She's A Real Weirdo Sometimes......

[IRIE'S MAMA]

Has anyone else expirienced such silliness.

while playing outside Irie goes into wacky mode about once a day. She will Run from one end of the yard to the other as fast as lightning and then run circles around us. Sometimes she gets a little too rough and starts jumping up and mouthing a little while doing this. We always crate her after this behavior. She doesn't do this inside though. It's very weird and I just wondered if anyone else has seen similar behavior. Is it a good idea to crate her after this or should I be doing something different?

[TrishB]

I call it "Getting the Bum-Downs". That's when they suddenly (or at least it seems), have a huge burst of energy! They run around so fast, almost as if their back ends are running faster than their front ends so that their butts tuck under themselves. I'd think that almost all dog owners have seen this bizarre, running / scooting behaviour. :D It just makes me laugh.

Many times, you'll notice this behaviour around dusk. Instinctively, dusk is the time of the hunt - when the pack gets all worked up to go out on the hunt for prey.

Cats do the same thing, usually later in the evening - as they are typically nocturnal hunters.

I wouldn't worry so much about crating her afterwards - once it's out of her system, I doubt she'll do it otherwise. The only way to curb this habit would be to exercise her more so that she's tired. It's been said many times here before - a tired dog is a well behaved, good dog! ;)

I don’t consider this bad behaviour – it’s just fun! :D

[ladawn]

I've seen it referred to as such on this website and I'm not sure even exercise cures them! Yesterday evening, after a mile walk, Daisy got them (inside the apartment). I can't be mad, they crack me up. As long as she doesn't hurt me or herself, I love to watch them.

[IRIE'S MAMA]

Thanks for the replies. I, being a new rottie owner always have to make sure that NEW behavior is not out of agression. It is funny to see her tool around the yard. I can only wish that I had that much energy. I get exhausted just watching her. If she starts to get too rough, what is the best method for chilling her out?

[moondog]

Luna just turned 7 and her "inner puppy" gets the zoomies like clockwork after every bath! The duration may be shorter but the show is just as good! :D

If you think she's getting too wild, intercept her and bring her to a stop for a few minutes. That's usually enough for the urge to dissipate. If she still wants to continue and you don't want her to, put a leash on her and do some training exercises ... that should take her mind off it. :)

[TrishB]

Personally, I'd just let her run her course. That isn't to say that she shouldn't listen to you, but if no one is in the yard and she's gotta run, let her! :)

She'll eventually get tired out.

If it's not a convenient time - I'd put her on her leash and ask for some obedience work. Just enough to get her mind back. :)

[bgardner]

Mine does this a lot. Not enough, though cause I love it. She runs with an expression of pure joy! :D

[Rottnlove]

I've read this is typical Rottweiler behaviour. Especially in puppies. Right before the sun goes down, they tend to get all this wild extra energy. Like TrishB said, I'ld just let the dog get it out of it's system, unless it's becomming unruly. I personally wouldn't put the dog in the crate. I would work with her on a leash for a while until she calms down some. :)

[flyballmom]

Outside?? My almost 5 year old does this inside, too! We, too, call it the zooms. I think all dogs do this at some point, mine did it more as a puppy. I think they just have energy to burn and have to get rid of it. I wouldn't crate her afterward, in my opinion it's not a "punishable offense." When mine goes on for too long I try to distract her with a toy or chewie. Let her have her fun!

[IRIE'S MAMA]

It is so nice to know that my little one is not as psycho as I thought. lol:) I have only crated her in the past when she starts mouthing during this zooming time. She just gets SO excited! She hasen't quite figured out her strenght yet, but we sure have. Last night when she was doing this she started getting too rough, and We put her on her leash and immediately took her for a walk. It really helped a lot. We bought a prong collar over the weekend and that has really helped her to learn the heel command. It's so nice be walking and not have her gagging herself on the leash anymore. Sorry to get off of the subject, but any advice for biting the leash. Usually the first minute or so she tugs and tugs and "DROP IT" does not work. She stops after about a minute once she is in her groove, but I don't want her to do it at all. Someone in our training class suggested that bitter apple stuff, but it is doubtful that that will work. When she first arrived, we would spray lemon juice in her mouth when she would nip and she kept coming back for more. She is a weird one I say, but I love her to bits.

[Zephyr]

Originally posted by flyballmom
Outside?? My almost 5 year old does this inside, too! We, too, call it the zooms. I think all dogs do this at some point, mine did it more as a puppy. I think they just have energy to burn and have to get rid of it. I wouldn't crate her afterward, in my opinion it's not a "punishable offense." When mine goes on for too long I try to distract her with a toy or chewie. Let her have her fun!

I think that it's completely natural and an expression of joy and freedom. Today, my new almost all better Rottie, Zev, did the same thing! I was overjoyed! She was so happy to see me when I returned home after an hour out, she leapt up to lick my face as I entered the house, then went into zoomie mode. She was so hilarious, I laughed until my sides literally ached. She ran into our bedroom, leapt on the bed, grabbed a BRA that was laying there and ran into the hallway, back again like lightening and then onto the bed again, where she tried to roll herself into the blankets!

It's a good sign for her, since she's been so ill from her time in dog prison [aka: shelter] and tells me she's feeling very happy here.

She also does it outside in the yard, zooming like a maniac. I love it.

My last dog did it too, a Giant Schnauzer. He would zoom like a fiend inside and out too. Same thing with that butt tucked under and front legs digging into the ground for more traction. It was great and I loved seeing him act so silly.

I'd just relax and let the dog have fun. She's joyful and that's all that counts.

Payton

:-)

[rottnkidd]

Oh I love the "zoomies"! Now that the weather will be getting warmer, I'll have to wait until evening to see this! The hot sun
and dark-coated dog's don't mix. But once the sun goes down
she'll be racing around to beat the band. The neighbors must think I'm a real nut case when they hear me telling my girl to
"GO ZOOMIE for Momma"! She runs so fast her back legs are under her ears!! In the winter she'd dip her head into the snow and zoom around with it all over her face! The joy of owning a
big goofus!
kathy

[ozziesmom]

Yeah, I just think Ozzie needs to blow off excessive energy when he does this. If he gets too rough, then I place him in a down-stay, and that seems to calm him down.

[halliebear]

We call it the "butt-run" when pitbulls do it :D Hal - my rottie, takes a long time to start playing with Katie, but when he finally revs up he tears from one end of the house to the other, doing spins at each end. If he gets too wild, I get his attention, ask him to sit and then give him a treat. Then he can go back to playing.
I would let her do it, but don't let her jump or get mouthy. Say no and turn away or ask for a behavior and give a treat. If she keeps mouthing and jumping, maybe a minute or two in the crate is just the ticket to calm her down.:)

Amy

[GeorgiasMom]

Georgia does the same thing!! LOL!! It's so much fun after a long day of seeing sick animals to come home to my furbaby and have her so excited to see me. It's a daily ritual around here, even before I get my purse out of the truck, she is let out to run around and check the mail with me. It's great fun and good for them.
One thing though, we shouldn't use crates as punishment or "time out". Crates are meant to be the dog's "bedroom", where they go when they need alone time and if they are playing and get forced in there, they won't want to be there at all.
The suggestions of doing some obedience work, asking them to perform a command, or turning away are great. My girl is too big for me to turn away (she knocks me down) and she's only part-way through obedience, so I make sure I have the leash on her and if she jumps, I give her a quick leash correction and "NO". It is just enough to get her attention to let her know that I enjoy playing with her, but it is not an invitation to go crazy.