Why do dogs hide bones and what's the meaning behind this behavior?

Hi, thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! This is Cori showing his extreme excitement and joy of receiving this treat. All animals react differently. There is probably not much you can do about the whining/crying. For the trying to bury it I would make him calm down and lay down to eat it. As for stealing other dogs bones, I would have your friends pick up their dogs bone and be sure to teach Cori how to listen and come. If he sees a bone he should know to "leave it" and "drop it." I hope this helps!

Thank you for your question. Many dogs like to hide things, including treats and food. This is probably a remnant from their ancestors who may have had to hide some of their food items to protect it from other members of their pack or predators. We would not consider this a problem behavior unless he is becoming aggressive around his buried food/toys.

Some dogs always do this and some do it because they don't want it or they have some anxiety. Does she eventually eat it? If so then she likely just saving it for later. Does she only do it when it is storming or other times when she is anxious? If so this is likely anxiety. Does she never go back to eat it and she won't eat it out of her bowl either, then she may not like that food and is wanting something different. I hope this helps!

The best thing to do is to avoid these situations all together. Avoid giving them bones and if you do, make sure the dogs are separated so they can’t see each other while enjoying their bones. This type of behavior, if allowed to continue, will escalate and the dogs could hurt each other or you. I hope this helps. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. Best of luck.

Hi and thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Dog behavior is very complex sometimes and does not always make sense. Dogs dig for various reasons including digging at the ground and circling before lying down, as though they're trying to make a softer resting place (many dogs do this on the carpet or furniture as well.) Dogs also dig when trying to get warm or stay cool, to entertain themselves, to bury valued items, and when hunting ground-dwelling animals. Oftentimes we see our pets do things that seem odd and there isn't a good answer for their behavior. I'm not really sure in this case why Chacha is doing this but I wouldn't worry about it too much unless you start to notice other odd behaviors or signs that something is wrong with her medically. Good luck with Chacha.

I doubt Nymeria is digging up the bones because this dog was a friend of hers. It is more like a treasure trove of old bones. Dogs normally like to bury bones and when they have been buried "long enough" they dig them up again and gnaw on them. You will only stop this by removing the bones altogether or bury them at least three feet deep. You will need to keep your dog from accessing the area where they are buried, or she will try to uncover them again.

Hello. Other than the possibility of either dog vomiting up the bones in the middle of the night, they probably will be fine. Bones, while not recommended to be fed, will be digested. If this was a large carcass, like from a deer or cow, a dog can consume enough bone to either cause a blockage of severe constipation. But since this was a much smaller critter, I see no problems. Disease/parasite problems are nil, but may be a very small possibility. If your dogs are on a broad spectrum heartworm preventative, they are covered for parasites, otherwise a good wormer would not hurt. Watch for any signs of abdominal discomfort, prolonged diarrhea, inappetence or vomiting that lasts longer for a day or so, but if there are no issues, the bones will be gone in the next 12-18 hours. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.