Why do dogs circle before going to bed?

A dog would circle three times (sometimes even more) before going to bed. No one would really know the reason behind this peculiar behavior of a dog. Animal behaviorists believed that this is an inherent habit passed down from ancient dogs that lived in the wild to modern domesticated dogs.

Turning around before going to bed is a defensive behavior for dogs. Dogs in the wild will make sure that the place they have chosen to lie down is not occupied by snakes, scorpions, and other dangerous animals. By circling before taking a nap, the dog will see potential threats. Wolves stay in packs. This action is also the way for dogs to know the location of other dogs in the pack.

Another reason for this strange behavior is comfort. The dog would roll over before going to bed to tamp down the lawn, pack up the snow, or remove loose stones from under the ground that will make the bed uncomfortable. On a hot day, the cooler layer of soil is exposed as the dog circles the area it has chosen to lie down. The dogs’ coat serves as insulation against extremely cold weather. However, in the snow, these dogs sleep together to take advantage of each other’s warmth. By circling, the dog will know from which direction the wind is blowing. The dog can then take the position that is most comfortable for him. Turning around can have another meaning when dogs sleep together. The dog turns around to give himself more space and warn others not to invade his marked bed.

Turning around before bed is a dog’s way of marking their territory with their unique scent. It would not be unusual to see a dog pee a little at the spot where it is circling before falling. The dog is telling other dogs “Hey, this is my territory.” The dog is marking the territory so that it can be found again easily.

It’s so much fun to watch a spoiled dog spinning around on the soft padded bed before collapsing. Certainly the dog does not have to make a comfortable “comfy” bed. So why then would the dog roll over before going to bed? Domestic dogs don’t really have to make their bed comfortable. They also don’t need to make sure their bed is occupied by snakes. It’s just that tossing and turning before bed is an ingrained habit, similar to the human habit of drinking a glass of water or dropping pillows before bed to sleep.