Good Dog WeekWhy does my dog get the zoomies?
Common reasons
Built-up physical energy
If your dog has been resting, crated, or cooped up inside, a sudden burst of sprinting can be their way of using up stored energy in one go.
Relief after something stressful
Many dogs zoom right after a bath, a vet visit, or being restrained for grooming. The run can be a release of tension once the stressful event is over.
Pure excitement or play
Zoomies often show up after a satisfying walk, a fun game, or when another dog or person arrives. It's often the canine equivalent of happy, overflowing energy.
Puppy and adolescent development
Younger dogs have less impulse control and more raw energy, so zoomies are especially common and normal in puppies and teenage dogs.
End-of-day overtiredness
Some dogs get a final burst of silly energy in the evening, similar to an overtired toddler, before settling down for the night.
What you can do
- Let it happen in a safe, enclosed space like a fenced yard or a room cleared of breakables and slippery rugs.
- If the zoomies happen indoors, gently guide your dog toward a hallway or open area rather than trying to physically stop them mid-run.
- Use a cheerful, known cue like their name or 'let's go' to invite them toward you, then reward calmly with a treat or quiet praise when they check in.
- Build in regular exercise and play earlier in the day so some of that energy has an outlet before it builds up.
- If zoomies tend to happen at a predictable time, like after dinner, plan a short game or sniffy walk around then to redirect the energy constructively.
- Avoid chasing or shouting, as this can turn into an exciting game that makes the zoomies more intense and harder to settle.
When to talk to a vet
If the running looks frantic or panicked rather than playful, happens along with limping, stumbling, or disorientation, or if your dog seems unable to settle at all afterward, check in with your vet to rule out pain or a medical cause, or a certified behaviour professional if anxiety seems to be driving it.