What everyone has answered is on the mark, but I would like to add that Lennie knows in some sense that what he did was wrong. He's not keeping it because he's sensitive - he's keeping the dead puppy hidden, because - like a child - he is avoiding the consequence of getting in trouble. He knows that he will be punished and his punishment is possibly, "no more soft things to pet, " especially having those rabbits on their dream farm.
Does Lennie understand what he has done? Well, as a child, he does to some extent. He did a "bad thing." However, he truly does not comprehend that he has taken a life away from a living entity. Since he has killed mice in the past, his punishment was a chastising and the dead mouse taken away. He is eventually given a new one.
When he kills the puppy, unconsciously, he believes he will get yelled at again and maybe, given a new one in the future.
It is typical of his character. He does not know his own strength nor the severity of his actions. It is unfortunate, because it leads to the death of Curly's wife.
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