Most dogs like to nibble on bones. In fact, they not only bite it but sometimes bury it in the garden. This behavior, which may seem a bit strange, has a scientific explanation: they store it for later. In this way, the furry ones make sure that they will find their bone and that no animal is going to steal it.
This behavior is common in many mammals, especially the ancestors of domestic dogs (gray wolves). However, although wolves are known for their impressive hunting skills, they tend to stay in one area long enough to devour all prey. Later, they are in charge of burying the remains of some prey, as a study published in the journal Ethology concludes.
On the other hand, canids are ‘bone accumulators’, which means that they keep leftover food in large hiding places. For this reason, when dogs show this behavior (especially in patios or gardens) they are really only instinctively removing the wolf that they carry inside.
Today, dogs do not need to store food because pet owners feed their four-legged friends. However, your natural urge to save food has not disappeared. In addition, sometimes the instinct to save objects or food is simply due to the need to protect them from scavengers.
Most prone breeds
Some breeds (such as the terrier or dachshund) are more likely to dig, either to bury food or to make burrows. These dogs like to bury toys, bones and treats, so it is not uncommon to see a dachshund ‘burying’ a bone under the bed or inside the sofa.
Also, this behavior may vary for each pet. For example, some dogs hide a snack or treat and then forget it for weeks, while other furry dogs move their treat numerous times before putting it in a permanent place. Therefore, it is not necessary to be alarmed at this behavior, as it is a fairly common behavior in dogs (even in the most homelike ones).
