JRT/Westie goes on random (but entertaining) running jags. What is this all about?

Question

Sometimes when I'm playing with my 1yo JRT/Westie mix, either inside the house or outside in the yard, she will break out into these flat out running jags. It's as though she's suddenly possessed, and she runs with the fury of a thousand rabid reindeers! She tucks her back hips low and flies like the wind along an imaginary path that she repeats over and over until she's completely exhausted and MUST stop for water.

Do I need to enroll her in agility classes? What switch gets flipped in her head that just makes her take off for no apparent reason. It's entertaining, but I want to know WHY.

Any ideas?

She's walked 2x daily and played with (ie: retrieving games - fetch, hide & seek) daily. Sometimes it just seems she's got this random get-up-and-go and she's AMAZING when it kicks in.

Ginger's profile can be found here:
http://www.dogster.com/pet_page.php?i=418091

Thank you for the compliment!

Answer 1

Yes, it's called zoomies...LOL. That's what all my chihuahua buddies call it anyway. I don't know a small young dog that doesn't do that. It's hilarious! They just need a release of energy and that's what works. ;)

Answer 2

Check out flyball or JRT trials. There was one cool one showed on Animal planet today. My pup used to do this for no reason every night. We called the puppy crazies. It was so cute I actually got a belly ache laughing! Now she and my chihuahua get together and 'race". Priceless. Sometimes I think little dogs just get workedd up and have to drain their excess energy.

Answer 3

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Answer 4

I have no idea why they do that but your not alone, my Min Pin will get going like that, he will even start doing it in the house and zoom there he goes and i think he is just as fast as a speeding bullet and i think it is so funny when dogs do this it is so comical,,,, your JTR/ Westie girl is very very pretty i saw her the other day on that website that has her pics on there and one more thing can you post that web site agian cause i would like to go back to that website and check it out more,,,, Thanks

Answer 5

uh - YES, go to an agility instructor Right Away! ha ha!!!! Of course I totally recommend that. As far as the reason....I think what you're describing is just the zoomies. You have a "high" dog and that's how she shows she's loving life. Yahoo!

Answer 6

My 4 month old Bichonpoo does the same thing. It is so funny. Sometimes she will be playing with a toy by herself and will start running through the house like this. I think it is so cute. I don't know why they do it.

Answer 7

My Shih Tzus did that. I called it 'going crackerdog.' It's worse when they did it at the same time circling the coffee table. Your dog sounds perfect for agility! I don't know why it comes on so suddenly. Interesting question.

Answer 8

Probably pent-up energy. She may need more exercise!