Dog Training Today with Will Bangura for Pet Parents, Kids & Family, Pets and Animals, and Dog Training Professionals. This is a Education & How To Dog Training Podcast.

Decoding Dog Zoomies: The Science Behind Your Pet's Frenzied Energy Bursts

• Will Bangura, M.S., CAB-ICB, CBCC-KA, CPDT-KA, FFCP is a World Renowned Dog Behaviorist, Certified Dog Behavior Consultant, Certified Professional Dog Trainer, and a Fear Free Certified Professional with over 36 years of experience with the most difficult • Season 6 • Episode 179

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Speaker 1:

If you have ever watched a dog tear across the yard like it's furs on fire, whipping around furniture, doing laps around the couch and suddenly dropping into a play bow as if nothing happened, congratulations. You have just witnessed a classic case of the zoomies. It's a scene that many pet parents know very well One moment your dog is dozing peacefully and the next they're spinning like a cheetah throughout your living room of frenzied activity, sometimes accompanied by wild eyes, tuck tails or an erratic spin, is more than just random silliness. It's a behavior rooted in biology, emotion and environment, and when we slow down to understand it, the zoomies reveal something surprisingly important about a dog's inner world. Don't go anywhere. All that and more in 60 seconds.

Speaker 2:

Raised by wolves with canine DNA in his blood. Having trained more than 24,000 pets, helping you and your fur babies thrive, live in studio with Will Bangura Answering your pet behavior and training questions. Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome your host and favorite pet behavior expert, will Bangura.

Speaker 1:

Would you like to go on? What Good day, dog lovers. Hey, thanks for joining me for another episode of Dog Training Today. I'm Will Ben-Gura. I'm an accredited, certified canine behaviorist through International Canine Behaviorist. I'm also a certified behavior consultant and a certified professional dog trainer, and fear-free certified. I specialize in working with some of the most difficult dog behavior problems, like aggression, reactivity, fears, phobias, obsessive, compulsive behaviors, and do that all using force-free, positive, reinforcement methods.

Speaker 1:

There's never a need to use corrections. There's never a need to use aversives. Anybody can punish a dog. It takes real skill, it takes real education and understanding to really be able to train an animal, and we know that all animals dogs you as well, dogs you as well learn best when you're having fun.

Speaker 1:

But today's topic we're going to be talking about the zoomies, because so many of you send me email questions about dog zoomies and are wondering what's this all about? How do I get it to stop? It's me crazy, my dog, it just goes nuts. You know what I'm talking about. You know exactly what I'm talking about. I don't know that there's any dog owner. I don't know that there's any pet parent that has had a dog, unless they're this complete and total couch potato that hasn't experienced the zoomies. But before I get into the meat and potatoes of that, do me a favor If you're a listener to this podcast and you haven't subscribed, please subscribe so you never miss an episode of Dog Training Today.

Speaker 1:

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Speaker 1:

Okay, enough of that, let's get into zoomies. All right? Um, to get to the root of zoomies, we need to look at what's happening inside the dog. What's happening inside the dog, what's happening neurologically, what's happening emotionally and behaviorally? Okay, and the first thing we need to talk about is emotional release.

Speaker 1:

One of the most common reasons dogs get the zoomies is it becomes a form of emotional release After periods of stress, excitement or frustration. The zoomies may function like a pressure valve. Think of it like nervous laughter in humans or the way a child might run screaming from the school bus. At the end of the day, it's not just a physical act, it's an emotional decompression. For instance, many dogs exhibit fraps after a bath fraps after a bath even if they enjoy the experience. It's a mix of relief, a mix of overstimulation and a burst of post-event adrenaline. The same can happen after a vet visit or grooming, or even during a play date, and a lot of it's about pent up energy. Zoomies are also a sign that your dog needs more structured physical or mental stimulation, or mental stimulation.

Speaker 1:

Dogs, especially younger or high energy breeds, accumulate energy throughout the day. If that energy is not released in a way that's meaningful to them through, say, scent work or enrichment games, exploration or social play, it builds up like steam in a pressure cooker and eventually something has to give. This is why dogs often get the zoomies in the evening around what many pet guardians refer to as the litching hour After a day of holding it together while you've probably been gone working. Now the floodgates open. And there's another thing to be said about developmental stage, or developmental stages. Young dogs are more prone to zoomies, especially during critical periods of development Puppies between eight weeks and six months. They're still figuring out their bodies and their impulses. They lack inhibition and their brains are essentially wiring themselves in real time. The zoomies are a manifestation of neurological growth and boundary testing. It is a play, sure, but it's also motor coordination. It's also about emotional learning. It's about proprioceptive feedback. Think of it as the equivalent of, let's say, a toddler running in circles because they just discovered how to Okay.

Speaker 1:

And then another thing about Zoomies. Hey, there can be contextual triggers. Sometimes zoomies occur in response to specific situations After a poop yeah, I know that sounds funny, but hey, it happens. Right, many pet parents notice their dog takes off running after they defecate. Dog takes off running after they defecate. This poop zoomie may be a combination of physical relief, a natural instinct to move away from a vulnerable location, and sensory stimulation. Another time, contextually, is a trigger after a bath. Even if the bath was gentle, being wet can feel strange. Zoomies help the dog to dry off and to re-regulate their nervous system.

Speaker 1:

Another contextual situation where we may see the zoomies is after confinement. Coming out of a crate or being released after a long stay indoors often results in the zoomies. It's a simple case of relief paired with overstimulation. Another context is during play. When another dog's involved, zoomies can happen mid-play. Zoomies can happen mid-play. They're often mutual and reciprocal One dog initiates the mad dash, the other dog gives chase. This is where things can get more complicated, especially in multi-dog households. But more on that later. In grass, in snow, in sand, new environments, new textures and new smells can trigger sensory overload, leading to a joyful explosion of movement.

Speaker 1:

Oh, now I just got an email from somebody that was asking what in the heck do you mean when you're saying FRAPS? Well, fraps is the technical term for Zoomies. Fraps actually stands for Phrenetic Random Activity Periods, f-r-a-p-s. Okay, let's get back into talking about zoomies. And we can't talk about zoomies until we talk about the neurochemistry behind the zoomies. Okay, let's dive in a little bit deeper. What is going on in your dog's brain when the zoomies hit? Well, fraps, remember the term.

Speaker 1:

They're almost always linked to a spike in arousal. This can be caused by excitement, it can be caused by stress, it can be caused by relief or even anticipation. In neurological terms, arousal involves the activation of the sympathetic nervous system, the same system that governs fight or flight responses, but unlike a true fear or panic response. Zoomies are usually what we would call estrous reaction or positive arousal. When a dog's overstimulated, the body releases let's just call it a cocktail of hormones, okay Cortisol, adrenaline, norepinephrine. If that energy is not redirected into purposeful behavior, it has to go somewhere. So the dog runs and runs, and runs and then you've got the zoomies. There's also a role for dopamine. You know that feel-good neurotransmitter that drives reward-seeking behavior. Sprinting across the yard or bouncing off the couch may simply feel good. There is no ball to chase or squirrel to hunt, just the pure pleasure of motion, velocity and sensation. In a way, zoomies might even be self-reinforcing behaviors. The act of running increases arousal, which makes running feel even better. That feedback loop continues until the dog is finally spent.

Speaker 1:

Now let's ask one of the big questions Are the zoomies a problem? This is a common question. Is it okay to let a dog have the zoomies, or should pet guardians try to intervene? Well, the short answer is it depends. In general, zoomies are harmless and they can even be healthy. They help dogs burn energy, release tension and regulate their mood.

Speaker 1:

But context matters. In some situations, right, they can be dangerous or, at the very least, incredibly disruptive. When are zoomies just fine. If your dog is zooming in a safe environment like a fenced backyard or large open room or secure play area, there's little harm in letting them blow off the steam. In fact, watching a dog sprint full tilt with their tongue lollagagging throughout, the air out of their mouth and their tail flying behind them, that's often an incredibly joyful sight, right? Zoomies can be a sign of a dog feeling safe, free and unrestrained. That's not something to suppress, no, unless, of course, there's a risk of injury. Now, when do zoomies become, or when are zoomies concerning?

Speaker 1:

There's a few cases where zoomies might not be as innocent. One is injuries, dogs with joint issues or hip dysplasia or recovering from surgery. They shouldn't be allowed to engage in high-impact sprints. What looks like joyful play could aggravate an existing condition. Another challenge that really can be a problem is small spaces. A Zumi in a living room filled with glass, coffee tables and ceramic decorations well, that's asking for trouble, right? Collisions are common, especially when a dog corners too sharply or slips on a hardwood floor. Another situation where it might be a problem that a lot of people don't think of multi-dog households.

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If one dog starts zooming and the others become overstimulated, this can escalate, sometimes into redirected aggression. Yeah, believe it or not, I deal with this all the time. What began as play can suddenly become a fight. If thresholds are crushed, then there's post-traumatic responses. In some cases, zoomies may be a way for a dog to shake off anxiety or fear after a stressful event. While this is not always harmful, if zoomies follow every unpleasant experience, it might be worth examining whether the dog is chronically dysregulated emotionally. Then let's also talk about another potential danger with zoomies, and that's children or elderly people. An 80 pound Labrador zooming and careening around the yard is not a risk free situation, especially around young kids or seniors who might get knocked over. Now I get a lot of emails hey Will, can you prevent the Zoomies?

Speaker 1:

Zoomies are not something you can eliminate completely, nor should you try to. They serve a purpose, but you can reduce their frequency, especially if they're becoming a nuisance, by addressing the underlying causes. One of the things that you want to begin to do is increase structured exercise. Many dogs get the zoomies simply because they're under-exercised. A walk around the block might not cut it, especially for working breeds or sporting dogs or adolescent pups.

Speaker 1:

Look at your dog's daily routine. Are they getting enough time to move, to sniff, to explore? Are they getting enough time to play? Are they given freedom to run at full speed in safe areas, or are they constantly leashed or confined? A tired dog is a calm dog, but this does not mean just physical exhaustion. It means mental fatigue too. Consider activities like scent work and nose games, snuffle mats and food, puzzles, training new skills or tricks, play dates with well-matched dogs with good temperaments, exploratory walks in novel environments. Adding these elements to your dog's day can help prevent the kind of pent-up tension that leads to a zoomy explosion. The other thing that you can do is build more compression time.

Speaker 1:

If your dog tends to zoom after events like baths, crate time or guest visiting, it might be because they're not getting enough decompression. Decompression refers to the process of allowing the nervous system to come back down from a state of arousal. For some dogs, this requires space. For others, it means engaging in calming, grounding behaviors like licking. Engaging in calming, grounding behaviors like licking, chewing or foraging. Here are a few ways to support decompression Give your dog a stuffed Kong or long-lasting chew after stimulation.

Speaker 1:

Use calming enrichment like licking mats or scatter feeding. How about playing calming music or white noise? Let them retreat to a safe place, a quiet place. Avoid overwhelming them with attention right after a stressful experience. So what can you do during a Zoomie episode? What can you do during a Zoomie episode? So let's imagine the Zoomies have hit your dog is a blur of fur and paws darting around like a missile with no target. What should you do in that moment? Well, the answer might depend on where you are, how safe the environment is and whether your dog is at risk of hurting themselves or hurting somebody else.

Speaker 1:

The first thing don't chase, do not chase. One of the most common reactions that pet parents have when their dog starts zooming around is to try to grab them or give chase. Well, that usually actually backfires. To a dog in that high arousal state being pursued. That might feel like part of the game. It adds excitement, it reinforces the behavior and it almost always results in more zooming around Instead. Stay calm. Avoid yelling, lunging or moving quickly towards the dog. Any abrupt motion might escalate the situation. Let your body language communicate neutrality. Don't scold your dog. That's another thing that's important. Look, zoomies are not disobedience. Your dog is not acting out or trying to push your buttons. They're simply overwhelmed with energy or excitement and are letting it out in the only way that they know how Scolding a dog for zooming can actually backfire, especially if their nervous system is already dysregulated. You might teach them that releasing energy is bad, which could result in more internal tension and, ironically, more intense zoomies later on.

Speaker 1:

Okay, let's talk about using environmental management. If your dog is zooming in a space where they might crash into furniture, knock over a lamp or collide with a child into furniture, knock over a lamp or collide with a child try to guide them gently to a safer area. You can open a baby gate to let them into the backyard or calmly walk toward an open room to encourage movement into that direction. If you anticipate the zoomies, say right after a bath, proactively move your dog to a safe area in advance. The other thing that you can do is, hey, give them space. Sometimes the best thing that you can do during the zoomies is just step aside, literally Move out of their way. Give them room and let the episode run its course. Most Zoomies only last a minute or two. They peak and then they vanish just as quickly as they arrive. Once it's over, you can offer a calming activity to help bring their arousal level down gently A slow sniffari right, doing some sniffing. Do that in the yard. A frozen food, toy or a soft towel massage can help ground them again.

Speaker 1:

The other thing we can begin to do is start teaching impulse control without suppressing the joy. You know, there's a fine line between helping a dog learn to manage their impulses and shutting down their natural playfulness. We never want to punish a dog for feeling happy, for feeling excited or enthusiastic, but we can teach them how to express those feelings in ways that are less chaotic and more predictable. One of the ways to do that is to teach a default behavior. Dogs thrive on structure. Teaching them a reliable behavior that they can fall back on, even when they're over aroused, can help create more control during high energy moments. Sit or down Reinforce this behavior generously A lot. Practice sitting down. Give high value food rewards. Practice that a lot in calm settings. Practice it during exciting moments too, like when a favorite person arrives.

Speaker 1:

Stationing have you ever done any stationing training with your dog? Train your dog to go to a mat or a bed and stay there briefly. This becomes a kind of a home base, if you will, they can return to whenever they're overstimulated. Pattern games exercises like Leslie McDevitt's one, two, three treat game or look at that can teach dogs to orientate to you during these rising arousals and these crazy energy filled zooming sessions. Doing things like the one, two, three treat game game, the look at that pattern game those things can really help to keep these things from spiraling out of control. Now, if you want to learn more about the one, two, three treat pattern game or look at that, be sure to visit my website at phoenixdogtrainingcom. Go to the blog section. You'll find both of those articles there and many, many more. All right.

Speaker 1:

Another thing that you can do start teaching a good recall on cue. Teach your dog to come every time when you call it. If your dog tends to zoom in unsafe places, a strong recall well, man, that can be a lifesaver. You need to make recall work ridiculously rewarding. If there's one thing, one thing, that your dog should just be getting big time jackpots, bonuses, super high value food rewards it's on recall training. It could save your dog's life. Other things you might play a structured game of tug followed by a release command, scatter, kibble in the grass and encourage sniffing. These are other ways to channel that energy. Engage, in short, training drills that blend motion with focus. How about using a flirt pole or chase toys? But make sure you do that in safe areas. All these things are ways to channel that energy. By meeting your dog where they are, rather than trying to suppress their energy, you turn a chaotic outburst into an opportunity for connection and for learning.

Speaker 1:

Next we're going to be talking about when the zoomies are not just zoomies. But first I want to take a quick second to talk to you about Calm Dogs. Calm Dogs is a natural calming aid that I spent five years researching and developing. That's right. Calm Dogs is my creation. I developed Calm Dogs for dogs with anxiety, fears, phobias, reactivity and even aggression. I created Calm Dogs to help dogs that have noise sensitivities, like a fear of thunderstorms or fireworks. Calm Dogs also works great for dogs with separation anxiety, a fear of car rides and travel. Calm Dogs even helps those dogs with a fear of vet visits or grooming. In fact, I'm so confident that Calm Dogs will help your dog that I make it absolutely risk-free. Calm Dogs comes with a 100% money-back guarantee. My promise to you is very simple Calm Dogs works for your dog or it's free. Take the 45-day Calm Dog Challenge. Go to calmdogscom or doganxietycom to learn more about Calm Dogs and how it can help your dog today Risk-free at CalmDogscom or DogAnxietycom.

Speaker 1:

All right, so let's talk about when the zoomies are not just zoomies. While most zoomies are perfectly normal and even healthy, it's worth pointing out that not all sudden bursts of energy are rooted in joy or play. Sometimes what looks like a zoomie may actually be something else entirely, and in those cases it's important to pay close attention. And the first thing we need to look at is are we talking about anxiety or stress-driven behavior? In some dogs, especially those with a trauma history or underlying anxiety disorder, frantic movement may be an attempt to flee something that's not physically present. This can look a lot like a zoomie but feels different. When you're observing it, signs that it might be driven by anxiety rather than healthy arousal might be whale eye or dilated pupils, ears pinned back or a tucked tail, pacing or repetitive circling panting without exertion, difficulty calming down afterward. In these cases the movement might be more compulsive than playful and it might not be a celebration. It might be an escape for the dog and their stress and their anxiety. When in doubt, record a video and consult a certified behavior consultant or a veterinary behaviorist to see what their assessment is Chronic pacing or repetitive bursts that happen at the same time each day or in the same context. Yeah, those are things that might warrant deeper assessment.

Speaker 1:

Let's talk a little more about compulsive disorders. In rare cases, repetitive movement can signal the early stages of a compulsive disorder, especially in dogs that are understimulated, chronically isolated or poorly socialized. If your dog engages in repeated non-functional zooming for extended periods of time, particularly indoors and without any clear trigger, it may be time to rule out a neurobehavioral issue as a contributing factor. This is especially important for breeds that are more prone to OCD-like behaviors, like bull terriers, dobermans or border collies. Movement disorders, fly snapping, fly snapping, tail chasing or extended bouts of zoomies that don't stop with interventions are not the same as regular zoomies. They may start as a zoomie, it might look like a zoomie, but it evolves into something more concerning if left undressed, and falls into something more concerning if left undressed. Talking to other people about zoomies, you know there's one more piece to the puzzle, and it's not about the dog, it's about the people.

Speaker 1:

Zoomies can make dogs look crazy to those who do not know better. Strangers might think your dog's out of control, neighbors may express concern. Even friends or family members might misinterpret a joyful outburst as defiance, aggression or hyperactivity. How you frame the behavior matters. When you talk about zoomies, use language that explains rather than justifies.

Speaker 1:

Try something like well, he's letting off some steam. It's a natural behavior for younger dogs. She's excited and needs a quick burst before she settles again. It is his way of releasing built-up energy. We give him time to self-regulate. This is a normal developmental phase. It helps him learn body control. Just as importantly, help other people in your household, especially children, understand when to step back and give the dog space during the zoomies. Trying to intervene, pet or redirect a dog in the middle of zoomies is not only ineffective, it's also potentially unsafe. A child trying to hug a zooming dog can easily be knocked over or inadvertently nipped. Zoomies are not a problem to fix. Let's just step back for a moment.

Speaker 1:

In a world where many pet parents feel pressure to control, manage and train every aspect of their dog's behavior, zoomies can be a breath of fresh air. They're one of the few remaining expressions of pure, unfiltered canine joy. In many ways, zoomies remind us that dogs are not machines, that they're not programmable or linear. They feel things deeply, they explode with emotion, they have rhythms and waves of energy, just like we do. When a dog gets the zoomies. What we're seeing is a snapshot of vitality. It's as close to a spontaneous celebration as most dogs will ever get. The tail may tuck, the paws may skid and the furniture may not survive, but in those chaotic few seconds, something beautiful happens A dog is alive, they're present and for a moment, that dog, for that moment, is completely completely free, completely free.

Speaker 1:

Now my final thoughts on the subject. Let them run, but run smart. There's nothing wrong with the zoomies, but there is something wrong with the idea that they always need to be corrected or stopped. Like any behavior. Context is king. If your dog is zooming daily, consider what their body and mind might be asking for More stimulation, more decompression, a safer outlet for emotional energy, or maybe just your permission to be a little wild now and then. By observing, understanding and responding rather than reacting, you allow your dog to have that moment, their moment, while still creating boundaries that protect everybody involved. While still creating boundaries that protect everybody involved.

Speaker 1:

Zoomies are not misbehavior, they're information, they're your dog's way of telling you how they're feeling. So listen, listen closely and maybe, just maybe, the next time they race through the yard, instead of reaching for a leash or yelling their name, you take a deep breath and smile Because for two glorious minutes two glorious minutes your dog remembered what it means to truly be a dog again. Well, folks, that music means I am out of time. Thank you so much for joining me for another episode of Dog Training Today. Hey, if you've got a dog with zoomies, I hope there was something here that helped you. And if you know someone who's got a dog with zoomies, I hope there was something here that helped you. And if you know someone who's got a dog with zoomies, hey, share that with them. Be sure to give us a thumbs up, be sure to subscribe, give us a five-star review, share this with your friends. Until we talk again for another dog training today, happy training and have a great day. I'm will Will Vangura. I'm out of here. Bye.

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Will Bangura M.S.,CBCC-KA, CPDT-KA, FFCP

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