Puppy Zoomies and What To Do About It?

Puppy Zoomies and What To Do About It?

Is Fido zooming in and out of the place? Puppy zoomies, or Frenetic Random Activity Periods (FRAPs), are energetic bursts commonly observed in young dogs and puppies. These sudden spurts of energy are characterized by running in circles, jumping around, and displaying hyperactive behavior. Typically, zoomies occur after a period of rest or relaxation.

A sign of puppy zoomies is when puppies suddenly start running around in circles at fast speeds and repetitively. They may also move frantically in different directions and be very excited about everything they encounter, wagging their tails and barking. 

Another sign of puppy zoomies is jumping around, sometimes even jumping up and down furniture or other objects. It’s important to note that puppy zoomies are a normal part of a puppy’s development and are usually harmless. However, to ensure their safety during these episodes, removing any potential hazards from their environment is essential.

What are the Top Reasons For Zoomies?

Excess Energy

Dogs who don’t often get exercise and mental stimulation tend to have zoomies because they need to release pent-up energy. Similarly, dogs that are often placed in a crate run around after being let out because they have excess energy and need to stretch their legs and bodies. Especially for smaller pups who are more energetic, not being able to expel their energy in a day would cause them to have more frequent zoomies. 

Excitement

Dogs and puppies often get very excited for many reasons. These can be as simple as seeing you, eating their favorite food, or playing with other dogs. Meeting new people and new dogs also makes them very excited, so these things can be considered a positive sign that your pup is happy. 

Stress or Anxiety

Dogs who may have experienced stress or tension would get into Zoomies afterward. For example, visiting the vet or the groomer may make them very stressed, so after these visits, they would be releasing their built-up tension. In the same way, they may also be running and jumping around before the actual visit as a way of “readying” themselves before their vet or groomer visit to release their anxiety.

Discomfort

Sometimes, dogs who may be feeling any physical pain would have the zoomies to grab your attention. Puppies who are also going through teething feel a lot of discomfort, so they would run around to shake it off. For this type of zoomies, you will notice that they would be growling or whimpering instead of being happy or excited. 

How Long Do Puppy Zoomies Last? 

Puppy zoomies usually last from a few seconds to a few minutes. However, dogs with particularly playful and excitable personalities might experience zoomies for extended periods, sometimes lasting half an hour or more. The length of these episodes varies depending on the puppy’s individual energy levels. Zoomies are typically brief and cease once the puppy has used up excess energy.

There are also other factors that you should consider when it comes to your puppies getting zoomies. For example, some dog breeds, like border collies, Australian shepherds, Siberian huskies, and labrador retrievers, have high energy levels, so they may also have longer and more frequent bursts of zoomies. Of course, every dog has its own unique character and temperament, so this will play a huge factor in how energetic your pup can be. 

How To Deal With Puppy Zoomies?

Puppies and dogs would most likely have the zoomies until they grow older and wear it off. This is why it is important that you create a safe environment in your home by removing any potential hazards. You can follow these steps to make sure that your pup is safe whenever it has the zoomies: 

1. Clear your floor space: Remove any small objects or clutter that the puppy could chew on or swallow, such as small toys, socks, or shoes.
2. Secure wiring: Tape down or cover loose electrical cords to prevent the puppy from chewing on them and risking potential electrocution.
3. Store chemicals and cleaning supplies safely: Secure all chemicals, cleaning supplies, and other potentially toxic substances in a location that the puppy cannot access, like a locked cabinet or a high shelf.
4. Block off restricted areas: Install baby gates or barriers to restrict access to areas of the house that are off-limits to the puppy, such as stairs, balconies, or rooms containing delicate or valuable items.
5. Remove any breakable items: Put breakable items, like glassware, vases, or fragile decorations, out of the puppy’s reach by moving them to higher locations or storing them in closed cabinets to prevent accidents such as items being knocked over or causing injury.
6. Cover sharp corners: Install corner protectors or covers on furniture with sharp edges to minimize the risk of injury if the puppy accidentally bumps into them.
7. Secure trash cans: Secure the lids of trash cans or ensure they are in an inaccessible location to prevent the puppy from easily accessing and potentially ingesting harmful substances or choking on trash.
8. Install childproof locks: Install childproof locks on cabinets or drawers containing items that could be harmful if ingested to prevent the puppy from accessing them.

How To Address Puppy Zoomies At Night? 

While dog zoomies are often a positive sign of happiness, you wouldn’t want your pup running and jumping around at night when everyone is already winding down or sleeping. To address puppy zoomies at night, you should make sure that you provide them with activities where they can use their energy during the day. 

Games and activities like fetch, tug-of-war, or simply walking around the neighborhood can help your dog use up their energy in a positive way. If you don’t have time on some days, you can give your dog chew toys or puzzle mats for mental stimulation to keep them busy for hours. 

Another important thing is to establish a bedtime routine, so your pup knows that it’s time to rest. When establishing a bedtime routine, create a calming environment for your puppy in his own space and make sure that no one else plays with it so their excitement won’t be triggered. 

Read: Puppy Toys and Games for Mental Activity

Lastly, obedience training plays a crucial role in your puppy’s development. This offers both mental stimulation and important learning experiences that your puppy can use long-term. Teaching basic commands like sit, stay, and fetch not only sets boundaries and instills discipline but also engages the puppy’s good behavior and self-control. Make sure to use positive reinforcement techniques, such as treats and praise, to make the training sessions enjoyable and effective for the puppy.

Read: What is Obedience Training and Why Does it Matter?

Recognizing the signs of puppy zoomies, like sudden bursts of energy, running in circles, and jumping around, helps owners better understand their puppy’s behavior. Owners can effectively manage puppy zoomies by offering suitable outlets for their energy and ensuring their safety.

At Happy Pup Manor, exercise, play, and mental stimulation are important. This is why, aside from obedience training, we ensure that pups get these activities in their daily routine whenever they are enrolled and stay with us in our training and boarding program.

If you are getting a new puppy from a breeder or would love to have your pup trained, reach out to Gabby so we can help you with the best training program for your furry friend!