fbpx

Unearthing the Mystery: Why Do Dogs Bury Bones?

Do your dog's favorite bones and toys seem to disappear mysteriously? Learn about the ancient survival instincts behind this behavior, why certain breeds are more prone to burying items, and how to manage and encourage this natural activity. From mental stimulation and physical exercise to stress relief, uncover the fascinating reasons behind your dog's urge to hide their treasures and how it connects them to their wild ancestors. Discover practical tips for managing this behavior and ensuring your furry friend stays happy and healthy.

Do your dog’s favorite bones and toys seem to disappear mysteriously? 

You might resign yourself to ordering new toys online while wondering where the other ones went. 

Or maybe you’ve watched in amusement as your furry friend fervently digs a hole in the backyard to stash their precious bone.

If they don’t have access to a backyard, their bones might eventually turn up under couch cushions and bedding or in laundry baskets. 

From ancient survival instincts to modern-day play, we’ll uncover the layers of this endearing mystery that connects our beloved pets to their wild ancestors. Join us as we dig deeper into the world of dogs and their buried treasures!

Table of Contents

What Causes Dogs to Bury Bones?

Seeing a dog burying a bone is as commonplace as it is intriguing. This behavior, deeply ingrained in their genetic makeup, has historical and practical explanations. 

Dogs’ burying bones (and other prized possessions) stems from their survival instincts, passed down from their wild ancestors. Wild dogs and other canids often find themselves with more food than they could consume. 

They would bury their surplus next to their den to ensure they had enough food for leaner times. 

Today, domestic dogs exhibit this behavior, known as the cache strategy, by burying bones, toys, and food.

It’s a surprisingly simple yet effective way dogs maintain control over their environment and resources. 

Even in homes where food is plentiful, many dogs retain this natural urge to bury items to save for the future—a reflection of their not-so-distant past, when their next meal wasn’t always guaranteed.

Is Burying Bones a Sign of Anxiety or Stress in Dogs?

According to many professional dog trainers and veterinary behaviorists, it simply manifests as a natural behavior rather than a distress or resource-guarding symptom for most dogs. 

Burying behavior allows dogs to feel safer and more secure about their possessions, they feel assured that they’ll be able to find their bone later when they’re looking for it. 

Consulting with our team at K9 Basics can provide insights into a dog’s behavior and determine if their actions are rooted in anxiety and aggression or simply display natural canine instincts.

Are Burying Bones Driven by a Dog’s Natural Instincts?

Yes, dogs’ inclination to bury bones is predominantly driven by their instincts. This behavior is a fascinating throwback to their wild ancestors, who needed to store food safely away from other predators. This instinctual behavior ensured survival during times when food was scarce. 

In the modern setting, though domestic dogs don’t typically face food scarcity, the survival instincts deeply embedded in their DNA prompt them to bury their food or bones. 

This behavior also allows dogs to save their prized possessions, like a beloved bone or toy, for later enjoyment.

This instinct not only helps them deal with immediate circumstances, such as having more food than they can eat or protecting their belongings from other dogs, but it also provides mental exercise and can be quite enriching for them. 

Burying items can be a fun, stimulating activity that satisfies their innate urge to hide things.

Are Certain Breeds More Likely to Bury Bones Than Others?

Some dog breeds are more predisposed to bury bones and other items than others, primarily due to the traits emphasized through selective breeding. 

Breeds originally bred for digging and hunting, such as Dachshunds, Terriers, and Basset Hounds, show a stronger propensity to dig and bury. These breeds have a heightened instinct to dig due to their historical roles in hunting small animals underground, making them more likely to engage in burying behavior.

Conversely, some breeds are less inclined to bury bones and other items. For example, Greyhounds are generally less likely to engage in burying behavior. This can be attributed to their breeding and historical roles that did not require such behavior. Similarly, non-sporting and herding breeds like Collies, Bulldogs, and Chow Chows tend to show less interest in burying items.

This difference in burying behavior across various breeds underscores the impact of historical breeding purposes on dogs’ instincts today.

While no behavior is exclusive to one breed—since individual personality and environment also play significant roles—the tendency to bury or hide things is more pronounced in breeds historically connected to activities that required them to engage deeply with their terrain.

Should You Encourage This Natural Behavior?

Generally, burying bones and other items is a harmless and instinctual behavior for dogs, and it can even be beneficial for them in various ways.

3 Benefits of Encouraging Burying Behavior

  1. Mental Stimulation: Burying items can provide dogs with much-needed mental stimulation. This behavior encourages them to think, plan, and use their instincts, which can be especially beneficial for highly active breeds or those with strong hunting instincts.
  2. Physical Exercise: Digging and burying can be a good physical workout, especially for dogs that may not get enough regular exercise. It helps them expend energy constructively.
  3. Stress Relief: For many dogs, burying items can be a way to relieve stress. It gives them a sense of control over their environment and can be a soothing activity that helps them feel secure.

6 Strategies to Manage Your Dog’s Bone Burying

You might have been okay with your dog burying their bones and toys, but it may be frustrating when they start hiding your personal items like the TV remote, shoes, or household decorations.

Here are six strategies to manage this behavior:

  • Secure your valuables: If your dog loves to hide their treasures, it can be challenging to curb this instinct. Keep items you don’t want to be buried out of their reach.
  • Create a designated digging area: Establish a specific spot in your yard where your dog is allowed to bury items. This can benefit their mental health as it lets them indulge in their instincts in a controlled manner.
  • Restrict access to no-dig zones: Protect areas like flower beds from being dug up using temporary fences or other barriers.
  • Teach them what they can bury: Dogs are intelligent and can learn what they are allowed to bury. Train them to understand that only specific items, such as their toys and bones, are suitable for burying, which can also strengthen your bond and enhance their daily routine.
  • Consult with a behaviorist: If digging becomes destructive or ongoing, a certified animal behaviorist can help identify the underlying causes and offer solutions.
  • Provide alternative activities: A dog that buries items out of boredom may need more physical and mental stimulation. Consider increasing their exercise or introducing interactive toys to keep them engaged and curb unwanted digging behaviors.

Encouraging your dog to bury bones and toys can be a natural and enriching activity that helps satisfy their instinctual drives, provided it is appropriately managed within a safe and controlled environment. 

It allows dogs to engage with their natural behaviors positively and constructively, making it a beneficial aspect of their routine for many pet parents.

Learn How to Manage Your Dog’s Instincts in Marlton, NJ!

Call us at (866) 592-2742 or, if you’re from New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, or New York, visit us at 131 Kenilworth Road, Marlton, New Jersey 08053, to learn more about our obedience training classes.

Also, browse our blog and social media for various topics about dogs and their lives with us!

https://k9basics.com/unearthing-the-mystery-why-do-dogs-bury-bones/

Imagine seeing the world through your dog's eyes, and understanding their perspective. How much easier would it be to teach your dog something, if you truly understand how they see it? That's the foundation of the OneMind Dogs philosophy....

Pet advice from our experts.

By: Steven Appelbaum ABC President & CEO Hello everyone, and welcome to another edition of “What’s Waggin”. Hopefully, everyone is keeping cool. I say this because, as I write this, we just got through a brutal heatwave in September....
Imagine seeing the world through your dog's eyes, and understanding their perspective. How much easier would it be to teach your dog something, if you truly understand how they see it? That's the foundation of the OneMind Dogs philosophy....