Dog Sitting Like Human in Car Delights Internet: 'Very Distinguished'

It isn't uncommon for owners to bring their dogs in the car with them, but one canine's seating position has left the internet in hysterics.

The black Belgian Malinois has been caught on camera sitting like a human, with her bottom perched on the seat and paws placed on her owner's arm. The viral TikTok clip shared to @sinning_sinjin has racked up over 617,000 views and more than 41,000 likes since it was shared on September 13.

Joe Nutkins, a U.K.-based dog trainer with 17 years' experience, told Newsweek about the safest ways to travel with a canine in the car.

She said that safety has become much more essential in the last decade: "Safety for our dogs during car travel can include various equipment such as a dog seatbelt that attaches to the usual seatbelt and then clips to a dog's collar or harness. This means the dog cannot wonder about on the seat or, if the car suddenly has to stop, the dog is prevented from being thrown into the front or against the windscreen.

"Dog seatbelts can also be part of a harness with a seatbelt connector to plug into the car's seatbelt," Nutkins added.

Some owners may opt for a travel box, booster seat or car guard for their pet. Nutkins said: "Dog crates can be fitted to your vehicle, can be removable crates or a mesh and crate fully fitted throughout your van.

"Crates can be one of the safest things to use for your dogs. Not only do they not move around, or risk being thrown into the front of the vehicle, but if involved in a car accident, a crate can prevent your dog being badly injured, or if the vehicle is badly damaged, a crate can stop dogs escaping and going missing due to trauma," Nutkins added.

"Car guards go along the rear of the front seats to stop dogs jumping through to the front of the car, which keeps the dog safe and stops the owner being distracted.

"Booster seats and travel boxes help smaller-sized dogs stay safe on the front or rear seat and helps them not move about during travel," Nutkins said.

More than 100 people have commented on the video, and many people think the Belgian Malinois' "dangling paws" are irresistibly cute.

One comment wrote that the dog was "very distinguished," and another called her a "passenger princess."

"Please purchase a booster seat because she is a kid over 90lb and 7 years old," posted a third.

Newsweek reached out to @sinning_sinjin for comment via TikTok. We could not verify the details of the case.

Do you have funny and adorable videos or pictures of your pet you want to share? Send them to life@newsweek.com with some details about your best friend, and they could appear in our Pet of the Week lineup.