Why does my dog run around like crazy?

If your dog has been running around like crazy, you might be wondering why and what you can do about it. This post will show you a number of possible causes and what you can do to get it to stop.

So, why does my dog run around like crazy? Possible reasons why your dog runs around like crazy are that it has an issue with its diet, it’s not getting enough exercise, it has mental issues, anxiety or that it has learned that the behavior gets rewarded.

Since there are a number of possible reasons why your dog has been doing it, it would help to consider what would make each of them more likely. Once you have a good idea of the main cause, it should become a lot easier to get your dog to stop doing it.

Reasons why your dog runs around like crazy

Below are a number of possible reasons why your dog has been doing it and what would make each of them more likely to be the main reason.

An issue with its diet

The cause could be that there is an issue with its diet. It might be eating things that it should not be or it could be eating too much. An issue with its diet would be more likely if it has started behaving differently since a change in its diet or if it behaves that way when it eats certain foods. 

It would help to ensure that you have been feeding it the right foods in the right amounts and that no one else has been feeding it without you knowing.

Boredom

Dogs are generally meant to get daily exercise. When dogs do not get enough exercise, they will often start acting crazy and it might be a part of the reason why yours has been as well. This would be more likely if it runs around on days when it is not able to get any exercise. 

Mental issues

The cause might be that it has developed a mental issue that has been causing it to behave abnormally. This would be more likely if it has started behaving that way suddenly and if it has been behaving unusually in other ways as well such as by running in circles excessively, being sick or pulling to one side on the leash. In this case, the best option would be to take it to a vet.

Anxiety

It could be the case that it has been doing it due to something causing it to become anxious. This would be more likely if it tends to run around just after a stressful event finishes. Examples could be when guests leave the house or when you arrive home.

Fearfulness

It might also be the case that something has been causing it to become fearful. This would be more likely if it does it more at certain times such as when there are fireworks, sirens or construction works outside.

In this case, it would help to remove the thing that is making it become fearful if possible or to try desensitization training. 

Encouraging the behavior

It could also be the case that it has learned that it gets rewards for running around like crazy. If you tend to give it things such as toys, treats or extra attention, when it runs around like crazy, it will likely do it more in order to get more rewards. 

Things to consider

Below are some things to consider to help figure out the main reason why it has been doing it.

What else happened when it first started doing it

If your dog did not always behave like it has been, it would help to consider what else happened when it first started doing it. If it started doing it suddenly, it could be due to things such as a change in its diet, a mental issue, something causing it to become anxious, getting less exercise or learning that the behavior is rewarded. 

What is different when your dog runs around like crazy

If it tends to do it more at a certain time, it would also help to consider what is different about the timing. For example, if it does it more when it eats certain foods, it would be more likely that it does it due to an issue with the food that it has been eating.

What to do about your dog running around like crazy

Below are some options you have when getting your dog to stop doing it. 

Avoid encouraging the behavior

As mentioned above, it might be the case that it has learned that the behavior gets rewards. Instead, it would help to reward it when it behaves the way you want it to and to avoid giving it things such as toys, treats or extra attention when it does not.

Ensure that it is getting the right diet

It would also help to ensure that it has been eating foods that it is meant to be and that it has been eating the right amount of calories for its age and breed. It would also help to ensure that no one else has been feeding it without telling you.

Ensure that it is getting the right amount of exercise

If it is healthy, it would also help to ensure that it has been getting the right amount of exercise for its age and breed. 

Get help

If you cannot figure out what has been causing your dog to do it or it has been behaving unusually in other ways, it would help to take it to a vet. By doing so, you should be able to get expert advice tailored towards your particular dog and to rule out the possibility of it being due to a more serious issue.