Why Is My Dog Suddenly Acting Crazy?

When your dog suddenly starts acting differently in any way, it can be a cause for concern. But when your dog is acting crazy and not like them, what can you do about it?

Why Is My Dog Suddenly Acting Crazy?

There are various reasons why your dog is suddenly acting crazy. It could be due to behavioural reasons, or there might be something more serious where a vet is required. Luckily, there are various ways you can implement to stop this behaviour.

 

Why Is My Dog Suddenly Acting Crazy

Dogs Just Being Dogs! It’s Normal!

It’s important to note that dogs acting a bit crazy from time to time is normal, particularly when they’re feeling overwhelmed. In this case, it might not be anything to worry about.

Seeking Your Attention

If your dog has acted crazy in the past and you and/or others have reacted to it, they believe this is the best way to get your attention. So they’ll keep doing it when they want your attention and as long as you keep giving it to them, that’s what they’ll do.

Excess Pent-Up Energy/Not Enough Exercise

It’s well known that if dogs haven’t had enough exercise, due to all this energy being built up, they end up running around the house/outside to try and get rid of the energy, therefore, acting crazy.

Not Enough Socialization

Dogs are social creatures, so it’s important you give them plenty of time to socialise. If you don’t do this, when they come across people or other dogs whilst out and about, they won’t know how to behave and will either cower in fear or try to attack anything they come accross.

Boredom

Dogs are meant to get plenty of exercise to release their energy, so if they don’t get this, they can get bored pretty easily and will cause them to act crazy to get rid of the energy.

Depression

Just like us, dogs can also experience depression. Try and trace this back to when this behaviour first started and it should give an explanation as to why and how this depression started.

Separation Anxiety

Many dogs will have separation anxiety, particularly if they’re not used to you being away from them. When your dog has a lot of built-up anxiety, they tend to run around and act crazy because they are trying to get rid of this anxiety.

Stress

Whenever dogs are stressed, this can cause them to have a lot of built-up anxiety. This then causes them to run around and look crazy, because they are trying to burn off this anxiety.

Injury

It can be very simple for dogs to injure themselves, but the only way they can communicate these injuries with us is by barking and acting crazy. If you notice signs such as limping, a trip to the vets might be in order.

Muscular Pains And Aches

Just like us, dogs can get various muscular pains and aches across their entire body. These might be painful and might cause them to act crazy because they’re unsure of what to do or how to communicate with you that they’re hurt.

Fear

Dogs can be scared of many things. One of these is loud noises, particularly fireworks. If you notice a loud noise happen or anything else that seems to set your dog off, try and do all you can to help relieve this fear.

 

Trauma

If your dog has recently experienced something traumatic, or you adopted them and they were subject to trauma, this is likely to make their behaviour weird. Let them be and possibly get a vet or dog behaviourist to help you calm them down.

Phobia

Linked to this, dogs who have experienced trauma are likely to have some phobias. Knowing what these traumas are can help you help your dog avoid them, but you may want to consider professional help to help them with this.

 

Common To The Specific Breed Or Your Dog

Even though acting crazy can be quite normal for dogs, there are certain breeds that are more likely to act this way. This includes German Shepherds and Huskies, who are known to be quite active dog breeds, so will need more exercise.

 

Bad Training/Conditioning

Bad training is likely to occur if you give your dog negative reinforcement, such as by telling them off if they go to the toilet in the house. Instead, you should ignore the bad behaviour and only give some sort of reward when they exhibit the behaviour you want them to.

This Behavior Has Been Encouraged In The Past

Even if you think you haven’t encouraged your dog’s behaviour, such as by giving them treats, simple things such as giving them some form of attention (even if it’s negative) encourages them to continue acting crazy because they get some kind of reward out of it.

 

Health Issues (Hyperkinesis In Dogs / Dog Adhd)

Hyperkinesis isn’t just your dog acting hyperactive as it can also cause them to be harder to train, have poor social skills, become aggressive when stressed, and repeat attention-seeking behaviours.

Diet Is Bad For The Dog/Food Poisoning

If your dog has eaten something that doesn’t agree with them, such as chocolate or coffee, it’s likely that they will get food poisoning. If you notice this, make sure to give them just water for 24 hours and possibly take them to the vet if symptoms worsen.

Sudden Changes To The Diet

If you’re dog is acting crazy and the only change recently has been their diet, this is the likely reason behind it. Make sure you’re giving them the right foods and this can help stop the craziness.

Not Enough Nutrition

A lack of nutrition can also be the reason behind this. Just like us, dogs also need the right amount of nutrients and a lack of or over-indulgence in nutrience can cause them to act crazy.

Sudden Unexpected Changes To Their Environment –  New People Or Pets

Dogs can get quite stressed when there are changes made to their environment so might act a bit different to usual. If they can’t cope with the change, they might do things such as chew on furniture or engage in any type of behaviour that’s different to normal.

Environmental Changed (E.G. Weather Is Too Hot)

If your dog is acting strange due to the weather, this is because a sudden change in weather can cause an increase in cortisol, which is the stress hormone, being produced. Try to keep any other stresses down to a minimum and keep them as calm as possible.

 

Noise Level Has Increased

Due to dogs’ sensitive ears, they are very sensitive to sounds. Even ones that don’t seem loud to us can be very loud to them. Try and block out the sound for them by playing some relaxing music.

 

A Change In Its Daily Routine

Dogs like familiarity so when a change occurs, it can cause them a lot of stress. This could include changing their diet, when they’re fed, when they wake up, or when they go for a walk. If change does have to be implemented, try to make it gradually for them to get used to.

 

Frustration

If your dog encounters anything that leads them to become frustrated, this can cause them to have extra energy and will cause them to act out because they don’t know how to manage their frustration.

Mistreatment

This is likely to have occurred if you have adopted your dog and they were treated badly. Be understanding and calm and eventually, they’ll learn to trust you.

Abuse

As mentioned above, if you haven’t abused your dog but adopted them, there’s a chance they were abused in their previous home. Be very calm and gentle around them and eventually they’ll learn to trust you.

 

Hormones

If your dog is starting to become sexually mature or is pregnant, their hormones will be all over the place and they won’t know how to act, causing them to appear crazy. As these are temporary, as long as your dog isn’t pregnant, you can get them spayed/neutered.

 

Cognitive Dysfunction

Your dog acting crazy could be a sign that your dog’s cognitive abilities are diminishing, such as them getting dementia. This occurs in older dogs and makes them engage in behaviours they won’t have previously done.

 

Allergies

Your dog might be allergic to something, such as a product that’s been put on them whilst they’ve been groomed. Look out for other signs, such as easy eyes and lack of breathing, and take them to the vets for treatment.

Over Stimulation

If there’s a lot going on in your dog’s environment, this can cause them to act crazy because they don’t know how to respond. Particularly if there’s lots of people and they’re getting a lot of fuss and don’t know how to react to all this attention.

 

What Should I Do When My Dog Is Acting Crazy All Of A Sudden?

Make The Dog Tired

Most reasons behind your dog acting crazy is due to having too much energy, so if you give them plenty of time to get rid of that energy and tire them out, they won’t act so crazy.

Keep The Dog Active Mentally

It can also be due to a lack of stimulation that causes your dog act crazy. Give them puzzles to do that are dog friendly to help keep their mind active and that way, it helps lessen the energy they have.

Stop Rewarding Crazy Behaviour

As previously mentioned, any form of attention can seem rewarding to dogs, even if you’re telling them off. Next time they start acting crazy, ignore them and eventually they should stop this behaviour if reward/attention is all they’re after.

Visit The Vet

If your dog is acting crazy because they’re ill, for example, because they have food poisoning, it’s important you get them to the vet. The vet will be able to examine them and give them the appropriate treatment.

Get A Dog Trainer/Behaviorist

If you realise that your dog acting crazy isn’t due to health issues and is due to behavioural issues, this is when it’s time to contact a dog behaviourist. They can get to the root of the problem and teach you how to train them not to act in such a way.

What Are The Signs Of A Dog Acting Crazy?

One of the signs is that they start running around everywhere, either inside or outside. It’s normal for dogs to run around, but this running might be a lot faster and you’re dog might look like they’re going here, there, and everywhere.

 

If it’s an issue of them having anal issues, you might nothing them shuffling their bum along the floor. This might not seem too crazy, but it’s abnormal behaviour and it will need to be addressed by a vet.

 

They might start engaging in behaviours that aren’t normal for them, such as chewing on furniture or eating random things. This might just be due to a change in environment, but it could be something else. If you’re concerned, take them to the vet to get checked over.

 

They might also be showing signs of aggression, which could be causing them to act crazy. This won’t be due to no reason, as there will be a trigger that will have happened to set this aggression off. A dog behaviourist might be best in this situation.

 

They could also be acting fearful of anything they come into contact with. For example, someone they don’t know might come into your house and they might be cowering in the corner because they don’t know what to make of that person.

Zoomies Vs Acting Crazy

Zoomies is more likely to happen when the dog is happy or has a lot of excess energy. Your dog acting crazy is like to happen due to other factors, such as food poisoning or a change in their environment; essentially anything where they’re acting different to normal.

Why Is My Dog Going Crazy After A Walk?

Even though any form of exercise is meant to get rid of any energy, dogs can still go crazy after walks either due to being annoyed their fun time with you is other, or because they still have a bit of extra energy left.

Why Is My Dog Going Crazy At Night?

This can be due to eating before going to bed as they’re trying to burn off the energy they get from food, so try and give them their food a little earlier and make sure they get plenty of exercise during the day to prevent this from happening.

My Dog Is Acting Strange And Hiding?

Think about what caused them to start hiding in the first place will likely be the reason why. It’s probably because of loud noises, other environmental factors, fear, or having new people/animals in the house.

My Dog Is Acting Weird And Staring At Me?

This can be for a number of different reasons, including wanting something from you, looking at you because they love you, or they’re feeling aggressive. Try and figure out the exact reason why and then act accordingly.

How Long Do Dog Crazies Last?

Dogs crazies tend to last either a matter of minutes or until your dog has fully exhausted themselves.

Why Is My Dog Suddenly Acting Crazy After Neutering?

If you’re dog has been neutered, this can cause them to become aggressive. This will only be for a short period of time, but this aggression can cause craziness in dogs so be patient and eventually they’ll ride it out.

 

Why Is My Dog Suddenly Acting Crazy And Running Around?

A lot of dogs tend to suddenly act crazy and run around due to having a lot of energy for some reason. To try and combat this, you could try and make sure they’re getting plenty of exercise.

 

Why Is My Dog Suddenly Acting Crazy After Flea Treatment?

This will either be because they don’t like the smell of the flea treatment; or is because they’re having a reaction to it. If you notice any other signs, get them to the vets immediately.

Why Is My Dog Suddenly Acting Crazy After Bath/Grooming?

If your dog is acting crazy after a bath or having been groomed, this is likely because they are happy they are now clean. It should pass after a couple of minutes.

Why Is My Dog Suddenly Acting Crazy And Itching?

This is likely due to having an allergic reaction to something, such as a product used whilst grooming. This includes signs such as itchy eyes and difficulty breathing and you should take your dog to the vet immediately in this case.

 

Why Is My Dog Suddenly Acting Crazy And Throwing Up?

If your dog is acting crazy suddenly and throwing up, this is a sign of food poisoning. Keep an eye on them, give them plenty of water, and take them to the vet if necessary.

 

Why Is My Dog Suddenly Acting Crazy  On The Snow?

Just like humans, dogs can go crazy for snow, particularly if they’ve never seen it before or have seen it and loved playing in it the last time. Let them out to go crazy, but look out for any signs of frostbite or hypothermia.

 

Why Is My Dog Suddenly Acting Crazy  And Barking At Nothing?

It might seem to you that your dog is barking at nothing, but it’s likely that there’s something in the walls that your dog can sense that you know nothing about and this will be what they’re barking at.

 

Why Is My Dog Suddenly Acting Crazy  And Licking Everything?

This can either be because they’re nauseous, have separation anxiety, have a nutritional deficiency, to relieve mouth pain, or due to gastrointestinal problems. Regardless of the reason, you should always ask your vet for some advice.

 

Why Is My Dog Suddenly Acting Crazy  In Its Crate?

A dog acting crazy in it’s crate is likely because it’s been in there too long. Dogs should only be in their crate for a maximum of four hours and will then need to be let out to have a wee and release a bit of energy.

 

Why Is My Dog Suddenly Acting Crazy  While On Leash?

This is likely because your dog isn’t due to being outside much and can become quite overwhelmed by everything going on around them. Try and take your dog outside at least once a day to help with this.

 

Why Is My Dog Suddenly Acting Crazy  At Age 1,2,3,..6 Months?

This might happen because they’re still learning and don’t know what the boundaries are yet, so as long as you train them right from wrong, this behaviour should eventually stop.

 

Why Is My Dog Suddenly Acting Crazy  With An E-Collar?

This cone can make your dog feel quite stressed because they can’t go about their day as they normally would. This best thing you can do is to distract them by playing with them or buying puzzle toys for them to use.

 

References

 

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9264766/

https://www.vet.cornell.edu/departments-centers-and-institutes/riney-canine-health-center/health-info/managing-reactive-behavior