Why Do Dogs Circle Before Lying Down?

  • 11 years ago
Some feel that dogs cricle before lying down in order to flatten out the terrain. Others believe that it’s a way of claiming territory.

If you woke up wondering why dogs walk around in a circle before lying down, today’s your lucky day.

There are two popular theories. Some feel that it’s a throwback habit from when dogs were more full-time outdoorsy types. Before they could settle in for a snooze, they had to flatten out the terrain.

Other experts believe that it’s a way of claiming territory. The circular walking serves as a means of spreading the dog’s scent, which is the canine way of saying, “mine!”

The latter explanation includes preparing for situations other than safe, uninterrupted sleep. In the case of nursing mothers, making a scent map of sorts lets her pups know where she is and how to get there.

Equally confounding is why cats do that thing where it looks like their kneading dough.

It turns out, like dogs walking in a circle, they also do it to prepare a sleeping area – sometimes.

Other occasions include making known general feelings of comfort, affection, and ownership. It also helps them stretch out after a nap.

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