Dogs and the “Zoomies”
Dog zoomies, or frenetic random activity periods (FRAPs), are sudden bursts of activity that usually involve your cherished canine companion running in large circles around your home in a hunched position for maximum speed! These episodes may also include several spins and “play bows” — elbows down and butt up — the universal invitation to engage other dogs in play.
Although the precise reason for zoomies isn’t fully understood, animal behaviorists assume they’re a fast way for dogs to release pent-up, excessive energy and happiness — or its polar opposite: energy related to nervousness and stress. Occurring more frequently in puppies, even adult and senior dogs are known to get the zoomies, particularly after a bath or a satisfying bowel movement.
Consider the following scenarios and see if they sound familiar:
Excitement: Instances of high arousal in your dog — such as noticing his leash when you’re getting ready to take him for a walk or when you arrive home at the end of the day — can trigger a FRAP. Dashing around the place can help him release the remnants of his happy energy before he finally settles down.
Playfulness: Sometimes a game of fetch is so much fun that your dog is simply unable to contain his joy. On the other hand, you may want to end a stimulating game of tug-of-war and your dog doesn’t, leading to the zoomies as his way of remaining in “the zone.”
“Tick Tock”: Since dogs are temporal creatures, the passage of time has a primal effect on them. Many have a window between 5 and 8 p.m., coinciding with their mealtime, your return home from work, or an early bedtime for very young puppies. The zoomies — or this final burst of energy — usually signal that they’re preparing to wind down for the day.
After Bath Blues: Enduring a bath often requires more patience than the average dog has. No matter how gently they’re handled, very few of them enjoy the sensation of having their bodies soaked with water, soap, and shampoo. By bath’s end, they’re relieved not only to shake off the water but also the stress — often accomplishing this by indulging in some ecstatic zoomies.
A Game Called “Keep-Away”: If you’re attempting to coax your dog back into the house before he’s ready to leave the yard or if he’s clamped his mouth around a small towel and you’re trying to retrieve it, you’ve set the scene for an exhilarating exhibition of the zoomies.
From Tension to Overtiredness: Your agitated dog may dash here, there, and everywhere as a way of releasing pent-up tension caused, for example, by waiting in the vet’s office to be examined. It may also result from an overtired puppy being unaware that it’s time to nap.
Not Enough Exercise: Frustration-based in nature, many dogs resort to the zoomies when their energy has no satisfying outlet. All dogs, particularly puppies, require a certain amount of time each day to fully exercise their bodies as well as their brains. When they don’t, not only will they get the zoomies, but they may also resort to less desirable behaviors such as nipping and barking.