I’ve searched this forum, the archived Dope files, and googled my way through a few phrases. No dice. So here goes…
Why does a dog typically prefer to keep its head out of an open car window while in transit?
So you know, I’ve heard two explanations. The first says that the moving air stimulates the dog’s nose to the degree that there’s some kind of olfactory high. (Insert “canine nose candy” joke here.) The second says that the unholy stink of one person in a small space – the car – is so repugnant to the dog that Rover sticks the head out the window and keeps it there.
I don’t buy the second explanation, but that doesn’t mean the first one goes over well with me. I’ve considered a variety of scenarios and explanations, but I figure there’s somebody out there who can provide the straight dope without a lot of hand waving. Thanks
Same reason you look out the window. You’re visually oriented, and a dog is olfactorily oriented. He wants to smell what’s out there just like you want to see what’s out there.
Olfactorily oriented? I think that’s too complicated. It’s Fun. As a kid I used to stick my head out the window too. I thought it was a blast. Plus it feels good and lots of fresh air and oxygen. And if you’re a kid or a dog you’re not thinking about bugs splatting on your face, safety or decorum.
I think Keeve has it. Considering that dogs don’t sweat through their skin as humans, I’d second the guess that sticking their head out the window of a moving car allows them to cool down quickly and shed heat through their open mouths. I don’t know why cats wouldn’t do this, though, except for size. Anybody know if lions stick their heads out the car window?
Dogs have (eccrine) sweat glands on their nose and foot pads, not their tongues, though they may get some evaporative cooling benefit from hanging their tongues out of their mouths.
You should see the smiles on my dogs’ faces when they’re riding along (at less than 30 mph, thank you, anything faster is just too hard on the nose), tongues and ears flapping in the wind…one thing to worry about, though, is objects. I don’t let my horses stick their heads out the trailer window as we are traveling, because of the danger of something flying into their eyes.
I can go with that. When I have the windows closed, one of my dogs likes to press her head against the window. (Link to image.) She’ll leave her head pressed like that for hours on long trips. I think she’s imagining what it’s like to drive or fly … really.
Oooh… what’s that what’s that I wanna see oooh breeze breeze wanna bite it! Other dog! Other Dog! Hi! Hi! Hi! Hi! Hi! Ooooh, what’s that? What’s that? going really fast now! Yeah! Faster! Faster! Catch that thing!
C’mon, people. I realize this is GQ, but the OP said to think like a dog, here.
“Ohboyohboyohboy! Time to ride in the car! Me first, me first! Hey! What’s on the floor? SNACKS! YAY! Open the window! Open the window! What’s that? WIND! Ohboyohboy! Deer! Other dogs! I SMELL … SOMETHING!!! Look! Stupid dogs, sitting by the road! HAH! I LAUGH AT YOU! LOOK AT ME! Whoohoo! Dead skunk!”
Humans are visually oriented,and dog’s are also visually oriented… I read somewhere from a doctor, (you’ll have to trust me), but the reason they stick their head out the window is for sight stimulation, not scent stimulation.
You’ll notice that the dog strains to keep his eyes open, even though its uncomfortable, (and unneccessary if he’s only smelling). Then why don’t they just look thru the windshield you ask? well, its different…animals don’t understand glass correctly…they know they’re getting the real deal Holyfield when they stick their whole face out the window.
