The promise of a treat
Many dogs know that part of the fun of a car ride is the opportunity to stop for a delicious people food snack. Taking your dog out for a Sunday afternoon drive? He might just be wise to the fact that the McDonald’s drive-thru or a few licks of an ice cream cone are in his future.
Don’t forget a few common-sense safety rules when you take your dog out in the car. Dogs are safest in the rear of the car in either a harness or crate. It’s fun for your dog to sit unrestrained in the front seat and stick his head out the window, but that might not be the safest thing. It’s also a good idea to keep small dogs out of your lap when driving. And of course, never leave your dog in a hot car.
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Why Car Rides are Mentally Stimulating for Dogs
Are you curious how taking a quick drive in the car can activate your dog’s brain? Car rides can be extremely mentally stimulating for your canine companion. You may want to consider taking them with you when you run errands. If you have nowhere to go, consider loading them up just for a quick joy ride.
Here are five reasons your dog could benefit from a car ride.
Think about all of the things that your dog is exposed to on a daily basis. Chances are they don’t venture farther than your home or your backyard.
They likely already know every nook and cranny of both areas. Taking them on a car ride expands their horizons. Your pup will have so many new and novel things to take in. Their brain will be working overtime to process all of the new sights.
If you really want to activate their brain, consider taking them somewhere special. A stop at the car wash will be particularly stimulating for your dog.
They have never seen anything like the rollers and spray that they will be exposed to in the car wash.
It’s no secret that your dog has a more developed sense of smell than their human. Dogs explore their world through their nose.
In addition to the visual stimulation they will receive from a car ride, they are also exposed to an assortment of new smells. They will smell things they have never experienced before. All of this extra scent work is great for keeping their brains sharp and active.
Of course, there is more to it than just new smells. Your dog loves to be wherever you are. By being with you in a confined space like the car, they can smell you more intensely as well.
At first glance, riding in the car with your dog shares almost nothing in common with hunting.
You aren’t in the woods, you have no weapons with you, and your canine companion is strapped into their seatbelt instead of running free. However, a car ride creates a similar feel to your dog.
First, your dog is happy to be with their pack – you and the family. This is an important component of a successful hunting expedition.
Second, the movement of the car in relation to the other cars on the road may resemble the forward motion of pursuing prey on the hunt.
Your dog is carefully watching everything around them. Their sensation of being involved in the car ride is thought to give them the same feeling as a dog on the hunt.
Did you know that your dog views your car as an extension of the home? They get to spend some quality time with their favorite person in a confined space.
This signals to them that this is a natural extension of their territory. Your pup will love getting to spend some time in this area that they hardly ever get to explore.
If you take your dog for a car ride often enough, they are likely to know your habits and routines. Are they always rewarded for behaving with a snack from the fast-food drive through?
Maybe you slip them a few fries from your afternoon meal. Your dog catches on to patterns quickly. If you really want to stimulate your dog’s brain, teach him to anticipate a tasty reward whenever you take them out on the road.
Benefits of Mentally Stimulating Your Dog
Most dog owners already know that physical exercise is important for their canine. They know that they have to take their dog on daily walks or play a few rounds of fetch with them.
What many people don’t realize is that they need to stimulate their dog’s brain just as much. There are some major benefits to mentally stimulating your dog.
First and foremost, mentally stimulating your dog curbs their boredom. Think about the life your dog lives. If you don’t actively give them things to engage them, they are likely to find their own version of fun. You may not like the end result.
A bored dog often engages in annoying or destructive behavior such as barking, chewing, or digging.
Giving them something to do keeps their minds occupied and prevents them from being tempted to engage in some of these behaviors. As a result, you will see that their behavior often improves when they are given something to do during the day.
Eliminating these destructive behaviors is just one way that their behavior can improve. Many owners find that their dog is calmer in all situations when they work with them regularly.
This is particularly true if you are training with your dog. However, any type of mental stimulation will do. Mental stimulation will wear your dog out. A tired dog is often a happy dog.
Just as your dog enjoys a long walk at the park, they will also love using their brains. Several of the best ways to engage your dog’s mind involve one-on-one time with you. They will love this attention as it strengthens the bond between the two of you.
There are a number of reasons why mentally stimulating your dog is significant. Taking a car ride with your dog is one quick and easy way to stimulate their minds, but there are other effective options as well.