This behavior is a tradition passed down from dogs' ancestors. Thousands of years ago, wandering dogs often struggled to find their next meal, so if they happened upon more food than they could eat at once, they would bury the leftovers to keep them safe from scavengers. When hunger struck, they'd return to their secret stash and unearth the remaining food. The earth served as a natural refrigerator, preserving the buried bones for a longer time, and the naturally "aged" bones often became even more appealing.
Have you perhaps given your dog too much food and toys? Your dog might simply be storing excess items in a safe place to retrieve later or to share with canine friends during playdates.
Some dogs are irresistibly drawn to shiny objects like watches and earrings. They'll swiftly grab these items from counters and rush to their burying spot, which might be under their sleeping cushion or even inside a laundry basket filled with clothes.
This "take and bury" behavior often occurs when dogs are lonely, bored, or seeking attention. They're not being malicious; they're just hoping to engage you in a game.
What Should We Do?
Dogs have a "better safe than sorry" mentality, guided by their sensitive noses to locate their hidden treasures.
Put away extra toys or bones. Limit your dog to one or two toys at a time, storing the rest out of sight. Rotate your dog's toys regularly, offering variety without overwhelming your dog with too many items and reducing the desire to stash them in the yard.
Indoors, encourage your dog's desire to hide things by teaching them to place their favorite bone or toy under a blanket. Make it a fun game that you can play together several times a week. Work on expanding your dog's vocabulary comprehension so they choose the right items to hide in the right places.
