Though dogs tend to have their own distinct personalities, there are certain behaviors that transcend breed, size, and age. These include things like licking their paws, drooling, and treating postal workers like their sworn enemies. Another one you might have noticed is that when your dog gets some sort of food—whether it’s the usual kibble from his bowl or his favorite treat—he puts it in his mouth and walks it over to another location in order to eat it. Maybe your house has all hardwood floors, and your dog picks the sole area rug as his preferred dining spot. Maybe your dog likes to bring his food to a “secret” location so he can have a peaceful, quiet meal after a hard day of napping. Either way, there’s a reason this is happening. Here’s what you need to know.
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What’s behind this behavior?
As it turns out, there are a variety of reasons that could explain this type of dog behavior. The first is that it’s thought to be rooted in dogs’ wolf ancestry. “Although our bed-loving, spoiled pups are distant relatives to their wild wolf counterparts, they still have some of their behaviors ingrained in their DNA,” Tory Waxman, VMD, cofounder and chief veterinary officer of Sundays, tells Reader’s Digest. “When wolves eat their prey, they will often bite off chunks and carry them off to be eaten at a distance to prevent their portion from being stolen by another wolf or having to fight over it. In addition, wolves—and dogs—may do this to stash food for later if they are not hungry when food is available.” This fear and need to protect are also among the reasons behind your dog’s other weird behavior.
In other words, some dogs may do this as a safety precaution, according to Gary Richter, DVM, a veterinary health expert with Rover.com. “Even though a domestic dog may not be in danger when eating, it may be the instincts override everything else,” he tells Reader’s Digest. So, wherever your dog ends up taking his food in the house—whether it’s his bed or a particular corner—it’s where he feels safest, explains Sara Ochoa, DVM, a veterinary consultant for DogLab. Along the same lines, adds Heather Venkat, DVM, a consultant with VIP Puppies, dogs also like to chew on treats or toys from a comfortable spot, so they may go to their dog bed or a rug to eat the treat. Other than their need to be constantly comfortable, here are 30 other things your dog wishes you knew.
Is your dog trying to tell you something?
Other factors can come into play, too. For example, your dog might bring his food to another location to eat it because he doesn’t like his food bowl. “Make sure the dish you’re using is clean for each meal and doesn’t slide around while the dog is trying to eat,” advises Annie Valuska, PhD, a senior feeding behavior expert at Purina. “Is the dog’s collar making a loud noise when it hits the bowl? That could be another culprit.”
If the bowl itself isn’t the issue, Valuska says it could be the location of the bowl. “Pay attention to how the location where you’re currently feeding your dog differs from the location your dog is choosing to eat,” she says. “Are they getting closer to or farther from the rest of the family? Other dogs? Are they switching from a slippery surface like tile to a more stable surface like carpet?” Here are another 19 things your dog wants from you.
Are certain breeds more likely to do this?
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