HISTORY OF DOGS AND HUMANS

Before we go to the question of why adopting, let's take a look at the history of dogs and humans. The bond between dogs and humans dates back to 40,000 years ago. Genetic studies undertaken during the 2010s have discovered that dogs diverged from an extinct wolf-like canid which has been selectively bred by humans for millennia for various behaviors, sensory capabilities, and physical attributes. Dogs, being the oldest domesticated animals for the past 33,000 years, they have been attuned to human behavior.* (Wikipedia)

As a domesticated animal, they perform many roles for people, such as hunting, herding, protection, assisting police and military, companionship and aiding handicapped individuals. According to the American Veterinary Medical Association, the human–canine bond is influenced by emotional, psychological, and physical interactions that are essential to the health and well-being of both people and dogs. So dogs help us to stay healthy. But do we always do the same in return?

As a passionate dog lover, you will probably make sure that your dog as a family member will get the best treatment and will be an integrated part of your family. But unfortunately not everybody is a responsible dog owner. Especially when dogs are used for the sole purpose of protection, they often end up at the end of a chain outside of a property they are supposed to guard for their entire life. They are deprived of frequent human contact.  But dogs thrive on human contact, so those dogs on a chain often end up spending their entire life in a miserable state in front of a property and due to that ordeal in some cases become aggressive. A recent scientific study has shown that certain experiences throughout the dog’s life trigger a certain behavior, rather than breed. In other words, rarely a dog ever is born aggressive. Bad experiences and abuse may trigger aggressive behavior in some cases. However, humans can also reverse those effects if dogs get access to professional training.