on the road" is a popular one at the EO forums.  This, as a fact, makes sense; there are quite a few variables when it comes to what a carrier will allow, what they won't allow, whether they care or don't.  This, of course, is only one aspect of the varied conversation about pets on the road.

On a grander scale, it's an issue important enough to some that it's one of the things that will affect whether or not they'll work for a carrier.  It's also an issue that's fairly easy to split one way or another--on one hand, truckers are at work and there's a significant possibility that a pet could become a source of distraction at some point or another.  On the other hand, truckers live on the road and there's something to be said for being able to have all the comforts of home in your truck.  One of those comforts, for many people, is having a pet along for the ride.

Why should I keep a pet with me?

if you're the kind of person that gets any kind of fulfillment out of having a pet, the proposition of keeping a pet on the road probably makes good sense to you, above and beyond whatever difficulties it might present.  On a basic level, pets promote social interaction: being on the road only allows so much conversation, and we can only talk to ourselves so long.

Too, pets (especially younger dogs) will help you get a little more exercise.  Exercise, coupled with having a pet alone, has been shown to help with issues like depression and high blood pressure.  Pets have also been associated with helping people to relax more easily, as well as helping to reduce one's at-rest heart rate.

Beyond whatever health benefits may come with taking a pet on the road, there are also some practical advantages.  The first, and perhaps most obvious, is protection.  Just as with having a dog around the house, having a dog who's not afraid to make a little noise at the right time may keep you safer than you otherwise would be in the event that, say, someone tries to break into your truck while you're in it.

These advantages, of course, tend to play second fiddle to whatever internal fulfillment you might get from bringing a pet on the road with you; there's really nothing like having an animal companion around, and there's not much that could possibly replace that relationship, even if you're team driving.

Why shouldn't I?

For all the pros to having a pet on the road with you, there are some fairly obvious potential drawbacks you might take into consideration.  First and foremost is that the carrier you're driving for may not allow pets.  There are some specific carriers that are pet-friendly, and as a result of this, when you're looking at carriers, you'll want to discuss the matter with your recruiter to make certain you're aware of their pet policies.

Regardless of your carrier's policy, there may be some delivery sites that aren't pet-friendly, and you may have to take certain measures to ensure that you're meeting those requirements.  This can prove to be inconvenient at a minimum, depending upon what you have to do.

Speaking of inconveniences, there's something to be said, too, for the inconvenience of having to stop for bathroom breaks for your pet; to be sure, the size of the animal probably relates directly to how often you'll have to stop, but there's a significant likelihood that you'll have to stop more often than you might if you didn't have a pet with you (especially if you have a sleeper with a toilet, for example).

Another potential issue regarding bringing pets on the road with you is one of distraction.  There are any number of situations that could arise with your pet that could draw your attention away from the road enough to cause an accident.  Especially with CSA 2010 and its "distracted driving" rules around the corner, there may be additional repercussions to bringing your pet with you (though there's no way to predict how something like this would be handles).  This is something that nobody wants to happen, but it's a potential issue that deserves a mention--so it's important to know how well your pet is going to do in your truck with you on longer hauls and, alternatively, you might look into just how to train a pet to get used to such trips.

To Have a Pet On the Road Or Not: It Comes Down to One Thing.

In the end, the decision to bring a pet on the road with you comes down to one thing: are you a pet person or not?  Does the thought of having a cat or dog (or, if you're the exotic pet type, something else) on the road appeal to you?  If so, there are certainly things you'll need to keep in mind, like how much room you'll have in your vehicle and whether or not you'll all be comfortable, general safety issues, and how you'll have your cab set up.  There are no doubt lots of other things you'll need to stay on top of--many of these will be specific to your pet.  Too, there are no shortage of helpful folks over at the EO forum who'll be glad to give advice on the matter.