Why Do Dogs Bury Bones?

Does your dog like burying bones, toys or other items? That’s completely normal. Digging is a pastime that many dogs enjoy, and burying “treasure” can make things even more fun. 

But why do dogs bury bones—and what, if anything, should you do about it? 
 

5 Reasons Why Dogs Bury Bones

1. Instinct

Your dog’s wild ancestors had to rely on instincts like digging to survive, explains Alexandra Bassett, a Los Angeles-based certified professional dog trainer (CPDT-KA), as well as the owner and lead trainer at Dog Savvy.

“Digging behaviors help a dog adapt to environmental changes, like when they dig a hole to lie in and cool off on a hot day, and to survive, like when they bury food to hide it and preserve it for later,” she says.

2. Safekeeping

Similar to humans, dogs hide their valuables in safe places to protect them. When a dog buries things, it’s called caching, explains Nicole Kohanski, a Dallas-based certified dog behavior consultant (CDBC), accredited dog trainer (ADT-IAABC), and founder of Wiggle Butt Academy.

"Burying food and other treasures is a normal, innate behavior,” says Kohanski. “Caching is like putting something in a pantry, closet, or safe for humans."

Like digging, caching is a natural instinct. "Evolution plays a role with caching,” says Kohanski. “Dogs that cached had more access to food during times of scarcity, which increased their survival and ability to reproduce.”

3. Resource Guarding

Sometimes, dogs guard the areas where they’ve buried bones or favorite toys, a behavior known as resource guarding. While caching is perfectly normal, resource guarding is cause for concern.

“A dog may decide they don’t want their pet parent near their hidden stash and send off threat displays like growling, bared teeth, and air-snapping when their human approaches the area,” explains Bassett.

Resource guarding can lead to bites and harm the bond you share with your pet. Check in with your veterinarian and enlist the help of a certified professional trainer or behaviorist if your dog shows signs of aggression or possessiveness.

Punishing your dog will only make the behavior worse; you should always use positive reinforcement to correct undesirable behaviors.

4. Boredom

Bored dogs make their own fun—and that can look like destroying the yard or furniture. If your dog excessively digs and buries items, it can be a sign that they’re not receiving enough enrichment and mental stimulation.

Dogs burying bones “can indicate that a dog is bored and has excess energy to burn,” says Bassett. “Guardians need to ensure all of their dog's needs are being met via daily walks and exercise, training that provides mental and physical stimulation, and enrichment activities to keep them busy.”

Puzzle toys can also help keep your dog mentally engaged and entertained; simply add some kibble and allow your pup to hunt their next snack.

5. Fun

Burying and digging are enjoyable for our canine companions. It provides dogs with exercise, interesting smells, new textures, and mental stimulation. Some breeds are more predisposed to the behavior, but in general, Bassett says, most dogs agree: Burying things is just plain fun.

“Most dogs love to dig and will do so if given the chance,” she says.

Should I Stop My Dog From Burying Things?

If your dog spends excessive amounts of time digging and burying bones and toys, or shows signs of resource guarding, it’s important to enlist the help of professionals to end the behaviors. 

"Digging or burying things can negatively affect a dog if the dog digs for hours every day or stands guard of the caches with hypervigilance,” says Kohanski. Excessive digging can also damage your dog’s paws or nails. If you suspect compulsive or obsessive behaviors, talk to your veterinarian. If your dog is guarding their caches, enlist a certified professional dog trainer to help.

However, if your only concern is damage to the landscaping or couch cushions, it’s best to find ways that your dog can enjoy expressing their natural burying behavior instinct.

"Because digging is normal behavior, we suggest redirecting unwanted digging to an acceptable spot,” says Kohanski.

How To Stop a Dog From Digging

If your dog’s digging is causing damage to the yard or furniture, you can try training techniques to redirect the activity and stop your dog from digging in inappropriate areas. Consider these tips from Kohanski:

• For outdoor diggers, set up a digging pit. Use a children’s plastic pool and fill it with dirt, sand, or mulch, and hide some high value food or bones in it. Block off any undesired digging areas with fencing or furniture to help redirect your dog to their approved digging zone. Your dog may decide they enjoy digging in the pit more than any problem areas.

• For indoor diggers, Kohanski recommends iDig products, which encourage dogs to dig in a pre-made pit covered with fabric. You can also make your own indoor digging pit with cardboard boxes and old T-shirts or other fabric.

Should Dogs Have Bones?

While burying items is normal behavior, bones are dangerous for dogs. They can present health and safety hazards to your dog, including:

• Broken teeth: Veterinary dentists advise against giving your dog bones or anything else that’s harder than you can dent with your thumbnail, due to the risk of dogs breaking their teeth while gnawing on them.

• Choking or gastrointestinal blockage: If your dog breaks off a piece of bone while chewing, it can become lodged in their esophagus, stomach, or intestines, which can require emergency surgery.

To safely satisfy your dog’s chewing instinct, opt for dog toys instead.