A puppy of a golden retriever is resting in a dog bed.
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Why Dogs Spin in Circles Before Lying Down

Canines display curious behaviors at times. What causes these attitudes?

Why Dogs Spin in Circles Before Lying Down

You’ve surely noticed on more than one occasion the pre-sleeping ritual your dog performs. Whether it’s scratching the bed or spinning in circles, both have a quite similar explanation.

While it’s relatively easy to understand why your dog would want to dig a hole in the park, doing the same on your bed is rather puzzling. If you see your dog scratching a bed, a sofa, or a carpet, it doesn’t necessarily mean they are trying to escape from your home. According to ‘The Dodo,’ this bewildering habit is probably a survival instinct inherited from their wild ancestors.

Wolves also like to dig before lying down, but this behavior is more practical in the outdoors. Temperature regulation is crucial in nature. On a cold night, this helps wolves stay warm, and when it’s hot, digging a cool patch of ground has the opposite effect. Even if wolves are comfortable with the temperature, digging a sleeping spot has additional benefits. A shallow hole provides them a place to hide, so they can sleep peacefully.

This action is not as useful when a dog’s bed is made of fabric instead of dirt. Nevertheless, that doesn’t stop domestic pets from indulging their animal instincts when they prepare to go to sleep.

There is another explanation for this habit in dogs, which can actually lead to better nocturnal rest for them: comfort. When a dog scratches a cushion, they may simply be trying to prepare a more comfortable spot, just as you might fluff your pillows before going to bed.

As long as the behavior doesn’t seem obsessive, there’s no need to worry about your dog’s mental state when they dig indoors. The same can’t be said for the condition of your dog’s bed, so consider investing in one that can withstand these pre-sleep nocturnal attacks.

Why they walk in circles

Most dogs walk in circles before lying down, and this behavior is also inherited from their distant ancestors: wolves. “Many canine experts believe that the ritual of spinning in circles before lying down is not inherited at all,” says veterinarian Lynn Buzhardt to ‘Southern Living.‘ “However, wolves also exhibit this curious behavior, so domesticated dogs have this genetic predisposition to do it.”

Thus, we could say it’s an archaic dance that comes directly from their distant relatives, the wolves. What purpose does this repetitive movement serve? Apparently, it’s an act of self-preservation. “Spinning in circles before lying down is an act of self-preservation, as in the wild, a wolf would need to do it in case it has to defend itself from an attack,” assures Buzhardt. “Performing a 360-degree turn allows them to take one last look for potential predators before settling down.”

You’ve surely noticed on more than one occasion the pre-sleeping ritual your dog performs. Whether it’s scratching the bed or spinning in circles, both have a quite similar explanation.