Why do dogs bury their bones and food? Even if you already know the answer (i.e. to protect their treasures), it can sometimes feel like your dog has simply decided to wage war on your garden!
Of course, your dog isn’t holding a grudge against your gerbera daisies. Instead, they’re acting on instinct and opportunity just like they have evolved to do for millennia. Taking a closer look at why dogs bury their beloved personal belongings can help you build some understanding for your pup. And, you and your friendly Dog Sitter will be able to put together a plan to teach your dog how to live harmoniously with your garden.
Let’s dig in!
Why do dogs bury their bones and food?
Your modern doggo has a pretty good life compared to their wild ancestors. Not only do they have predictable meals every day, but you might also shower them with treats, chews, and toys to keep them happily busy between meals.
But even though your pupper is living the life, that doesn’t mean that they’ve turned the off switch on their survival brain. In fact, your dog may be burying their favourite things because they’ve evolved to hide food as a means of protection.
For one thing, exposed or leftover food in the wild is an invitation for other hungry animals. Not only did your doggo’s predecessors bury their meals to protect them from flies and scavengers, but they also protected themselves from larger predators looking for food.
There’s also reason to believe that burying food is a natural defense against spoilage. A wild dog’s dirt-covered hiding spot keeps their food cool and shielded from direct sunlight. This could slow the growth of bacteria and other harmful pathogens for your pup.
Why do dogs bury their bones and food in the garden? Can’t they do it somewhere else?
Okay, fine, you can understand why your dog might be tempted to bury their bone outside. But, do they have to do it in your garden? Why not choose an area where you haven’t dedicated hours of your time into planting and pruning?
Unfortunately, there’s one main reason why your dog is drawn to your garden, and we’re sorry to say, it isn’t your magnificent flowers. Instead, they’re probably drawn to the fact that garden soil is soft and easier to dig. It’s really nothing personal!
If burying food is a natural instinct, should you allow your dog to do it?
Even if you don’t have a garden to protect, it’s still a good idea to address your dog’s digging habit.
For one thing, burying bones and other food items may have been beneficial in the past. But the fact is, it’s not a fool-proof way to prevent spoilage. Bones that are buried in the ground can harbour food-borne pathogens, especially if your dog doesn’t dig it up right away. If you use any kind of chemical fertiliser or pesticide in your soil, this could also pose toxicity problems for your dog.
The other reason why you should address your dog’s digging is that it can be a sign of unmet needs. A dog might bury their toys because another animal in the house is making them feel stressed or a recent move has left them feeling vulnerable. Boredom can also make your dog more eager to dig around in the garden because it gives them a sense of purpose and accomplishment.
How you can help your dog let go of the need to bury their toys
Addressing your dog’s underlying reasons for burying their toys won’t just save your garden, it will also ensure that your dog is content and confident. Here are a few changes that can help phase out the burying behaviour:
- Supervise their outdoor time. Until you’ve gotten the digging under control, you’ll want to keep an eye on your dog whenever they’re outside. That’s because, each time that your dog is allowed to dig, the satisfaction they receive from it is reinforcing. If you see them starting to sniff around the garden, immediately redirect their attention to something even more rewarding, like an interactive game with their favourite human
- Address anxiety issues. If you believe that your dog is burying their treasured items as the result of anxiety, your first step will be addressing the cause. You can work on separation anxiety, for instance, with counter-conditioning sessions. And if the source of stress is another pet, you might find a veterinary behaviourist who can help with safe relationship-building for your furbabies
- Provide other forms of mental enrichment. Since digging itself is a form of mental stimulation, it’s a good idea to give your dog more appropriate alternatives. Puzzle toys, scavenger hunts, agility training and more are all ways that your dog can receive mental enrichment without ruining your gorgeous garden
- Channel their natural instinct. When a dog’s behaviour is instinctual, sometimes the best response is to lean into it! By providing your dog guided opportunities to dig and bury, you can fulfil their natural instinct on your terms. This can look like teaching your dog how to play a “bury your toy!” game with piles of blankets or towels. Or, if you have the space, you might consider creating a Doggy Dig Zone, a designated area of the yard where your dog is allowed to dig. Fill the space with soft soil, and make sure that they play in the area only with items that you don’t mind them burying
- Make sure your dog is getting plenty of interaction and exercise. Many Pet Owners find that by dedicating just a little bit more time each day to interactive playtime, training, and exercise, their dog doesn’t tend to resort to their own forms of entertainment as often. Calling in a dedicated Dog Walker is a great option for busy Pet Parents who want to make sure their pup is getting enough daily interaction
As you might have guessed, figuring out the answer to “Why do dogs bury their bones and food” is just the beginning of a longer process of behaviour modification. Phasing out your dog’s burying instinct can take some time and creativity so don’t give up! While your dog learns a new way to interact with your garden, resist the urge to punish your pup and stay upbeat and consistent with your redirections.
Eventually, your pup will learn to keep their snoot out of your garden!
