One of the dog behaviors that most surprises ARISTOPARENTS, especially if they are first-timers, is burying things. Whether it's underground, under their bed, under the sofa... It's a surprising behavior. Even though we're more than used to seeing ARISTODOGS hiding bones in movies, it's one thing to see it on screen and another to see it live. Especially when we don't understand the causes of this curious behavior.
It is often thought that dogs hide food or toys to play and challenge their owners a little. But in reality, this habit has a more biological and instinctive explanation, specifically based on the survival instinct. Something very animal.
This behavior can occur in all dogs, but it is a behavior that is enhanced in three specific circumstances:
—When an ARISTODOG lives with two or more dogs in the same home.
—In homes with a garden or large planters where they can dig holes and jealously hide their favorite bone or food.
—When they are offered something new. Something they have never seen, smelled, or tasted before. Whether it's a snack, a toy with a different texture, an unusual reward, etc. They want to hide it at all costs!
In general, this survival instinct drives the dog to save its food, in case a time comes when getting food is not so easy. A time when, perhaps, it may be necessary to resort to the reserves of its private pantry (the hole dug in the ground, the hiding place under some furniture in the house...).
Also, if the dog has or perceives that it has "competition" (another dog in the house), it will tend to hide its delicacies or favorite objects to prevent another dog from sticking its nose in its business and the food or toys ending up in the jaws of another. This fact is not related to the animal being hungry or not getting along well with its canine companion. As we say, it is an instinct. It cannot help it.
Over time, two things will probably happen: either it will forget forever what it buried, or the dog will unearth the toy, the bone, the food. If it is food, it may try to eat it after unearthing it, so you need to pay attention and see if the food is in good condition to avoid possible poisoning.
The question that inevitably arises in this case is: Can it be controlled? Is there a way to prevent our ARISTODOG from digging and hiding things?
As we have said, it is a natural instinct in dogs. And there is no need to try to correct what is instinctive in a dog. We cannot expect it to behave like a person, because it is not. And its codes are not ours. Therefore, the ideal is to let our dog give free rein to its nature. And do what its body asks for —especially when it is harmless.
In any case, if you still prefer that your dog doesn't do it, so that it doesn't ruin the garden or your plants, it is essential that you are very strict about keeping meal times. This way, your dog's biological clock will be set, knowing that it will always have food at the same times of the day. And it will also feel that it doesn't need to store its food underground.
Also, if you have two or more dogs in the family, make sure you treat them equally. That is, each one has its toys, its food, its bed, its accessories... This way you will prevent them from competing with each other and from perceiving that you have a preference for one of them.
