Team OTR with Werner and a dog.
Posted by CouldBeWorse2410@reddit | Truckers | View on Reddit | 29 comments
How screwed am I? Currently taking classes. I have a pre approval from Werner already. They allow pets. I have a Beagle that sheds. The thing is that I will most likely have to do team driving with a stranger. The recruiter said they have a ton of employees that are okay with or like riding with an animal, but I’d hate to get a couple days in and some stranger decides they hate the dog (space issues, shedding, etc).
Should I just give up and do a local gig then? Anyone have experience riding with someone else’s dog? I’m single and in my 30s and the dog is all I really got.
HolyOrangeJuice@reddit
I have a German Shepherd on the truck. Vacuum is great but the best thing someone bought me was a hand held blower. I didn't know they made a handheld drill sized blower. It's insanely powerful. I have even used it inside the trailer to blow it out. Just open both truck doors and blow out the cab. Then hit it with the vac.
CouldBeWorse2410@reddit (OP)
What kind is it? Do you have a link for it, by chance?
HolyOrangeJuice@reddit
Yoovl is the brand. Came with two batteries. Insane how powerful it is. It shouldn't be that good.
CouldBeWorse2410@reddit (OP)
Nice, I’ll check it out. Thank you!
CobraWasTaken@reddit
I hope you know that you don't have to team. Last I checked Werner has the option to drive solo. If not, there are countless other companies that do.
CouldBeWorse2410@reddit (OP)
Copy. Recruiter made it sound like it would have to be team. I may reach back out or see elsewhere. Thank you
CobraWasTaken@reddit
You will probably have to team for training since most of the big companies do that but once you're done with training you should be able to drive solo
CouldBeWorse2410@reddit (OP)
Right, I expect that. And definitely want that training time at the beginning.
SnowCat6969@reddit
I was at werner and talked to some the guys that went to roadmaster you 100% do not have to team drive finish ur schooling and toward the snd make it a point that you will not team drive u will be on ur own after ur training
CouldBeWorse2410@reddit (OP)
Okay, thank you. I am definitely revisiting this with the recruiter. I just didn’t want to act like I’m making demands starting out.
SnowCat6969@reddit
Maybe wait until u sign ur hiring on paperwork and depending on the area u r in u might also be able to get on a local account right out of training with zero experience dallas home depot account seems to keep doing that so good luck and never let these dispatchers push you in to doing something u are uncomfortable with
CouldBeWorse2410@reddit (OP)
She mentioned a local account that isn’t open at the moment, but could be sometime this year. Will keep that in mind, thank you!
RoadRatzzz@reddit
You can't wait until you've completed training before bringing your dog on board?
CouldBeWorse2410@reddit (OP)
That’s what I will be doing. Recruiter made it sound like I’d have to do team driving still post training.
RoadRatzzz@reddit
The only thing that got me thru training with a trainer was knowing I would be solo afterwards.
rig53official@reddit
Couple things that actually move the needle: get "pet friendly co-driver only" written into the assignment, not verbal from the recruiter... they'll tell you what gets you in a seat. Pack a real bunk cover and a handheld vac. Most of the shedding gripes from a co-driver disappear when he's not sitting in fur. And honestly, running solo on a dedicated lane for six months before going team lets you stack one new variable at a time instead of three.
CouldBeWorse2410@reddit (OP)
Okay, good to know. I will ask about pet friendly only and if that affects miles/loads. Thank you.
Cardinal_350@reddit
25+ years trucking and I still don't understand why anyone wants to lock a dog in that tiny box with you. There's no way in hell I would team with someone else's dog. My friend you're asking A LOT from someone else
RuneScape420Homie@reddit
A lot of dog breeds do great in a truck and love it.
CouldBeWorse2410@reddit (OP)
I get it. I asked about this specifically
and she said they have a lot of employees that enjoy it, but the more I think about it, the more I’m leaning towards this conclusion.
As far as locking him in a box, he’s a lazy sleeping dog anyway.
Auquaholic@reddit
Dogs want 2 things. To be with their human. Food. Most dogs love trucking. Don't worry about the lock them in a box issue. It's a non issue. I would not bring him training, though. Just after, absolutely. He'll love it and so will you.
CouldBeWorse2410@reddit (OP)
Thanks. He’s a lazy boy. He’ll just be chillin’. Just figured I’d see what the people have to say before I sit here and think “oh boy I can bring my dog”
Puzzled-Flan-7674@reddit
Same here. I have a 9lb terrier. New in trucking
ForgottonTNT@reddit
Me personally the shedding would get annoying, just make sure if u do bring the dog, have lint rollers and have the windows open so u can get more ventilation
CouldBeWorse2410@reddit (OP)
100%. Lint rollers hand held vacuum. I’m like this at home anyway.
ForgottonTNT@reddit
Then you’ll be fine 👌🏿
salgoud6@reddit
Former werner driver can have the dog with you during training which can be upto 8 weeks after that not an issue
CouldBeWorse2410@reddit (OP)
He wouldn’t come with me till after training.
ScientistOriginal345@reddit
Got female instructors there who bring their dogs on longer runs and never had problems with team partners complaining about it