Why do dogs like car windows?
Dogs enjoy car windows because they let in a variety of exciting scents and smells that they have never experienced before. They can smell the exhaust from cars, the smell of fries cooking at the local burger joint, and more. It is very mentally stimulating for them.
5 Additional Ways You Can Mentally Stimulate Your Dog
Car rides aren’t the only way you can provide mental stimulation for your dog. Playing games and working with toys is a great way to give their brain a workout. Here are a few fun ideas you might want to try with your pup.
Your dog is used to wolfing down their meal from their bowl. You can slow down their eating and stimulate their brain all at the same time. All you have to do is divide up their regular portion. Hide each smaller portion somewhere around your house or the backyard.
Ask them to lie down and let them watch you hide the food during the first few times you try this game. After you have played a few times, your dog will get the idea and can be kept in a separate room while you hide their meal.
Walk them to the first pile of food and give the command to “find it.” Guide them toward the next portion, giving them help if they need it.
Do you want to mentally stimulate your dog but lack the time? The good news is that puzzle toys can keep your dog busy while you do other things.
Stuff their puzzle toy with their meal to make it more challenging for your dog. There are a variety of puzzle toys available on the market, so be sure to try a couple to see what your dog likes the best.
You can also stuff a Kong ball with peanut butter and stash it in the freezer for a few hours to make it harder for your dog to get their reward. Stuff a puzzle toy with spray cheese or cream cheese as an alternative to peanut butter.
This is a great way to give your dog mental stimulation if they have to be crated for a long period of time. It will take their mind off their confinement and allow them to have some fun so that they look forward to crate time in the future.
There is no better way to activate your dog’s brain than through training them to do new things. Training your dog forces their brain to be active as they try to figure out what you expect from them.
They desperately want their reward, whether that means a tasty snack or a quick game of tug. Every dog owner should train their dog in basic obedience for safety reasons, but it can quickly become a fun way to bond with your pup.
If you aren’t sure how to get started, consider enrolling in a group obedience class at your local pet store. This will equip you with the tools you need to learn how to work with your dog.
From here, you can teach them more advanced tricks or teach them a sport like agility.
To play this game, you will need three cups and a smelly training treat for your pup. Chances are that you have already seen some version of this game played with people.
Let your dog watch you place a treat underneath one of the cups. As they watch, shuffle the cups around to confuse your pup. Go slowly the first few times you play this game so that they have a good understanding of how it works.
When you finish shuffling, encourage your dog to sniff at the cups. Allow them to knock over the cups to try to find the treat.
Does your dog think this game is too easy? You can challenge them further by increasing the number of cups or by using a treat with a lesser smell. Both of these will help to keep the game fresh and exciting for your canine.
Your dog loves to go out in the backyard and sniff around. Sometimes, they get so caught up in what they find that they lose sight of you.
When your dog is distracted, this is the best time to play a game of hide and seek with them. Quickly and quietly hide behind a bush, a tree, or in the playset in the backyard.
Give your dog a few minutes to get curious enough to come searching for you. If they don’t, fear not. You can whistle or call their name to get their attention. This should be enough to encourage them to start searching for you.
Some dogs never seem to get distracted when they are playing in the backyard. You can still play this game with them.
When this is the case, you can ask your dog to lie down and stay in one room of your house. Run to the next room and pick a hiding space. When you are ready, call your dog so that he can come find you.
Mental stimulation is essential if you want a happy and tired dog who doesn’t find creative ways to get into trouble. Taking a car ride with them is one of the easiest and fastest ways to tire your dog out.
They will be overwhelmed by the new sights and sounds, making it easy for them to activate their brains. Consider taking your canine on a quick trip today!
Is it good to take your dog on car rides?
Kevin Behan of Natural Dog Training believes that dogs love car rides because they produce some of the same euphoric sensations as hunting. He theorizes that the car’s motion causes synchronized movements among the “pack members” – they move and sway together along with bumps, twists and turns of the road.
How to Alleviate Dog Car Anxiety
When you say, “Wanna go for a ride?” to your dog, you’ve probably noticed how excited your dog gets, right? Well, there’s a reason for that. Most dogs jump at the chance to go on a car ride, but have you ever stopped to wonder why that is? If so, we have the answer. Dogs like car rides because they simply want to be with you, and if you’re the pack leader—which you should be—your dog will be happy to go along with you in the pack.
While dogs want to be with their owners, that’s not the only reason why dogs like car rides. In this article, we’ll get to the bottom of this question and go over the possible reasons for this adorable behavior.