Turning in circles

[Justontime]

I know it is natural behaviour, but why exactly do dogs walk around in circles before they lay down?

[PetParent]

Just like we fluff our pillows before we go to sleep, in nature they look for the sweet spot in the grass or the leaves. They just brought that behavior with them when we brought them in the house. It is really fun to watch her with that when we rake the leaves in the fall.

[Justontime]

It is fun to watch, she does it every night, she scratches the floor near her bed, then she circles around three or four times before curling up on her bed. Sometimes she gets up again and repeats the whole process.

[kernow]

Yes I recognise that behaviour, she often scratches the floor before settling down and she almost always does the walking around in circles thing.

[PetParent]

It is the little things like they do that make us love them so much. Those circles are usually followed by a big flop and a heavy sigh around here. She is such a drama queen. Maybe she just wore herself out by circling her bed first!

[Orrymain]

It is funny because sometimes it goes on and on and on before they decide to plop down!

[Justontime]

Yes that's right, but it is hard to see why they need to keep on doing it.

[Orrymain]

Sometimes I end up interfering --- "Cassie *Lay* down!" A look and two seconds later, plop! LOL

[luv2write]

My cats do this as well. It is cute except when they do it in bed at night and lay on top of me.

[Justontime]

I haven't noticed my cats doing it except when the use their tray, they take time to choose exactly the right spot. Come to think of it Lucy is rather picky about the spot she chooses too.