Bizarre Behavior - Running on his side.

[Cole26]

Our mix (GSD/Rot/?), Argo, does this weird thing every now and then, where he pumps his front legs like he is running, but he is lying on his side. I've only ever noticed him do it in doors (and on carpet), but he does roll on his back in the yard sometimes (but that's normal for dogs). Anyways, I was curious if people thought this was a stress behavior/nervous tick or if it was just some random thing he does. if it is an unhealthy behavior, what can I do to help make him not want/need to do it. Here's a link to a video I took of Argo doing this, if that helps.

[neilsattin]

btw - you're great with the multi-media posts.

Anything that seems to precede this action on his part?

It looks like he's trying to stay grounded (body on the floor) but deal with some sort of stress/energy that he's experiencing at the same time. Not quite as destructive as digging the carpet, but along the same lines.

How does he respond to gentle touch while he's doing this? I might just use a hand placed on his side, transitioning to massage, to help him settle.

Or if he builds up enough of a static charge, you can just stick him to the wall.

[Cole26]

Thanks! I hope the media bits help in understanding some.

It is usually after play. When his energy is high. But sometimes he just does it....he'll wake up from a nap, look around, yawn, and then go at it like in the clip. He never does it for long, usually a (2-3) few short bursts (in the clip I think he did two short bursts). If I interrupt him (tug, push, or something, or even to just try and relax him - he is a sucker for a head rub) he'll continue with the behavior about half the time.

He never seems distressed or in pain, but its just odd. Afterward he lies there and then will go on with whatever he wants like nothing is wrong. If his energy was high before hand he'll look for play....bring me a toy or tug on Moya's tail. Otherwise he'll fall asleep or look out the window or something.

LOL he'd probably just start running on the walls then.