Jack Russell Has Zoomies, Internet Not Prepared for Labrador's Response
A pet owner in London filmed a Jack Russell terrier zooming near her Labrador retriever sibling, and the Lab's reaction has left social media viewers laughing.
The viral video, shared on TikTok last Friday by @peppa_minijrt, shows Peppa, the mini Jack Russell, sprinting across the corridor several times, running from room to room as her big brother, Buddy, lies on the floor looking at her as if he's sick of this.
Scientifically known as frenetic random activity periods, zoomies are quite common among dogs, especially when they are young, according to the Cornell College of Veterinary Medicine. But older dogs can occasionally get them too.
These intense outbursts usually happen when the dog is overly excited or when it is trying to use all the excess energy it has built up during the day. Other times your pup may have zoomies are when you get home from work, late in the evening, during play, during training if it's overstimulated and after potty time.
While these antics are usually harmless, they sometimes can be a sign that your dog is in distress. A Dogster article says that while zoomies are usually no cause for concern, they sometimes can be triggered by stress or anxiety.
However, these zoomies are different from those caused by excitement. They usually are accompanied by barking or whining, and your dog will look visibly in distress.
When your dog is zooming because it is happy, there is no reason to discourage this behavior. But it is important to provide it with adequate space to run around without any obstacles it could run into.
If the zoomies are frequent, your pup may be trying to tell you that it's not getting enough exercise or mental stimulation, especially if it is a high-energy breed. It may need more playtime and enrichment, like puzzle toys.
However, if this behavior becomes destructive, you should contact your veterinarian to address the cause.
The video quickly went viral and has so far received over 44.8 million views and 2.3 million likes.
One user, Heatherk124, commented: "The look on the Lab's face is hilarious. Like oh no, here [it] goes again!"
Jojome said: "Lab; take the friggin batteries out for goodness sake."
Kerryxx added: "The lab is so sick of him."
Newsweek reached out to @peppa_minijrt for comment and could not verify the details of the case.
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