CANINE CONNECTION: Why Is The Dog Human Bond So Strong? Wolves to Dogs

The dog human bond.

Why is the dog human bond so strong?

CANINE CONNECTION: Why Is The Dog-Human Bond So Strong? Wolves to Dogs

One of my most popular posts is “DOG INTELLIGENCE: Most Intelligent Dog Breed List.”

It was an article that gathered together years of my interests and research. While also being deeply personal.

In it, I mentioned “The oldest known domestic dog (a complete well-preserved skull) was discovered in the Razboinichya Cave in the Altai Mountains of modern Siberia.”

Explained the scholarly carbon-dating and DNA testing involved.

And concluded “With the discovery that dogs were Humankind’s companions thousands upon thousands of years earlier than we had believed, I really like the idea that Wolves adopted Humans, teaching our primate ancestors such un-primate traits as pack loyalty, the role of involved fatherhood and pair-bonding — mating for life.”

It was a comment that got emails. Some folks were angry. (It’s an angry world out there now, eh?) Some folks thought it was a joke. (Which it was — at first.) Some were intrigued by the possibilities…

We’ve always had a fascinating relationship with dogs (and wolves). That deep Dog Human bond.

Here is a Guest Blog from researcher Kanishkm that looks at our Dog Human Bond.

“The Remarkable Bond Between Humans and Dogs: A Tale of Interspecies Communication” by Kanishkm

Understanding the unique bond between humans and dogs is a fascinating one. It’s a journey into the world of interspecies communication. Dogs have an uncanny ability to interpret human social cues. Which sets them apart from other animals. Including those closely related to us, like chimpanzees. This exceptional trait has allowed dogs to become not just pets, but integral parts of human families and societies.

The Evolution of Canine Companionship: Dog Human bond

Long before dogs became our loyal companions, they were wild wolves. Competing with early humans for resources. It’s hard to imagine that these ancestors of our furry friends might have once seen us as prey. Yet, over thousands of years, a remarkable transformation occurred. The ferocious wolves of the past evolved into the affectionate dogs we know today. This evolution raises a compelling question: how did such a profound change in the relationship between humans and canines come about?

The Science of Human & Dog Interaction

Dogs are generally known for their gentle nature. Barring instances where they’ve been trained for aggression or hunting, of course. But what makes them particularly suited to human companionship? A groundbreaking experiment by Dr. Brian Hare, then at Harvard University, shed light on this question. Dr. Hare’s research revealed that dogs possess an extraordinary sensitivity to human social cues. Surpassing even that of our closest evolutionary relatives, chimpanzees.

The Experiment: Understanding Social Cues

Dr. Hare’s study involved a simple yet telling experiment. He presented a dog and a chimpanzee with two inverted cups. He hid a treat under a cup without the animals seeing. Initially, both animals chose the correct cup about 50% of the time. Which is expected by laws of chance. However, when given social cues such as pointing, tapping, or gazing towards the correct cup, the dog consistently picked the right one. While the chimp’s performance barely improved.

The Implications: Dogs as Social Readers

The conclusion drawn from Dr. Hare’s experiment was clear: dogs have a unique ability to understand human social signals. A skill that chimpanzees seem to lack.

This ability to “read humans like a book” is likely a key factor in the deep bond that has formed between our two species. When one being can so accurately interpret the silent cues of another, it paves the way for a profound and lasting connection.

The Unspoken Language of Companionship

The silent communication between humans and dogs is a testament to the special relationship we share. It’s not just about the love and affection. It’s about a mutual understanding that transcends words. This connection is why dogs are often used in therapeutic settings. Such as emotional support animals. Or in search and rescue operations. Their ability to read human emotions and intentions can have life-saving implications.

The Dog Human Bond: Dog and Human relationship facts:

According to a survey by the American Pet Products Association, 63.4 million American households own a dog, highlighting the popularity of canines as companions.
Research published in the journal Science suggests that dogs can understand human intentions, an ability that may have helped them become domesticated.
A study in Frontiers in Psychology found that dogs can discriminate between happy and angry human expressions, further evidence of their attuned social reading skills.
Cited in the article “How Many Words Can a Dog Learn?” published in ScienceDirect: Applied Animal Behaviour Science: “We developed a detailed inventory of words dogs reportedly respond to consistently. According to owners, dogs responded to a mean of 89 words (range 15–215).”

In conclusion, the Dog Human bond is a remarkable interplay of evolution, behavior, understanding and emotion.

It’s a relationship built on a foundation of silent communication and mutual understanding. A bond that continues to fascinate and delight us as we discover more about our canine friends’ abilities to understand our world. For more insights into the human-dog connection, explore the American Psychological Association’s resources on human-animal interactions:

“We address the role of the human-animal bond in empathy development, the ability to form and express attachments, reaction to grief and loss…” Human-Animal Interaction.

Thanks, Kanishkm, for this insightful look at the Dog Human Bond. – Brian.

Reader, Do You love Dog Stories?

See this story of the Wolf who rescued a Husky!

READ WOLFBLOOD — MY MOST POPULAR ANIMAL YARN: “I LOVE THE HAPPY ENDING!”

“I JUST READ WOLFBLOOD AGAIN FOR GOOD MEASURE. ONE FOR ANY WOLF LOVER. ENJOYED IT BUT WISH IT WAS A FULL LENGTH NOVEL.” – Gina Chronowicz @ginachron

“GREAT SHORT STORY! DOES REMIND ME OF CALL OF THE WILD, WHITE FANG…” – Evelyn @evelyn_m_k

A “dramatic, bighearted folk tale” in the Jack London Tradition. Story of a lone Gray Wolf and his quest for a place in the far-flung forests of the feral North. WOLFBLOOD: A Wild Wolf, A Half-Wild Husky & A Wily Old Trapper

And see my popular post: DOG INTELLIGENCE: Most Intelligent Dog Breed List – Wolves & Dogs!

For further information, see…

“The human–canine bond is rooted in the domestication of the dog, which began occurring through their long-term association with hunter-gatherers more than…” Human–canine bond.

Kanishkm has written numerous articles on understanding medical and psychological problems. This article on the deep relationship we form with dogs, the Human Dog Bond, is a compelling one. His other articles include “What Is Dyscalculia? How To Deal With This Learning Disability” and “ADHD Treatment: Medication For Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder.” Source: Free Guest Posting Articles.