Bichon Blitz - when your Bouncy Puppy becomes a Furry Tornado!
All dog owners will be very familiar with the ‘zoomies’, or more formally known as Frenetic Random Activity Periods or FRAPs. For us Bichon Frise owners, we’ve coined our own adorable term for this random behaviour – the Bichon Blitz.
What is the Bichon Blitz?
Also known as the Bichon Buzz, the Bichon Blitz is used to describe those sudden bursts of energy that have your dog running in circles or spinning around like a furry tornado. Typically Bichon Blitz’s won’t last very long – a few minutes at most – after which your pup will then plonk themselves down for a much-needed rest.
The blitz is quite frequent and common for puppies and young dogs, and gradually reduces as they get older – though that doesn’t mean they will stop blitzing entirely with old age. Our beloved dog continued with her zoomies well into her senior years.
When these sudden bursts of energy come about, you’ll see your dog run around in circles, usually with their backend tucked in, chase their tail, do laps of the house or garden or perform flying leaps over furniture and other objects.
What causes the Bichon Blitz?
Some of the common reasons your bichon does the blitz include:
- Playfulness – for some Bichons, the blitz is just another form of play where they energetically chase a friend, their tails, or an imaginary prey.
- Excitement – Bichons express their joy and enthusiasm by blitzing and buzzing around you
- Boredom – after long periods of inactivity, Bichons may be looking for some relief from prolonged under-stimulation
- Stress – Bichons may have an excess buildup of energy due to stress, which is then released in one big burst.
- Baths – Bichons may experience an adrenaline rush after baths, or simply trying to dry off – or perhaps both!
Are Bichon Blitz’s (or Zoomies) Harmful?
Generally, the Bichon Blitz or dog zoomies are considered harmless and are a natural part of a dog’s behavior.
If your Bichon frequently does the blitz, they may be telling you they need more play time, exercise and/or mental stimulation. Take your bichon out for walks regularly, expose them to new smells, or challenge them with some training and puzzle toys. If your bichon loves the water, swimming is another fantastic activity to use up all that pent up energy.
Doing the bichon blitz won’t hurt your dog, but a dog running around at full speed without a plan sometimes can lead to unfortunate accidents. While zooming around the house or yard your bichon may be in danger of injuring themselves or breaking something.
While blitzing, try to keep your Bichon away from stairs, hard slippery floors, and high ledges. Remove any dangerous obstacles in their path, and ensure they are in a safe enclosed space where they can’t accidentally run onto the road.
Blitz with Me!
The Bichon Blitz is typically a charming and amusing behavior that showcases the playful and energetic personality traits of the Bichon Frise.
By paying attention to your bichon’s body language and behavior, you can tell if they’re having fun, or there is something to worry about. If your Bichon is in pain, appears frightened or anxious, then your bichon needs to be calmed down. This kind of frenzy is not a happy one, and the source of distress needs to be investigated by seeking veterinary help.
Otherwise, if your Bichon is loose and wiggly and happily bouncing around, the Bichon Blitz is nothing to be worried about. Set them loose in a safe space and just enjoy the adorable antics while they last.