Why do Dogs go in circles before they lay down?

Question

I see my dog going in what seems to be tons of circles before laying down. Why?

Answer 1

Dogs are descended from wolves its a natural instinct still present wolves do it to trample down sticks and leaves in the wild to make a comfortable spot to sleep on.

Answer 2

"The most common theory is that the dog is preparing his chosen place to sleep. In the wild, dogs would walk in a small circle to flatten down leaves and grass. Modern day dogs do this to flatten their pillows or blanket. But the habit seems to have been passed down from generation to generation for thousands of years. Even a dog that lies on the floor will usually circle the area. Another reason given by dog breeders is that dogs circle their area to mark their territory. A mother dog will circle several times to let her deaf and blind newborns get a whiff of her scent so that they know that it is her with them and that it's time to eat."

http://members.aol.com/wraithen/pattiwolf071598.html

Don't know if this is some layperson's opinion or some sort of expert in canines...

Answer 3

Dogs like to check things out a little before they lay down. They like to make sure no other dogs have peed in that area - this would be like "marking" it as their territory. Also, they like to make sure the area is clean and eat any food that may be lying around. Thank you and good luck.

Answer 4

as other have said it is instinct from many yrs ago because in the wild they want to be below the grass line and if its not deep enough they will dig their spot deeper as to be out of the blowing wind and rain and the snow also if it snows they are a Lil lower than the ground level and the snow will cover them and they are safe and warm that way what ever the weather is and not visible to predators.

Answer 5

One theory I have heard is that it's a leftover instinct. In the wild, dogs will do this to mat down the grasses where they will be lying down, to make a flat comfortable spot.

Answer 6

It goes back to the wild whether they dogs or horses and also a variety of other animals, where they would have to trample down tall grasses to hide in while they needed to sleep, so predators couldn't see them while they were scanning the surrounding area. - hope this helps

Answer 7

Okay, I'm gonna go with something totally different! ~~~~He is winding his alarm clock! LOL! Just kidding! He is simply trying to get a flat comfortable spot to lay down on....jusy like everyone else said!

Answer 8

My guess is that they are trying to make the area they want to sleep in more comfortable. I would say it was similiar to what a person does when they first lay in bed.

Answer 9

In the ancient Egyptian days there were checking for snakes before they layed down...so it's something from their ancestors I guess.

Answer 10

My dogs do the same thing. They act like cats. They like
to be comfortable to, and it's just their way of making the
place they are going to lye down in more comfortable.
It's really silly to watch them, but they do all kinds of silly things.