With a sneaky look on its face, a dog that has a bone on its mouth will look for an ideal spot to hide the "treasure". The instant the best hiding place is found, the dog will dig madly and bury the bones. Dogs have been domesticated for thousands of years but are dog owners aware of the reasons why the pets bury bones Do dogs know why they are burying bones? The pet may not be aware why it is burying bones as scientists believe that this is an instinctive habit to survive.
Dog experts believe that almost all of the behaviors and habits of modern day dogs are deeply rooted from their past. From the time dogs have existed, they have been burying bones. Dogs have been domesticated for thousands of years but these animals have been in existence for millions of years. Burying bones have been a very useful habit for primitive dogs that need to survive the harsh life in the wild. Primitive dogs have lived difficult lives in the wild. 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.
Humans hoard food. Squirrels work long hours to fill their coffers with acorns and nuts. Even ants fill their anthills with food in preparation for the rainy days. Dogs are hoarders too. In the wild, dogs would not know when the next meal would be. A dog that has hunted a prey would need to secure the "bounty" not only from other animal but also from members of the pack. 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.
Dogs nowadays don't go hungry. Dogs need not bury bones to survive but they do because it is an instinctive behavior. 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. Dog owners would just have to accept the fact that the dog may destroy the garden once in a while to bury its treasured bones.
