Walking around in circles is an innate behavior of dogs. It is believed that this habit was handed down by the ancestors of present day dogs that have survived in the wild. As primitive dogs would sleep anywhere, they need to make the chosen place a bit comfortable and this can be done by walking around to trample the vegetation. Dogs in the wild unlike today's dogs don't have the luxury of sleeping in comfortable beds as they normally curl down on the snow or on the dirt covered ground.
What the dog will do to make the nesting area a little more comfortable is to walk around in circles. This behavior is also associated with self preservation. Walking in circles before lying down is done to ensure that no poisonous insects or snakes are hiding in the sleeping area. Walking in circles is also done to make sure the chosen bedding area is safe and that they will not be attacked by predators while they are sleeping. Dog owners would know that when the pet inside the house walks around in circles they have to act - fast as it is a sign that the dog is about to defecate.
Being social animals, dogs would always want to interact with the family. A dog putting on an act to entertain the family may cock its head or turn around in circles. Walking around in circles is a behavior that is often seen in dogs and cats. However a pet owner should be observant as a dog that turns around in circles without defecating or without lying down to sleep can have an underlying medical concern.
A dog will lose its sense of balance if the inner ear is impaired given the fact that the ear is one of the balance centers of the body. Ear mite infestation and ear infection that severely damage the ears can be the reason why the dog is walking in circles. The lose of coordination and sense of balance that causes a dog to walk in circles can be due to the adverse effects of antibiotics and ear washes.
Canine distemper, systemic lupus erythematosus and vestibular diseases are other medical conditions that will make the dog walk in circles. Balance and voluntary movements are controlled by the cerebellum of the brain. A tumor that develops in the cerebellum can make the dog lose its coordination and sense of balance thus it would walk in circles.
What the dog will do to make the nesting area a little more comfortable is to walk around in circles. This behavior is also associated with self preservation. Walking in circles before lying down is done to ensure that no poisonous insects or snakes are hiding in the sleeping area. Walking in circles is also done to make sure the chosen bedding area is safe and that they will not be attacked by predators while they are sleeping. Dog owners would know that when the pet inside the house walks around in circles they have to act - fast as it is a sign that the dog is about to defecate.
Being social animals, dogs would always want to interact with the family. A dog putting on an act to entertain the family may cock its head or turn around in circles. Walking around in circles is a behavior that is often seen in dogs and cats. However a pet owner should be observant as a dog that turns around in circles without defecating or without lying down to sleep can have an underlying medical concern.
A dog will lose its sense of balance if the inner ear is impaired given the fact that the ear is one of the balance centers of the body. Ear mite infestation and ear infection that severely damage the ears can be the reason why the dog is walking in circles. The lose of coordination and sense of balance that causes a dog to walk in circles can be due to the adverse effects of antibiotics and ear washes.
Canine distemper, systemic lupus erythematosus and vestibular diseases are other medical conditions that will make the dog walk in circles. Balance and voluntary movements are controlled by the cerebellum of the brain. A tumor that develops in the cerebellum can make the dog lose its coordination and sense of balance thus it would walk in circles.
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Why do dogs walk around in circles? Sarah's Dogs have more answers to this common dog behaviour as well as information on dog first aid.
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