A Puppy Parent’s Guide to Zoomies

Zoomies are often your puppy’s way of releasing overload — not just energy.

Is My Puppy Okay?!

A Puppy Parent’s Guide to Zoomies

One minute your puppy is sweet and snuggly.

The next minute?

They’re racing around the house, attacking invisible enemies, launching off the couch, and looking at you like they’ve completely forgotten their name.

If you’re a new puppy parent wondering:
“Is this normal?” “Why did this come out of nowhere?” “Did I do something wrong?”

You’re not alone — and no, your puppy isn’t broken.

You’ve just experienced the puppy zoomies.

What Are Puppy Zoomies?

Zoomies (officially called FRAPs – Frenetic Random Activity Periods) are sudden bursts of wild energy where puppies run, jump, spin, pounce, and lose all sense of self-control for a few moments.

They’re incredibly common in puppies because:

Their brains are still developing
Their bodies grow faster than their ability to regulate energy
They don’t yet know how to calm themselves down

In other words: your puppy has big feelings and no brakes.

Why Do Puppies Get Zoomies?

Zoomies are often your puppy’s way of releasing overload — not just energy.

Common puppy zoomie triggers include:

After naps (fresh energy, no plan)
In the evening (often called the puppy “witching hour”)
After play or training (mental effort counts!)
After exciting or new experiences
When puppies are overtired but can’t settle

Yes — puppies can get zoomies because they need more rest, not more exercise.

This is where many puppy parents get stuck.

“But My Puppy Looks Completely Out of Control…”

That’s a very normal reaction.

Puppy zoomies can look chaotic, intense, and even aggressive — especially if they include:

Nipping
Barking
Slamming into furniture
Ignoring you entirely

But most of the time, this isn’t disobedience.

It’s a nervous system that’s overwhelmed and doesn’t yet know how to shut things down smoothly.

Should I Stop My Puppy’s Zoomies?

Usually, no — but you do want to manage them safely.

Helpful puppy-parent strategies:

Make sure your space is clear so your puppy doesn’t crash or slip
Stay calm (your puppy feeds off your energy)
Avoid chasing, yelling, or grabbing — that often makes zoomies bigger
Let the burst pass if your puppy is safe

Trying to control zoomies in the moment often escalates them.

Zoomies Are a Signal, Not a Training Failure

If your puppy is getting zoomies frequently, it doesn’t mean they need more discipline.

It often means they need:

More structured rest
Fewer long or overstimulating play sessions
Help learning how to settle between activities
Better balance between movement and calm

Puppies don’t automatically know how to relax — it’s a skill we teach.

How to Help Your Puppy Through Zoomies

Instead of asking, “How do I stop this behavior?”
Try asking, “What does my puppy need right now?”

Support might look like:

Enforced naps
Calm routines
Gentle enrichment instead of constant excitement
Short training sessions followed by rest
Teaching simple settling behaviors early

When puppies are supported this way, zoomies naturally decrease over time.

The Reassurance Every Puppy Parent Needs

Zoomies don’t mean you’re failing.

They mean your puppy is:

Growing
Learning
Adjusting to a big new world

This stage is messy.
It’s loud.
And it can feel overwhelming.

But with patience and the right guidance, your puppy will learn how to regulate their energy — and those chaotic bursts will slowly turn into calmer transitions.

You’re doing better than you think. 💛

If you need more support, don't hesitate to call/text me at 714-794-9625