Out of curiosity, I always wanted to know why a breed like Chihuahua is somehow fond of burying stuff. I kept looking for an answer but my luck hardly favored me. Afterward, I thought to do some research to find a valid answer for me as well as for you.
So, why does your Chihuahua bury things? Chihuahuas have sometimes seen hiding objects when they are happy or when they feel some serious health problems. Though burying is not harmful, it can be a sign of discomfort. You need to be careful because they may get triggered quickly and cause self-harm which may lead to a quick visit to your vet.
You will be glad to know that I have come up with 10 interesting facts about the habit of burying stuff of your little fur baby. Some of them are really interesting and some are really alarming for your little dog.
As per my research, there are few solutions to your problem and you can try them all. I believe if you read my entire article then you will get away to overcome your problem and it will save your time too.
Please read this article for the betterment of your Chihuahua who might be suffering from pain which it cannot say verbally but shows through the action of digging randomly.
Related Reading: Why Do Beagles Bury Things?
Do Chihuahuas Like To Hide Everything?
A Chihuahua is a dog of smaller size but it will drive you crazy hiding anything it likes. Mostly, it likes to hide stuff out of natural instinct, and sometimes the reason may have underlying stress too. If off-limits objects continue to vanish, hiding patterns can become a challenge for you.
Anyway, you can maintain your chihuahua’s habit through lots of training and positive reinforcement. Yet at the end of the day love your little puppy and make it feel comfortable with a little digging sometimes.
Related Reading: Why Do Border Collies Hide Themselves?
10 Possible Reasons: Why Does Your Chihuahua Bury Everything?
Hiding stuff is the best thing your Chihuahua will do perfectly. Sometimes you will find its toys are missing and someday you may find some of your stuff is missing. These can happen for many reasons but 10 of them are discussed below.
#1 Chihuahua’s Natural Instinct?
Burying precious objects is an instinctive symbol of your Chihuahua’s wild ancestors’ survival skills. Just like wolves, coyotes, and foxes, your little pup never knows when its next meal will arrive. But if your dog has any extra meat it will hide the food in the cold dirt to keep it safe from scavengers.
So, if you ever find your Chihuahua hiding anything then let it do so as this makes your dog happy.
#2 Your Chihuahua is saving up for later
Your Chihuahua is capable of burying everything they think is precious, even food. This is due to their innate desire to safeguard and preserve precious items. In past, food wasn’t really easy to come by, but Chihuahua’s would bury some leftovers in the dirt nearby.
Even if your dog would never go hungry, and even if you’ve been feeding them every day for years, it doesn’t take away their innate need to save for their potential needs.
#3 Your Chihuahua is underlying health issues
Hiding isn’t necessarily a habit for your Chihuahua; rather it’s possible that the pattern is a symptom of a health problem. Your little friend may have some internal discomfort or pain that bounds your dog to do random digging and hiding.
Your Chihuahua Puppy Is Dealing With Teething
If your little pup collects a large number of items, they may decide to hide them for chewing later. If your puppy is hiding items to chew as it is teething, then you can benefit by purchasing high-quality teething toys and scattering them around the home.
As a result, you’ll be delighted to see your Chihuahua collect the toys and store them as teething toys.
#4 Your Chihuahua is Seeking Your Attention
When your Chihuahua steals and buries family members’ belongings, such as sneakers and tv remotes, are most likely attempting to get more attention. Our perceptive dogs soon learn that negative attention is preferable to no attention at all, and they, like humans, can act out when ignored.
If your dog is acting restless and wants more focus, the solution may be as easy as scheduling 20 minutes per day to play one-on-one or go for a walk together. If you chase after your puppy any time they take your footwear, they’ll learn that taking your shoe equals a lot of love.
#5 Your Chihuahua is showing some Possessiveness
Sometimes your Chihuahua dog is clearly more possessive than others, especially if it lives in a household with many pets. It may want to bury its precious belongings in your garden, tangled in your bed’s covers, or in the crevices of your sofa.
As previously said, this may be a sign of anxiety. You should consult a dog trainer to know whether your dog is too stressed or became fiercely possessive for its belongings to the point of resource guarding.
Related Reading: Why Do Huskies Bury Their Things?
#6 You are giving them too much (food, treats, etc)
If you find your Chihuahua hiding food and treats for no reason might be a sign that you’re overdoing it on the diet and treats. This behavior of your dog indicates that it has more food than they need and will save it for later.
Your little puppy might also want to bury foods that are too delicious to eat all at once, and they want to preserve them so they can enjoy them again later. So, whenever you feed your furbaby try not to give unnecessary treats as this can put a bad impact on your Chihuahua.
#7 Your Chihuahua thinks it is a game
It’s not unusual for your Chihuahua to bury objects to get you to “play” with them whether he or she is bored, sad, or really needs your love.
These stolen goods are often gleaming items like jewels or watches, as well as artifacts they know are “valuable” to you, such as sneakers or TV remotes. So, give your dog lots of time and play with it every day.
#8 Your Chihuahua is dealing with Boredom
When you are having a busy schedule then it becomes tough for you to manage some playtime for your Chihuahua. As a result, your dog feels bored and tries to figure out a way to get rid of its boredom. To bring some spice to its habits, your dog will play the fun game of stealing a television remote and burying it at random places.
You may not find your stuff in the correct place but relax because your little puppy was having some fun time with your belongings in your absence.
Symptoms Of Boredoms In your Chihuahua:
- You may find your Chihuahua destroying or damaging Furniture.
- Sometimes you will find your dog digging ground repetitively.
- Overeating or Begging
- Your little furbaby will be found eliminating around the house and isolating itself.
- Excessive sleeping will be visible if your dog gets bored
- For no reason, your Chihuahua may be found fighting with other pets
#9 Your Chihuahua is dealing with Anxiety
Owing to traumatic experiences in the past, your Chihuahua can bury food and treats. Your dog will be fearful of losing their toys, bones, and treats, preferring to bury them in a safe, hidden place.
Since digging is a self-soothing activity, some nervous dogs can bury objects to relax. When your dog knows he or she is healthy and will be fed on a regular basis, burying behavior will go away on its own. If not, see the veterinarian for assistance.
Symptoms of Anxiety In Your Chihuahua:
- Your Chihuahua may be found barking or howling when you are not at home.
- Sometimes your dog will run away or cower in the corner of a house.
- Your Chihuahua may keep digging to relax.
- Sometimes your puppy may self-harm, including excessive licking or chewing.
#10 Your Chihuahua is dealing with Nausea / Inappetance
Chihuahuas are very popular for hiding objects but sometimes your dog may be dealing with nausea for which it buries all its food in the open air. Usually, your little puppy attempts to push the bowl away with its nose or brush it with mud.
If your dog is unexpectedly repelled by its diet and shows other unusual signs then it’s time for a vet visit. However, just because your Chihuahua is “air burying” food doesn’t mean it’s time to rush to the vet rather it means it is being picky about its food.
Symptoms of Nausea/Inappetence In Your Chihuahua:
- If you see lesions in the oral cavity or swelling around the face or jaw of your puppy then you need to visit a vet.
- Vomiting is one of the signs for your dog which means it is dealing with nausea.
- If your dog is having abnormal stool or Diarrhea then you can consider this as a sign of nausea
- Audible gut sounds and abdominal pain can be a sign of nausea too.
- If your little Chihuahua is losing weight gradually then this becomes a matter of concern and you should immediately see a vet.
Read: 33 Reasons Why Dogs Eat Poop?
Why Do Chihuahuas Bury Their Foods And Treats?
Your dog’s instinctive way of ensuring that she has a meal available is by hiding food. Food, chew bones, toys, and prey are all buried by dogs. This behavior was once crucial to the survival of dogs’ wild ancestors because it helped them to hide food and return later to eat it.
In a modern household, your dog is unlikely to go hungry, because all those stashed foods will spoil in whatever place your pet has concealed them. On the other hand, your Chihuahua keeps its most cherished possession hidden and keeps it protected and stable.
How To Stop Your Chihuahua From Stealing Food
- You need to remove the excess food as this is the best way to deal with your dog by preventing it from hiding food in the first place.
- You need to keep your dog well fed and thus it will not need to store excess food.
- You should train your puppy to eat from its own bowl.
Why Do Chihuahuas Bury Their Toys?
You love your Chihuahua and obviously want to buy lots of toys for your little furbaby but do you ever realize how your dog will react to this. When there are more toys, your dog will choose to guard them evermore to preserve their growing collection.
They can be confused, resulting in compulsive burying. Sometimes, your dog will get lonely if it doesn’t have anything to fill their minds. Obsessive burying maybe your dog’s way of releasing pent-up energy, particularly if you’re staying home too frequently due to COVID-19.
How to Stop Chihuahuas from Burying Toys
- Provide scheduled walks, playtime, and other suitable ways for your dog’s resources to reduce the burying behavior.
- When you’re not around, leave fun toys out for your dog to play with.
- You can also transform habitual burying into a friendly indoor game that you and your dog can play a few days during the week.
- If your dog is lonely and burying your belongings or toys, try to call it by name in a cheerful tone and divert it towards other activities.
- Finally, restrict the dog’s proximity to his or her toys so that they can be involved in the toys you leave out for them
Related Reading: Why Do Border Collies Bury Their Toys?
Why Do Chihuahuas Bury Themselves?
Chihuahuas, like their distant relative dog, burrow for safety and shelter. They became prey for predators as small animals. It was important to understand how to conceal from larger predators.
They couldn’t sleep in the open because it was too dangerous, so they dug a hole. Sometimes, your little furbaby may be dealing with cold weather and for that, it hides itself to keep warm.
How To Stop Your Chihuahua From Burying Themselves
At the very beginning, make your chihuahua comfortable in your house and ensure that nothing is here to hurt it. You can even keep it closer to you where it can feel secure.
If your chihuahua is feeling cold and shivering then cuddle it properly so that it does not need to hide under a blanket or bury itself.
Why Do Chihuahuas Bury Their Heads?
Sometimes you may find your Chihuahua hiding its head under a blanket or on a couch. There can be many reasons for this and some are to release anxiety, to keep themselves warm, or to have discovered that the action is rewarded.
It’s possible that your dog is doing it for a variety of reasons, or a mixture of them at a time. Try to keep your dog feel secure even in your absence.
How To Stop Your Chihuahua From Burying Heads:
First of all, you need to cool down your Chihuahua to understand the exact reason for hiding its head. If it is due to cold weather then create a warm space for your dog. You can distract their mind with other activities like fetch a ball or run around the house.
Why Do Chihuahuas Bury Their Puppy?
To shield their puppies from predators, Chihuahuas cover them. If the bed is where your dog gave birth, she is attempting to tear it apart in order to remove the smell of blood that will alert predators to the presence of a frail new mother and her vulnerable infants.
How to Stop Chihuahua From Burying Their Puppy?
You will assist your Chihuahua by ensuring that it has a peaceful environment in which it can raise pups.
Moreover, you can immediately remove or change its bedding so that it does not feel the need to tear it into pieces. Lastly, bring your Chihuahua to a comfortable place where they will feel safe and will avoid burying its puppies.
Why Do Chihuahuas Bury Their Nose?
Burying the nose may be an unusual activity for your Chihuahua but if it does so then this can lead to few reasons like likings towards a particular smell, feeling cold, or imitating your sleeping position.
Sometimes your little furbaby may like some particular smell and if it enjoys the scent then it will bury its nose there. But if your dog feels cold then let your dog be in its comfort zone.
How To Stop Your Chihuahua From Burying Nose
If you cuddle your Chihuahua while it is hiding its nose, then it will get irritated. So, if you want to stop your Chihuahua from burning its nose then you can make it do something else like play with moving toys or fetch a ball.
Moreover, if you think your dog is liking to be in that position then let it be like that.
Tips To Stop Your Chihuahuas From Burying Everything?
- Teaching dogs the proper way to play from the start and keep limited access to off-limits things.
- Show your dog the “offer” signal so that he knows to return the toys after playtime is over and reward them for returning the toys.
- Teach the dog to place his or her toys in a certain location of the house.
- Letting your dog learn new tricks is a perfect way to communicate with him while still teaching him good play skills.
Read: How To Calm Your Hyperactive Dog?
Chihuahua’s Behavior Related Questions:
Why Does Your Chihuahua Hide Under The Bed?
Many dogs like to hide under beds, tables, and other pieces of furniture. Fear, illness, or a simple desire for privacy may cause your Chihuahua to hide underthings.
If your dog begins to hide where it never did before, it could indicate that something is wrong. Dogs hide under the bed because it is a cozy place for them to rest and sleep. Tiny, enclosed spaces make your dog feel comfortable and allow it to rest more easily.
Why Does Your Chihuahua Hide Under Blankets?
Chihuahuas are social animals and like being seen, but they often resist this by burrowing under blankets. In fact, all dogs are classified as “denying” species, which means they have a natural instinct to hide, sleep, and rest in small spaces that are safe.
So, if you see your little puppy hiding under a blanket then don’t worry and let it relax for a while.
Over To You
I hope you got a lot of useful information from this article that will help you to take proper care of your Chihuahua. Yet, I would love to know which part was helpful for you the most. If you knew some of these facts before then let us know what those facts are.
I went through a lot of research yet if I have missed any fact that you are well aware of please do mention that in the comment section. Remember, the comment section is always yours and you can share your feedback there too. Share this article with your friends who own a Chihuahua too.
The more you share the more you get a chance to help others to take care of their little ones. Feel free to ask any question and I will try to get back to you with a proper answer as soon as possible.
Further Readings:
How to Prevent Your Chihuahua from Behaving Badly
Related Topics:
1. Why Do Border Collies Lick Themselves?
2. Why Does My Dog Lean On Me?
3. When Your Puppy Won’t Eat?
