Why Dogs Love Car Rides: Understanding Their Excitement and How to Make It Safe

Introduction

Does your dog like to hop in the car, stick their head out the window, and go for a cruise? Maybe they sneak their way into your car every time you try and get in, then when you go to get them out, they go from seat to seat trying to avoid your grasp like you will just give up and take them with you. Do they run outside whenever you grab your keys and open the house door just to go stand by the car and wait for you? These behaviors are far more common than you think and it seems like a universal truth, dogs just seem to love going for a ride.

The Root of the Behavior

This kind of behavior is nearly universal in bigger dogs. Small dogs that cannot see outside the car but are just being tossed around by the changing center of gravity might not feel that way, but most larger dogs that can see outside the car absolutely love it. There are differing beliefs as to why this is such a universal truth. Some tie the behavior to a canine's predatory instincts. A canine is an animal designed to run. They don't sneak and they don't hunt by instinct like a cat might. Instead, they hunt by the chase. They constantly rebalance to adjust their direction and momentum while they chase down their prey. These are the same sensations that a dog would feel in a vehicle. Even the wind in their face would be the same sensations, which would explain why they love to put their face out of the window.

Another candidate seems more simple and relatable. To your dog, getting in the car is like going on an adventure. They get to see much of the world that their life would typically not see. Half the time when they go for a ride, they end up at some park or something with you anyway. These types of results make going for a ride a favorite thing to do for many pets. Some dogs, however, are terrified of car rides. This could have to do with the destinations they typically arrive at. If you only take your dog in the car when you are headed to the vet, the two are going to become correlated in your dog's mind. This could also have to do with the specific conditions they travel in. If they are confined to a kennel when they travel then they are subject to every turn, twist, or brake your car makes and they do not have any ability to see the world whiz by or perhaps will not even know they are moving.

Encouraging the Behavior

If you want your dogs to be better car riders, there are certainly a few things you can do. Let them out of the kennel if possible and this will let them better control their center of gravity as the car moves around and make them more comfortable. Try and not be too predictable with the destination. If every time they get in the car they head to the vet, they will relate the two. Occasionally, take them to the dog park or other places they will enjoy a great deal and they will soon be excited every time they get a chance to get into the vehicle.

Crack their window; not entirely if you are worried they will jump, but just enough they can stick their head out and get the wind in their face. Dogs just love to get the wind flowing into their face. Contacting a trainer or behavioral specialist should be able to help you figure out why your dog doesn't enjoy the car and what you can do to change that outlook if that is your goal. A little positive reinforcement goes a long way. If you instruct them to get in the car and they do so right away, give them a bit of positive reinforcement. This will let them know they are doing the right thing and exactly what you want.

Other Solutions and Considerations

Car sickness does happen with some dogs and your dog seeming calm and content during a car ride does not necessarily mean they are having a good time. If they are whining or barking, it can obviously be a pretty big sign they are unhappy, but that is not all you should be looking out for. Pay attention to their body language. Is their head down? Their tail between their legs? Unfortunately, if your dog does get motion sickness, there really is not a whole lot you can do about this. Your vet may have some solutions for you but with the infrequency of your car rides, using any kind of medication to alleviate these symptoms may seem like a bit of a waste.

Conclusion

Most dogs just love a good car ride. Some will try so hard to join you every time you go to get into your car while a few will recoil whenever you try and bring them toward it. Do not let this discourage you and you can easily address why they hate it and hopefully correct that behavior rather quickly.