Why Is My Dog So Energetic All of a Sudden?

Why Is My Dog Randomly So Excited?

"My dog is a poodle, about 2 or 3 years old. She is so energetic sometimes we have to put her in another room so she can calm down. This usually happens when I come home from work. Can you explain that? It's just confusing."—Hope

Why Do Dogs Get Random Bursts of Energy?

Dear Hope, it's completely understandable to feel confused about your Poodle's energetic behavior. You may be wondering why your dog is behaving this way and most of all what you can do about it.

Dogs, especially active breeds like Poodles can sometimes undergo sudden bursts of energy, where they may have some difficulty calming down.

Putting her in another room to calm down is a valid strategy to help her chill, considering how dogs may sometimes get overly aroused and overstimulated.

While many young dogs are prone to bouts of high energy, it's important to rule out other potential causes of dogs acting energetic. For instance, we know that fear and anxiety can manifest in some dogs into wild and unruly behaviors.

By observing your dog's body language and the context in which the high energy levels manifest, you can find the most appropriate plan to address this.

Introducing the Dog "Zoomies"

One of the most common phenomena associated with a sudden bout of high energy levels in dogs is what's commonly referred to as "dog zoomies."

Also known by the acronym FRAP, which stands for frenetic random activity periods, zoomies often occur in young dogs at specific times of the day and in particular contexts.

Affected dogs typically engage in the following behaviors:

• Darting back and forth with no obvious aim or direction
• Spinning in circles
• Chasing the tail
• Grabbing toys and tossing them around
• Running fast in a frenzied way with their rear end carried low
• Leaping over obstacles
• Growling and barking
• Exhibiting loose and wiggly body language
• Rubbing the body on the floor or furniture
• Manifesting a crazy look in the eyes
• "Acting crazy"
• Play bowing

Why Do Dogs Get the Zoomies?

The underlying reason for zoomies may vary based on the context in which they happen. Zoomies can be simply a manifestation of a dog's enthusiasm for life, it may be elicited from excitement and play, although in some cases, a bout of zoomies may take place after an uncomfortable or stressful event (stress or eustress) as the dog celebrates a sense of "relief."

What Events Trigger Zoomies in Dogs?

Most dog owners notice the occurrence of zoomies in particular contexts and situations and even at specific times of the day. Following are some other potential triggering events and some possible causes.

Zoomies in the Evening

Many dog owners notice a pattern of zoomies taking place in the evening. Supposedly, this behavior is an evolutionary throwback associated with the fact that dogs tend to be crepuscular beings, with a history of being naturally more active at dusk and dawn when many critters come out.

Zoomies After Eating

Many dog owners notice that their dogs get the zoomies shortly after their meals. This can be due to increased energy levels or it simply may be a dog's way of celebrating a sense of satiety.

Zoomies After Pooping

Some call it the "poopy dance," while others call it "the victory race." Regardless of what it's called, dog owners are referring to the dog's frenzy running after having a BM.

Why dogs consider pooping to be such an amazing experience has made many dog owners wonder! There are various theories as to why dogs run like crazy after pooping. Theories range from dogs just being happy for emptying themselves to dogs trying to dislodge some fecal matter stuck to their rear-end fur.

Zoomies Due to Joyful Events

Joyous events such as greeting the owners or playing in large open spaces commonly trigger a bout of zoomies in dogs.

Zoomies After a Bath

Does your dog act crazy after a bath? Some dogs may manifest a "fool around" reaction as part of their flight or fight response following a stressful occurrence such as a bath (if the dog dreads baths). There may also be chances that by running, the dog is attempting to dry himself or remove unpleasant scents.

Zoomies After Being Groomed

In this case, there are chances the dog celebrates his regained freedom after being restrained for some time or that the grooming may be somewhat stressful. There are also chances that the dog is reacting to their fur feeling "different.".

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Zoomies After a Walk

Last year, I boarded and trained a client's 8-month old English setter who had these episodes of running around amok after being walked.

I attributed this as a way to release stress as he wasn't comfortable around scooters on walks. It could also have been the fact that he wasn't too fond about wearing a harness and its removal simply felt good.

Zoomies When Tired

There are chances that zoomies may take place when puppies and young dogs are getting cranky and are in dire need for a nap.

Bouts of zoomies may also be seen when puppies and dogs get overstimulated.

An Example of a Dog With a Bout of Zoomies

Breed Predispositions

Some dog breeds have a natural tendency to have a lot of natural energy. This is particularly true for the many working, herding and sporting dog breeds.

Within a breed, dogs from working lines may be even more energetic as they are expected to be active for a good amount of the day. Of course, we also must factor in individual variations as even within a litter of puppies of the same breed we may find calm or more active puppies.

Poodles, in particular, are described as being very active dogs, according to the American Kennel Club's standard for the breed. This is because they were selectively bred to be hunting dogs.

Despite being often referred to as "French Poodles," Poodles actually originated from Germany and their name derives from the German word Pūdel meaning “to splash about" since these dogs were selectively bred to retrieve ducks.

Even their fancy hairdos aren't there by chance. In the past, hunters trimmed their poodle's coat so as to allow free movement, considering how heavy soaking wet fur becomes. Their elegant puffs of fur (known as pompoms) were strategically left to protect vital areas from the cold.

Medical Reasons

Sometimes, dogs may act energetic and run around when there is something really bothering them. In these cases, the dog's body language may include signs of distress. More than increased energy levels due to feeling good, these dogs are agitated and restless.

Dogs may get into a panic when they are nauseous, leading to persistent swallowing, gulping and dogs frantically eating grass. They aren't typically running around, but may be pacing back and forth restlessly, repeatedly gulp and generally struggle to calm down.

Dogs who feel itchy may also get agitated at times. For example, some dogs may get agitated after a flea treatment is started. According to Frontline, when the flea treatment is used, the fleas become more active and hyper-excited before they die. If your dog seems unsettled after a flea treatment, contact your vet to be safe. Some dogs may develop allergic reactions to flea products.

There are several other possible causes for dogs acting restless due to medical reasons. If you suspect your dog is acting restless due to some physical problem, please have your dog see the vet to rule out medical causes.

Anxiety Triggers

Sometimes, dogs develop high energy levels in response to triggers that cause them anxiety. For example, dogs who are fearful of noises, may suddenly become restless and start pacing upon hearing a noise that frightens them.

Noises that can trigger anxiety in dogs may vary from the sound of thunder or a neighbor slamming a car door to beeping noises coming from microwaves, smoke alarms, and electronics.

If a dog suffers from separation-related distress, an increase in activity levels may be seen just prior to a person departing, such as when that person starts putting on the shoes or grabbing the car keys.

More causes of dogs developing anxiety are covered here: why is my dog anxious all of a sudden?

Detecting Something

Sometimes, dogs may get overly aroused upon detecting something. If it's a smell, the dog will often sniff, whine, and pace back and forth near its source. If it's a sound, the dog may bark, whine, and run around.

Sometimes, dogs who act this way may have detected a critter living in the walls or right at the base of the foundation. If you live in the country, the critters can be anything from small country mice to squirrels and chipmunks to even bugs.

How to Prevent Future Bouts of Restlessness

The methods for easing a dog's restlessness or excessively high energy levels will vary based on the underlying cause. For a good part, the steps involve preventing the onset of excess surges of energy, or redirecting them if we find them problematic. Following are some general tips.

Provide the Right Amount of Exercise and Mental Stimulation

If the energy surges are due to unmet needs for exercise and mental stimulation, it may help to ensure these needs are met.

There are several productive ways to drain a dog's energy, including longer walks, play sessions with humans and well-socialized dogs and dog sports.

While exercise can help, it's important to point out that exercise can also be overstimulating and can heighten a dog's level of arousal. For example, taking dogs to the dog park or doggy daycare may result in dogs rehearsing undesirable behaviors such as rough jumping, mounting, and bullying one another. It's therefore important to engage dogs in exercise in a controlled setting.

If your dog is a puppy, please check with your vet before starting any exercise regimen as too much exercise or exercise of the wrong type can have a negative impact on a developing puppy's growth plates.

On top of exercising a dog's body, it's important to exercise a dog's brain. Here are several ideas: 17 ways to keep your dog mentally stimulated.

Address Any Stress/Anxiety

If there are signs of anxiety (nervous pacing, enlarged pupils, panting), it's important to take steps to reduce the anxiety.

Dogs suffering from noise phobias may benefit from methods incorporating desensitization and counterconditioning (such as the hear-that method); whereas, dogs reactive to scary sights may benefit from the look at that method.

If the dog's high energy levels are due to some type of separation-related distress, it's important to help the dog develop better coping skills with absences. Here are several tips: 20 tips to reduce separation anxiety in dogs.

Should the dog act hyper-aroused due to the presence of some critters, it helps to have a pest inspection done.

Dogs acting hyper after baths or grooming should be screened for anxiety associated with these events.

Exclude Medical Problems

If the dog develops high energy levels for no apparent reason and the dog appears uncomfortable or in distress, there may be chances that the underlying cause may be medical.

A vet visit can help screen for any underlying medical problems, and a treatment plan may be initiated based on the vet's findings.

Common Events That Trigger Dog Zoomies

How to Stop the "Zoomies"

If the dog's high energy levels are due to a bout of zoomies, there are several approaches that can be used to stop them. Generally, you want to stop a bout of zoomies in the presence of:

• Stairs
• Slippery floors
• Ice
• Obstacles
• Yards with holes
• Roads

Following are several different approaches to dealing with a bout of zoomies.

1. Do Nothing

If the dog is simply running around like crazy due to a pure bout of zoomies, doing nothing can be an option as long as the dog is safe and there aren't stuff you worry about potentially getting damaged or broken. Many dog owners enjoy watching their dogs happily zooming around.

2. Invite the Dog Outside

If you have a safely fenced yard, it may be a good idea to open the door and invite the dog outside so that he can run to his heart's content. This can be a good option in case you are concerned about your dog getting hurt as he's racing around the house or may cause damage to your belongings.

3. Nip It in the Bud

If we want to preempt an episode of zoomies, the best approach is to step in right before it manifests. The predictability of these events is your best friend here. Knowing when a behavior is likely to happen gives us the power to control it. Here are several preventive measures:

• If your dog gets a bout of zoomies after a bath when his coat is wet or after being groomed, take your dog on a walk if the weather is nice.
• If your dog gets the zoomies after pooping, let him poop on a leash or take him on potty walks.
• If your dog gets the zoomies after eating, feed him from a food puzzle instead of a bowl. This may help drain some energy.

4. Redirect the Behavior

If you fail to preempt the behavior and wish to stop a bout of zoomies in its tracks, there are some ways to redirect it.

For these cases, I like to keep something prepared in advance so as to use it at a moment's notice as needed. For example, you can keep any of the following "ammo" choices ready for emergencies like this:

• Keep frozen Kongs in the freezer. They can be filled with your dog's kibble and a little water or you can find other Kong recipes from the Kong website.
• Grab an empty Kong and quickly fill the hollow part with some spray Kong cheese or with dog cookies that you can strategically lodge in to make them difficult to extract
• Keep durable chews like dental sticks/bully sticks handy on a tall shelf that can be readily accessed. In the case of durable chews, it's best to check with your vet for suggestions. You may want to stick to the totally digestible ones if your dog tends to swallow things putting him at risk for a blockage.
• Keep a Kong Wobbler filled with some kibble always within easy reach.
• Keep kibble or treats in your pockets or treat bag.

You can keep most of these items handy but out of reach from your dog, such as on a tall shelf (of course, you can't do this with the frozen Kong, but you can grab one quickly as needed), ask your dog to perform a behavior, and then provide any of these so that your dog gets to do something else rather than running nilly-willy around the house.

5. Teach the Kibble Toss Game

If your dog is trained to perform obedience cues, you can play the "kibble toss game." This is a game where I ask a dog to sit (or any other trained behavior, like a down, shake or hand target), then toss a kibble at a distance across the room and then ask for another sit and rinse and repeat so that dog is repeatedly yo-yoing back and forth.

This gives the dog an alternative (and more productive!) behavior to engage in while working on obedience training and gives him a little workout since he'll be running back and forth.

After some time, the dog may start offering the sits automatically, making it a fluent back-and-forth game.

Then, when you think your dog is tiring, you are running out of kibble, or you need a break, strategically reach for the shelf when your dog is catching a final kibble, ask for a final sit, and give something longer-lasting so you can free yourself from the game and your dog has something else to do that doesn't involve you.

Enjoy the Show!

Can You Teach Dogs How to Relax?

Yes! And there are many benefits. Many young dogs tend to be very energetic and they lack impulse control and frustration tolerance. These dogs benefit from training and learning how to relax. Following are some general tips to help them relax and learn to better cope with their high energy.

• Provide the right amount of exercise and mental stimulation.
• Offer "Sniffaris." Sniff walks on a long leash in quiet places can help provide mental stimulation and can be a surprisingly tiring activity.
• Ensure your dog gets enough sleep. Ideally dogs should rest and sleep for seventeen or more hours per day. If your dog lives in a busy household that is buzzing with activity, as it can happen in homes with young children, your dog may not be getting enough downtime and the necessary sleep, which can cause restlessness and irritability.
• Provide a quiet spot. Many dogs who live in busy households or spend most of their time outdoors such as in a fenced yard, fail to get enough sleep. Providing a quiet area away from the hustle and bustle of life, can help them settle down. Remove toys that overstimulate your dog such as squeaky toys, tug toys and flirt poles and replace them with a chew toy such as a stuffed Kong which encourages a calm activity.
• Capture and reinforce calm behaviors as they unfold. This can help increase their frequency, making these behaviors more likely to occur in the future.
• Adhere to a routine. In other words, schedule activities and chill times/nap times and offer at the same times each day. Your dog will look forward to nap time and her body may start getting used to it, making it easier to fall asleep.
• Teach your dog how to control her impulses. Here are some games: 10 impulse control games for dogs.
• Obedience train your dog. Training is a lot about teaching your dog to control her impulses and master the art of delayed gratification. Poodles are very smart dogs and on top of learning basic cues, will readily master some impressive tricks.
• Discuss with your vet. If your dog is restless due to anxiety vet may suggest calming aids under the form of supplements, prescription medications or dietary changes.
• Address any stress or anxiety associated with your dog being bathed or groomed.

While this may sound like a lot, especially initially as you'll be offering your dog quite a lineup of activities so as to keep her busy and in a non-hyper-aroused state, as time goes by, you may start to notice how she'll start going from doing a dozen of these activities before starting to finally settle, to gradually needing less and less as her stress hormones even out and she learns how good it feels to relax.

References

• The Cornell Richard P. Riney Canine Health Center, What Are Zoomies
• Psychology Today: It's OK For Dogs to Engage in Zoomies and Enjoy FRAPs by Marc Bekoff
• Róbert Bódizs, Anna Kis, Márta Gácsi, József Topál, Sleep in the dog: comparative, behavioral and translational relevance, Current Opinion in Behavioral Sciences, Volume 33, 2020

If your puppy or dog shows signs of potential aggression (lunging, barking, growling, snapping, biting), please consult with a dog behavior professional for direct in-person guidance. Articles, videos, and general information provided online are not meant to replace in-person training/instruction. By using this service, you are waiving any liability claims or other types of claims related to any of your dogs' behaviors against you or others.

© 2024 Adrienne Farricelli CPDT-KA, Dip.CBST