why does my dog turn in circles a couple of times before laying down?

Question

and why does he scratch the soil wuith his hind legs afterdefecating?

Answer 1

It stems back from the wild dogs, when they had to flatten the grass to make their bed. To cover up the smell of popoos

Answer 2

This is instinct for a dog to do 2-3 circles, before lying down. The scratching soil is another instinct. Some dogs do it, others don't. My dog is seven y/o and she's recently started scratching and covering it up.

Answer 3

it's what he does, it's a free world for dogs no matter where you live. they have a right to turn in a circle a couple of times before they lay down just like you brush your teeth. i wonder if dogs ask each other why we do certain things.

Answer 4

All dogs do both of those things. I don't know why they circle before they lay down, but I believe he's trying to cover up his waste when he scratches the soil.

Answer 5

I actually have experienced many canine to do little tricks. the suited way that I actually are transforming into such issues as this to artwork is by technique of having some little snacks and an rather good type of staying power! as an get at the same time, i'd use a particular hand signal with my canine, after I reported the be conscious "sit down" i'd placed my hand up and press gently on the canine's hind quarters, options you no longer not person-friendly. even as the down grow to be totally sitting i'd feed it a manage and praise it. I repeated this till the canine began doing it on it is personal. i'd imagine that this may artwork with turning round also. in uncomplicated words i'd recommend preserving the manage so as that the canine might want to ought to instruct with the intention to get it from you. also be conscious-association is tremendous in this difficulty. wish it truly works out for you!!

Answer 6

THose are just habits that they inherited from their wild ancestors. Circling before lying down is their last opportunity to look around for enemy. Kicking dirt over their poop is how they hide the scent of their poop. This prevent outside dogs from smelling it and realizing there's food in the area.

Answer 7

i have two pit bulls and they also do that they turn in circles before they lay down because they have to get comfortable with that spot befor they lay down. when they scratch after they use the bathroom is because they are spreading their scent around the area that they live in thaey want other dogs to know that this is thaeir territory and that they own it so dont mess with it..

Answer 8

Yep... if you put a large blanket down on the ground, most dogs will claw at it to make it a small bed. Just do it and watch your dog for a while. Sometimes when they feel like finding a good place to be they will make their beds. They cover up the poo because then it makes the scent stay I guess. Something about territory

Answer 9

he turns the circle because back in the day when the day was young and dogs lived wild they had to stomp down the tall grass and weeds before he laid down,it a left over instinct,and he scratches off cause its a dog thing showing dominance and a show of whose territory it is.their scent glads are on both sides of their rectum

Answer 10

I once watched a program (pbs type) that explained dog behavior from their ancestors, the wolf packs. They said that dogs will twirl around in a circle before lying down because their ancestors in the wolf pack had to pack the snow.

they scratch their hind legs after defecating to "spread" the odor and claim territory.