Hiding treats in your bed? Understand why does my dog hide his treats!

Okay, so the other day, I noticed something super weird. My dog, Buster, a golden retriever with a love for squeaky toys, was acting all sneaky. He'd grab his favorite bone, the one I just bought him, and then he'd disappear. I found him, head buried under my comforter, tail wagging like crazy. I pulled back the covers, and there it was - his bone, nestled right in the middle of my bed!

At first, I thought it was a one-time thing. Maybe he just got confused, right? But then it happened again. And again. Every time I gave him a new treat, a chew stick, even a rawhide, he'd make a beeline for my bed and stash it.

My Investigation Begins

I started watching him more closely. I noticed a pattern. It wasn't just any spot in my bed – it was always the same general area, near my pillows. This got me thinking...what's so special about that spot?

• Could it be my scent? I mean, dogs love their owners' smell, right?
• Was it the softness of the blankets? Maybe he thought it was a good hiding place because it was all fluffy and cozy.
• Or, was he trying to "save" his treats for later, like a squirrel burying nuts?

I did a little experiment. I took one of his old, less-favored toys and placed it in a different spot on the bed. He completely ignored it. Then, I gave him a brand new dental chew. Guess where he went? Yep, straight back to his usual spot by my pillows.

So, my scent theory seemed to hold some water. I also realized that my bed is probably the most "secure" place in the house from his perspective. It's high up, it's soft, and it smells like me, his protector. He probably feels like his treasures are safest there.

It's still a bit of a mystery, but I've come to accept Buster's quirky habit. I just make sure to check my bed before I jump in, you know, just in case there's a surprise waiting for me! It's kind of cute, in a weird, dog-logic kind of way. He's basically saying, "This is my most prized possession, and I'm trusting you with it by keeping it in your den."