Why do dogs move around in circles before sleeping?

At bed time, you would have often noticed your furred buddy circling the bed or the sleep zone for several minutes. Any idea why they do so?

This curious canine behavior, apparently, dates back to prehistoric times, when dogs literally had to make their own beds. Those lived in the woods took a nap in dens or areas that were safeguarded from natural disasters or the places that were protected from other wild animal attacks.

According to several animal behaviourists, the ‘circling’ habit is inherited from wild wolves, dogs’ ancestors. While domesticated dogs are not the same as their wild ancestors and have long since adapted to cohabiting with humans, they sure have retained some of their predecessors’ survival instincts.

“This behavior was hard-wired into the dog’s ancestors as a way to build a safe ‘nest,” according to Leslie Irvine, the author of If You Tame Me: Understanding Our Connection with Animals. So, the most crucial aspect of circling and finalising the sleep zone was to mark a safe and own territory and drive away other creatures and animals from harming them.

There is also another important factor to be considered: zoologists theorize that wolves always sleep with their noses to the wind, providing them with a security alarm for danger. In a way, circling enables dogs to determine the direction of the wind, which also helps tap into the best possible air circulation, indoors or outdoors.

You might have thought many dogs have scant regard for their safety and aesthetics when they curl up to steal a nap. But it is just that they are hardwired to be that way.