(yes, I’ve searched the archives. There are threads that deal with why they like to have their heads out the window, but not cars in general)
Most dogs seems to enjoy riding in cars, be it with the head out the window or not. At least they’re never uncomfortable. I’m wondering how come?
Most cats I’ve known off detest riding in cars or mostly any kind of transportation. Cars take to it like… Whatever go together well. It’s not like Ma Dog kan tell her pups about how exciting life’s gonna be. Somehow I doubt that dogs, though living shorter lives, have had time to develop genetically and adapt to cars.
So anyone with a good idea why dogs enjoy being in cars, on boats, in tha back of pick-ups, trains, subways or whatever. Only discomfort I’ve noticed is escalators.
Well, the theory I’ve heard (obviously, this is not to be taken as gospel) is that, when a dog sticks his head out the window of a moving car, he gets to take in dozens or hundreds of smells simultaneously.
Smell is the most important sense of all to a dog. So, to stick his nose in the wind and take in a smorgasbord of smells is a delight for him.
Driving around also gives a dog a chance to cover a large amount of territory in a short period of time in the presence of one of his superiors.
Dogs are social animals, and one of their most social activities is hunting. Going out on a drive with you is like the most awesome hunting trip imaginable. He gets to see all kinds of new places, bark at new dogs, and all with the lead hunter, you. To a dog, that’s about as cool as it can be.
I don’t really know the answer here, but my money is on the “lots of interesting smells” response. RickJay’s answer really describes my dog’s response to the thrill of getting a ride in the truck.
Reminds me of one of my favorite Far Sides: A dog is looking out the car window at the neighbor’s dog, saying: “Ha, ha, Trixie, we’re going for a ride in the car! First we’re going the park, then to the hardware store, and then I’m going to the vet’s to get tutored!”
Well, the smell thing might still be an bonus even when the air conditioning is on. It’s my understanding that a car gives off the scent of its occupants even when sealed (that is, a scent hound can follow it). So I’m guessing that a car moving quickly along a road is also going to be picking up air/scents, even if you’ve got the air on “recirculate” and every window is up.
My dog hated riding in cars and would get sick if you put her in one outside of a travel kennel. I think that the breed, Basenji, doesn’t do well with travel, but not certain on that. Maybe this exception proves your rule?
My dogs favorite activity is “Gittin to go wit DADDY!” (me) Nothing makes him happier, the companionship, the comraderie, the sights the sounds, getting to growl at pedestrians… its all good.
I think dogs have to be trained to like rides in cars. I’ve been trying to make sure my puppy likes it. I had to get her excited about it. I took her to fun places and now she gets excited just about going nowhere. Our old dog wasn’t thrilled about the car, and she never went on many rides. On the other hand, my friend’s dog got to go with ‘daddy’ all the time to vist his girlfriend, and you can’t even say the word “ride” around the dog w/o her going insane.
Most dogs can be trained to be excited about anything just by saying stuff in an excited voice
Once they realize there’s smells, too, I think that helps.
Chance, The Noble Weimaraner[sup]TM[/SUP] just likes to be with the mom. He doesn’t care where he is (the car, the bathroom, Iraq) as long as he’s by my side.
Although I know what he’s thinking the entire time we’re in the car…
[Chance]
Going for a ride
Going for a ride
Going for a ride
[/Chance]
I’m pretty much with Rickjay… the dog wants to go with the pack leader (which for the instant may be whoever has the car keys), and they love doing all the doggie-stuff… checking out new territory (or familliar territory, but really fast), seeing other dogs in cars, all the cool smells and whatever excitement awaits them at the end of the trip (unless they’re coming to see me, in which case it sort of seems like a dirty trick to a lot of them. Poor little munchkins.)
BTW, Beagle, there may be a way to help your dogs with their carsickness… if they’re truly motion sick (ie, they don’t get sick til they’ve been in the car 20 minutes or more) then Drammamine may help. (This is presuming they’re old enough to have outgrown the basic puppy carsickness). If they’re habituated to being sick in the car (ie get sick in usually less than 20 minutes - and it may be that all you see in that time is the excessive salivation, panting and restlessness, not necessarily the actual vomiting), you can often retrain them with shorter rides. The trick is to stop BEFORE they get a chance to get sick. This may mean that you have to drive them to the mailbox (and then stop and let them out) 45 zillion times before they calm down about it. Your vet can probably help you determine if they’re really motion sick or not, and advise you about getting them past it. A few dogs really seem to have a hard time getting over it. Anecdotally, some people report success with acupuncture in some of those cases. (You should see a veterinary acupuncturist for this).
Anyway, might be better than cleaning up vomit, plus they’ll have to get in a car sometime in their lives, generally… to go to the groomer, the vet, etc… might be more fun for them (and you) if they’re not nauseated the whole time, bless their little hearts. Good luck with that!
