Why dogs circle before doing their business.

[Jinglebob]

Now I’ve heard it all. In this new study, scientists explain that dogs hesitate and circle to align themselves along earth’s north-south axis before doing their business. I’m glad to know that because the next time I go into the forest I can leave my compass at home and take the pooch. On second thought maybe I should take the compass until I find out which end is pointing north.

Scientists say dogs align along earth's axis when pooping | The Daily Caller

[zzzippper]

I've read that they do it before laying as if packing doen long grass. Genetically ingrained behavior from thousands of years living outdoors with humans.

[OLDFED]

Dog's Brain: Nose upwind...tail downwind! So...what's wrong with humans?

[vigil617]

I always thought it was instinctual behavior so they could make sure nothing would be coming up behind them while they were in a compromised position. I also figure that's why we humans build walls behind our commodes.

That, and the whole indoor-plumbing water connections aspect, of course.

[Mule Packer]

Hmmm. First I've heard about that.

I've always believed that every boy should own a dog though, because the dog will teach the kid to turn around three times before he lies down.

[vigil617]

Originally Posted by Mule Packer

Hmmm. First I've heard about that.

I've always believed that every boy should own a dog though, because the dog will teach the kid to turn around three times before he lies down.

That's a good reason for a boy to own a dog, and so is Old Fed's response above!

[MrTrolleyguy]

Is that the fido version of the advice to..."check you 360 often!" (3X)

[GKC]

My dog (recently deceased ) never did that. He just walked in a straight line until he found a spot to squat. Usually the colder it was, or raining, the longer he'd walk.

Gosh I miss that dog. I'd give anything to be able to take him out again, in whatever weather.

Sorry.

[Bozz10mm]

I thought they were checking for snakes or fire ant nests.

[BigBill]

I think it has something to do with the magnetic lay lines.

My dog goes in circles when he lays down and In the house.

[Dikinalaska]

I couldn't say about before doing their "business", but they circle before they lay because of their ancestors. Dogs descended from wolves, and wolves have hairy tails (and foxes) to lay on in the cold. Dogs stomachs have no hair so they walk in a circle to get their tail underneath them as to not lay on the snow/cold wet ground.


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[S&W357]

Dogs smell each other -rear- They want to know what he had for dinner.

[GKC]

My wife has two Chihuahua males, both neutered. It's comical to watch them go outside...one will find a spot to pee, and the other one waits. When the first one is done, the second one pees on the spot the first one did. Then the first one will pee on it again, and then the second one will pee on it again. They do this several times, until their "tanks" are bone dry.

They don't do this when it's raining or cold outside...then it's every man for himself, and back to the house asap.

[JSR III]

I heard that dogs circle and step on their future bed to make sure that there is nothing hard or sharp to lay on. My Irish Setter circles when he is getting ready to poop and especially likes leaf piles or snow piles to dump on. Sometimes he will actually let go when his butt is right on the edge face of the pile, very strange.

[Jessie]

I think they're just " workin' it out". One of mine spins like a top before she goes. No tellin which cardinal direction she'll end up in.

[greenmachine]

I've heard that in the Southern Hemisphere they circle in the other direction.

[bricker]

So..do they spin clockwise or counter clockwise?

[radar1972]

My own study (which did not cost any taxpayers anything) reveals that my dogs circle to poop and also to lay down... and end up facing totally random directions on the compass with no repeatability. Nothing to do with magnetic lines or north/south axis. Therefore, I must conclude my dogs are non-magnetic.

Perhaps I should have sought out a research grant before conducting my study.

[mr.jbk79]

On walks, one of my two dogs will sometimes circle many times until I'm dizzy from watching. Then if there's a car driving by or some other distraction, the process starts over. It doesn't matter if there's snow cover or not. It has been too damn cold waiting for all this twirling this winter, Monday a.m. will be something like 20 below zero.

[zeke]

It's their way of letting ya know they really need to go out, and whats gonna happen ifen you don't let them out.

[shouldazagged]

Mine is an east-west kind of guy. So there, mad scientists!

Monday we expect wind chills possibly as low as minus 45. He has short fur and no undercoat. Never paper-trained him (he was middle-aged when he rescued me, and fully housebroken), so I don't know what we'll do.

[Jessie]

Originally Posted by shouldazagged

Mine is an east-west kind of guy. So there, mad scientists!

Monday we expect wind chills possibly as low as minus 45. He has short fur and no undercoat. Never paper-trained him (he was middle-aged when he rescued me, and fully housebroken), so I don't know what we'll do.

I bet I know what he'll do.... Poop in the house and let you take it outside if he's smart.

[garystl]

My dog always circles left, but seems to poop in random directions.

[feralmerril]

I am looking for a video I seen about a week ago. It showed a fox hunting for mice under deep snow. The fox they think, feels viabrations and dives straight down through the snow with many trys for a few hits. But then they noticed if the fox lined itself up straight north and dove for a mouse it seldom missed! Through the years wherever I lived I notice if you put a rug on a smooth slick floor it seems the rug will always creep north! Hang on, my wife just found it, here it is:
Fox hunting under snow in an incredible way (VIDEO) | Best Online Videos | EdisProduction.de

[Jessie]

Man, I just read some of these (including mine) and do you realize we are talking about which way dogs circle when they poop?
What happened to our Saturdaynight lives?
It's kind of scary when you think about it.

[1morethan8]

Had a dog who pointed his butt to the north when he went...

I called him "Rebel"!

[CBus660R]

I have to admit, since I read the article a few days ago, I've been paying attention to how my dog behaves. She seems to prefer to be parallel to objects. In the back yard next to the fence, on our walk parallel with the sidewalk, and so on, but if we're in an open area she just drops when the moment hits without regard to her NSEW direction. Sometimes she circles, sometimes she doesn't. You just never know with her.

[Zipdog]

Aliens do the circle thing before they poop.
That explains the crop circles.

[Frank46]

I have an 85 pound pit bull terrier. Bob is one of those dogs who circles before he does his business. And very choosey about where he goes. And welcome to saturday night live. Frank

[fat tom]

I love this place! Where else will you find so much willingness to share such esoteric knowledge?
f.t.

[vigil617]

Originally Posted by Jessie

Man, I just read some of these (including mine) and do you realize we are talking about which way dogs circle when they poop?
What happened to our Saturdaynight lives?
It's kind of scary when you think about it.

Not scary at all.

We're just trying to get to the bottom of this.

Besides, this is all in the interest of fairness to canines. Bears, after all, had their moment in the sun. It has been conclusively proven that yes, they do poop in the woods.

The reason some of you have dogs that appear not to follow the magnetic-alignment theory is simple. You have not corrected your pooches for magnetic deviation. To do so, remove the dog's collar first. That way, the metal won't interfere with a correct dog-earth alignment.

Also, don't forget to take into account the magnetic variation in your particular area, which can affect the mutt-magnetic equation by from as few as none to as many as 15 degrees or so westerly in the continental United States. Alaskans and Hawaiians, you're on your own here.

You're welcome.

[CAJUNLAWYER]

Not so much the circling, but when they finish they kick it all over the place sometimes-what's up with that.

[pmosley]

Originally Posted by CAJUNLAWYER

Not so much the circling, but when they finish they kick it all over the place sometimes-what's up with that.

Futbol????

[Stevens]

Originally Posted by S&W357

Dogs smell each other -rear- They want to know what he had for dinner.

False! Many years ago all dogs were at a party. Their butts stank so they had to take them off and hang them by the door. A fire broke out and all the dogs quit their dancing and driking and ran out the door grabbing the first butt they could get their hands on off the rack. Ever since then whenever they come across another dog they sniff to see if it is wearing their butt!
An old (1950s) childhood joke translated from Spanish
Steve W

[finesse_r]

If you lived in snake country and were built that low to the ground you would circle a little also.

[medxam]

As long as they poop outside, they can kick the stuff anywhere they want to, as long as they don't bring it in under their toenails! I will have to admit that watching dogs poop is not one of my favorite pastimes!

medxam

[WuzzFuzz]

It's because.

Alaman left, Promenade all..Swing your partner, Grand right all...Do-se-Do.

WuzzFuzz

[Frank46]

using the most scientific instruments and calculations my dog BOB at 4am just went out and did his business. At 11am he was observed to be going in a clockwise rotation before doing the dirty deed. At 5pm he again was observed to be going in a counterclockwise direction before business was concluded. And at 9pm was observed going first in a clockwise rotation then got distracted and when he finally remembered what he was out there forwent counter clockwise direction. So I have a very confused dog or he just don't give a darn which direction he goes before he poops. Frank

[Marshwheeling]

Chauncey doesn't circle at all; just stops and drops, whatever direction he happens to be going. Tusker circles left, then right, maybe left again, then stops in a random direction.

[A10]

I think them scientists been smokin too much happy plant....never seen any of my dogs align themselves north.......heck, I'm just happy when they go outside!

[chief38]

I'll have to try that sometime ............

[red14]

Originally Posted by CAJUNLAWYER

Not so much the circling, but when they finish
they kick it all over the place sometimes-
what's up with that.

Bama' fan?

[CAJUNLAWYER]

Well I for one salute the scientists that did the study. Anyone who can convince someone to pay for a study to determine why a dog circles before he poops is a better salesman than I am.