Why do dogs bury or hide bones or toys ?

Question

looking at my dog now - he keeps hiding stuff behind sofas and really hard to get places.

Hes looking around now for a good place to hide a bone.

why ?

Answer 1

They do it to stop other animals finding it even when there are no other animals around.

Answer 2

It's like their bank account or safety deposit box...

Answer 3

the same discussion is going on here http://puppylounge.com/index.php?option=...

Answer 4

Because they're stupid.

They didn't used to have sofa's millions of years ago when dogs were wild.

Answer 5

Is your dog a great pyrenees????

Many of my friends with pyrs tell cute stories about their dogs doing this.  They even dig holes to bury the prizes.  they steal the garden shears and hide or bury them, etc. etc.

If you can get your dog to tell you, please tell me.  I haven't met anyone who knows for sure why some dogs do this.

I agree with Happy Man.  I suspect they do it so no other dog can steal a valued item, even if no dogs are around.... but just in case some come around... -!-

Answer 6

I know my puppy does it cos she dosent want to eat something yet so she bury;s then digs it up later to eat :)

Answer 7

it comes from when they were wild and made a kill - they would hide some of it for later if they couldnt eat it all.  Toys are just an extension of natural behaviour

Answer 8

well they like to hide it so no one else can get it and so they can get it later

Answer 9

When they were wild they used to hide food from other animals, and come back for it later.  

Answer 10

I guess its an instinctive thing....to save precious food etc for later in case they don't get another meal! We are always finding dog biscuits down the back of the sofa

Answer 11

mah.....io credo perchè siano dei giocherelloni sono i migliori amici dell'uomo