Dog behavior
Why does my dog get the zoomies?
A dog tearing laps around the kitchen island looks as if it has lost its mind. It has not. Here is what zoomies are, when to expect them, how to tell joy from panic, and how to keep a burst of speed from ending at the vet.
What they are
Zoomies are a normal burst of energy, and science has a name for them
The scientific term is frenetic random activity periods, shortened to FRAPs. Cornell University's Riney Canine Health Center, drawing on Dr. Pamela J. Perry, a behavior resident at the veterinary college, describes them as sudden bursts of wild running laps around the house or yard, and says there is no known specific cause. They seem to be a way of releasing pent-up energy or relieving stress, for example after a dog has spent the day alone.
The AKC adds that puppies crated all day, or given too little chance to exercise, are especially prone to evening bursts. FRAPs are most common in puppies and young dogs, though Cornell notes that other dogs may have them now and then throughout their lives. A ten-year-old that zooms after a good walk is not regressing. It is simply having a very good moment.
When they happen
Zoomies cluster around a few predictable moments, which makes them easy to plan for
Cornell's list of common triggers reads like a household timetable: when you get home from work, late in the evening, during play, during training if the dog becomes overstimulated, after defecating and when something exciting happens. Some owners can set one off with a particular style of play or a sound, and a wide-open space can do it too. That last trigger matters on Cape Ann, where the first run of the season on an empty beach is a classic.
Gloucester's beaches reopen to dogs from October 1, at the time of writing: Good Harbor on even-numbered days through March 31 and Wingaersheek on odd-numbered days through April 30. City dog regulations still require dogs to remain under the control of their owner or keeper, so a dog that zooms on open sand belongs on a long line until its recall survives the excitement. Knowing the triggers lets you decide where the burst happens.
- You walking in the door after work
- Late evening, once the house goes quiet
- Right after a poop
- Mid-play or mid-training, when excitement spills over
- The first sight of open space
Joy or panic
Happy zoomies look loose and wiggly; frightened running looks tight, low and fast
Not every fast lap is fun. Cornell describes a happy zooming dog as loose and wiggly, often with its rear and tail tucked as it runs, its tongue hanging out, and sometimes a play bow between laps. A frightened dog looks different: tense, wide-eyed, head low, ears folded back, and a tail tucked tight that stays tucked when it stops. Cornell's advice is that a scared dog needs calming, because that kind of frenzy is not a happy one.
Fireworks are the obvious Gloucester example. The city's July 3 display and the noise around St. Peter's Fiesta in late June can send a sound-sensitive dog racing through the house in a way that looks like zoomies but is fear. Treat it as fear: a quiet interior room, familiar sounds, and a conversation with your vet if it happens every summer. The AVMA's fireworks guidance covers the basics.
| Sign | Happy zoomies | Fear or panic |
|---|---|---|
| Body | Loose and wiggly | Tense |
| Tail | May tuck while running | Tucked tight, and it stays tucked when the dog stops |
| Face | Tongue often hanging out | Eyes wide, ears folded back |
| Head and play | Up, sometimes with play bows | Carried low |
Keeping it safe
Make zoomies safe with the right footing and a clear path, then let them run their course
Cornell's safety advice is mostly about footing. Grass is the best surface for hard running, with carpet and packed dirt also good, while hard floors, ice and loose footing such as gravel or sand raise the risk of slipping and falling. Keep a zooming dog away from stairs, obstacles and the road, fill or mark holes in the yard, and keep it in an enclosed space if it is off leash. The AKC adds a puppy point: move breakables, and avoid strenuous jumping while bones are still growing.
Winter on Cape Ann turns decks and driveways to ice, so on those days let the burst happen on a rug rather than a slick hall, and skip the yard until it is sanded; the National Weather Service office in Boston is the place to watch for an incoming nor'easter. Do not chase a zooming dog. Running after it adds a playmate and stretches the laps out. Stand still, wait for it to slow, then call it or drop a few treats on the floor.
- 01
When a burst starts, stand still and stay out of the path.
- 02
Clear what you can in a few seconds: a chair, a toy, a small child.
- 03
If you can, open the door to a fenced, grassy yard.
- 04
Let the burst run its course; zoomies are brief.
- 05
As your dog slows, call it to you or scatter a few treats on the floor.
- 06
Offer a chew or a lick mat to help it come back down.
When to worry
Frequent or badly timed zoomies usually mean a dog needs more to do, and a few need a vet
Cornell suggests that zoomies happening very often, or at inconvenient times such as the middle of the night, may mean a dog needs more exercise and mental stimulation. The AKC goes further: constant frapping could point to an obsessive behavior and is worth raising with a trainer or animal behaviorist. And if your dog seems to be in pain, frightened or anxious during an episode, Cornell's advice is to look for the cause and get veterinary help.
For an energetic young dog the fix is usually more structure earlier in the day. A Dogtown Academy day, $89 or $69 for a half, rotates training, enrichment, fitness and play with one-on-one trainer time. A sniff room session at $7 or a puzzle game at $7 tires the brain at low intensity. If the bursts come with mouthing or knocking people over, private training with Gabriella Pope, from $94 a session, can teach a settle to follow them.
- Several times a day, every day: needs more to do
- In the middle of the night: rethink the day's schedule
- With yelping, limping or hiding: vet first
- Constant and hard to interrupt: talk to a trainer or behaviorist
At Dogtown
Outlets for a dog with energy to spare
Academy days, enrichment add-ons and training that give busy dogs structure before the evening.
Asked and answered
Questions people ask about this
Short, complete answers you can act on today. More in the full FAQ.
Are zoomies normal in adult dogs?
Why does my dog get the zoomies after pooping?
Should I stop my dog's zoomies?
Can my dog get the zoomies at daycare?
More questions? Read the full FAQ
Sources
- Cornell Riney Canine Health Center: what are zoomies?
- AKC: why does my puppy go wild at night?
- City of Gloucester: beach information
- City of Gloucester: dog regulations
- AVMA: fireworks and pets
- National Weather Service Boston
Rules and dates change. We re-check every beach, licensing and ordinance page each spring and fall; the source above is the current word.
Keep reading
Next step
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