Why do dogs make a complete circle before they lay down?

Answer 1

In the wild, there are often weeds or grass that has to be tampered down to make a nice place to lie down. Since dogs are related to wild dogs, they have this habit inbred in them. HII!!!!!

• Pet dogs will circle anywhere indoors, even in their own beds. It's not reasoned behavior, but is instinctive to all canines, domesticated and wild.
• No one knows for sure but my explinathion is they cirlsbecuase they wanna make sure it is safe and comfortable. i mean think about it u dont gor write to sleep u have to roll and make sure it is comfortabl. One contradiction to this is a sled dog which will often pad out a circle in the snow and sleep with the wind blowing from back to front so as to stay warm.
• They do this as when they were wild living outside they had to "make their bed" by stepping on the tall grass to make it flat, comfortable and warm. Now that they are domesticated it is just an instinctive act.

This appears to be a trait that is passed down generation to generation. Dogs have scent glands on their paws, so they may be "marking" the area as their own before sleeping. However, there isn't a clear answer as to why dogs do this, and not all dogs circle before lying down to sleep.
From wisegeek.com:

There are actually a few theories on why dogs turn around three times before sleeping, including genetics, instinct and general comfort. Like many other domesticated animals, dogs still retain many of the traits found in their undomesticated ancestors. In fact, modern dogs are believe to be 99% identical genetically to their common ancestor, the wild wolf. Wolves living in packs exhibit many of the same behaviors observed by owners of domestic dogs. One reason dogs turn around three times before bedding down is because that's what feels right instinctively. Ancestral wolves traveled in packs for a number of reasons, primarily to hunt animals larger than any one wolf could kill on his own. When pack animals lie down to rest, they instinctively form a tight circle to take advantage of their neighbor's body heat. Perhaps dogs turn around three times before bedding down today because the practice has become ingrained after thousands of years. When wild packs of dogs turn around three times in the wild, they may be establishing their territory and orienting themselves within the circle. Another reason some experts believe dogs turn around three times is to trample down the area for comfort. A pack of wild dogs may decide to bed down on a grassy field, for instance, so the individual dogs turn around three times to force the tall grasses down. Any other hazards or obstructions may also be uncovered when dogs turn around three times. This trampling behavior is often observed in domesticated dogs who use padded dog beds or sleep outdoors routinely. Some suggest that dogs turn around three times for a different form of comfort. Wolves have been observed digging up the ground as they prepare their bedding sites in the wild. This behavior is more often observed during hot weather, so some have theorized that the wolves are exposing a cooler layer of dirt to gain relief from the heat. Domestic dogs, especially larger breeds kept outdoors, may also be duplicating this behavior in an effort to cool down during hot weather. When dogs turn around three times or more, enough of the cooler dirt may be exposed to provide some relief.

it goes back to wolfs preparing somewhere to sleep for example repeatedly trampling on some dried leaves walking around and around on them to flatten them. dogs still do this now an it is in there nature, its basically there way of making themselves comfortable.
Not all dogs do spin around in circles before lying down. As for those dogs that do spin before coming to rest, there is no real way of knowing what goes through the mind of a dog. Some animal behaviorists believe that this activity is linked to the defensive behavior of wolves who might have turned around to look for threats or to locate other members of the pack before coming to rest. Many dogs also engage in nesting behavior and the turning may help to compress bedding to make a more comfortable spot on which to lie. And they like weiners
it is a vestigial routine of flattening grass and making it comfortable. some dogs will dig at the bed or pillow as if it were dirt to make a comfy place.
it is because it is an instinct the wolves do that too all because they want to make sure that there are no bugs under their paws the dogs do it because it is a way to get comfortable
No one will ever know

Answer 2

Hello. The reason why dogs circle before settling is so that they are making themselves comfortable.

Cats also do the same.

I used to have a dog and a cat and they both did this.

Answer 3

Dogs do that becasue they need to feel like they are in a larger area. You see, the major thing a organism needs to survive is water, space, food, and shelter. So, dogs go around in circles to feel that they are sleeping in a larger area.

Answer 4

it gives them a type of (forcefield) to be protect them from any danger

Answer 5

because they show that that is their territory.

Answer 6

Instinct. In the wild, wolves/dogs would do this to flatten out leaves, grass, etc before lying down.

Answer 7

Dogs make a complete circle before they lay down because there saying there prayers so the don't have bad dreams and so they can protect you.

Answer 8

instinct