FRAP behavior
Anyone out there an animal behaviorist?? In another forum "dogster" the discussion came up about FRAP ing and whether or not it is instinctual in herding breeds. It's so common among corgis I thought I'd ask you all.
FRAP (Frantic or frenzied acts of random play) are when the corgi does the figure eights around the furniture or bushes outside, ears laid back and seemingly possessed. There are very tight turns, full out running, turning in one direction several times, stopping and then doing several laps in the opposite direction.
When I was doing research on the breed, everyone spoke of it and every corgi owner I know, said their puppies did it. Timmy still does it to this day, but some others have stopped as they grew older. Anyway, wondering if anyone knows if this is part of a play behavior, sign of stress (I have my doubts), or just another way of getting attention? Does anyone know if this behavior has ever been seen in wild canids? References to articles or body of knowledge would be helpful.
Thanks
FRAP (Frantic or frenzied acts of random play) are when the corgi does the figure eights around the furniture or bushes outside, ears laid back and seemingly possessed. There are very tight turns, full out running, turning in one direction several times, stopping and then doing several laps in the opposite direction.
When I was doing research on the breed, everyone spoke of it and every corgi owner I know, said their puppies did it. Timmy still does it to this day, but some others have stopped as they grew older. Anyway, wondering if anyone knows if this is part of a play behavior, sign of stress (I have my doubts), or just another way of getting attention? Does anyone know if this behavior has ever been seen in wild canids? References to articles or body of knowledge would be helpful.
Thanks
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Michelle on
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Both of my corgis FRAP and they are certainly not stressed. My male does a most noteworthy thing by belly rolling at full speed toward his mother (his dog mother). They bark snarl and generally sound like they are really going at. The first time that I really saw them get with it as full grown dogs I called them down at which time they abruptly stopped to look at me like --"what's up with you?? We're just having a little fun." They seemed to look between themselved and say she really needs to lighten up.
Stressed-I think not...... Attention ploy....very likely.......Enjoying life....now we are talking.
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Permalink Reply by Nichole LeClair on
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Well, I'm not a behaviorist by any means, though I did take a number of courses on animal behavior in grad school. I had the wonderful opportunity to watch mexican grey wolves in captivity, and they did get rambunctious in a similar way every so often. I haven't done research on this, but I had assumed it was just another component of play behavior. My two male corgis are 3 and 4 years, respectively. Luckily, they have each other to terrorize when this mood strikes. They seem to do it most often when they are "feeling good." In other words, they're fed, they've had plenty of time with their humans, they're not too hot.... They just take off. An if one isn't in the mood, the other will nip and bow and charge until the lazy one joins in. We love to watch. Sometimes, I assume, they also haven't had quite enough exercise to wear them out for the day. Good luck with the reseach, and please share your findings. I would love to take the time out and search as well, but I'm swamped with projects at the moment.
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Permalink Reply by FuzzyButt on
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Celeste told me that it can be considered a corgi trait as they seem to be one of the only breeds that do it.
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Permalink Reply by Dannielle on
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I never knew what it was called but I have a white lab that has done this since he was a tiny pup, he is about to turn a year now and still does it at least once a day! It is the cutest thing ever. I'll be so excited to see him and Zero play this ay together!!!
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Permalink Reply by Anne on
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Le-Le does this in the yard and she is so happy when she is going full tilt thru. I don't know how she does it thru the trees by our fence line and then around the chairs and on and on. She does not have a sibling to play with so this is her big fun exercise time other than her walks which are on a leash. I get her going by trying to have her chase me or I act like I will run at her to chase her. Great fun for both of us. She does not do it if she is nervous in the yard.
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Permalink Reply by Suzanne on
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Henry does this even at an older age of 8. He especially does it as soon as his feet hit sand. (beach, volley ball court, the infield of a baseball diamond close to our house). I've always called it 'crazy dog'. He slowed down a lot in the last year until I changed his diet to an all meat diet. Now even my non-dog friends have noticed his increase in energy, and I've noticed his increase in 'crazy dog' episodes. I love watching him do this...
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Permalink Reply by Lisa on
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Charlie, our corgi doesn't FRAP. I don't remember if he ever did. Our sheltie pup, Rowdy FRAPs
like a maniac. Charlie justs tries to herd him until he poops out. Then he just waits for Rowdy to pass by and barks.
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Permalink Reply by Lusa on
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My corgi definatly does it as play. She just goes crazy and runs and runs. My old dog who was a beagle did it too. I know lots of puppies that FRAP but most grow out of it... not all though. I don't think it is just corgi's who FRAP (expecially since my beagle took part of that multiple times a day until she got sick from cancer)
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Permalink Reply by Rayanne on
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My two corgis do it, they are 6 months old. They seem to really enjoy it, so I put up with the over-turned lamps and disconnected cable once in a while. My only concern is that they do it to my cat. I can call them off her and they'll come to me, but there's always the temptation. And when they do chase her they come back with a mouth full of fur.
But I also had a mix--retriever/chow, as far as we could tell--who frapped a lot when she was young. She would run endless circles around the house, outside and inside! I don't know if she may have had herding in her as well.
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Permalink Reply by alynne on
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neeka does this alot, just at random times, she does it all over the house or in a field i always thought it meant she as happy haha.
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Permalink Reply by Lou Ann Lemaster on
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Duncan and Chloe do this inside or outside the house. Duncan is usually the instigator. He starts by "poking" Chloe in the shoulder or side with his nose. If I'm in the front room and I hear the frapping start, I pick up my feet and put them on the couch, because I know within seconds they will be running into the room to go around the coffee table chasing each other. They sound like a stampede of elephants running through the 3 downstairs rooms.
The first corgi I had, many years ago, never frapped that I can remember (that was 26 years ago). She wasn't into toys or playing really, just happy to be beside you. So, it's so much fun having Duncan and his interests in toys or frapping. Chloe is a rescue, she has very little interest in toys. I don't think she was given any at her old home. But, she does love a good frap.
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