Here is a video of a dog climbing over a 6-foot vertical chain-link fence so I figure getting into a semi with cab steps should be a no-brainer for this animal. Totally depends on the dog and owner. Small enough lift them in. Big and young enough get in themselves. Some have custom ramps made. I was hoping to hear from a driver who has a dog. Preferably a German Shepherd. My requirements would be a professionally-trained security dog that is highly agile, at least as agile as any good police dog.
I would prefer a dog that can clamber in and out of any rig using only the standard steps with nothing custom made. Lifting a dog as heavy as the typical Shepherd in and out is not only embarrassing but hard on the human spine. I saw a guy with a rottweiller like mix the other day and he had some folding steps for the dog. Watched him take the steps out folded they were about 3 feet long and width of maybe a foot and with a quick snap of the wrist they opened up to 3 sturdy steps for the dog.
That's probably the most comfortable set up a dog could ask for. Bet google has more info. I've owned German Shepherds for years and I take him all the time in my lifted pickup with 35" tires, but never had one in a big rig. My big concern would be whether or not there's enough space for him to squeeze in between the seat and the dash, and under the steering wheel.
That's not a very large space. I can't see him getting up over the driver's seat from the top step without making some sort of circus-type jump and balancing act, having to launch off the top step. And of course what if he makes the attempt, gets distracted, misses the mark, and bumps into the seat on the way up?
He's gonna come crashing down on his back. Or what if he's not capable of committing that type of energy or power? Maybe he's feeling real sick or has an injured hind leg? Then how do you get him in the truck?
