Why Do Dogs Hide Their Treats? We all know dogs as loyal companions. And I think many of us don’t know that dogs are super social animals and they have five recognized senses like humans i.e., taste, touch, smell, see, and hear. It can be unbelievable but yes dogs indeed have senses as well as many habits like humans. One of them is they always preserve the food for later use which is known as hoarding or coaching.
Now the question arises what is the hoarding in dogs? When dogs hide their treats underground to preserve and for later use i-e winter is called hoarding or caching. In this article, we will discuss in detail dog hiding treats around the house and will answer all of your questions
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Reasons: Why Do Dogs Hide Their Treats?
It’s common for pets to hide or bury treats, which could be a way to stock the food for the winter. Here are the reasons every dog owner needs to know
Ancestral behavior
Dog ancestor wolves used to hunt and live in packs. They used to bury or hide excess food for later use when there was be limited supply of food. This survival behavior has been passed down through generations and can be seen in domestic dogs too and is known as hoarding.
Your Dog is Enjoying
Sometimes it may seem enjoyable to the dog to bury the things underground. It is the natural and normal behavior of the dogs. Hiding and finding treats might just be a fun game for your dog. As we mention below, lots of dog breeds are more prone to hiding and searching for food/treats than others, so will likely do it no matter the circumstances.
Over Feeding
Most people are confused about how much food should be given to their furry friends and they give more food than they need. So, it’s really important to understand your dog how much food is good for their health. If you notice your pet hiding a treat instead of eating it right away this means you are overfeeding him. To avoid this, it’s important to set a proper routine when to feed your dog. Also, for treats limit them if you don’t want your dog to bury them. To determine the right amount of food for your pet, it’s best to seek advice from your vet.
Anxiety
If your dog is hiding treats, it can be a sign of anxiety. So, you might be thinking what what’s the relationship between anxiety and hiding food? There are different reasons
- The dog is living with other dogs where food is always a competition.
- The dog was living where food was scarce.
- The dog was deprived of food.
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5 ways to Stop Your Dog from Hiding Their Treats
If your dog is rarely hiding its treat or food there is nothing to worry about. But when the dog shows aggression and possession of food you should follow these steps to stop him from hiding food.
1. Smaller treats
Give your dog small treats so that it can quickly and have nothing to hide.
2. Train Your dog for commands
Train your dog for the command “leave it” when it tries to hide anything which will help to stop hiding behavior.
3. Regularly clean hiding spots:
If you have found a dog already has a place to hide treats check for and remove the hidden treats.
4. Set boundaries for the eating area
Make sure to set boundaries for the eating area and don’t allow your dog to take food outside of that. Slowly this will help your dog to leave the habit of hiding food because he will not have any place to hide things.
5. Positive reinforcement:
Reward your dog for not hiding treats. This will encourage your dog that my owner is happy with my behavior because dogs are very loyal and attached to owners.
Despite trying if your dog is not leaving the habit of hiding food don’t get angry and scold your dog. This is a process that takes time and you have to be consistent about your training. We have tried to cover every aspect of Why Do Dogs Hide Their Treats? will look for more and try to add that in the next update. Do you have any questions or queries feel free to tell us in the comment section below.
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FAQS: Why do dogs bury their food?
Still not satisfied? Here are some frequently asked questions
Which dog breeds hide treats?
Every dog has the instinct to hide treats but some dog breeds often hide treats, food, or bones more than others
- Dachshunds
- Beagles
- Basset Hounds
- Miniature Schnauzers
- Terriers
Where do dogs hide their treats?
If you are always keeping your dog inside the house the most common places for dogs to hide their treats are in the bed, under a blanket, underneath couch cushions, and in your dirty laundry. But for outside dogs may bury their treat in your garden where they can keep an eye and protect from other dogs.
Why is my dog hiding food and not eating?
If your dog is hiding food and not eating there can be different reasons like
- Mild stomachache
- Dental Issues
- Spoil food
- Lack of Appetite
- Want Fresh Food
- Stress or Anxiety
Is hiding treats good for dogs?
If your dog is rarely hiding a treat it can be a good game to play with the dog just like hide and seek. You can always do this with your dog inside the home when you don’t have enough time to take him out for a walk.
Why do dogs hide their bones and treats?
Dogs hide their bones and treats for the following reasons
- Ancestral behavior
- Dog is Enjoying
- Over Feeding
- Anxiety