Border Collie: Known for their high energy levels, intelligence, and agility, Border Collies often channel their zest for life into a hearty case of the zoomies. These
All dogs, from basset hounds to Great Danes, get the zoomies. Puppies and young dogs may zip around more often simply because they have more energy to burn than older dogs.
Any dog can get the zoomies, but they're most commonly seen after a bath, during play, and late at night. The technical name for that sudden burst of energy is frenetic random activity periods (FRAPS), but many refer to them as the rips or zoomies.
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," he told PEOPLE.
Dogs of all breeds and ages can get the zoomies, though they may be more common in puppies and younger dogs (they have the highest energy levels).
Zoomies themselves won't hurt your dog, but a dog running around at full speed without a plan sometimes has unfortunate consequences. “Although FRAPs are normal, a dog zooming around the house or yard may be in danger of injuring themselves (or breaking something).
Dog zoomies differ from regular running. A dog who runs happily out of the bathroom before settling down, for example, may simply be expressing happiness that bath time is over. A dog who's got the zoomies, on the other hand, will take off at full speed and keep up this frenzied behavior until they tire out.
That's what many people call the 'zoomies', and it turns out they can happen to adults, too. TikTok creator and comedian Hannah Berner admits she suffers from this pet-like behaviour, and it happens on the reg. So she took to social media to dub her nightly, unintentional ritual the 'adult zoomies'.
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.
However, puppies are much more likely to get a case of the zoomies than older dogs, simply because they have a lot more built up energy they need to get rid of. Puppy wiggles and puppy zoomies are part of everyday life with a dog who is under one year of age, and especially with one who is less than six months of age.
Zoomies are not an aggressive behavior, although puppies may sometimes nip.
Licking is a natural and instinctive behaviour to dogs. For them it's a way of grooming, bonding, and expressing themselves. Your dog may lick you to say they love you, to get your attention, to help soothe themselves if they're stressed, to show empathy or because you taste good to them!
Generally, most puppies will start to settle between 6 - 12 months, but as mentioned above there are a few other factors that can impact puppy energy levels. Some might say that female dogs are calmer dogs due to the fact they mature quicker than males, however a more impactful factor to consider would be their breed.
Badly behaved dogs are often the smartest, reported The Times. Katriina Tiira, from the University of Helsinki, has assessed about 5,000 dogs for traits such as logical reasoning and problem solving. She found a surprising pattern. “Intelligent dogs are not nicer pets,” she said.
For an extreme case of the zoomies, try a run. Don't engage. If you want your dog to calm down, you need to give them the signal that it's not play time. Don't chase your dog, run around, or react to their overly energetic behavior; that may make them think it's a game—and will make it much harder to calm them down.
This is a phenomenon referred to as many as “the zoomies,” but it has a scientific name too: Frenetic Random Activity Periods or FRAP for short.
Frenetic random activity periods (FRAPs), also colloquially known as zoomies, scrumbling, or midnight crazies, are random bursts of energy occurring in dogs and cats in which they run frenetically, commonly in circles. They usually last a few minutes or less.
Zoomies (or the zoomies) is a slang term for a sudden burst of hyperactivity by a dog, cat, or other animal—such as rapidly running back and forth or in circles. The term is typically applied to pets, as opposed to wild animals.
Even if you can get the puppy to focus on you and a treat then you are doing well. Remember that zoomies may be a stress coping mechanism. So don't keep your puppy still for too long or you may start building up stress.
This is because your puppy is burning off the last of their energy before preparing for sleep, may be anxious about being separated from you, or they may be teething. Your veterinarian can help you discover the cause of your puppy's zoomies, but it is usually completely normal.
Stress can also cause zoomies in your dog. Dogs may have the zoomies when they've been through a period of high stress in their lives, such as a difficult vet visit. If your dog is afraid of baths and has to go through a bath, this may be another situation in which they have the zoomies afterward.