Does Your Dog “Ghost Walk”? Don’t Worry, They Aren’t Communicating with The Beyond!
Have you ever seen your dog suddenly freeze or start to move extremely slowly when walking under a tablecloth or through bushes and plants outside? This behavior is called trancing, ghost-walking, weed-walking, or trance-like syndrome, but don’t worry, your dog isn’t suddenly communicating with the spirit world!
If you’ve never seen a dog trance before, it can be a little worrisome—why do they become so stiff, take slow steps, and lower their heads? Luckily, trancing is nothing to be worried about, but understanding why your dog does this odd behavior can give you more insight into their state of mind. (Watch Video Below)
@thinkingcanine Trancing in dogs, also known as “ghost walking” or “hypno-walking,” is a curious and mostly harmless behavior where a dog slowly walks under low-hanging objects—like tablecloths, curtains, or branches—allowing the material to lightly brush over their back. Recent research and observational studies suggest that this slow, almost trance-like movement triggers a unique sensory experience, possibly related to canine tactile sensitivity or calming self-stimulation. Dogs in a trance may appear deeply focused, even dissociated, often walking slowly and deliberately with lowered heads and glassy eyes. Despite its eerie appearance, trancing is not linked to neurological disorders in otherwise healthy dogs. Some breeds, like Bull Terriers and Greyhounds, are more prone to this behavior, hinting at a potential genetic component. While the exact cause remains unknown, veterinarians and behaviorists believe it may be a form of sensory-seeking enrichment or a way for dogs to self-soothe. Importantly, dogs can be gently interrupted if the behavior becomes obsessive or interferes with daily life. If your dog seems unaware of their surroundings or shows signs of distress during these episodes, it’s worth consulting a vet to rule out seizures or other medical concerns. In most cases, though, trancing is a quirky, fascinating canine behavior that reflects how dogs experience the world through touch and ritual. #dogbehavior #dogbehaviortips #dogfacts #dogs101 ♬ White Rabbit – Jefferson Airplane
What is Trancing in Dogs?
Trancing is a benign behavior exhibited by some (but not all) dogs. When trancing, dogs deliberately brush themselves against hanging objects like curtains, tablecloths, plant leaves, tree branches, etc. The behavior can make it appear the dog is in a trance: they often become rigid, lower their heads, and take slow, small steps. Dogs may trance repeatedly in the same place or with the same items, but unless the behavior becomes obsessive or harmful, it is safe to allow dogs to enjoy trancing.
In rare cases, trancing could be linked to canine compulsive disorder (similar to OCD in humans), but the vast majority of dogs who trance are doing it for pure pleasure. If you notice that your dog is forgoing other enjoyable activities in favor of trancing, seems distressed when not able to trance, or presents other odd behaviors, you may wish to speak with a vet. Otherwise, just let your dog enjoy this weird but harmless activity.
Why Do Dogs Ghost-Walk?
The most likely reason some dogs trance or ghost-walk is for sensory pleasure. Dogs that trance simply enjoy the sensation of fabric, plants, or other items tickling their bodies and may repeat the behavior to continue the enjoyable feeling.
Some breeds are thought to enjoy trancing more often than others—for example, you’ll see many Bully breeds (Pitbulls, Bulldogs, Bull Terriers, etc.) doing this behavior, but it’s not exclusive to these breeds.
Some dog owners have caught on to this behavior and give their dogs safe, healthy outlets to enjoy a good ghost-walking session. In the video above, you can see one dog owner move their plants with large hanging leaves into the center of a room so their dog can easily walk around them and enjoy feeling them drag across her back.
Just like how humans may enjoy certain fabrics, the feeling of water running on our hair, or a faint breeze on our skin, dogs like physical sensations too!
