Those who are familiar with dogs have no doubt witnessed dogs getting ‘zoomies’ from time to time.
But what exactly are they and why do you get them? Dog trainer Adem Fehmi, behaviorist at pet food brand Barking Heads, explained what ringing is and outlined four reasons why his dog may be experiencing it.
According to Adam, the phenomenon can be defined as frenetic periods of random activity.
They are usually characterized by a random burst of energy that causes your dog to run in circles for a few minutes. And he notes that while they can often be fun to watch, it’s important for dog owners to understand what can trigger them and when it may be cause for concern.
Here are five reasons why your dog may be experiencing ringing…
Buzzing can be defined as frenetic periods of random activity and is more common in puppies and younger dogs than older ones (file image)
1. Your dog needs more enrichment
If your dog is receiving zoomies because he needs more enrichment, Adam suggests enlisting the help of an accredited behaviorist who will be able to assess your dog and his needs.
Adam explained that in some cases, zoomies could be a warning sign that you’re not stimulating your dog enough.
She explained that they may not be receiving enough physical and mental stimulation and exercise during the day to meet their needs, and they may not have the opportunity to express natural behaviors in a constructive and safe way.
If this could be the case, Adam suggests enlisting the help of an accredited behaviourist, who will be able to assess your dog and its needs, and put a plan in place to address this behaviour.
He said: “Remember, we should never seek to ‘block’ such behaviors, but instead ensure our dogs have sufficient outlet in other ways to reduce and eliminate behaviors we would rather not see.”
2. Your dog wants to get away from you
According to Adam, your dog might use zoomies to ward off your advances when you need to grab them at home or in an open space, like a park.
He explained: “This creates an element of fun for your dog; in fact, it gamifies the situation by turning it into a chase, and as a result, he enjoys the attention he receives from you.”
3. Stage of life
Another possible factor is your dog’s life stage, as puppies and younger dogs are more likely to suffer from tinnitus.
However, according to Adam, older dogs can also display this behavior occasionally, often much less frequently and with less force!
He said: “For a puppy or younger dog, the reasons behind this behavior are probably a result of excess energy they need to burn off, a burst of “happy energy” from the excitement of seeing another dog or someone they know, knowing that it’s almost time to eat their favorite puppy food or even take them somewhere they love.”
4. Your puppy is happy with you
Dog trainer Adem Fehmi (pictured) says that while there could be a positive reason for the humming, such as your dog being happy, it could also be motivated by a negative reason: needing more enrichment.
The desire to instigate play with humans or another dog, or simply the sense of security and happiness your dog feels, could be behind his humming.
“In other words, it’s a show of affection toward you, as a parent, or toward your loved ones,” Adam explained.
5. Your older dog is excitable
While the behavior is more common in younger dogs, older dogs can also have humming if they are energetic and excitable.
According to Adam, this could be disturbing in older dogs and could make you worry that the animal will hurt itself or others when it rings.
He said: “This behavior could lead to other unwanted and unsafe behaviours, such as lunging and nipping.”
“I would suggest seeking advice from an accredited behaviorist to address the root cause.”