Dog owners often notice that before lying down, during their bathroom routine, or when they are excited, the pets like to twirl. But why do they do it? The truth is that circling behavior in dogs is usually normal, but occasionally it could mean a behavioral or medical issue.
Dogs can walk in circles for a variety of reasons. Here are a few of them:
1. Search for comfort and coziness. When the dog walks around before sitting or lying down, he may be looking for the best place to rest. This behavior has its roots in their ancestors' instinctive behavior.
In the wild, dogs would circle their sleeping area to flatten the grass, create a comfortable spot, and check for potential threats or nearby predators. They may circle around to create the perfect place to rest, usually forming a round rookery.
2. Pain. A dog constantly walking around in circles could be doing so due to physical pain. We are not always able to see physical trauma on the body. Internal injuries, such as a broken bone or a torn ligament might cause the dog's mobility to change.
You may also see concurrent symptoms: lack of interest in walking or playing, showing visible signs of pain, or not wanting to be touched.
3. The manifestation of joy and excitement. When dogs are excited, they often show positive, energetic behavior, and circling is a typical display of joy.
Walking in circles is also a way to release excess energy and happiness, like people jump for joy.
4. Affection. Dogs often circle around people to study them and show affection. This behavior can be seen as a display of curiosity and a desire to be closer to their owners. So it is usually not a cause for concern, but shows the dog's warm attitude towards the person.
5. Cognitive dysfunction syndrome or senile dementia in older dogs. Older dogs may display other symptoms in addition to walking in circles, such as having a wobbly gait or being disorientated. This condition is likely to be accompanied by other symptoms such as disturbed sleep, strange noises, and urinary incontinence.
