Please answer not jokinly!!?

Question

Why do dogs walk or turn in a circle before they lay down i know somedogs dont but alot do does anyone know the answer please explain?

Answer 1

I think it's because they're sniffing to see if they're in someone elses 'terrotory.' My dog does it once in a while, but only when she's outside (we live in an apartment complex with lots of other dogs).

Answer 2

I think its an instinct, and they walk around in circles to make sure the land they are about to lay on is sturdy and not another dog's territory. Either that or they just fall down cause they are dizzy from walking around in so many circles. (sorry, but i think after answering you legit i am allowed to make a joke afterwards)

Answer 3

It is canine behaviour, a pattern that they have always had. It is simply their making up their bed to be comfortable and warm during their sleep. In the wild, they would spend a bit of time choosing the site; after all, they might need to defend themselves or to run off. But, it is to make their bed comfortable and warm for the night.
In the northern hemisphere, dogs tend to go clockwise; in the southern hemisphere, counter-clockwise, an influence from the earth's rotation.

Answer 4

Mine doesn't turn in a circle. He actually circles his bed! He'll walk around it three or four times, then get in it and dig at the pillow to fluff it! I'm guessing he walks around it to make sure nobody else has been in it.

Answer 5

Why do dogs circle around before lying down on the ground?

Question:

Answers:
It's all to do with the rotation of the earth. If you take your dog to the southern hemisphere you will notice that it circles the opposite way.
Maybe he's a bird dog. To stir up / drive out any snakes, bugs, insect pests before they make their bed. Instinct. A throwback, if you will. Wild dogs (wolves, coyotes) do it too. Did it first. They want to make doubly sure they are not about to lay in their own dookie. They're just looking around to make sure their "territory" is safe and nothing will bother them. coz there getting comfy ! to find a comfortable spot. Just like humans fluff their pillows. This has come up before, They are making their bed comfortable, steems back back from the dark ages when they had to trample down the grass to make a bed. Maybe to make his area comfortable before he lays down like we do we puff up our pillows before we go to sleep its a natural instinct. when they were in the wild they would have to go in circles to help flatten the weeds and high grass for when they wanted to lay down. the REAL reason goes as far back as their ancestors - wolves!. Dogs circle like that because when their ancestors were in the wild, they would sleep on the ground, like dirt and grass. Circling allows them to flatten out the ground they are about to lay on for more comfort. Doesn't matter if the dog is an inside or outside dog, they all do this for that reason. It's because when dogs were wild they had to pat down to ground and make sure there was nothing under tehm before they laid down for the night.

Answer 6

Our Vet explained it to me when I was a child that its part of a dog's inherited traits from when it was a wild creature. It would walk around in a pile of leaves, twigs, dirt till it had a "bed" made that would be softer for it.

Answer 7

In the wild, wolves "pad down" grasses and dirt to make a little sleeping nest. It's old canine behavior which means they are getting ready for a nap.

Answer 8

I think it is a nesting instinct perhaps left over from the days where they would clear away stones, brush, etc, before bedding down for the night.

Answer 9

I dont know, but I am guessing that they are just trying to find a way to get comfortable. Like cats like to "knead" there area before they get comfy. I dont just throw myself in a spot to laydown. I have to fluff my pillow and position myself a few times to get comfy. This is just a guess.

Answer 10

Don't know. I guess the same reason we toss and turn in our sleep sometimes. My dog does this all the time.