Why the dog is furious after bathing: all about bursts of energy

Many owners wonder why dogs run after bathing. In this article, Hill’s experts talk about energy surges in pets and their causes.

What are bursts of energy

After bathing, some dogs run back and forth, sometimes feverishly rubbing against the carpet or grass, wallowing on their bedding and scratching it with their claws. Biologists have even come up with an official term for energy bursts, FRAP. This stands for Frenetic Random Activity Period – a period of frenetic random activity, according to The Labrador Site. Such outbursts are different from the usual canine fussiness. For example, a puppy that runs out of the bathroom fervently before going to rest may simply be expressing joy that the bath is finally over. On the other hand, a dog that has a surge of energy will fly out of there at full speed and will continue this rampage until he is exhausted.

Dog freaks out after bath

Bathing is not the only thing that can cause such a burst of activity in a pet. With some animals, something similar happens after combing or swimming, and sometimes during the game. But bathing seems to be the most common stimulus for four-legged friends who are prone to bursts of energy. There is no exact information why this happens, but experts have a number of assumptions:

• Removal of stress. Bathing causes stress in your pet, and active movement can be a way for him to relieve stress. This is due to the release of energy pent up as a result of negative emotions from taking a bath, suggests I Heart Dogs.
• Trying to get rid of the smell of cleanliness. Dogs go to great lengths to pick up on the scents of their environment. The researchers speculate that they don’t like it when the smells they accumulate so carefully are replaced by the smell of shampoo. The bursts of energy may be an attempt to get rid of the cosmetic scent, and the accompanying rubbing and wallowing may be an attempt to regain your old scent.
• Trying to dry faster. Sometimes the dog runs and rubs against the furniture. So he may try to restore the smell he had before bathing, or dry faster naturally.
• Joy in its purest form. There is a possibility that dogs that experience these bursts of energy are happy that the bath is finally over. This crazy running around and lying on the floor becomes the only way for them to release their feelings and fully express their joy.

Should I be worried about these bursts of energy?

As The Labrador Site reports, if a dog has no medical restrictions on exercise — heart disease, healing stitches, or the effects of injuries and surgeries that require recovery, bursts of energy do not pose any harm to him. However, indoor rampage can be devastating, especially if a large dog is celebrating. In her frenzy, she can knock over furniture, drop fragile items, or tear carpeting. If this condition creates problems, the pet must be calmed down.

What to do with a dog that has a burst of energy

A few tips to help you deal with a dog prone to bursts of energy:

• Give physical activity before bathing. A dog that is already tired from a long walk or vigorous play is unlikely to experience a burst of energy after a bath.
• Do not chase a dog that has gone berserk. This will only aggravate her condition – she will think that they are ready to support her in these games.
• Take out to the street. If it is possible to let a clean dog ride on the grass, you can let him run for a few minutes in the fresh air.
• Protect the house from a furious tailed friend before bathing. You should prepare a room where the dog can safely run around as long as he wants. Fragile items should be removed and small children or smaller pets should not be allowed inside. In this room, you can put a pet’s bedding, on which he can ride a lot, splashing out his emotions.

The exuberant joy of a dog can give the impression that he has lost his mind. But this is perfectly normal behavior and is usually nothing to worry about. If the dog does not break anything, it is interesting to watch such ebullient activity, especially knowing that the pet will soon calm down and return to its normal state.