I think I need to get a dog

[Tobin S.]

I'm not one to put much stock in dreams, but when I was taking a nap this evening I dreamed about a dog my family had when I was young and how much I loved him. And now I think I need to get a dog.

I've always loved dogs, but the thing that has kept me from having one is the thought of taking care of it. And taking care of a dog is harder out here on the road. So this can't be just any dog. It must be a road dog. It must be independent and hard working. It must have a desire for adventure. It must be able to work at any time of day. It must have sea legs. It must not puke in my truck. It must be a small to middlin' mutt, but have the attitude of a champion Great Dane.

I think I'll name it Critter.

Seriously, help me out with what I may need to know about taking care of a dog out on the road. I also need to know the basics.

[smalll]

1. I'm honestly curious because I'm clueless on this -- what can a "hard working" dog do for a trucker?

Herd sheep? Retrieve game birds you shoot out of the sky?

[Tobin S.]

2. It must keep vigil while I'm driving and guard the truck when I'm away

Actually, I was just making a joke there.

[smalll]

3. LOL - OK.

By the way, like many here, I love your posts from the road -- especially the ones with pics!

[Tobin S.]

4. Thank you

Stay tuned. You never know what may happen out here sometimes.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

5. I think that's a great idea, my dear Tobin!

I have zero suggestions, though, sorry...

Critter is a very cool name too!

Do you know any truckers who have dogs?

They might make a good resource...

:hi:

[Tobin S.]

7. I don't know any truckers who have dogs

But I suppose I could talk to one the next time I see one with a dog.

[backwoodsbob]

40. my brother and his wife truck

gone for months at a time.

They have a Boston terrier that rides with them...or should I say tells them what to do while they slave over her.

[CC]

6. I'd suggest a full grown dog

that is calm and not prone to motion sickness. Also one that needs less exercise since they are in the truck a lot. Good training is going to be a must but you can work with them on that. If the dog is calm then you don't have to worry about him/her barking while you sleep unless there is a reason. For safety reasons I'd think about a crate at least in the beginning and a harness seat belt for always. You might want to get a less flatulent breed/mix since you are in small closed quarters. Beyond that I would say a dog would be great company on the road. I've met enough truckers with dogs to know it is doable and good for both.

[Tobin S.]

8. Thank you for the suggestions

I didn't know that dogs could be particularly farty. :)

[old mark]

10. I agree - get an older dog -over 2 years at least, and maybe a medium size...

30 to 50 pounds.
Many dogs LOVE to ride around, and you can pay him in kibble and dog cookies and good clean water and he will be a happy traveling companion.

Maybe a pound, shelter or rescue dog-but tell them what you plan to do with him (or her)-they may give you some good recommendations or steer you to the right dog.

I have loved dogs since I was about 4 and could not be without one.


mark

[SwampG8r]

9. well

You know my girl just called me up
And she woke me from my sleep
You should have heard the things she said
You know she hurt my feelings deep.
I'm gonna buy me a dog
(A dog, a dog! Why?)
'Cause I need a friend now.
(Say, you need all the friends you can get)
I'm gonna buy me a dog,
My girl, my girl, don't love me no how.

She used to bring me my newspaper.
(Cause you didn't know where it was at)
'Cause she knew where it was at.
She used to keep me so contented.
But I can teach a dog to do that.
(Maybe elephants)
I'm gonna buy me a dog,
'Cause I need a friend now
I'm gonna buy me a dog,
(Dog)
My girl, my girl, don't love me no how.
(how) how (how)
1,2,3,4,5,6,7 hike!
(hike! I was a little late on that one.
I just got back from playing cards with the natives.)
Zulus?
(No I usually one, ha ha.)
I could use a drink of water.
(Why, you thirsty?)
No, I want to see if my neck leeks.
I wanna buy a racoon like John's.
(35 bucks.)
Where do I come back in?

I'm gonna buy me a dog,
(dog!) Um, yeah.
'Cause I need a friend now
(yeah, yeah)
Boom boom boo doop doop ramalama.
I'm gonna buy me a dog,
My girl, my girl, don't love me no how.
(how, how)
How now brown cow.

I'm gonna buy me a dog, yes sir.
If I was looking for a word to describe it, "dog" would be the world.
(dog?)
Defenately dog. I would come springing from my lips, dog.
(Ok, the song is over, could someone let us out? They're coming to take
us away, ha ha hee hee ho ho)

[hobbit709]

11. I've seen a couple Animal Planet shows with truckers and their dogs.

[Paper Roses]

12. All dogs are great but I would vote for a Lab. Intelligent, loving,

watchful and just plain fun animals. No long fur to keep after, easy to train.

There are Lab rescue organizations where you would certainly find an adult dod who will give you more love and attention than you could possible return.

Go for it.

http://www.lab-rescue.com/
http://www.labrescue.com/
http://www.labrescue.org/

I forgot to look at your profile to see where you are from but there are Lab rescue groups all over the country.

I care for a yellow lad several days a week. Not only is she smart but she is fun and loving. Your new dog could sit right up there in that beautiful cab and chat with you. Some can sing along!!
PS. Will need seatbelt too.

[EFerrari]

33. Labs need a lot of exercise. Other than that, a Lab would be perfect.

My Labs have had access to a huge chunk of land to run around in and they always choose to be where I am instead. They can be trained to be quiet, excellent companions. :thumbsup:

[xchrom]

13. i think you need a dog too.

great idea -- and the pics from the road are going to be awesome!

[woo me with science]

14. Somewhere, in a cramped, smelly cage at a shelter,

is a lonely dog dreaming of a friend, and the open road...

:)

[GreenPartyVoter]

22. +1,000,000!!!

[raccoon]

15. Check this out:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fn8RMfFlXgA

[Paper Roses]

16. Too late to Edit. In Ohio, see the links below: Great opportunities.

http://lab.rescueme.org/Ohio
http://www.petfinder.com/shelters/OH652.html
http://www.rescuealab.com/blog.asp

Can you tell I'm a Lab fan?
Good luck.

[femmocrat]

17. That's a great idea, Tobin!

I would recommend a smaller herding or working breed, though, for maximum watch-dog skills. Labs are wonderful family dogs, but need LOTS of room and activity.

Even a terrier mix-- Terriers have great alarms systems! :) I know the right Critter is out there waiting for you!

[mnhtnbb]

18. I saw a trucker stopped by the side of the road getting his dog out

of the cab. I cringed, because it didn't seem like a safe spot to get the dog out, even though
he was on a leash. We have rest stops in NC about every 45-50 miles on all the major Interstates,
and they have plenty of trucker spaces.

Please, pull OFF the road to get your dog out, once you find the right dog!

[The Midway Rebel]

19. Dogs are good luck.

As soon as you start looking it will find you.

Train them young and they will always be road dogs.

They need water, food, walks and mostly they need you.

[david13]

20. It can be done. But the thing about a dog is, they need exercise

every day, at least twice. Walk in the morning and a walk at night. They get all funny if they don't get it.
There won't be much work to do for him, just riding along. So he can't be too frisky. An older dog, a pound rescue, a mature dog someone left behind. You'll be saving his life.
He will puke in the truck. No way to avoid that. Not a lot, only maybe once or twice. He'll forgive you and not make a fuss if you do the same.
The basics are then food and water, and stopping just about regular for lawn or garden or woods breaks. And be sure to carry used plastic bags to clean up in a manicured lawn area.
They make good companions. But the younger ones need to chase things, sometimes for miles. I think older is better.
Good luck.
dc

[S n o w b a l l]

34. I disagree with that....

The dog will puke in your truck. Not every dog gets motion sickness. I've never had one that did. I've driven cross country 3 times with my dogs and neither of them got sick.

[elleng]

21. Great idea, dear Tobin! (I need one too!)

Have x-posted at Pets group, for thoughts.

Bon Voyage!

Here's an option, adopt a retired military war dog:

http://www.uswardogs.org/new_page_15.htm

[rug]

23. Get a chimp.

[Mopar151]

24. Our Shi Tzu LOVES to ride

Jozie's the best! And talk about a chick magnet....... And I know a trucker who'se Rottwieler bitch saved him from getting mugged in a truckstop lot. Poodle would be good, too - they are bred from hunting dogs, smart and tougher than they look

[hamsterjill]

25. Critter will be a lucky dog!

Sounds like you will make a GREAT pet parent because you are thinking ahead of time about what the needs of the dog will be.

May I please suggest that you save the life of one from a shelter? You seem like the kind of guy who would do that, and there aren't enough guys in the world who WILL do that.

I wish you and the future Critter happiness and fun!

[lillypaddle]

26. but ...

When it's hot outside and you need to stop to go inside to eat or something, what will you do with Critter? I'm sure it can be worked out, but I just thought of that.

A dog would be wonderful company for you on the road.

[marzipanni]

27. I googled images of "truckin' dogs"

There are some cute photos of dogs looking out of truck windows scattered among the 'keep on truckin' cartoons, etc. Here's a page from the Truckers Report.com about their dogs-

http://www.thetruckersreport.com/truckingindustryforum/the-pet-stop/100741-my-dog-is-a-chi-weenie-2.html

[mzteris]

28. great idea!

Flvegan knows a lot about dogs - he should show up in here soon.

My one suggestion would be a rescue dog - one that had been in the system with a foster family long enough so they know their personality very well. That way they'll KNOW about things like car sickness and willingness to just RIDE and look out the window. One who is patient and friendly, but will be a good guard dog, too.

[david13]

29. Tobin. How about a military dog in retirement. You save his life,

and I suppose he comes with a pension, free medical care for life, and combat experience.
http://www.uswardogs.org/
The adoption procedure is about half way down.
dc

[elleng]

31. Ditto, dc.

[av8rdave]

30. Thanks to Mrs. Av8rdave, I have a lot of experience with Bichons...

Mid size dogs, VERY trainable and lovable, and they travel extremely well. You might want to check them out, though you may find them a little too small to be a good watchdog.

We had one that would ring a bell when he needed to answer nature's call. I'd open the back door and leave it slightly ajar. When he was done, he would come back inside, then turn around and close the door behind him. Like I said, very trainable!

The Mrs. also volunteered for a Bichon rescue agency (she's allergic to any other breed). If you go the foster/rescue route, just be careful and exercise due diligence, and go fairly young. A lot of the rescue dogs have had rough lives, and have issues that require a lot of patience and attention for a good while, which could be tough for breaking in a road dog.

Whatever you choose, good luck and enjoy the companionship!

I too, btw, enjoy your "road posts" a great deal.

[mopinko]

32. probably the happiest dog i have ever known was a truck dog.

a guy that was in an obedience class that i took. the dog was a doberman, and she was so glued to her owner, and just doted on him at all times. she was trained to do everything but talk.
i just have a personal thing about boxers, which i think are the best dogs ever. they are sturdy, tough, scary until they try to sit in your lap and wash your face. short hair. mellow. mine have all loved to ride in cars and trucks.

i love mutts, and have had some fabulous ones, but i think that if you want to make an intelligent choice of a dog, it helps to be looking at purebred, or at least only slightly mixed mutts. seems like you have some specific needs that you ought to keep in mind.
your situation might be good for a pit bull rescue. :hide: a lot of them are great dogs, and being the only dog helps a lot.

good luck finding a buddy. i think it is a really wise idea. but what do i know. i have 3 dogs now, and wondering when dog #4, the legal limit in chicago, is going to come waltzing in my door.

[TrogL]

35. Sounds like you need a dachshund

Small enough to fit in a truck, bold enough to attack a German Shepherd and win.

[XemaSab]

36. I'd give you a dog

but she gets carsick.

Violently, horribly carsick.

[njlib]

37. Start looking on Petfinder.com

It's a great idea and you're sure to find a best friend for life! There's such a need right now, especially with people having to give up their animals because they can't afford to keep them.

Good luck and post lots of pics once you've found your traveling companion!!!!

[Mendocino]

38. A Basset that likes hamburgers

Frog meet Fred, Fred meet Frog, Frog feed Fred.

[backwoodsbob]

39. have three.... two rescues and a son of a rescue

the two are shepps..great dogs.BUT the other one is the one you want...a parson russel terrier.

she ABSOLUTELY RULES the two big dogs.Adventurous... smart...and ZERO fear.

[elleng]

41. But Tobin's critter must COME when ordered to do so, and THOSE terriers might not!!!

[backwoodsbob]

42. pic of a parson

http://www.flickr.com/photos/intenet-helfer/2060024188/

that is almost identical to the one that owns me.Just put grey where that one has brown and you have mine