Why Your Dog Spins In Circles Before Lying Down Has A Surprisingly Ancient Answer

That little bedtime twirl is a habit older than the sofa it happens on.

Your dog approaches its bed, circles two or three times like it is casing the place, then flops down. You have seen it a thousand times. The reason goes back long before your dog ever met a cushion.

Wild ancestors of dogs did not have bedding. They slept in grass, dirt, and snow. Circling let them trample down tall growth, flatten a comfortable nest, and check the ground for anything unwelcome underneath.

That turning motion may also have helped position the body against the wind and keep an eye on the surroundings before settling in. A quick 360-degree security sweep, then lights out.

Modern dogs sleep on memory foam and still do it, because instinct does not read the room. The behavior is harmless and adorable. If a dog circles endlessly or seems uncomfortable, though, a vet visit is worth it.