If you’ve ever watched your dog circle a dog bed before lying down, you might have wondered where this behavior comes from. Dogs do this instinctually because, before domestication, canines had to make their own beds out in the wild. Circling a spot on the ground was a way to create a nest in the dirt, brush, snow or other terrains. Your dog may retain this outdoorsy nesting instinct, but they’ll be much happier with a nice round dog bed to lie in.