![]() ![]() Moreover, changing the layout of an area by moving grass, snow, or leaves indicates to other wild dogs in the area that this particular spot is taken for the night.ĭoes circling help with animals control their temperature?ĭogs in the wild had no control over weather conditions and had to survive extreme changes in temperature. This “nesting” procedure also uncovers unwanted inhabitants such as snakes or insects. In colder climates, dogs circle to reposition snowbanks. They root out rocks and fallen tree branches. To make their sleeping quarters more comfortable, dogs pat down tall grass and move prickly underbrush and stickers before lying down. The bedtime turning routine may also be part of a ritual that identifies a wolf’s place in the pecking order of the pack.ĭoes circling help my dog get comfortable?Ī more basic reason for canine circling is that dogs in the wild do not have the luxury of manufactured doggie beds and pillows. Some members are more dominant while others are submissive. So, again, this bedtime rotation is actually a form of self-preservation and protection.Įvery pack has an established hierarchy. Turning in circles also provides an opportunity to take one last look for potential predators before bedtime. Turning around helps group leaders assess the pack and survey the area for members that may have fallen behind. The entire group is protective of the members of the pack and is on constant lookout for stragglers. Wild canids (e.g., wolves, foxes, and coyotes) travel in packs that include many family members. There is another evolutionary explanation for this circling behavior. So, like their ancestors, our dogs turn around a few times before lying down.Īre there other reasons why my dog may circle before laying down? Even though they are not subject to attack by wild animals, our canine friends retained this evolutionary protective trait. Most domestic dogs are pets that sleep in our homes or in another safe, controlled environment. With a quick whiff, the wolf knows that he may be in danger and is alerted for a potential attack. Circling allows the wolf to determine the direction of the wind so that he can best position himself. Some wildlife biologists believe that wolves sleep with their noses to the wind so that they can quickly pick up on a threatening scent. Turning in circles before lying down is an act of self-preservation in that the dog may innately know that he needs to position himself in a certain way to ward off an attack in the wild. In circles before lying down is inherited." "Dog behaviorists believe that a dog’s need to perform the bedtime ritual of turning around ![]()
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