Why do dogs always walk around in a circle before lying down?

Answer 1

Nest building behavior. In the woods, they made a "nest" out of leaves or grass to lie on.

Answer 2

I have found it is for the following,

1) They are making sure there are no shoes, curtains, or spots on the rug or couch on which they have not yet chewed or drooled on.

2) There are no cats in the area, close enough to force the cat up the leg of their owner and onto their head.

3) That there is no food to be found within eye sight, usually not since they have gorged already

4) And finally, they need to make sure that by laying down where it is about to do so, they are going to be most inconvenient. If they decide this is not so they will most likely get up and move to another spot and start over. This is why you always seem to find them across a doorway, bottom of stairs, or between your bed and the bathroom in a dark room.

Just watch, you'll see.

Mike

Answer 3

The same reason people fluff thier pillow and turn back the covers before going to bed... its a way to get comfortable and make the bed, my dog also sometimes paws at the blanket before laying down.

Answer 4

Because wild dogs do that to make a nest to lie down in.

Answer 5

They make sure there is nothing there (like other small animals), before they lay down.

Answer 6

I heard from the wild. Wolfs also do it. They are making a bed for themselfs.

Answer 7

It's an instinct,They're flattening the area to make a"nest".

Answer 8

it is in their nature their ancestors did it when they were in the woods to make the ground padded down so that it would be comfortable when they went to sleep

Answer 9

I was reading that that is a comfort thing they do in the wild also and is used for warmth.

Answer 10

For the same reason cats do: to freak out their owners.