Those familiar with dogs have undoubtedly witnessed puppies getting the “zoomies” from time to time.
But what exactly are they – and why do they get them? Dog trainer Adem Fehmi, the behaviourist from pet food brand Barking Heads, has explained what the zoomies are – and outlined four of the reasons why your dog might be affected by them.
According to Adam, the phenomenon can be defined as periods of frenetic random activity.
They are usually characterized by a random burst of energy that causes your dog to spin in circles for a few minutes. And he notes that while they are often fun to watch, it’s important for dog owners to understand what can trigger them and when it can be a cause for concern.
Here are five reasons why your dog may be suffering from zoomies…
The zoomies can be defined as frantic, random bouts of activity, and are more common in puppies and younger dogs than in older dogs (stock image)
1. Your dog needs more enrichment
If your dog is getting the zoomies because he needs more enrichment, Adam suggests seeking the help of a certified behaviorist who can assess your dog and his needs.
Adam explained that in some cases zoomies can be a warning sign that you are not stimulating your dog enough.
He explained that they may not receive enough mental and physical stimulation and exercise throughout the day to meet their needs, and may not have the opportunity to express natural behaviors constructively and safely.
If this could be the case, Adam suggests seeking the help of a certified behaviorist, who can assess your dog and its needs and develop a plan to address this behavior.
He said: ‘Remember that we should never try to ‘block’ such behaviour, but rather ensure that our dogs have sufficient outlets in other ways to reduce and eliminate the behavior we would rather not see.’
2. Your dog wants to get away from you
According to Adam, your dog can use the zoomies to avoid your advances when you need to hold them at home or in an open space such as a park.
He explained: ‘This provides an element of fun for your dog. In fact, they gamify the situation by turning it into a chase, and they enjoy the attention they get from you as a result.”
3. Life stage
Another possible factor is your dog’s life stage, with puppies and younger dogs being more likely to get the zoomies.
However, according to Adam, older dogs can also exhibit this behavior occasionally – often much less frequently and less vigorously!
He said: ‘For a puppy or younger dog, the reasons behind this behavior are likely to be due to excess energy they need to burn off, a burst of ‘happy energy’ from the excitement of seeing another dog or someone they know , knowing it’s almost. time for their favorite puppy food, or even being taken to a location they love.”
4. Your puppy is happy around you
Dog trainer Adem Fehmi (pictured) says that while there may be a positive reason for the zoomies – such as your dog being happy, they can also be motivated by a negative reason – leaving them in need of more enrichment.
The desire to play with people or another dog, or simply the sense of security and happiness your dog feels, may be behind his zoomies.
“In other words, it’s a show of affection for you, as a parent, or for others they love,” Adam explained.
5. Your older dog is irritable
Although the behavior is more common in younger puppies, older dogs can also get the zoomies if they are energetic and irritable.
According to Adam, this can be disturbing in older dogs and lead to concerns about the animal hurting themselves or others if they get the zoomies.
He said: ‘This behavior can lead to other unwanted, unsafe behaviour, such as lunging and sucking.
‘I would suggest that advice is sought from a recognized behavioral expert to address the cause.’