Why do they do this?

[Jenn]

I was just watching Benjamin going to lay on a blanket, that was on the floor to be washed. He sniffed it a few times, then walked around in some circles, scratched it with his feet, jabbed it with his nose, few more tight circles, one more sniff, then finally plopped down... Half of his body not even actually making it on the freshly prepared blanket..

Is there actually a reason they act like that before laying down sometimes? Yet, when we go to bed, they don't. I get situated then it's both of them up, curl in a ball immediately and settled for the night...

[julie k]

I don't know, but I do it, too, gotta get all the pillows, blankies, doggies, and hubby in the right place before going to sleep!

Julie K

[a-bull]

Just a little nesting action.

[mnp13]

Ruby does that... even when she is in her crate, which has no bedding in it.

[a-bull]

Dream time.
Your dog will tend to circle before lying down to sleep
As he would do in the wild, where he would trample down vegetation to create a bed, typically in longer grass where his presence will be concealed.

Temperature also influences the way in which a dog sleeps.
If it’s cold, your dog will curl up in a ball to conserve body heat. (just as puppies do by sleeping together instead of stretching out).

It’s not unusual for an adult dog to lie on his side while he’s sleeping, and start moving his legs as if he were running.

The eyelids and whiskers may twitch too at this stage, which is usually a sign of what we humans call ‘deep sleep’.

Dogs generally spend most of their time sleeping lightly.


(from http://www.dog-owner.net)

[Marinepits]

Dogs generally spend most of their time sleeping lightly.

HA! The author obviously hasn't met my dogs. There are times I swear a bomb could go off in here and they wouldn't move and/or wake up!

[a-bull]

ha, ha . . . mine are the opposite---I try to sneak into another room when they're sleeping, but they always jump up and follow me anyways!

[Romanwild]

The circling and and tramping ofs pillows or blankets prior to sleep is a communication to their alien brethren that they are to watch over them while they charge up their batteries.



Dreyfus is interesting in how he arranges his blanket in his crate. One thing that's fun to do is to ball it up and throw it in the back prior to putting him in. When I come back to let him out it is always neatly spread out to the dimensions of the crate.

Isn't OCD cute!

[a-bull]

The circling and and tramping ofs pillows or blankets prior to sleep is a communication to their alien brethren that they are to watch over them while they charge up their batteries.



Dreyfus is interesting in how he arranges his blanket in his crate. One thing that's fun to do is to ball it up and throw it in the back prior to putting him in. When I come back to let him out it is always neatly spread out to the dimensions of the crate.

Isn't OCD cute!

That's actually correct . . . because they don't have access to aluminum foil or t.v. antennas . . .

[cheekymunkee]

I make foil hats for mine but they eat them.

[msvette2u]

Copper scrapes and scrapes, trying to scrape up the couch or car seat, and make it bunched up before he lays down - sometimes if there's a towel or blanket there he scrapes it so much it falls on the floor! It's fun to watch

[Marinepits]

I make foil hats for mine but they eat them.

Well, let them use yours.

[cheekymunkee]

I make foil hats for mine but they eat them.

Well, let them use yours.

NOOOOOO!!!!! I cannot take off my foil hat!!!

[Marinepits]

Selfish mommy.

[Romanwild]

They eat the tinfoil? That must make their poopy sparkel!

[a-bull]

They eat the tinfoil? That must make their poopy sparkel!

Oh, yes indeed . . . big sparkle . . .

[cheekymunkee]

it does!!! Like diamonds!! I figure the dogs have enough tin foil IN them to fool any alien who comes knocking.

[mnp13]

Dreyfus is interesting in how he arranges his blanket in his crate. One thing that's fun to do is to ball it up and throw it in the back prior to putting him in. When I come back to let him out it is always neatly spread out to the dimensions of the crate.

Rais your hand if you think charles needs a girlfriend.

[Romanwild]

any volunteers?

[Marinepits]

Dreyfus is interesting in how he arranges his blanket in his crate. One thing that's fun to do is to ball it up and throw it in the back prior to putting him in. When I come back to let him out it is always neatly spread out to the dimensions of the crate.

Rais your hand if you think charles needs a girlfriend.