So why do dogs spin in circles before they lay down?

[Belle0101]

My dog came in the room just now, scratched at the blanket on the floor and then spun around in a circle probably 10 - 15 times. I got dizzy watching him.

I thought maybe he was just trying to get comfy on the blanket but he had only been laying down for a couple of minutes when he got back up to go in a different room.

One of our other dogs, we have 4 labs, does it too. He generally just finds a spot on the carpet, spins around several times and then lays down. He also growls at feet and then jumps away.

Rarely a dull moment. I caught one of them with his nose in the disposal the other day.

 

[Aimeedyan]

I don't know! Mine do it, too. They sometimes scratch at the space before laying down as well.

Cracks me up.

 

[Cindyluwho]

It's left over from when they were wild animals. They turn around in circles to make sure there are no predators. Kinda boring, but that's what they say!

 

[Belle0101]

I don't know! Mine do it, too. They sometimes scratch at the space before laying down as well.

Cracks me up.

Whew! Glad to hear it's not just my dogs. Sometime I wish I knew what they were thinking. Then other times, like when they're out eating poopsicles, I'm glad I don't know!

 

[JR6ooo4]

the standard is three circles. ANy more is just showing off.

Mikeeee

 

[JR6ooo4]

It's left over from when they were wild animals. They turn around in circles to make sure there are no predators. Kinda boring, but that's what they say!

I had heard it was to matte down the tall grass for a bed.

Mikeeee

 

[Imzadi]

I read once that it was left over from when the dogs used to live in high grasses. They circled around to flatten a space in the grass large enough to lay down in.

 

[Liz]

the standard is three circles. ANy more is just showing off.

Mikeeee

My dogs do it too!

 

[JessicaR]

Do they always spin in the same direction?

Both my dogs spin before laying down. If my older male is really exhausted he gives it a halfhearted spin before plopping down.

 

[Aimeedyan]

One of mine will spin and spin (never just 3!), then scratch wildly, then lay down for a minute before jumping back up and going to someplace else!

Makes me laugh. All that effort for nothing!

 

[disneygirlatheart]

Both of mine do it too. It is a funny sight. We watched a movie a long time ago, do not remember the name now, it was a family movie about dogs, and it said it is so they will not have bad dreams. That is what my kids say all the time now, Look Mom, No Bad Dreams for them tonight.

 

[Pakey]

Both of mine do it too. DH and I have to go to bed at least 30 minutes before we want to sleep because it takes them that long to spin and settle. They sleep under the covers so it's quite annoying as the covers get moved constantly until they decide it's okay to flop down.

The female also does the spinning before she eats.

Both spin in the same direction.

 

[jagafen]

Do they always spin in the same direction?
.

North of the equator, yes....south of the equator, it's in the opposite direction.

 

[Am_I_There_Yet]

I too have heard it was to flatten down tall grasses, but Chloe does it when she's stressed out.

If there's a storm coming (she's terrified of thunder), she'll scratch at the carpet for what seems like forever (then smell it... eeeeeewwwww) and then lay down with a HUGE sigh.

She's like a doppler; I always know when the weather is fixing to take a turn for the worse.

 

[Bobbles]

Whew! Glad to hear it's not just my dogs. Sometime I wish I knew what they were thinking. Then other times, like when they're out eating poopsicles, I'm glad I don't know!

And I thought our three beagles were the only ones!

 

[mirthmaiden]

I do this too, but I'm just trying to make sure I don't lay down on any spiders.

 

[Mouse House Mama]

Perhaps they are practicing their hokey pokey skills?

 

[EcoInteractive]

This is a side note, but the reason dogs lick your face is that they want you to vomit. Yes, it is true. It is left over from wolf behavior. This is how wolves feed their young. The pups lick in the mouth of the mother to get them to vomit so that they can eat. Nice!

 

[golfgal]

Our dog does this too. It is pretty cute. She does end up making a little nest in our bed or with one of her blankets when she does it. She has a blanket fetish.

 

[Bella the Ball 360]

This is a side note, but the reason dogs lick your face is that they want you to vomit. Yes, it is true. It is left over from wolf behavior. This is how wolves feed their young. The pups lick in the mouth of the mother to get them to vomit so that they can eat. Nice!

Good I will add this useless piece of trivia to my vast store house of useless trivia such and the reason for a wake and where lipstick came from.