Circling is common behavior in dogs. No one knows why, but the theory is that they "make a bed" by knocking down tall grass, padding down snow or shuffling stones off the dirt before curling up for a nap. It may be for any of these reasons, but pet dogs will circle anywhere indoors, even in their own beds. It's not reasoned behavior, but is instincitve to all canids, domesticated and wild.

Author(s): McLennan, Bardi
Publication: Dog Fancy
Issue Date: October 1995