Why Does My Dog Walk in a Circle Before Lying Down?

One of the cutest and smartest animals is a dog that helps in various tasks with the military and police dogs like Rottweiler and German Shepherd. They have many habits that they perform routinely. One of their practices can be walking in a circle while lying down. It gets seen that dogs move around the bed before sleeping or for having a short nap. This behavior can get related when in old times, a dog uses to make their beds. There was no one to make their beds in older days because they used to live in wild areas where no human get to notice. It is essential to create a comfortable couch during the night to sleep with satisfaction.

Many dogs have made for domestication purposes so that they can adapt with completely with humans and their habits. They can get easily trained for house rituals. But many dogs have wild nature because of their ancestors. Some dogs get trained for performing various tasks, and they also get adapted my many families easily just because of their superior intelligence. Any owner needs to understand them completely. Otherwise, they can face significant problems while handling them socially or individually. One of the different and unique habits of any dog is that they roam around their bed when they have to sleep, or they have to take a nap.

Making of bed in older times

In old times, dogs use to make their beds with tall grass and underbrush because there was no one to make their soft and comfortable beds. It depends on them about making their perfect beds with time. Many wild dogs were so independent that they do not like other's mattresses, but they only prefer their comfort level. They perform one ritual before sleeping was roaming around their beds so that they can get good sleep without having any problem. They prepare their rest by walking around their bed. It was a sign of safety precaution for the whole night.

It gets said that when any dog roams around their place, they try to flat the floor, which makes any large insect drive out. It has also believed that when they round their home, it makes an indication for other dogs that the place has got claimed, and they can not cross it or uses it in any case. Because in earlier times, dogs used to have a mindset that they live in a wild area, and any attack can happen at any time. Even, many dogs sleep together in one area that is why it was necessary to indicate other dogs that the place has got occupied by some other dog. Dogs use to have a good understanding, and they understand by watching the flattened areas due to circling of any dog around its region.

Importance of training

But now in a new generation, dogs sleep on fancy cushions and comfortable beds, but they do perform this ritual to save their place. They can not change their behavior in any case because it has come from their ancestors. It is challenging to change their behavior, but it is also not required to change because they do not create any disturbance. They perform this ritual to satisfy their minds so that they can sleep safely. It would help if you got comfortable with this behavior, but you can train them for this problem. Dogs will learn quickly; that they are safe without their roaming. They get protection through roaming, but you can teach them with your love, then they will feel very comfortable.

When circling could be cause for concern

When you notice restlessness in your dog then it is the sign of discomfort or even pain. A dog can't seem to get comfortable even after repeatedly circling and digging, he/she may have a health problem, problems like arthritis or neurological problems.

If your dog is getting trouble while getting up and settling down then you should observe your pet. The restless dog should be taken to the vet to rule out pain and get a proper diagnosis.

Many dogs will circle around a spot before they settle down to rest. While no one can be certain of the exact reason why canines do this, the ritual is likely a residual habit from the days when wolflike dogs lived out in the wild, says veterinary behaviorist Dr. Karen Sueda