[Lozza]

I'm hoping an experienced doggie owner might be able to help explain this behaviour...

This morning I gave Boston a chew (small strip of pigs ear) and he just started pacing around the house with really loud whining, sounding very distressed. He wouldn't calm down and he wouldn't sit and chew like he normally does.

It looked to me like he was trying to find somewhere to hide the chew but he couldn't decide what to do and was anxious. He'd had breakfast about 45min-1hr before, so I am thinking he was not hungry enough for a chew? So after about 10mins of this, I took it off him (he didn't seem to mind) and we went and played with lots of toys instead.

I have seen him do this two or three times now (over the last few weeks, so not ultra regular).

Have I interpreted his behaviour correctly? When he gets like that, should I take the chew off him and replace with something else rewarding (like an exciting play time)?

 

[Dylansmum]

Dylan does exactly the same with bones. He paces up and down the house whining with them in his mouth. Eventually he will settle down with them. I would be interested if anyone with behaviour expertise could fully explain this.

 

[marzy]

boycie does this too !! then he goes and burys it under the pillows on my bed ..... lol
or if its a bone he burys it in garden so I presume he's saving it for later .....
he always knows where to find them later tho ...
isn't it a funny noise they make ... I thought he was in pain the 1st time I heard it xx
mar xx

 

[Turi]

How bizarre!

If I was going to hazard a guess I'd say that he wasn't hungry when you gave it to him and his doggy instinct is to hide it for later! Perhaps his whining/pacing is frustration at not being able to hide it?

Either that or he doesn't like the bone you've given him and he's telling you off

Turi x

 

[S.Claire]

Nacho does this as well. I really do think it is a frustration thing and that they are annoyed at themselves for not being able to find a suitable hiding place. He also does it with his kong and makes a right racket as he bounces it across the floor trying to get the goodies out.

 

[Sezra]

Daisy also does this with her pigs ears. She paces around (no noise though) and then hides them behind a cushion on the sofa! Unfortunately she has also done this with lamb ribs which as you can imagine are not very pleasant to discover! I now watch her like a hawk if she starts to wander off with it.

My theory, based on when she does it is that she is not hungry so is hiding/burying the food to go back to later. In the summer she did bury the bones in the garden. I guess it is an instinct still in them from being wild? Either that or it is a bad doggy joke to make you jump during the X factor when you discover a pigs ear jabbing you in the bottom!

 

[M&M's mummy]

My personal theory is the whining is part excitement as he has his "prey" and that he is restricted in where he can bury it.

As for why they bury it:

Well anyone who is a member of our cockapoo-owners-club or a visitor can read my article on

Why does my cockapoo ?.............

 

[Sezra]

Just to update - I let Daisy out for her last wee at 11pm. She was taking a while but I thought, I wont interrupt her ....next minute in she trots with a mud covered lamb bone! She must have fancied a late night snack! sadly her for her I removed it and popped her into bed. I am sure she was very disappointed...what a mean Mummy!

 

[marzy]

shame !!!
how do they remember where they hid them?
I can never remember what I did just now .... let alone where I put things lol
marzy xx

 

[Lozza]

So I think we are all in agreement then...its frustration about hiding the chew because he wants to save it for later. I am sure if he was outside he would have dug a hole and buried it. Thanks all for your replies

 

[flounder_1]

Lolly does this but only when she is nearly at the end of her chew! It's quite funny. As if she's really sad it's nearly all gone! She brings it to us as if to say 'Please sir, Can I have some more!!!' lol

 

[Casey11]

Monty does that too! He always looks so desperate to hide it it somewhere, im not sure why as we have never taken it off him. Instinct i guess! I thought it was because he was teething at first, so glad other people have experienced this too! Puts my mind at rest