Why Your Dog Goes “Crazy” After a Bath (The Zoomies)

You just spent 20 minutes scrubbing your dog. You let them out of the tub, and suddenly, they are a blurred streak of fur, sprinting around the house, tucking their butt, and sliding across the hardwood floors. Congratulations—you’ve witnessed a F.R.A.P.

The Science: F.R.A.P. stands for Frenetic Random Activity Periods. Most people call them “the zoomies.” These are a natural physiological release for pent-up energy or stress.

• The Post-Bath Burst: For most dogs, a bath is a high-stress event. They are restrained, wet, and smelling like “Lavender Fields” instead of “Dog.” When the bath ends, the sudden drop in stress causes an adrenaline spike. The zoomies are their way of “shaking off” that nervous energy and trying to dry off.

Why This Matters for Training: Zoomies aren’t “bad” behavior, but they can be dangerous if your dog is knocking over furniture or small children.

• The Fix: Don’t chase them (that just adds more “fuel” to the adrenaline fire). Instead, stay calm, clear a path, and let them burn it off. If you need to stop it, use a calm “Place” command once they’ve slowed down to help their nervous system reset.