Why Dogs Spin Before Sleeping: The Answer Will Surprise You
Dogs often behave in funny ways, and one of these behaviors is circling before going to sleep.
Many dog owners have noticed how their pets begin to spin around in circles before lying down to rest.
This may seem like a cute quirk, but in reality, there are animal instincts and needs behind this action.
There's a reason dogs fidget before going to bed.
This behavior of domestic pets goes back to the distant past, when their ancestors lived in the wild.
While circling in place, the animals often trampled down grass or snow to create a comfortable place to sleep.
Circling helps them to flatten the vegetation and make the bed more comfortable.
Although domestic dogs no longer live in such conditions, this instinct has been preserved.
Research published in the journal Animal Behaviour shows that circling also helps dogs determine wind direction.
In nature, this is important in order to sense the approach of predators or dangers.
Dogs prefer to lie down with the wind in their faces, which allows them to react more quickly to threats.
This instinct has remained in domestic pets, although in modern conditions it is not so important.
