Why Is My Dog Always in a Hurry for Something (and I’m Not Invited)?

Does he have business you don’t know about? Meetings to attend? An urgent call with the mailman? 

Well, to your dog, pacing is a kind of work.

Dogs pace when they’re thinking, scanning, or trying to release leftover energy. Some do it when they’re excited (“You’re putting on shoes, we’re going out!”), others when they’re anxious (“Something smells good, but I can’t see it ”).

At our partner shelter, we see it all the time — new rescues walk circles in their kennels for days before they learn they don’t have to keep watch anymore. Once they finally feel safe, they nap instead of patrol.

So if your pup’s on his tenth lap around the living room, don’t worry, he’s doing his business as usual.