Burying toys...even in the house

[law1558]

We've learned very quickly that most bones or other "chew" type toys we give our dog that he takes outside end up buried. We've worked around that by limiting the items he's allowed to take into the back yard.

This morning, I gave Beau a rawhide type chew for him to gnaw on while I worked on the computer...he's had them before and has seemed to enjoy them. This one was "flavored" and not the usual brand he's gotten in the past.

He took it from me and then started pacing the house, as if looking for someplace to bury it. This lasted for about 5 minutes until he indicated that he wanted to go outside...I let him out, but kept the rawhide inside.

My impression was that he really needed to find a spot in the house to hide that chew. What was supposed to keep him calm while I worked on the computer kind of turned into a "gotta-find-a-place" obsession that stressed ME out! Is there a way to train the dog that if he's inside, it's OK to just lay down and have a good chew? Do you think it was the different "flavor" that made this particular rawhide more interesting and therefore, warranted a good hiding spot?

[billsharp]

Good post. Liesl does the same thing. On Christmas morning she got a Nylabone to "occupy" her while we opened gifts. She walked around the room with it hanging out of her mouth, whining softly and looking for a place to hide it. She tried under the cushions, between pillows, etc. and finally dumped it in a pile of wrapping paper. We find bones, chew toys, balls etc. in similar places from time to time.

I have no idea why they have this compulsion to hide these things, unless it's a holdover from thousands of years ago when they needed to hide some extra food for a rainy day. We have no idea how to break her of the habit, either. Sorry not to be helpful, but I was glad to hear from someone else about this curious behavior.

[katdog5911]

Stella does the same thing with some of her bones....she runs around the house whining and trying to hide them. She always remembers where they are but most times it is too late....my other dog finds them and eats them! I have no idea why she does this.

[Scarlettsmom]

Scarlett does the same thing too. At least she is an "only" dog, so where ever she leaves them, they are safe. Heaven help us when we decide to get another GSD.

[mrsbuggs]

Boo does the same thing, i found a bone in my bed, thank goodness it was the same day as it was a fresh bone..lol

[DanielleOttoMom]

Both of mine do this. They have their private chewy times in the living room in the PM. The take turns one in the crate and one out with us. This is only if i have toys or chewys out. They both whine to go out..... but I never do. They finally lay down after a few mins. I don't let them have toys in the yard unless im playing with them. This way I have more control and my yard isn't dug up. One time I found a bone under my hubby's pillow. Otto tought he found the perfect spot. Lil to funny!

[law1558]

Well, at least it's NORMAL!! Guess it's just one more thing that makes our dogs so special...