Things Dogs Do Before Lying Down to Rest And Why?
Dogs do not simply plop into their bed and fall into their beds to rest as human beings do at the end of a long and tiring day. They usually have some other short rituals before finally retreating to bed. Some dog owners may not understand these behaviors. However, these amusements are completely normal. This may be a way of entertainment, marking their territories, instincts and enhancing the comfort of their sleeping area. Today’s post elucidates things dogs do before lying down and the reasons behind the behaviors.
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Circling Their Bed
Among the things dogs do before lying down is circling the bed. You might have noticed that your dog circles its bed before collapsing into it. It is believed that this was inherited from wolf ancestors. During the wild days, wolves would do a similar ritual, which is believed to be a self-preservation method to ward off or spot any attacks in the wild before falling asleep.
Wildlife enthusiasts believe that wolves slept with their noses to the wind to pick any threatening scent in the air. Circling where they slept helped determine the wind direction at the time and better position themselves before they went to sleep. They also did this to stamp down the grass, leaves, or snow and create a surface that was level and comfortable before finally resting on it.
Dogs circle their bed before laying down on it as it helps them to regulate the temperature of their burrow during seasons where there is a lot of heat and cold. It removes unwanted material from the burrow while circling positions the dog’s body in a curled crescent shape which is suitable for conserving body heat.
However, it is important to note that excessive circling may indicate that not all is well. If your dog circles repeatedly without settling onto his spot, or if he seems to get uncomfortable or cries as he lowers himself into place, he may be having arthritis or a neurological problem. To ensure that he once again rests comfortably, consult your vet who can make an accurate diagnosis.
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Scratching the Ground
Scratching the ground is also among the things dogs do before lying down. You may have noticed your four-legged friend do this ritual before settling into bed. It is another innately inherited behavior handed down by dogs’ ancestors who were non-domesticated though you might feel like its only purpose is to scratch up the floors.
Dogs, just like wolves have scent glands in the bottom of their paws and between their toes as well that produce pheromones. Scratching the ground is a way to spread their scent and mark their territory. It is also a way of communication with other dogs or animals that this is their nest or place of rest. Scratching the floor was also a way for dogs to create a shallow nest where they would retain body heat in situations where they were sleeping in the cold.
Dogs also scratch the ground to create a comfy bed. Wild dogs used to sleep on different surfaces before the invention of doggie pillows. The dog was able to flatten the grass or possibly gather leaves and moss to create a comfy place to sleep by scratching the ground. It may also have helped to keep stones and sticks away.
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Digging
Of all the things dogs do before lying down, digging is the most common. It can be a hilarious sight to watch your pup digging away in your bed before laying down. Wild dogs spend their sleeping hours protected from the elements in a den or other sheltered area. They scratch a shallow hole in the ground to rest their bodies for comfort Your dog might be instinctively working to get his sleeping spot cozy by digging.
There are dog breeds that might dig at their bed or try to make a hole in the yard for a sleeping place. They might do it on a hot day out in the yard. However, this is less likely or common. Dogs pant and sweat through their paws when they overheat. They have a harder time cooling off than humans do. This is where digging comes in. Dogs try and find a cool area to rest and will dig a small hole to nest in if given the opportunity a sit it is a way of trying to manage the temperature.
Bed digging may also be a means of claiming territory to other dogs in the household. If your dog digs in his bed before retreating to it, he is possibly trying to ensure that his turf is labeled clearly. Dog paws have sweat glands that give off odors that are personal and identifiable. Your dog could also be digging simply because he enjoys doing so. He might be bored and finds the activity fun.
Perhaps he is trying to stash away one of his favorite and most beloved chew toys before he turns in for the night. It is also important to note that digging is especially prevalent in certain varieties of dogs such as Terriers. Terriers were developed for digging purposes. You might notice your furry friend do any of these rituals especially when you get him a new bed or when he receives a newly washed blanket from the laundry that he sleeps on. This is because he just wants to mark it with his scent for ownership.
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Why is Plenty of Rest and Sleep Important for Dogs?
- Good mood
Animals have their character and personality. Lack of sleep alters their emotions and can make your dog grumpy or even aggressive
- Peace
Your dog getting enough sleep and rest will help him feel calm. It also reduces feelings of anxiety and nervousness.
- Promotes Good Health
Animals’ organs continue to work as they sleep just as it is for humans. Getting enough sleep, therefore, means that the body has sufficient time to do vital maintenance work. A dog that is in good health definitely means that its organs are functioning properly. This contributes to his general well-being.
- Energy
A bad night’s sleep is draining for pets just as it for people. Your dog will not have as much energy to do its daily exercise if it hasn’t gotten enough sleep. This can result in heart issues or even obesity if the dog refuses to exercise in the long term.
- Prevents Further Production of Cortisol
Excitement, physical exercise, and new exercises can lead to a detrimental level of arousal that leads to the production of a hormone referred to as adrenaline. Following on from adrenaline is a stress hormone called cortisol. It manages the functions of the body such as blood pressure. While a natural amount of cortisol is needed by the body, regular production of too much cortisol can have negative implications. Too much of this hormone can lead to digestive issues, a suppressed immune system, skin issues and pancreatitis. The more a dog has more cortisol in its immune system, the more likely he will be nervous and reactive. Sleep and rest enable your dog to relax and have calm experiences for a day. This in turn means that no further cortisol is produced and also allows the already existent levels to deplete. Enough sleep and rest is, therefore, a detox for dogs’ emotional well-being.
- Important for Learning and Retaining Information
Sleep helps dogs with memory consolidation.
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Reasons Why Your Dog May be Lacking Sleep
- Bed Area That is Uncomfortable or Inadequate
A plastic dog bed or hard floor is uncomfortable and unconducive to having a good night’s sleep or adequate sleep or rest in the day for a dog. A wooden, laminated or tiled flooring a moving bed are unsettling too and a nervous dog won’t lay on it.
- Underfloor Heating
This is a problem for some dogs as they overheat quickly so it is important to have a cool place.
- Multiple Options
Dogs need multiple options as each of them is different and has different bed preferences. Shortnose breeds need a bed with lips as they need to lift their head to help them breathe while some dogs like being covered up.
- Unideal Location
Your dog should have at least one bed where there is no foot traffic, away from where kids play loads and the hustle and bustle of a busy household. The bed should not be in a location that is frequently used. For example, locating the bed in a kitchen that has no window curtains means that the dog will get disturbed by all the critters that wake up at night. This makes them more anxious or on high alert and also means that they will rise as the sun rises.
- Collars
It is important to consider how comfortable the dog collar of your dog is. You can take it off at night to give him a break and put it back in the morning.
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Conclusion
There are certain things that dogs do before they lie down to rest. It is important to have an understanding of why they do so. The above explanations have hopefully helped you to understand why your dog does the rituals and now you have understood that it is perfectly normal.