If you have a dog at home, you have certainly noticed in a curious ritual: before bedtime, he starts turning around the same place.

Sometimes it's two, three, up to four laps - all before simply settling on the floor or bed.

The answer is: Science explains yes! And the reason is much more fascinating (and cute) than it seems.

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1. Ancestral survival instinct

Although today our dogs are spoiled with cute walks and comfortable sofas, they carry behaviors inherited from their wild ancestors.

In nature, wolves and wild dogs used to make circles before bedtime to:

🔹 Knead the grass or leaves → creating a more comfortable bed.
🔹 Spare insects and small animals → such as snakes or spiders that could be hidden.
🔹 Test the land → making sure it was safe and protected.

That is: this behavior is a genetic heritage that, even without practical need today, still persists strong in the DNA of our Doguinhos.

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2. Temperature regulation

Another reason that science points out is the regulation of body temperature.

In nature, walking in circles before bedtime helped the animal to:

🐾 Choose the best point - cooler in the shade or warmer in the sun.
🐾 accommodate the body so that heat loss was minimized (especially in cold environments).

Today, even living in air -conditioned houses, this instinct still appears - especially in heat or cold races.

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3. Territory marking

Did you know that dog paws have glands that release odors?

So it is!

🛡️ Spreading its smell around the place,
📍 Reinforcing that this corner now belongs to them.

Even if you have just put a brand new walk or a smelling covered, the puppy feels the need to "customize" the environment of his way.

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4. SAFETY EVALUATION

Before you lie down completely, the dog needs to make sure the place is safe.

Making circles allows him:

👂 Use hearing and smell to perceive potential dangers (other animals, strange sounds, unknown smells).
👃 Analyze the environment around you better.

It's like a system of “natural alarm” programmed in the brain of dogs - even today they are lying on the living room carpet, in full safety!

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5. Simple Comfort and Ritual

Just as we straighten the pillow, pack the blanket or change our position in bed until comfortable, dogs also have their small rituals to feel good.

Giving turning can:

🧘 Help them to relax mentally.
🛌 Indicate that they are preparing to enter a state of deep rest.

It's like a sign for the body and the mind: "Now it's time to rest."

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Extra curiosities about the behavior of spinning

🐾 In excess, it may indicate anxiety:
If the dog is swirling nonstop, unable to lie down, it may be a sign of discomfort, stress or even neurological problems.

🐾 Not all dogs rotate the same way:
Some make large movements, some just small circles.

🐾 Elderly dogs can spin more slowly:
With age, the “preparation” movement to lie down can be longer.

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And in your house, does your dog also make this ritual?

Now that you know that the turns before bedtime is much more than a “silly craze”, you can even see this behavior with more affection, right?

It is beautiful to think that each round is loaded with millions of years of evolution - and a protective instinct they maintain for the sake of their own security.

👀 Next time you see your pet spinning before bed, note:
Is he choosing the freshest place?
Is it "marking territory" in the Caminha?
Or is it just setting everything to get that hot nap?

Tell me: Does your dog also have this cute ritual?
Leave your comment down here!

🐶💬 And if you loved this curiosity, share this post with other pet lovers!