Our Dog Always Knows When We’re 5 – 10 Minutes From Our Destination…

…even when she’s never been there.

We do a lot of walking with our dog, normally to places that are a 30 – 60 minute drive away. When we are between 5 and 10 minutes from arrival, she starts whimpering and whining in anticipation.

I would say this occurs on pretty much every journey, including places she’s never ever been, and also on longer journeys (for example when we’re going on holiday).

We’ve discounted the following:

1. She recognises where we’re going by sight and/or smell (it happens with places she’s never been)
2. She starts whining after a set amount of time (we see it on journeys of differing lengths, generally 30 – 60 minutes, but also when we’ve done much longer journeys)
3. She’s familiar with both Waze and Google Maps (she’s smart but we think this is a bit of a stretch)
4. She hears us talking about being nearly there (we have avoided discussing this on multiple occasions)

Our only theory is that our demeanour and/or smell changes in some perceptible way – is this possible? Any other theories?

She’s a 4 year old Schnoodle. Thanks in advance!