Barking, chewing and burying bones are only some of the natural behaviors of dogs
. In movies, in cartoons and in children's books dogs are always depicted as bone-burying animals. Dog owners are also exposed to the inclination of the pets to bury bones.
A dog carrying a bone on its mouth would furtively look around and try to look for the best hiding spot. As soon as the ideal hiding place is found, the dog will dig madly and speedily bury the bone. Do you know why your dog is burying bones What encourages a dog to bury bones? Dog experts believe that dogs don't really know why they bury bones as this is done instinctively by canines to survive.
Dog experts believe that almost all of the behaviors and habits of modern day dogs are deeply rooted from their past. The habit of burying bones is as old as the dog's history. Although dogs became man's best friend only for thousands of years; these animals have existed for over a million years. Primitive dogs have lived harsh lives in the wild and the habit of burying foods has been a great help to survive. The ancestors of modern day dogs have had difficult lives. Dogs in the wild constantly need to be on the lookout for predators and to safeguard their food from other animals that would want to have a share of the prey.
Stocking the pantry is a habit of humans. Squirrels make sure that the tree hollows are filled to the hilt with nuts and acorns. Even ants fill their anthills with food in preparation for the rainy days. Dogs bury bones to hoard food. Food in the wild is scarce. A dog that has been lucky in finding a large prey that cannot be consumed in one sitting would have to hide the food from other animals. The dog will dig up what was buried when food is scarce. The dug up bones will ease the gnawing of the dog's stomach.
Modern day dogs no longer need to hunt as food is regularly provided by the owner. Pampered pets don't have to bury bones for the rainy days but the instinct to hoard remains. Dogs still have the inclination to hide not only bones but other food as well. Dog owners would just be surprised to find treats and bits of food hidden on the dog's bed. Because digging and burying bones and other food is instinctive in dogs, pet owners just have to take in stride the inclination of the pet to rearrange the garden to bury its "treasures".