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. But pups in their golden years can still get zoomies too.
Even a dog with an appropriate exercise routine might get the zoomies every now and then. Some dogs might never display this behavior, which is also not concerning. Zoomies are just another one of the quirky dog behaviors that make us love our canines so much.
They're over-excited or happy
They get the zoomies to try to release all that built-up happy tension. While it's fantastic to know your dog is happy to see you, she says it's important to bear in mind any safety-related issues — especially if you have a larger dog, like a Great Dane, or there are children around.
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.
Q: When do dog zoomies stop? A:Dog zoomies typically strike puppies and young dogs more often than middle-agers and seniors. You may notice a decline in older dogs around age 6 or 7, and by age 10 or 11, many dogs have completely outgrown them.
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. But that's not to say it'll stop entirely – many older dogs will still have FRAPs!
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. Move through various activities.
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.
Zoomies often feature frantic, repetitive behavior such as running in circles or spinning around. A frequent cause of zoomies is an excess buildup of energy that dogs hold on to, which is then released in one big burst.
When your pup turns his butt to you, he's making himself vulnerable. “They cannot easily defend themselves from you if they are not facing you,” Moucha added. “So when they turn their butt towards you, they trust you to not hurt them.”
The witching hour is not age specific, it doesn't only occur in puppies, adult dogs can have a dog witching hour too. But as dog's age, they generally will slow down and have less energetic outbursts.
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'.
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.
Now that we've covered why puppies are so lively, let's get to the question at hand: When do puppies start to calm down? Generally, puppies start to calm down when they reach emotional maturity — around 1 year old. However, some dog breeds take longer to reach adulthood and emotional maturity.
From 6 -12 Months
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. Continuing with training and socialization with other dogs is also essential at this age.
A dog's number one priority at bedtime is comfort and security. So, if they're choosing to sleep in the same space as you, it's a big sign that they trust you. "Sleeping with the owner in the same room helps minimize fear, anxiety and stress," said Christman.
Clinginess
Near the end, many dogs want nothing more than to spend time with the people they love. So your dog may want to stay close to you, getting as much love and affection from you as possible. How you can help: Give your dog super snuggles and be as present as you can.
Scientifically speaking, zoomies are frenetic random activity periods, or 'FRAPS. ' It has been theorized that FRAPs allow animals to relieve stress, let out stored up energy, and handle excitement and play — but the function of frapping is still unknown.
The “Witching Hour”
Many owners find that 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. bring out the worst in their puppies! If you know that a particular time of day prompts crazy biting, do your best to manage/prevent the behaviour and engage your puppy otherwise.
They've Been Inactive or Sleeping
Dogs are more prone to zoomies after periods of inactivity or long periods of sleep, particularly in the morning or evening when they may have built up pent-up energy.
From 1 to 2 Years
Your dog has graduated from puppyhood. As your puppy nears age one (up to two years for a large breed), they're beginning to look and act more mature. They will probably still be playful, but now they've learned the ropes and are much better at following the rules.
Zoomies end quite as suddenly as they start and the tired out pooch will flop to the ground and relax, panting, with a happy and content face! Zoomies are not an aggressive behavior, although puppies may sometimes nip.