Why does my dog walk in circles?

If your dog is doing it before eliminating (urinating or bowel movement) it stems back to ancient history of canines wanting to clear the land of anything that might bite or cause discomfort (snakes, bugs, etc.) before lowering their furry bottom down. However, if you're seeing it while walking a call and probably a trip to the vet is in the future. The doctor can determine if it's an easy fix such as ear infection or may require more tests.

Worst case scenario is your dog has a brain tumor causing his balance and directional pull to be disrupted. Some cases are related to a bad ear infection which can cause a head tilt and constant motion in one direction. It can also be vestibular disease which is like us having vertigo. In all cases, if your dog looks disorientated and doing circular motions you should bring them in to see the vet so they can run some diagnostics to rule out any of the above.

Some dogs circle before lying down to rest, which is completely normal. If your dog is doing it at other times, it could stem from boredom. Make sure you are leaving a tv or radio on when you leave the house and also make sure your dog is getting adequate exercise and stimulation. Brain games like puzzle toys are also a great thing to try.