why does dog circle 3 times before lying down?

[donaldcc]

  if you did not notice, this is not about a motorcycle!  

 almost every time my dog is lying down she has to turn around 3 times.  what is the story with that? does anyone know? she always ends up facing out or "where the action is."

[OverdueBill]

I heard a long time ago and didn't snopes it or anything but they are mashing down the grass or undergrowth to make a nest to sleep in.  Good looking doggy.

[..]

I heard a long time ago and didn't snopes it or anything but they are mashing down the grass or undergrowth to make a nest to sleep in.  Good looking doggy.

+1

[Jabba]

Yep... left over from when they had to stomp the grass down.

jabba

[HayHauler]

I agree.   But our dog does not do it.  Guess the carpet in the living room isn't tall enough. 

Hay
Jimmyt

[dosnewfs]

yes, making a bed to lie in.  It still causes them to relax some.  If you have your dog on on a leash walk them in a circle several times it CAN help to calm them.  Faking a yawn can help to make your dog yawn and calm down as well.  These do not work on an animal that is really wound up, but can help if they are just fidgity.

[BIG--T]

yes, making a bed to lie in.  It still causes them to relax some.  If you have your dog on on a leash walk them in a circle several times it CAN help to calm them.  Faking a yawn can help to make your dog yawn and calm down as well.  These do not work on an animal that is really wound up, but can help if they are just fidgity.

Well mine makes about 3-4 rounds before laying on my hardwood floor!   

[Robert]

4 is to many 2 is to little 

[ptgb]

I always figured she was trying to smell her own butt. Lord knows she smells everybody else's.  

[mhallock]

I had always heard it was to flush out any critters (like snakes) that may be lying in the area where the dog was about to lie down?????

Mark

[Oss]

mine just jump on  their little  couch  and sit side by side

one is a mutt and one an australian kelpie but we thought she was a mutt when we got her from the shelter.

[Clark]

SORRY OSS. but an australian kelpie IS a mutt..jus sayin

[jer0177]

It can be a learned behavior too.

I have a lab/boxer mix rescue and she didn't circle before laying down until she saw my girlfriend's lab doing it.

Now they both do it.   

[texaninsouthfl]

Dogs often go around in circles before settling down because....


... one good turns deserves another. 


I know... silly. I heard that old joke when I was a kid.

[R J]

It is so they can unwind before taking a nap.

[JetDriver]

It can be a learned behavior too.

I didn't use to do it, but since getting my dog....   

[bigguy]

I had always heard it was to flush out any critters (like snakes) that may be lying in the area where the dog was about to lie down?????

Mark

That's what I was told by the old-timers.

[HayHauler]

Are THESE the circles you are talking about... few more than 3..  
Lucky is a rescue golden/blonde lab 15 months old.

Hay  
Jimmyt

[X Ring]

I agree.   But our dog does not do it.  Guess the carpet in the living room isn't tall enough. 

Hay
Jimmyt

My dog fluffs the carpet before he lies down.

Marty

[donaldcc]

Are THESE the circles you are talking about... few more than 3..  
Lucky is a rescue golden/blonde lab 15 months old.

Hay  
Jimmyt

 Too funny!  

[John Schmidt]

JimmyT, that cracks me up, the pooch seems to actually get a bit dizzy and fall over a couple times. Years ago when I was in high school I asked my dad why dogs do that, he just smiled and said "they think they're still in high school."  Took me until I was in my 30's before it struck me what he meant....."chasing tail."  Now I know why mom pinched him so hard in the leg that day. 

[Irish-Valk]

Did you notice that in the northern hemisphere that they turn clockwise where as in the southern they turn counter-clockwise... Just an ovservation.

[Tropic traveler]

Did you notice that in the northern hemisphere that they turn clockwise where as in the southern they turn counter-clockwise... Just an ovservation.

[HayHauler]

I think it's funny how he catches his tail, then chews on his leg a bit, then "unwinds" in the other direction.  He's a hoot!

Hay
Jimmyt