To a dog, a bone is a tool used for burying and retrieving food, for communication to other dogs, for intimidating other animals and launching surprise attacks on unexpected visitors.
It is not a toy, nor a chew toy, nor an ornament. And yet, in many people’s homes, bones are often presented as such, with little regard to the dog’s needs and without any consideration whether the bone is safe.
Most dogs are adorable creatures, but some may go the extra mile to get their way. In the case of dogs, it may be an obsession. As it turns out, dogs are a lot like us when it comes to the things we want to keep hidden and buried in the backyard.
When we think about dogs, the first thing that comes to mind is their loyalty and unconditional love for us. This may seem obvious, but we are often blind to the animals’ ability to think for themselves in reality.
In reality, Dogs have been found to bury bones for a very long time, not just in the wild but also in domestic dogs.
There are some reasons why do dogs bury bones and other goodies, such as:
1. They are suffering from anxiety or stress
Dogs are instinctively aware of the human-dog bond and understand how humans communicate. However, they cannot express every emotion that humans can, causing them to behave in ways unrelated to their feelings. Dogs bury bones to mark an emotional boundary — a time when they feel vulnerable and want to feel safe.
Bone-chilling tales of dogs’ discoveries, mysteries, and a few medical oddities are common in the canine world. But there’s a darker side to this story.
Luckily, there is a safe and natural way to ease the stress or anxiety that many dogs experience when they make a discovery: bury the bone.
Every dog owner has experience stress or anxiety, but it can take on many forms, from worry about missing dog park time, a new dog to train, or the dreaded groomer.
For some, it might involve the need to pee every five minutes, others barking when they shouldn’t. Whatever the stressor, it can make a dog anxious. There are lots of different types of stress in dogs, many of which are serious conditions.
Stress is an under-recognized problem in dogs. Stress can be caused by anything that increases or decreases your dog’s stress level, such as a new pet or a significant change in their life.
Being stressed can cause a wide range of behaviors in dogs, such as displaying unusual behaviors, sudden changes in mood, or even aggression. Dogs with chronic or severe stress disorders can exhibit destructive, dangerous, or even life-threatening behaviors.
2. They are bored
Boredom is a somewhat new concept, but one that most of us can relate to. It seems that the only time we ever get bored is when we’re waiting to meet up with friends or when we’re stuck at work.
So, why do dogs get bored? Dogs are, of course, too cute to get bored, but they have several behavioral tricks that help alleviate boredom.
It can be not easy to contain ourselves in the daily grind of life, but some days, it just seems like there’s nowhere left to go. We get bored, and we get bored quickly.
We’re constantly inundated with new materials, new experiences, new things to try. And the one thing we’re not supposed to do is get bored. But how can you live in a world of constant stimulation and not feel a little bored once in a while?
Boredom is a state of mind that affects millions of humans every day. It can lead to doing things that are considered risky, destructive, or just plain dumb.
But if you’re bored, how can you tell when you’re bored? And what can you do about it? Dogs don’t get bored. They have a different way of dealing with boredom.
3. Caching
A dog that enjoys caching is one of the most entertaining dogs you can find. A dog that enjoys caching is one of the most entertaining dogs you can find.
Dogs and their wild ancestors have been caching food for millions of years. Perhaps the most intriguing dog behavior is caching, which is the act of burying food for later. This may be an early sign of domestication in the wild.
Caching is one of the oldest dog behavioral problems. Dogs like to carry their treasured objects home or bury them with their noses.
This behavior can be frustrating for owners because it makes it easier for a dog to lose a valuable item. Dogs exhibiting caching behaviors may have another underlying reason for this behavior.
Caching is a term used to describe a behavior that occurs when a dog carries an object around with her and then hides that object as a means of remembering where it was last placed.
In other words, it’s a way for a dog to save time in finding her favorite toy, helping to avoid the stress of searching for it every time she wants to play.
4. Instinct
So many dogs will find and bury bones all day long, but why do dogs do this? Dogs are one of the smartest species on the planet, and they are also one of the most curious creatures. Why do dogs bury bones?
Why do they sniff them, play with them, and keep them in a special spot until they are sure the bone has died? It is a commonly held belief that burying a bone is a way for a dog to mark its territory. Others believe dogs bury bones because they try to get rid of any evidence that they were the culprit.
The main idea behind the use of bones by dogs is that it is a way for them to mark their territory. Some theories are that dogs love to dig through the soil and find bones and that they mark their territory with bones that they have found, assuming they are from a wild creature. Other theories are that they do it to show their dominance over their pack or communicate to other dogs that they are the owner of this territory.
5. Protecting their valuables
Sure, you’ve heard of dogs eating toys, and probably the most infamous of all is the puppy that ate its owner’s wedding ring, but did you know dogs also go out of their way to protect family heirlooms?
As any dog owner knows, a dog’s day usually starts with a walk. They may be going on a walk to get exercise or find a new place to dig a hole. If you ask them why they’re digging, they’ll never really answer you unless they’re talking about digging a hole in the yard.
The truth is that dogs have an instinct to dig into practicing their hunting skills and for the fun of it. If they dig up an entire bone, they’ll be tempted to bury it in the hopes that it will be back in the ground before anyone finds it and that they can claim the bone as a prize.
There is a substantial amount of evidence that burying bones is a useful behavior for dogs, not just a practice to keep them from accidentally swallowing them. Dog behaviorists have shown that burying bones can cause them to be used as a “safe place” and a way to mark territory.
This behavior also tends to be more prominent in puppies and dogs that have not yet had the opportunity to explore their environment.
Burying bones is a habit that has been around for a long time, but it’s still very common. Some people even actively encourage their dogs to bury bones, hoping the process will teach them to be more responsible in the future, while others will buy bones and have them buried for the dogs to find.
Why? Well, the idea is that burying bones teaches a dog to connect the bones and the act of burying. Bury a bone in the ground, and the dog learns to bury it, leading to the dog’s ability to bury other bones.
Dog owners have their reasons for letting their dogs bury their buried bones. Some do it to keep the dog occupied on a rainy day, to keep the puppy from chewing the house up, or because they have nothing better to do.
Others let dogs do this because they fear that if the dog chews a bone, it will choke on it or because it is easier for the dog to have a little treat to chew on while running errands.
Letting your dogs bury their goodies is a fun game they often enjoy playing as it helps them release some pent-up energy and build their confidence. It is important to let them bury their bones and other goodies as natural creatures and have their own set of instincts.
