Dog Trancing: Understanding This Quirky Canine Behavior

Many pet owners have observed that animals can display quirky behaviors. One such behavior is trancing, sometimes referred to as ‘ghost walking’ or ‘weed walking’. This subtle, unusual behavior can be unsettling when witnessed for the first time and is reported by a number of dog owners.

What Is Trancing?

Trancing occurs when a dog gingerly and slowly walks under overhanging foliage, tablecloths, or curtains in such a way that the object just barely touches their back, or they may freeze and appear to be "in a trance." If you've never seen this behavior before, it can be unnerving when your dog starts doing it at home. Dogs perform this action with such slow movement that it seems they are sneaking up on something, trying to let their footfalls be quiet. They appear to be in an almost trance-like state, hence the term ‘trancing.’

Trancing is observed often enough in bull terriers that some online sources claim it is unique to this breed. However, a simple search for dog trancing video clips will debunk this, as many other dog breeds have been recorded exhibiting trancing behaviors.

While it's a common belief that all bull terriers trance, this is not true. A bull terrier may be more predisposed to trancing compared to other breeds, but one cannot assume every bull terrier will trance or that dogs of other breeds won't exhibit this behavior.

Is Trancing a Type of Seizure?

Watching a dog trance for the first time may lead some people to think it's a focal seizure. In rare cases related to underlying medical problems, this may be true. There are key observations that help distinguish trancing from seizure activity. Dogs that are actively seizing cannot be brought out of it by calling their name or using a recall command, whereas a dog in a trance, even in a deep one, will respond in some manner, such as flicking an ear. Dogs that trance behave normally before and after the trance, unlike dogs with seizure activity, who may display abnormal behavior before or after an episode.

Some dog owners suspect that their pets enjoy trancing, noting that when interrupted, dogs often seem annoyed. Typically, trancing episodes last just a few minutes, after which dogs return to their normal, happy selves. This differs from dogs recovering from seizures, who may take hours to return to normal behavior. If your dog suddenly starts trancing later in life or if the frequency of episodes increases, consult your veterinarian.

Is Trancing a Behavioral Disorder?

Some owners are concerned that trancing is either a behavioral disorder itself or a precursor to issues like obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD). Bull terriers, known for trancing, are also prone to OCD behaviors, such as tail chasing. However, a 2004 survey by BT Neuro found no correlation between trancing and tail chasing in bull terriers. Thus, if your bull terrier trances but doesn’t chase its tail, it doesn't necessarily mean it will start. In some dogs, trancing is a compulsive behavior that may respond to certain behavioral interventions such as increased enrichment activities, including food puzzles, interactive toys, and more exercise.

Is Trancing a Learned Behavior?

If you have a dog that trances and are considering adding another dog to your family, you might wonder if trancing is a learned behavior. Although the exact reasons dogs trance are not fully understood, some multi-dog households have noticed non-trancing dogs picking up the behavior from their trancing companions. New dogs may choose to trance under the same items as the first dog or select different items, such as plants or fabric curtains, for their trancing.

Trancing, although an odd behavior, is mostly just that — a harmless quirk. In the majority of cases, trancing poses no threat to the dog's health and is not usually a precursor to obsessive compulsive disorder. Therefore, when you see your dog trancing, feel free to let them enjoy their unique behavior!