{"id":4280,"date":"2023-10-16T18:11:21","date_gmt":"2023-10-16T22:11:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ovrs.com\/blog\/?p=4280"},"modified":"2023-10-16T18:11:22","modified_gmt":"2023-10-16T22:11:22","slug":"how-dogs-became-mans-best-friend","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ovrs.com\/blog\/how-dogs-became-mans-best-friend\/","title":{"rendered":"How Dogs Became Man\u2019s Best Friend"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The bond between dogs and their humans<\/a> is well documented throughout history. For many generations, dogs and humans have coexisted and enhanced each other\u2019s lives. It\u2019s hard to imagine a time when the two species didn\u2019t interact at all, isn\u2019t it? <\/p>\n\n\n\n

So how exactly did canines get the moniker of (wo)man\u2019s best friend<\/em><\/strong>? Let\u2019s dive into the history of canine-human relations to find out how they went from wild animals to some of our dearest companions: <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The Start of a Beautiful Friendship <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Although it\u2019s hard to pinpoint a specific moment in history that this special relationship began to evolve into what it is today, scientists believe it started when man domesticated wolves. Many believe that packs of wolves started living closer to human settlements for easier access to food scraps. Interactions were small at first, but eventually blossomed into real relationships. Once humans started raising wolves from the time they were pups, a deeper bond<\/a> began to develop. Since canines are pack animals<\/a> that follow an unspoken hierarchy, humans easily took up the role of alpha in their newly-formed packs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Thank You, Oxytocin <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Something that dogs and humans share is the hormone oxytocin. The brain releases it to give you those warm and fuzzy feelings. It can also be used to provide a sense of calm when fear might be running rampant\u2014as it was when they started to interact. Humans and dogs both release this hormone, especially when locking eyes with each other. This biological response can create an instant bond between man and dog, and since it is formed on a chemical level, it is inherently very strong. The next time you make eye contact with your pup and feel the depth of your love<\/a> in your gut, it\u2019s real! You are having a positive hormonal response to your close relationship.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How Dog Became Man\u2019s Best Friend<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

While oxytocin might have helped to develop the relationship between man and dog, their unique ability to live and work together has strengthened it. They truly are man\u2019s best friend<\/em><\/strong>. Today, we rely on dogs for:<\/p>\n\n\n\n