Why Do Dogs Circle and Scratch Before Lying Down?

Turn around. Turn around again. Scratch the bed. Rearrange absolutely nothing. Finally lie down exactly where they started.

Circling and scratching before settling is a common dog behaviour. It's often described as a nesting behaviour — a way of checking or arranging the resting spot before getting comfortable.

Dogs vary enormously. Some collapse wherever gravity catches them. Others conduct a full pre-bed property inspection.

Occasional circling is usually just part of a dog's settling routine. If a dog suddenly becomes unable to get comfortable, repeatedly gets up, seems painful or the behaviour changes dramatically, that's worth paying attention to.

Otherwise, congratulations: your dog is an interior decorator with very limited tools.