Dog Zoomies: what is it and why does it happen? | Zigzag (2025)

• Post Date:February 8, 2024
• (Date Last Modified: February 8, 2024)

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So just to sound sophisticated Frenetic Random Activity Periods or FRAPS for short is the ‘proper’ name for dog zoomies. But what are zoomies? You know…. Those times your dog becomes a whirling dervish, races around like the Tasmanian devil, or does the wall of death around the furniture!

Often pretty funny to watch, zoomies are essentially a response to a period of high arousal, or a way to alleviate stress after a stressful situation. It’s where the dog has a huge build up of energy and then they finally get to release it. Yippee!

In this article we’re going to explore why dogs get zoomies, the reasons puppies have more zoomies, why your dog gets zoomies after a walk and whether puppy zoomies might be dangerous.

Download the Zigzag app for the best personalized puppy and dog training program around. We’ll teach you how to manage those crazy zoomie times, and help to control your dog’s excitement levels so they’re a bit less frequent. There’s also a team of professional dog trainers on hand to help you along the way, all in all, give it a download and get training your dog right away, you won’t regret it!

Why do dogs get zoomies?

So, why do dogs get the zoomies? It’s basically due to a build up of energy that needs releasing. This can be due to physical confinement such as when they are crated, or after tolerating uncomfortable or stressful situations such as after a bath, or a vet visit.

Dogs also get the zoomies when they come in after a walk, or during a play session.

Reasons your puppy has the zoomies

Puppies get zoomies more often than adult dogs, they are less able to emotionally regulate as they don’t have the life experience adult dogs have. Here’s some common reasons why your puppy might have the zoomies:

When they are overtired

Puppies need huge amounts of sleep, around 16-18 hours a day! When they are overtired, they don’t know what to do with themselves as they haven’t learned to put themselves to bed, so biting and zoomies are more likely.

Learn more in our article puppy sleep explained.

When overstimulated or overexcited

If your puppy has the zoomies when the kids get home from school, or other people get home from work this is often because they are overstimulated or overtired at all the goings-on in the house. They can also get the zoomies when guests or visitors arrive.

Excess energy build up

If your puppy has been crated or in their puppy pen for a while, they can have the zoomies when they come out as they have a lot of energy they need to get rid of!

Stressful events

Following a bath, vet visit, a grooming session or seeing another dog, puppies get the zoomies to shake off the stress and nervous energy that may have been building up.

Play behaviour

Puppies will often get the zoomies when playing with us or another dog, they get so over excited they just don’t know what to do!

Dog zoomies after a walk

Puppies often get zoomies after a walk as they’re just so overstimulated by all of the fun and/or stress they had outside on their walk. Post walk dry offs with a towel are a frequent cause of zoomies too!

Learn how often to walk your puppy in our article on puppy exercise.

Are puppy zoomies dangerous?

Puppy zoomies are not dangerous by themselves, as long as your puppy doesn’t injure themselves when they do the wall of death around your sofa and chairs!

Zoomies are a good stress reliever, if your puppy suddenly starts having lots of zoomies and these are accompanied by biting or grabbing clothes, then it’s an idea to give them something else to do instead. Training games or toys that focus their brain like a puzzle toy, are better than letting them get too worked up, after all, puppy teeth hurt!

Teach your puppy how to be calm and confident with the Zigzag app, you’ll find training programs, tips on health and access to a team of professional dog trainers 24/7 inside the app.

FAQs:

Do zoomies mean dogs are happy?

Are zoomies a sign of a happy dog? Not always, no, sometimes they predict happiness and excitement, but they are also a response to stress. Think about what might be behind your puppies’ zoomies.

Are zoomies good for dogs?

Zoomies are generally harmless and a good way of relieving stress and releasing pent up energy, constant zoomies might be a cause of concern, so if your dog does them a lot, keep a diary and see if you can reduce their stress overall.

How long do zoomies last?

Usually just a couple of minutes, though it can feel like much longer when you’re watching the chaos unfold! As dogs get older, the zoomie sessions reduce in time to just a minute or so.