BREAKING NEWS
Not only was my crazed footie addicted Staffy driven to ‘COLD TURKEY’ when his new trainer instructed me to hide his precious football, but Rocky also had to endure extra frustration when he was forced to suffer additional withdrawal symptoms from the ‘DOUBLE COLD TURKEY’ caused a couple of days later.
Due to my disabilities I drive a mobility scooter when I take Rocky out for his walks and one of the reasons I engaged the trainer was because Rocky pulls on his lead so that he can go faster. Dog walkers who have seen me skyrocket past, often tell me that in their opinion Rocky believes he is a Husky pulling a sled, and laugh. However, Rock’s reckless behaviour is not funny but very dangerous, not only to me but also to himself.
When he arrived I explained the issue to the dog behaviourist and he asked how frequently Rocky went for walks, probably expecting me to say either never or only once a day. I explained that we go out 3 to 4 times daily for half hourly walks, but that because of his speed impulse, in that short time we cover a great distance.
The trainer instructed me to turn my mobility scooter speed dial to very low in order to emulate walking speed and this I did by gauging the pace of those walking their dogs. It was hoped that in making the change not only would I be in more control and that we would both be safer, but so that the trainer would be able to take my puppy for walks and teach Rocky during those sessions.
However, as my video shows, just like any human ‘speed freak’, Rocky was very resentful at being forced to slow right down and reacted very badly. I called the dog behaviourist and explained that when returning from walks Rocky runs at great speed, back and forth covering the whole distance of the lounge and garden like a drugged maniac, even more hyper than ‘Speedy Gonzales’ and ‘Roadrunner’ combined. The expert told me that Rocky was experiencing ZOOMIES or FRAPs (Frenetic Random Activity Periods) and he suggested that this was due to his hyperactivity state and that Rocky would eventually calm down when he realizes that his walks were always going to be at a slowed speed.
I believe that Rocky is suffering from ‘DOUBLE COLD TURKEY’ due to being prevented from playing football abruptly and also being denied his accelerated walks, and it is my hope that Rocky will ultimately accept his new walk regime, and stop zooming.
The video shows Rocky suffering from ZOOMIES on the first day of his ‘Cold Turkey’. This still continues and at present shows no signs of easing.
Poor Rocky is in a terrible state having to walk slowly and being disallowed his football, when all he wants to do is run fast and play footie as any puppy would.
Watch this space to see if this approach alters my puppy’s NEED FOR SPEED’ and his ZOOMIES.