Why do dogs........

Here is a question I have always wondered about, but had not thought of for quite awhile until today when I gave my dog a bone:

This afternoon I gave my dog Scout a bone, and she ran outside imediately and buried it in the backyard.
Why do dogs do that? Are they saving it for later? I have not yet seen her dig one up and do anything with it- maybe she has, but I have not seen it.
Do dogs in the wild do that? Is it somehow connected to that instinct? Why wouldn't they want to enjoy chewing a bone at the moment, rather than later? Are they hiding it from something?

I know its not a really big important quetion, but I am just curious........... :confused:

I am so dying to know that too!!! I'm gald you brought it up!!! :) Duncan buries toys and bones, sometimes on the sofa under the bed, wherever he can find. He has a few favorite spots! Some dogs do this and others do not I've noticed! Some dogs never bury things at all>!! We'll have to compare all the dogs that do it and see if maybe they all have something in common?

Doing a comparison is a great idea!

On another note: you mentioned your dog burying his toys inside the house. I am wondering now about that. There are a few toys I have not found of hers (I know they are not outside). One of them is her KONG that was stuffed with treats and peanut butter.... :rolleyes:

Buffy did that this morning. I was hand-feeding her some chicken nuggets and every once in a while she would STORM to the room and hide a piece under the bed. She doesn't do that with her regular food, just when I hand-feed her something. :confused: Carrie, we need your expertise here!