K9 co-pilots: What to consider before before hitting the road with Fido

Dogs have long held the title of “man’s best friend” as they’ve accompanied workers for centuries. This is true for generations of truckers who’ve relied on K9 companionship. While some consider pets messy and even view them as safety liabilities, the industry as a whole has generally become more pet-friendly.

Brian Runnels, director of safety at Reliance Partners, suggests driving with pets shouldn’t be an issue as long as you’re a responsible owner and safe driver.

“It’s nice to have companionship on the road, especially for drivers who spend extended periods of time away from home,” Runnels said.

Runnels explained that it wasn’t too long ago that many motor carriers wouldn’t allow pets in the cab for fear that they could make messes, or worse, damage the interior. However, sentiments are changing. In fact, many trucking companies are realizing the benefits of driver pet ownership and loosening their restrictions to attract more drivers. 

Truck stops are also catering to road dog truckers. Love’s Travel Stops, for example, added dog parks to 33 of its locations nationwide between 2018 and 2019. The company states that each dog park is 50 by 100 feet and includes double air-locked gates for pet safety. Areas for off-leash roaming are also provided, in addition to pet waste stations.