Why Dogs Spin Around Before Lying Down: This Ritual Has Important Meaning
Anyone who has ever observed the behavior of dogs has noticed that before lying down, the dog will always spin around itself several times.
This behavior was inherited by domestic animals from their ancestors, who literally had to “make” the bed.”
Despite the fact that many years have passed since then, some instincts (in particular, the habit of circling in place before lying down) are still not dormant in domesticated dogs.
According to animal behaviorist Leslie Irwin, the ancestors of domestic dogs developed this habit to protect themselves and create a "home."
Wolves always moved in packs and slept in the open. Because of these characteristics, the animals did not have a separate place where they could sleep constantly and feel safe.
In order to create a comfortable nest for themselves and their cubs, the adults had to tear out tall grass and trample the undergrowth.
If we talk about the reasons why animals walked in circles, scientists suggest that it is connected with safety and hierarchy in the pack.
Thus, dense trampling of one area minimized the risk of encountering a snake or other dangerous creature, and due to the strict social hierarchy, animals marked their places with a separate circle.
