Bringing A Dog With You OTR

I just finished my first week of training at Wilson Logistics! I updated my training diary with the details.

I've been researching self defense alternatives since I cannot keep a gun with me in the truck. I sold my gun and ammo before leaving for trucking school. And I learned from my trainers that when I'm at the point of driving on my own as a company driver or rent operator, that I CAN bring a dog along with me.

So I was thinking that if I got me like a german shephard or another breed that's good for being a guard dog, that I would eventually, in the future, get a dog and train it to be a guard dog.

I'm already googling this but wanted to ask here while I'm googling/researching this question:

Is there such a thing as purchasing a dog from a dog breeding/training business where I can purchase a young or already adult dog that is already trained to be a guard dog, or am I going to have to buy a dog and drop it off at some kind of dog training school while I'm over the road? I know this is going to be expensive either way but I think that having a guard dog would be a good investment in the long run due to the obvious benefits while being a dedicated OTR driver.

And of course I'm asking this in the context of being someone who lives out of their truck, don't have a wife/kids to keep me off the road, and never goes home cuz my truck will be my home for the next 2-3 years.

Thanks in advance for any info/advice on this topic.

Well I wish there was a way i can delete this thread because I got the info I'm was looking for through google lol. Next time I'll google the topic before posing about it instead of googling it right after lol.

So I guess feel free to use this thread to discuss the subject of having a guard dog while trucking. Would love to hear yalls thoughts and read any stories yall have on this topic. :)

Hi. Congrats on wilson.

1. It is an overreaction to plan years of security with a dog. If you always have pets, that is one thing.. but needing a dog for protection due to fear is another.

2. Trucking life can be very difficult for newbies. Add pets and it can be more challenging. Winters are exhausting. Rotating schedules can be exhausting.

Add the needs of a pet and you could be more exhausted. Getting pets to hotels when the truck is broken down... getting to a vet.. having proper food. Having room on the truck for a large animal.

Trucking with Pets

Oh wow, then getting a dog is starting to sound like a bad idea lol. I'll probably just do the seatbelting the door shut and tying a rope from the door to the air horn thing instead lol

Yeah I'm not scared or anything. Sorry if I gave that impression haha.

I was thinking of thing in terms of how when someone gets a house, they install a security system. Carrying a gun has always been my equivilant to that. I think of my own safety as my personal responsibility. I took 6 months worth of Muay Thai Boxing and BJJ classes last year as an example...JUST so I don't become too dependant on a gun for self defense.

Animals can react differently too. Some get sick. One of my cats did not care. The other hid behind the refrigerator for a week. Some.get sick. My cat use to chew wires out of nerves.

I uses to rescue Damlatians. I love dogs. But personally it would drive me nuts to be exhausted and have the dog wake me to go out into -20 degree winter in WY. Or trying to park close to grass so the dog's paws dont get burnt on asphalt in 120 degree phoenix.

If the air or heat break, i can deal with it temporarily. I would feel guilty if my pet suffered. Prime will take the passenger seat out which allows more space. Not all companies will do that.

9 yrs.. never had issues.