Driving a car feels even better with our four-legged companions. But what do you do when you see your dog’s head in the side-view mirror? Why do dogs stick their head out the window anyway?
This is probably one of the cutest behaviors our dogs exhibit. A few sights are more adorable than seeing our pooch with his head out the window and his tongue sticking out while he is having a comical look.
But why do dogs like to do this? Is there a reason behind this behavior, or is this just one of the quirky things they like to do?
Let’ find out!
Why Do Dogs Love To Stick Their Head Out The Car Window?
Our dogs do many things we find cute, such as placing their paws on us or sleeping with their bums next to us.
However, while the two behaviors I’ve just named seem to be a way to get close to us, pushing their head out the open window doesn’t seem to have anything to do with their human companions.
So, why do dogs stick their head out the window? Should you even allow them to do this?
Here’s what the experts had to say:
1. Interesting Smells And Sights
Looking out the window is a true sensory overload for your pups. This helps them see and smell so many new things, how can they not love it?
Dogs have scent receptors that are much more powerful than ours. In fact, they have around 300 million more olfactory receptors than humans! When they are looking outside the window, this will help them learn more about the outside world.
Of course, dogs have to stay inside of a car during a ride, but they find this to be really dull. When their head is outside, they can get way more olfactory information than they would otherwise. They can feel so many different smells, much more than they normally can during a walk.
Canines can also see many interesting behaviors while you’re driving. While they don’t have good vision and are extremely near-sighted, they can see things from a much wider perspective than we can. In a dog’s world, long drives seem like a visit to the cinema!
2. Instincts
Another common reason why dogs stick their head out the window during car rides is due to their instincts.
Dogs have inherited many behaviors from their wild ancestors. Unfortunately, not all of those behaviors are fun, such as rolling in poop. I am sure dog owners all around the world are much more glad about having to monitor their dogs during rides!
Wild dogs and wolves used to love the feeling of the wind on their faces. Not only does this help dogs smell things and give them the best insights about the world, but it also feels nice. Not to mention how it’s a way for them to feel more powerful and wild.
3. Cooling Down
Does your dog typically stay calm during the rides, but suddenly you’ve noticed him sticking his head out the window? Maybe he’s feeling warm and is looking for a way to cool himself.
Dogs don’t sweat as we do. In fact, their sweat glands are located on their paws. If you notice your pooch smelling like corn chips, this is one of the reasons.
Another way they help themselves cool down is by panting. Panting helps regulate their body temperature, and panting at great speeds allows them to cool down even quicker. In fact, this is probably the main reason why they stick their tongue out!
Don’t worry; this probably doesn’t mean your pooch was feeling dangerously hot beforehand. He simply feels better with that additional breeze on his face.
4. Social Interactions
Dogs are social creatures that love to get as much attention as possible. They cannot do that while they are sitting calmly inside your car, so they’ll do the only other thing they can, and that is to peek outside.
By looking outside, they can see and smell other dogs that are passing by. They might even try to bark as an additional way of communication. In fact, a car ride is probably helping them “meet” more dogs than any walk ever!
Another possible cause of this behavior is that your dog might be trying to get attention from you.
Just think about it. Have you yelled at your dog, afraid that he’s going to jump out, and (rightfully so) attempted to pull him back inside? While you see this as scolding, your pup sees it as positive reinforcement.
There is nothing your furry friend wants more than to spend time with you, and by trying to make him stop pushing his head out the open window, you’re giving him exactly what he wants. This lets him know that he’s doing a good thing and that he’ll be rewarded – in his own way, of course.
So, maybe your dog is doing this in an attempt to get you to like him!
5. It’s Fun!
Not all is about innate behaviors. Sometimes, dogs do things just because they are having fun.
Dogs have two purposes in life: To make us happy and to live their life happily. They find immense joy in smelling different things and in exploring the world around them.
Peeking outside of the car gives additional excitement to a ride, and it makes everything ten times more interesting. And if something is exciting, why not do it?
In the end, isn’t this the best proof of how we all should learn things from our canine companions? All it takes is a little speed, fresh wind, and an open window for them to be jumping for joy. Well, hopefully not literally, at least not in this situation.
The next time you see a dog smiling with his head through the window, smile with him, as this is the face of someone who is having a good time.
Safety Concerns
While you probably love to look at your pup having fun, allowing him to continue with this behavior probably isn’t the smartest thing you can do due to many potential dangers.
Jumps And Falls
Small dog breeds can easily fall out the car window, which will almost certainly result in tragedy. Even if the window is only slightly open, their tiny bodies might be able to wriggle out. You’ll have a hard time catching him while you’re holding onto the wheel.
Sure, you might feel as if your dog is sitting stable, but what happens when you hit an emergency brake?
A good idea is to get a seat belt made for dogs as a safety precaution. This will keep your pup safe during a ride, and it’ll allow him to enjoy fresh air. But even this isn’t ideal. How so?
Trauma
Well, when a dog is having his head out, wind gusts during high speeds can bring foreign objects into your dog’s eyes and your dog’s nose. The great pressure of air also causes trauma to the pup’s eyes.
If there happens to be a crash, no matter how mild, your pup could get seriously injured if his head is sticking out.
Occasionally, dogs can trigger the mechanism and cause the window to close. This could lead to serious injuries or even strangulation.
Unfortunately, the only way to keep your dog safe is to keep him from sticking his head from the window altogether.
Legal Implications
Finally, you might face legal implications in some areas, such as Florida, as it’s against the law to allow your dog to stick his head out while the car is moving.
If a cop sees your dog’s head out of the window, they’ll pull you over and you might be facing penalties.
What If A Dog Doesn’t Want To Do This?
If you’re taking your pooch on rides regularly and have never seen him do this, don’t worry. This doesn’t mean that there’s anything wrong with him. Still, I guess you’re wondering, Why do dogs stick their head out the window, but mine doesn’t want to?
All dogs are individual creatures with their own needs and personalities. Not every canine will find joy in sticking his head outside. Some dogs prefer staying inside, where they feel safe and satisfied. Others will just love all the great feelings they get from the wind.
Don’t force your dog to do this if he isn’t feeling it. As I’ve already mentioned, sticking your head out the window during the ride isn’t the smartest move, and your pup is saving you a lot of trouble if he isn’t doing this.
In the end, this is just another piece of proof that dogs don’t do things just to satisfy their needs. They also do things because they choose to—or choose not to.
Isn’t this precisely why we love them so?!
Vanja’s passion for writing started at an early age, which is why she pursued Journalism as her college degree. She can research any topic and find all the information before you bat an eye, which is a great thing for her job but a terrible one for her husband.
Even as a young child, she fell in love with everything fluffy – but dogs have a special place in her heart due to her childhood companion, a Corgie named Archie.
Motivated by her experiences and driven by a desire to give back to her four-legged companions, she spends her free time volunteering at a local dog shelter.