My dogs get a case of the zoomies at times and it’s adorable. It’s usually when I get home and they’re excited to see me, or when they’re playing with their plushies and get really into the game. I’ve noticed they also start ‘zooming’ after a bath to expend nervous energy due to their extreme aversion to bathing.

Zebby the Golden Retriever started doing indoor laps when he caught sight of something in his mom’s hand that he definitely disliked.

In the TikTok from @zebbythegolden, the precious pooch was racing around the living room like he had too many cups of coffee.

“Dude!” Zebby’s mom exclaimed.

The frantic fur baby grabbed a large stuffed animal between his teeth as some sort of protection from whatever got his energy going. His mom knew what the problem was.

“He’s freaking out because I have the ear cleaner,” she said, holding a small blue bottle that was obviously familiar to Zebby.

His mom let him sniff the ear cleaner so he would realize he wasn’t in any danger, but Zebby just went right back to his mega stuffie for safety.

“‘My Golden Retriever stuffie will protect me’ – Zebby,” the caption joked.

Why Do Dogs Get the Zoomies?

This sudden burst of activity that usually includes a dog running in big circles around the house can appear comical at times. Some canines even add some spins and play bows to their zoomies to mix things up.

There are many reasons dogs expend their pent-up energy in this manner. For some, it’s just a form of playing and shows they’re excited about something. If you try and get a toy from them, they may transition to zoomie mode as a fun form of “keep away”.

Stress, tension, frustation and lack of exercise can also bring on the zoomies to release negative emotions.

Related: Golden Retriever’s Concerned Search for Mom Turns to Joy the Instant He Sees Her

Like my fur babies, many dogs don’t like bathing or going to the groomer. Some zoomie action helps them shake off the water and stress of bath time.

Zebby’s zoomie trigger is obvious so maybe his mom will be a little more discreet next time she wants to clean his ears.

🐶SIGN UP to get “pawsitivity” delivered right to your inbox with inspiring & entertaining stories about our furry & feathered friends🐾🐾

This story was originally reported by Parade Pets on Nov 23, 2025, where it first appeared in the Pet News section. Add Parade Pets as a Preferred Source by clicking here.