We adopted Gizmo from our local animal shelter.  He was listed as a 2 year old rat terrier/chihuahua mix.  Our vet said he thinks there might be some Basenji as well, especially since Gizmo doesn't bark.  He whimpers, snorts, and grunts; and will occasionally bark, but they are few and far between.

We've noticed a very strange and amusing behavior though, and I was wondering if any of you had observed it with your dogs.  We often give him small treats (sometimes dog food, sometimes people food ) and from time to time he will hide the food and cover it up with something.  For example, he seems to greatly enjoy pizza crust.  After eating the first small piece of it, he took the second small piece and nudged it into a corner and then nudged one of his toys in front of it to hide it.  We immediately retrieved it and gave it to him again, after which he hid it under a table and tried to pull the curtain in front of it.  We retrieved it a third time and gave it to him, and he hid it under a chair.

It wouldn't bother me in the least, but we live in an area prone to ants and I really don't want to leave any random food out that they might find.  He's also done this with dog biscuits (hids them in between the couch cushions) and chewy dog treats.

One other strange question - he loves apples and grapes.  He snatched an apple slice off my plate one day and ate the entire slice, then begged for more.  Same thing with grapes.  Could this be harmful to him?  I've had dogs & cats all my life, but have never had one who enjoyed fruit.

Thanks for any advice.

Fen

Here's is the link. I wanted to make sure - and I was correct - that grapes are on the list as a no-no for dogs!!!!

http://www.rat-terrier.com/Home/tabid/37/forumid/4/tpage/1/view/topic/postid/2115/Default.aspx#78595

Gizmo is a cutie! Savanna 'buries' things too! She also loves bananas and apples! Welcome to the forum.

i also have a Rattie/chihuahua mix and he doesnt hide his treats but he likes to hide his bone under the area rug. i havent tried the fruit thing yet but i will soon.

Howdy from Central Texas! Gizmo is a cutie, and the funny noises he makes may support your vet's notion there's some Basenji there. I was just reading the other day somewhere on the net how they grunt & make funny noises rather than bark.

As to hiding treats, mine too exhibited this behavior as puppies. Button would hide treats 6-7 time is very VISIBLE places, like the corner of the sofa cushion, or up on the fireplace ledge. If she saw you watching, she'd retrieve and rehide multiple times. So funny!!!

Zipper, my rescue I've had since September (1 y..o. now) dug deep along the fence line and underneath shrubs to hide her treats and rawhide sticks. Ohhhhhh how dirty they were when she'd go retrieve them and want to drag those slimy, dirty things back inside to enjoy them on my carpet! I just remodeled & don't have carpet anymore, thank goodness. They've both just about stopped the behavior, though.

Bailey's mom, Bailey look so much like my girl Doll.  How cute.lol  Monte

I forgot to say welcome to Gismo and his mom and isn't he a cutie.  Monte