Why Do Dogs Stick Their Heads out of Cars?

You might find it strange that Maximus insists on peering out the open window, catching the breeze as you're driving along. Sticking his head out the window is fun and pleasurable, which is why he does it. But that̵7;s not the only reason he likes to get a glimpse of the great outdoors.

  1. It̵7;s Fun

    • Think about how Maximus spends his day: Early morning walk, quick breakfast, waiting patiently for endless hours for you to get home and then another walk and meal before bedtime. While he is perfectly content with his lifestyle, he̵7;s truly fascinated with a little adventure once in a while. When he shoves his head out the passenger side window, he̵7;s getting a bit of excitement in his day, reports Arizona-based veterinarian Dr. Kelly Moffat.

    To Smell

    • You̵7;ve most likely heard before that dogs have a tremendous sense of smell. So naturally when Maximus ventures outdoors, he has a strong urge to stop and smell the roses -- and everything else in his path. When he begs you to roll the window down so he can stick his head out, he̵7;s trying to get a better whiff of all those enticing new scents out there, says Dr. Moffat.

    Taking in the Scenery

    • If you̵7;ve ever walked outside on a dewy morning at sunrise and looked from side to side, you got a mental image of a stunning panoramic view. When your furry pal sticks his head out of the car while you̵7;re driving, he̵7;s doing the same sort of thing: getting the full scope of his surroundings. It̵7;s almost like he̵7;s sitting front row at an action-packed 3-D movie, TV's Cesar Millan, the dog behavior expert called the Dog Whisperer, said on his website, Cesar's Way.

    Concerns

    • As exciting as it is for Maximus to ride around with his gums bared and ears flapping in the breeze, it can be very dangerous. Airborne fragments, bugs, birds and other things in the air can strike your dog or get lodged in your pup̵7;s eyes, ears, nose or throat. The loud sound of the wind and the intensity it enters the ear canal can even lead to deafness over time, according to Dr. Ben Klein, a California veterinarian. If you go over a bump or stop quickly, your dog is liable to go flying out the window and get severely banged up. Your fun car ride can quickly become a stressful trip to the vet. Roll the window up before you pull out of the driveway to keep your dog from impulsively jumping out during the ride.