Road Dogs

It is often said that dog is man’s best friend. Loyal, obedient and ever-loving, they make the perfect companion for any situation. As a truck driver, it’s difficult when you have to leave your family and friends for the solo life on the road. To provide a little companionship while driving those long hauls, have you ever thought about getting a dog?

A lot of OTR truck drivers actually do have dogs that ride with them wherever they go. It helps relieve the solitary feeling of the trucker lifestyle and provides you with someone to talk to, even if they can’t talk back. But if you do get a dog, how do you know which kind of dog is the best for your truck? That depends on you. But as the space in your cab is limited, small to medium sized dogs are recommended. Small dogs are great because they can easily maneuver around the cab without hitting everything. As many small dogs have a tendency to bark, they also make great alarms. A medium sized dog will not be able to move around as easily in the cab of your truck, but they can provide a safety factor smaller dogs can’t. The teeth of small dogs only able to bite your ankle is not as intimidating as the low growl that comes with teeth that do major damage.

If you are worried about keeping the mess down while having your furry little buddy with you, there are a few tricks that can help. For the dog’s water, use a deep metal or plastic dish to keep the water from sloshing out. You can then place both the food and water in another long container so if it does spill, it won’t get on the carpet. Covering the carpet and chairs with a blanket for the dog to snuggle up in will also keep the mess down. When the blankets get dirty, you can simply shake them out and wash them.

A dog is truly one of the best partners for a truck driver, but they do need to be taken care of. Before you set out on the road with your dog, there are safety procedures to take. The first is getting a sturdy collar and a tag with your dog’s name and your name and number. For truckers, it is also a good idea to put your trucking company and your truck number on the tag in case you lose him at a truck stop. It is also a good idea to get your dog micro chipped before going out on the road. Be sure you know where your dog is at all times. With all the commotion of truck driving job

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, it is easy for dogs to get curious and run off.

Not all trucking companies allow pets in their trucks, so check with your company and see if you can bring your dog with you when you drive. To learn more about trucking jobs and how you can start a career as a driver visit our website.