Some dogs get in the car and immediately assume adventure, or at the very least, a trip for a pup cup. Others? They assume betrayal. This little cream-colored, Longhaired Dachshund named Ellie is firmly in the second group. She’s sitting in the front seat in a pink winter vest, looking like a tiny Victorian child being sent away to boarding school. Her dad asks, “What?” then reassures her, “You’re fine.” She is, in fact, not fine.
She is shaking and whining.
And then he asks the most important question of the entire video: “Want me to hold your hand?”
Dear reader. She does.
TikTok user @elliedalilween captioned it, “Dad-oholic 24/7. Holding hands is non-negotiable,” and that pretty much sums it up.
The second he holds her little paw, she visibly settles. Not dramatically. Not over the top. Just enough to say yes, this is the correct arrangement.
Related: Golden Retriever Making Mom ‘Hold His Hand’ Is a Full-Time Job
“She’s just a girl.”
“This might be the prettiest dog I’ve ever seen.”
“You better keep holding her paw!”
“She shouldn’t have even had to ask!”
“She just needed some emotional support.”
“My 75 lb. Golden Retrieverinsists on holding my hand in the car, only letting go when I tell him I have to turn.”
“What a delicate little buttercup.”
“Sir, apparently, I am not fine! Yes, hold my hand!”
“Passenger princess.”
And honestly? Passenger princess is accurate.
There is something about a Longhaired Dachshund that already feels delicate, and then you add trembling and a pink vest, and now we’re in full emotional support territory. She looks like she has very strong opinions about seat warmers.
Whenever I try to hold any of my pets’ paws, though, they immediately assume it’s time for a nail trim. The second I gently touch a paw, they go stiff like I’ve pulled out clippers. Trust issues everywhere.
Meatball (my huge Maine Coon) used to tolerate his travel system like a gentleman. It was this whole structured setup that made me feel like a responsible adult. Now he is so enormous that he barely fits in anything. He looks at the old carrier as if it’s a suggestion. I genuinely need to upgrade before his next vet appointment, maybe a kennel in the trunk area, because he is built like a furry ottoman at this point. He became a big boy quickly.
This Dachshund, though? She just needs a hand.
Also, I’m not saying I would drive one-handed for an unreasonable amount of time if my dog looked at me like that, but I’m not not saying it either.
How To Keep Your Pet Safe in the Car
While holding paws is adorable, safety in the car is important for both pets and their people.
Small dogs should ideally ride in a secured carrier or a properly fitted, crash-tested harness that attaches to the seatbelt. Allowing pets to roam freely in the front seat can increase the risk of injury during sudden stops or accidents.
For larger pups and cats, sturdy crates or travel kennels secured in the trunk area of an SUV can provide more protection. There are also vehicle barriers designed to keep pets safely contained in the back.
It’s always a good idea to get pets used to car travel slowly, using positive reinforcement (lots of treats!) and short practice drives. Some animals simply need reassurance, like this little Dachshund. Others need structure. And some, like my own dog Kingston, just need to dramatically announce their feelings about everything.
The goal is safety first. Paw holding second. Even if it is very hard to resist.
🐶SIGN UP to get “pawsitivity” delivered right to your inbox with inspiring & entertaining stories about our furry & feathered friends🐾🐾
This story was originally published by Parade Pets on Feb 18, 2026, where it first appeared in the Pet News section. Add Parade Pets as a Preferred Source by clicking here.