Every time the car drives by, you can tell if there’s an adorable dog inside. They’re always sticking their heads out the window, with their mouths open, as if they’re enjoying the wind.Sanny is too scared to stand up in the car. I’m not the best driver, so it’s easy to jolt the car and make it fall. But when riding on the electric scooter, Sanny loves sticking its head out. Sometimes, to get even further out, it’ll step on our shoes. Whenever the wind blows its ears against its face, it squints its eyes contentedly, looking like a happy dog enjoying the breeze.This seemingly cute behavior isn’t just about enjoying the wind on their face—it actually has roots in a dog’s survival instincts and a few hidden secrets.
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The Core Reason Lies in Dogs’ Ultra-Sensitive Sense of Smell
Dogs have a sense of smell that’s 40 times more powerful than humans, with over 300 million scent receptors in their noses, allowing them to detect even the most subtle odors in the air. The closed space inside a car often smells monotonous, mostly like leather, but the air flowing outside carries a wealth of scents—traces of outdoor cats, the fragrance of flowers and plants by the roadside, “social signals” left by other dogs, and even the smells coming from garbage bins miles away. For dogs, sticking their head out the window is like opening a window to the world of scents—every gust of wind brings new information from the outside.
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In Addition to Scent Exploration, Visual and Auditory Stimulation Also Captivates Dogs
Dogs’ dynamic vision is far superior to ours. Pedestrians rushing by, birds flying, and the leaves rustling in the wind—all these moving elements outside the car grab their attention. At the same time, the wind brings the sound of rushing air, birds chirping by the roadside, and the hum of passing vehicles. While these sounds may seem chaotic to us, they are full of novelty and intrigue for dogs. This multi-sensory experience transforms car rides into a thrilling adventure.
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It’s Also a Way for Dogs to Regulate Their Emotions
Dogs can feel anxious in unfamiliar environments, and some even suffer from motion sickness. The rich sensory stimulation outside the car can help distract them and alleviate their anxiety and discomfort.
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However, Beware of the Risks
Cars usually travel at high speeds, and when turning or braking, dogs can easily lose their balance and fall. Sometimes, small branches sticking out from the roadside, insects flying in the wind, or gravel can scratch their eyes. Not to mention, even when riding on an electric scooter, Sanny often gets so caught up in the wind that it leans out too far and has fallen a few times. Luckily, we were going slow and not in a hurry, so there were no injuries—though I still get nervous thinking about it. If you’re in an area with less traffic and wider roads, it’s safer to secure your dog, slow down the car, and allow it to enjoy the wind and the sights, so it can take in the world around it safely.
Does your dog love sticking its head out the window when riding in the car? Feel free to leave a comment and share some pictures in the comment section—we’d love to hear from you and exchange stories!
