You Know When Your Dog Zooms Around Like A Happy Maniac? There’s A Name For That

Have you ever seen a pup almost lose its mind with excitement? Racing around like a maniac, yipping with glee, nearly out of control with joy? You know, like this…

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Or this:

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Or this:

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Well, it turns out that there is actually a name for this energetic (and often hysterical) behavior! As explained by HowStuffWorks, veterinarians call this unbridled doggie excitement Frenetic Random Activity Periods (FRAPs).

FRAPs are most common in younger pups, but even older ones can exhibit them, especially if they have a more playful temperament or if a puppy is in the room. Vets aren’t exactly sure why this happens, but they suspect it is to burn off pent-up energy.

Although, sometimes it’s probably just because it’s fun to lose your mind a little bit! Hey, we’ve all been there.

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After all, there is so much to be excited about in this great big world of ours. Isn’t it nice to have furry friends to help us remind us of that?

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However, if your pup’s madcap behavior is bringing you down (or dangerous to your decor), vets say there are ways to safely unleash this manic energy Consider the following tips:

1. Intensive exercise is a good idea. Walks are fun, but some dogs simply need more. This is especially true for young pups and high-energy breeds. For these guys, going for a run, a long hike or even a swim are all great ways to get some exercise (and use up energy)! Read more on Dogster.
2. Interactive toys with hidden treats will help keep an indoor pup occupied during those hours when it has to be inside. Outward Hound offers the Paw Hide, a great option for less than $10. The Paw Hide engages your dog’s sense of smell to help it learn how to find and release the “reward” from the toy. And, you can make it progressively more difficult to get the treat so the game is always a challenge. You will soon have the smartest dog on the block.

But, let’s face it, sometimes those little bursts of energy are just too dang cute! After all, that sweet, excited, innocent joy is part of why we love doggies in the first place.