Zoomies don't last long. Most of the time, a case of the zoomies lasts less than a few minutes. Although they have been known to extend upwards of 10 minutes, that is not typical.
Dr. Zac Pilossoph, a consulting veterinarian at Healthy Paws Pet Insurance, defines the zoomies as "a dog's way of explaining they're excited and happy, enough to want to show it." "It's their best expression of being happy. The term 'zoomies' is colloquial and describes behavior many pet parents have experienced.
But are zoomies safe? As long as there are no obstacles to get in the way and harm your dog in the process, Goldman says it's fine to let your dog's zoomies run their course.
Dogs that are zooming around are typically either bored and trying to burn off some steam, or they are hyperactive due to overtiredness. If your dog gets the zoomies, think back to what was going on beforehand.
“However, if a dog zooming around the house or yard appears in pain, frightened or anxious, then the owner should investigate what caused the distress by seeking veterinary help,” says Perry. Your dog's posture during and after a FRAP episode will tell you if they are having fun or if they are upset.
"Generally speaking, dog zoomies happen when dogs are feeling happy and excited," says Amelia Wieber, dog behavior consultant, trainer, and Daily Paws Advisory Board member. It's just good fun for your pup (until a kid or a vase gets knocked over).
Frenetic Random Activity Periods (FRAPs), otherwise known as dog or puppy zoomies, can include running in circles, barking, jumping, and even destructiveness.
Zoomies are normal dog behavior and can occur in all ages and breeds. However, Taylor notes zoomies can look different depending on the pet. In most instances, zoomies allow your dog to release pent-up energy or express happiness, excitement, or love.
Zoomies are not an aggressive behavior, although puppies may sometimes nip. To discourage nipping, avoid handling your dog and do not try to play any games during an attack of the zoomies. If you can, open up a door and encourage your dog to tear around your yard (if it is fenced) instead of your house!
While there isn't one simple answer (because every dog is different), the zoomies typically last about 1-5 minutes. Again, the technical term of Frenetic Random Activity Periods has the answer within the phrase, random.
If your dog does this, it means they trust you. And, if they keep their bum toward your face, it shows that you make them feel safe. Your dog also wants to keep you safe and secure, which is why they plant their rumps where they do.
From 6 -12 Months
While your puppy may now look like a full-grown adult dog, he's still a puppy. At this age you might see a burst of puppy energy and continued boundary testing. That's why it's important to make sure your puppy still gets plenty of structured play and exercise.
When do puppies start to calm down? Most puppies start to calm down as they approach their maturity age, which is usually around 12 months, but for larger breeds it can be more likely to occur between 18 months and 2 years.
Play throughout the day. A great way to encourage your cat to burn off all that excess energy is to have regular play sessions with them. Instead of having one long 15-minute play session in the evening, spread a few short five-minute play sessions throughout the day to keep them entertained.
Zoomies is generally caused by a build-up of excess energy which is then released in one short burst. Don't worry though, it's a completely natural behaviour. It's most common in and generally occurs less and less as they get older.
Most dogs will outgrow zoomies as they get older, and not all puppies will be plagued by this odd behaviour. Most owners tend to see a theme to the behaviour either noticing a bout of zoomies around the same time every day or, as part of some other regular routine, until the behaviour is outgrown.
They can be down-right nuts! And puppies are especially crazy during the Witching Hours: roughly between 5-8pm every night. It's 100% normal and common.
Growling when running or doing “zoomies”
While at first disconcerting, this behavior is normal. This is known as a “FRAP,” meaning a frenetic random activity period.
The average 4-month-old puppy sleeps a little over 11 hours in a 24-hour period, and the average adult sleeps 10-11 hours in a 24-hour period. While the total amount of sleep for older puppies and adults seems roughly the same, keep in mind that naps are a bigger portion of the puppy sleep schedule.
Barking – A dog may bark as a warning, an invitation, a call of distress, or just because it's happy. There are many reasons for the bark, but it always means your dog is communicating something. If your dog is distressed or fearful, it may sound off in a repetitive high-pitched tone.
Puppy difficulty at ages 3-4 months. Things start to ramp up by the time your puppy is 12-16 weeks or 3-4 months of age. This is a particularly challenging age for many owners for several reasons.
Stage 5: Adolescence (6 – 18 months) This can be the most difficult time during a puppy's development – adolescence. Your cute little puppy is becoming a teenager and will start producing hormones which may result in changes in behaviour.
Perhaps the biggest challenge will be getting every member of the household to follow the same rules and routines with a puppy. The only way dogs really learn rules is through consistency. It is easy for a puppy to never quite get the training down when different family members treat the puppy differently.