Why Dogs Curl Their Legs. Knuckling occurs when the dog no longer walks on their toes, but the top of their paw curls under itself and severely impairs their mobility. Common reasons for this behavior may include:
When a dog feels the need to be on guard, he or she will curl up in a ball to protect vulnerable areas. Dogs experience rem just like humans, and this is a stage of sleep just before they fall into a deep sleep. By curling up, your dog is naturally conserving her body heat and protecting her limbs,.