Why Do Dogs Bury Bones?

Perhaps you’ve seen your dog perform the comedic behavior of frantically trying to “hide” their treasure by “burying” it. This seemingly funny habit is tied to evolutionary behavior and the instincts dogs have to guard their resources. Here, we’ll explain why dogs bury bones, if certain breeds are more likely to exhibit the behavior, and how to stop it.

Why Do Dogs Hide Bones?

Understanding natural dog behavior, including how their brains work, can be a crucial step in correcting that behavior and deepening your bond with them. Dogs bury bones and other items thanks to their natural canine instincts. Wolves and wild dogs, the precursor to domesticated dogs, lived in a feast or famine cycle. They were not fed food every day, and when they managed to catch food, they would eat what they could and bury the rest for later. This behavior is called “caching” and was important to their survival. It would allow them to save food for times when they were unsuccessful at hunting, protecting food from predators, and “refrigerating” food in the cool dirt.

Nowadays, our dogs don’t need to protect food as it comes to them on a regular schedule. If your dog is burying stuff now or doing other destructive activities like chewing, they could need mental stimulation. Or, they might just like to dig, as is the prerogative of some breeds. 

Do Dogs Remember Where They Bury Their Bones?

Yes, dogs remember where they bury their bones and other high-value items. Dogs are famous for their noses, which have 300 million scent receptors (humans only have 6 million!). This super sense of smell helps them find where they put things like bones, food, and other resources. Dogs can also use visual cues and spatial memory to some extent.

Do Certain Dog Breeds Bury More Than Others?

Certain dog breeds bury more than others. Breeds historically used for sporting or that have a strong prey drive tend to dig and bury more than other breeds that might have been bred for different purposes, such as toy dogs or herding dogs. Dog breeds that bury bones include:

• Dachshunds: While they might seem like lap dogs today, Dachshunds have a long employment history as badger hunters. Their bodies evolved into the hot dog shape so they could be closer to the ground to dig out prey.
• Beagles: High energy with a strong prey drive, Beagles have deep instincts to dig. They might resort to digging if they don’t receive enough mental and physical stimulation.
• Schnauzers: Schnauzers, which come in Miniature, Standard, and Giant sizes, were originally ratters. They have strong instincts to dig for small prey.
• Basset Hounds: Low to the ground with ears that pick up scents, Basset Hounds have hunting instincts that can cause them to dig. They also dig out of boredom.
• Bloodhounds: These dogs are scent hounds with a strong prey drive and dig due to this, or because they are hot on the trail of a scent underground.
• Siberian Huskies: Siberian Huskies dig for many reasons. They can be looking for cooler earth to create a little pocket to sit in when it’s hot, or they might try to dig up earth when it’s cold out and they need insulation. They also dig out of boredom.
• Australian Shepherds: These are high-energy dogs that need a lot of physical and mental stimulation. If their needs aren’t being met, they can resort to digging as a way to release energy, express frustration, or keep themselves busy.
• Any terrier breed: Terrier dogs, like Yorkshire Terriers, Staffordshire Terriers, and Scottish Terriers, were originally bred to hunt rodents. Most terrier breeds have strong digging instincts.

Should You Stop a Dog from Burying Bones, Food, or Toys?

The answer to, “Should you stop a dog from burying bones, food, or toys?” is yes and no. Dogs dig and bury things due to their instincts, and that part is impossible to stop altogether. But there are some situations when you might need to stop your dog, such as:

• Excessive digging: Digging is natural, but if your dog is constantly digging, tearing up your yard, going to town on your garden, or causing chaos, it might be considered excessive.
• Resource guarding: While burying to hide a resource is a form of resource guarding, it’s not necessarily an aggressive dog behavior.
• Indoor hiding: If your dog can’t dig outside, they might “bury” things in your bedding or other soft places like piles of laundry or on couches.
• Spoiled food: A dog might save food for later, especially if it’s something they’re not allowed to have, like table food. If it’s something perishable like produce, it could eventually rot, which is not something you want to find days later.

How to Stop a Dog from Hiding Bones, Food, and Toys

If your dog loves to dig, there are some things you can do to set them up for success:

• Limit access: If your dog has a favorite bone or toy that you know can become a problem, limit their access to it. Don’t give them bones or things to chew right after they eat – they might want to save it for later and will go find a place to bury it.
• Provide plenty of stimulation: Dogs that are bored will hide things. Keep your dog’s mind and body tired by giving them plenty of exercise, training sessions, and enrichment.
• Give them a specific place to dig: Some breeds won’t be able to help themselves. If you have a place you can allow them to dig all the time, like a sandbox, it can be helpful to satisfy their instincts.
• Use an out command: “Leave it,” “drop it,” and other similar commands are useful to get a dog to stop resource guarding. These commands should be followed up with a redirection.

Frequently Asked Questions About Dogs’ Burying Behavior

Why Do Dogs Bury Things?

Dogs bury things because it’s in their DNA. They are descended from wolves, who would bury to protect what they had.

Why Do Dogs Bury Bones in Blankets?

Burying things in blankets, pillows, the couch, and other soft places is normal behavior for a dog when they don’t have access to dirt, and they want to hide something of value to them. It’s called caching.

Why Do Dogs Hide Their Toys?

Toys can also be high-value items, just like food. Dogs that want to keep toys away from other dogs or owners will bury or hide them. This can also be a form of play, like a scavenger hunt.

How Do I Stop My Dog from Hiding Food? 

If your dog hides food, they might be saving some for later because they feel it’s a scarce resource. Feed them smaller portions more frequently, and remove any leftover food after they eat so that it doesn’t end up in your bed. They could also be hiding food out of boredom, so give them plenty of exercise and playtime to stop attention-seeking behavior.

Conclusion

Burying and digging are hardwired instincts that dogs have and have had for thousands of years. Some dog breeds, like terriers and hounds, love to dig, and it’s something you might have to work on with them consistently. You might have to provide an appropriate outlet for them to satisfy this natural behavior, such as a designated digging spot or an interactive puzzle. If the digging becomes excessive, you can take some steps to help them overcome the behavior, including calling your vet or a certified dog trainer.

For more expert tips on dog behavior, explore our other understanding dog articles.