Circling the wagons?

[Cody's Mom]

Hi all,

Does any one know why boxers circle and circle and then finally flop down when they go to lay down? Do all dogs do this? Cody jumps up in the bed and goes round and round and round, then flops down - Same thing when he goes to lay on his blanket outside on the patio in the sun. I call it circling the wagons. If I am in bed and hubby is somewhere else in the house or not home, then Cody seems to always have his face pointing to the door.

I look forward to hearing your replies......:confused:

 

[BRIDGIT]

Both of mine do it all the time. It is very funny to watch. I remember when we got Bailey and the first time she did that I thought she was crazy. I think it is just another trait of the adorable breed.

 

[douma]

I think that it's an instinct and all dogs done the same thing, they just want to make their nest.

 

[vasha]

kaiser's a "circler" as well it takes him about five minutes to find the perfect spot and another minute or so to figure out just how he wants to strech his body out. i think it's cute

kaiser hugs n slobbers
VaSHa

 

[Scorpio]

A lot of dogs do this its because :

theory 1: the behavior was inheriited from the wolf, who would circle in long grass to flatten it before the area was suitably comfortable.

2: is that the dogs spine has to be curled at a specific angle before he can lie comfortably on his side. So a young dog, one that is supple turns just a few times before lying down. An older dog, whose spine is no longer as flexible, will circle a little longer to flex his spine to just the right angle.

I read this is one of my dog books.

 

[Cody's Mom]

Thanks Colleen - Those two theories make sense, especially the one about the wolves. Thanks for looking that up.

 

[KarenD]

Both of my boxers do it, but I don't think it is a breed specific trait. All my dogs have done that.

 

[Rowdy's Dad]

I don't know why they would do the circling initially(other than the above theories), but they may get up and circle to improve blood circulation. Just recently a British couple vacationed in the States. The wife had a massive anurism and died shortly after returning. The medical examiners suggested that the 8 hour flight without getting up to excercise and move around caused blood circulation problems that led to her anurism. Maybe the dog senses poor circulation while in bed and gets up to help his circulation.

 

[Austin's Mom]

When Aus does it I sing "Ring aroun the Rosie" to him! He just looks at me like I'm nuts! (I am!)

 

[teenabeck]

My 2 do it too......