Both of my dogs love car rides and often compete for the front seat. My senior Dachshund jumps right onto my lap in the front while her Pug brother stays in the back… for a while. After he strategizes how to claim the prized passenger seat, my Puggie makes his way into the front and leans on his Doxie sis until she gives him some room. Needless to say, riding shotgun is the coveted car seat for all passengers.

This Golden Retriever looked like an experienced front seat rider. He was so comfortable propped up in position that he practically fell asleep.

In the TikTok from @a_a_reni, the gorgeous Golden had a posture of complete contentment as he sat upright in the front seat of the car. Appropriately dubbed “Passenger Prince” by the onscreen text, the fur baby could hardly keep his eyes open as the gentle motion of the ride lulled him to sleep.

Viewers of the video found the scene adorable and posted some comical comments.

“This is actually super dangerous because he could start asking to stop for coffee and expect you to pay,” one remarked.

“I get it buddy! Car rides make me sleepy too,” another shared.

“He’s definitely pissed that you left his sunglasses at the house,” a follower noted.

“I don’t want to startle you, but there’s a lion in your front seat,” someone joked.

Why Dogs Love Car Rides

It took a while for my Pug to get used to riding in the car. He’s a rescue from Puerto Rico and may not have experienced a lot of passenger time. At first he was very nervous but with some love and encouragement, he soon became a fan of the open road.

While there are canines who don’t enjoy car rides, many are thrilled the minute they hear the keys jingle. The motion and vibration of the car itself provide comfort. Dogs also associate these auto adventures as being part of the pack — they want to go where their loved ones go and the car is considered a gathering place for them.

Related: Golden Retriever Has Sweetest Reaction When He Sees Mom Stay at Groomer

If you drive with the window down, your dog gets a smorgasbord of smells without having to move a muscle. You can see the joy in a fur baby’s face as they stick their head out the window and let the wind fly through their hair.

If your dog is skittish about car rides, start introducing the practice by sitting with them in a parked car. Give them lots of treats and praise, and begin with short drives. Have toys in the car for distraction and speak to them with encouragement.

Before long, your dog may be like this “Passenger Prince” and command the front seat.

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This story was originally reported by Parade Pets on Nov 4, 2025, where it first appeared in the Pet News section. Add Parade Pets as a Preferred Source by clicking here.