I do a hippy type of training based on natural horsemanship but for dogs. According to this line of thought zoomies are the dog expelling build up of nervousness or anxiety. I've mentioned it before and the person I was talking too got very offended! But it really has made sense for Rufus and I.

Hes 2 now, and zoomies are far less frequent. But when they do happen it's either after a difficult walk (say a dog has barked or got reactive directed at him) or when hes picking up on me being ill/upset/angry. It doesn't mean ( according to the training) you have a nervous or anxious dog. Mine can be an overconfident asshole at times!

So when they happen, I've been directed to either start a game of tug or a 'push' ( where the dog basically jumps at you and pushes his muzzle into your ( my dog might be from an accidental litter, while in future I'd be far more cautious, he is a great dog that may not have came out the shelter if he went in. Hes fab with people but hands holding food at your hip), the idea is about creating a connection between you and the dog. ( I did warn you it was very hippy-ish). And, for us, it will stop the zoomies on a dime!

I don't agree with all of this hippy training, but I really have seen great improvements with Rufus!

If your interested, it's called "natural dog training" developed by Roger Bevan. But if I had just found the rediculous blogs I would have never gone ahead and followed this way. So if you have a look try and ignore all the over hippy, over verbose, way of writing all the trainers seem to have! Perhaps just look at the YouTube videos on "pushing" and have a go at the technique. Or just see if you can redirect into a game of tug!