The first dogs began evolving 40,000 to 14,000 years ago, when humans lived as foragers. (Some evidence suggests that this first version of domestication may have occurred multiple times around the world.) Our ancestors left garbage and waste outside of camp, and the wolves that took advantage of this predictable, energy-rich food source gained a survival edge. As a result, over generations, the animals’ attraction to humans replaced fear and aggression. This natural selection for friendliness is thought to have also caused many accidental changes—such as floppy ears, curly tails, and splotchy coats—as well as the ability to make eye contact and read human gestures in a way that wolves cannot.
— Read on www.theatlantic.com/science/archive/2024/10/service-dog-domestication-behavior/680240/
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