Human beings and domesticated dogs have a special bond and relationship that has existed over the years. Their unique chemistry can be traced back thousands of years back to approximately 15,000 years ago. The human-dog relationship has evolved over the years, and their co-existence bond and way of living are surprising. In countries such as the United States of America, almost 48% of the total households have a dog pet (Brulliard and Clement, 1). The human-dog relationship is purely symbiotic as both derive several benefits like companionship from each other. This paper will explore the human-dog relationship, how it was developed, the factors sustaining the relationship, the science and history behind the dog-human relationship and the balance in this relationship.
Definition and Description of Human-Dog Relationship
The human-dog relationship is purely symbiotic as they wholly depend on one another for companionship. The relationship between dog and human beings can be traced back to approximately 15,000 years ago. This is evident from the Bonn-Oberkassel dog, which was found to be buried between two human beings. In countries like the United States of America, more than 48% of the total households have dog pets (Brulliard and Clement, 1). Over the years, dogs have been described as the ‘human best friend’. Dogs offer great companionship and loyalty to their human owners. The special bond between human beings and dogs is evident in most homes that have domesticated dogs for various reasons. Dogs are social animals, just like human beings. Dogs thrive off of the attention and the affection which they receive from human beings. These kinds of interactions make them the best candidates for the ‘best friends’ to human beings.
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It is quite interesting to note that most children and adult human beings as well have and adore the cordial relationship with the dogs. Dogs are much more than a normal pet to human beings. Dogs are known to be very kind, loyal and very understanding (Taylor, 1). Also, they have an indomitable spirit in their interactions with human beings. For instance, dogs greet us happily when we come back home from work. They will happily wag their tails and give us a very playful grin as a way of communicating to us. Dogs help human beings in various day to day tasks. Excellent examples of these include offering companionship and giving support to people living with specific disabilities. From the 16th century, dogs are known to be service-helpers, especially to blind people. Dogs have also proven to be very helpful in saving lives and in the prevention of crimes. For instance, the German shepherds serve as the canine police, mostly used in drug-sniffing. To top it all, dogs increase the opportunities for the health-beneficial socializations in and among human beings. Tus, the human-dog relationship is symbiotic and beneficial to them both.
Why Human-Dog Relationship Developed
Human beings and dogs share a special kind of chemistry which can be traced many years back in history. Their relationship has developed and evolved from different angles, and the results are evident in human-dog relationships today. Most domesticated dogs in most homesteads across the world descended from the wolves, which are characterized by human behavior. Dogs have intriguing parallels with human beings as they are a social unit. That is, they are territorial, hunt cooperatively, emotionally bonded with other members of the pack. It is important to note that the social adaptations of the dogs are similar to those of human beings (Dotson and Eva, 460). This means they can live happily surrounded by human beings, and the vice versa applies. These similar traits make it easier to bond and develop a long-lasting relationship with human beings for the benefits they can derive from each other.
Further, most human beings view their dogs as family members, which reflects the social compatibility between the two. For instance, dogs are very attentive to their masters. They have the abilities to determine what their owners are likely to do and their schedules. Dogs are astute readers of the human body language. Dogs are attuned to the emotional state of their owners. They quickly express their contrition whenever they are annoyed by their owners. Dotson and Eva (462) note that their ability to express their affections and show unconditional love to their owners enhances the development of a long-lasting relationship with human beings. Thus, the relationship and the bond between human beings and dogs developed from the mutual benefits which both can derive from each other. As a social unit, it is evident that both depend on one another for their survival and emotional well-being. This kind of relationship is paramount and beneficial to both dogs and human beings, as discussed above.
Factors that Sustain Human-Dog Relationship
Several factors sustain the relationship between human beings and dogs. To start with, dogs and human beings are social creatures/beings. Just like human beings, dogs are extremely territorial and very protective of human beings against enemies. Both great each other emotionally after days or weeks of separation. Their ability displays negative emotions when they are hurt enable them to co-exist peacefully and happily. Human beings and dogs must understand their behaviors, tendencies and emotions for them to co-exist peacefully. Secondly, human beings can live with dogs as part of their families. Dogs’ abilities to express emotions and show unconditional love helps human beings to see them as parts of their families (Kluger, 1). Both tend to benefit from bonding activities such as taking walks together. Such activities increase their closeness as members of one happy family. Thirdly, dogs and human beings are mentally attuned to each other. The dog’s ability to show attentiveness to human being’s emotions increases their bond as they can lean on each other when sad or hurt. Dogs’ ability to interpret the emotions of human beings and respond to them appropriately enhances their companionship with human beings. Dogs’ ability to react to these emotions plays an essential role in sustaining the human-dog relationship.
Further, dogs and human beings share a symbiotic relationship (Kluger, 1). Both have developed close domestic ties, where mutual benefits are derived from each other. The symbiotic relationship is evident in various ways. Dogs act as cooperative guards who protect human beings against enemies and dangers. In return, human beings provide them with love, food and companionship. Additionally, dogs secrete similar love hormone to that of human beings. Both secrete oxytocin which makes them both crave for companionship. However, this is dependent on the emotional and physical closeness between human beings and dogs. For these reasons, human beings consider dogs as members of their families, and the above-discussed factors sustain their relationship.
Science Behind Human-Dog Relationship
Science can be used to explain why dogs are considered to be human ‘best friend’. The relationship between human beings and dogs can be dated back when human beings were nomadic hunters and their interactions with wolves. Scientists argued approximately 30,000 years ago; human beings made interactions with wolves which paved the way for their interspecific companionship. Evidence indicates that human beings domesticated dogs twice in the history of evolution. Researchers from the University of Oxford made a discovery that humans can easily domesticate dogs from their interactions with human beings (Miller, 1). Science shows that both human beings and dogs are social creatures. Thus, their partnerships are considered mutually beneficial. Dogs are known to offer companionship and protect their owners against enemies. On the other hand, human beings provide food and care to dogs. Therefore, this symbiotic relationship between the two is mutually beneficial.
Dogs can easily understand human speech. Most dogs understand what their owners say primarily if the conversation features good words of praise. Dogs can process what we say and how it is communicated in a similar way in which the human brain processes the same. Through this, dogs can respond appropriately. Dogs bonding with human beings is further enhanced by the dog’s ability to make and maintain eye contacts. The mutual gazing between dogs and human beings creates bonds, whereby oxytocin hormone is generated. Oxytocin is the love hormone that stimulates the feeling of love. This concept can be used to explain why human beings cuddle and snuggle with their domesticated dogs for companionship.
Additionally, dogs can distinguish the friends and enemies of the owners just like human beings (Miller, 1). For this reason, dogs can sense danger and protect their owners against their enemies. The play between human and dogs can be described as a ‘unique interspecific interaction’. Through routine activities like walking in the parks or playing, both the dog and human beings display their emotions, and each of them responds appropriately. Thus, the above scientific facts as discussed provide the evidence behind the human-dog relationship.
History Behind Human-Dog Relationship
The relationship between human beings and dogs started 33,000 years ago. Human beings and wolves hunted together, being social creatures. This alliance enabled them to survive upon the human being’s migration to Europe; human beings partnered with wolves (Chang, 1). The wolves chased away the big animals as human beings used their weapons to kill them for food. The wolf-human partnership created modern human-dog relationships. Approximately 200 years ago, human beings started warming up for domesticated dogs (Taylor, 1). Dog domestication was triggered and facilitated by the explosion of the pet shops, their supplies and foods. Approximately 100 years ago, the adoption of purebreds became the norm as most veterinary officers started to specialize in small breeds and species.
Boris Levinson was the first person to discover the human-dog bonding, especially in assisted therapy. Levinson found that children who displayed withdrawal and uncommunicative features would easily and freely interact with dog pets during their therapy sessions (Taylor, 1). His discovery was strengthened by Elizabeth Corson research that evaluated pet-facilitated therapy. Since the 1980s, the media coverage has spurred the use of dogs in therapy programs and the positive impacts related to it. Today, approximately 60% of the Americans own pets (Miller, 1). Dogs have been tied to the evolution of human beings, especially when it comes to dogs defending the small children. Dogs play an important role in changing human nature, especially in the emotional life and, the individuals’ responsibility. The human being relationship with dogs as pets today has become deep. Most dog owners consider the dogs as part members of their families. They feed, love and care for these dogs just like any of their family members.
Balance in Human-Dog Relationship
As noted above in the discussion, the human-dog relationship is symbiotic and mutually beneficial. Human beings depend on human nature for companionship and protection. Dogs provide a good source of company whether it is taking walks together or cuddling after a long day at work. Also, dogs can sense and identify enemies of their owners and protect them appropriately. On the other hand, dogs depend on human beings for love, food and care. Most domesticated dogs enjoy the love and attention they receive from their owners. Thus, I believe that the human-dog relationship is neutral and reciprocal and they both depend and derive mutual benefits from one another. This is a balanced relationship where companionship and emotional stability are the key benefits (Rebolini, 1). Therefore, both human beings and dogs need to understand their roles and support one another efficiently. Through this, the symbiotic relationship will be and continue to be beneficial to both the dogs and human beings in this journey of life.
Conclusion
The human-dog relationship has evolved over the years to become one of the best ‘mutually beneficial’ relationships ever. Human beings depend and invest in their dog’s pets for companionship and protection. Dogs are known to be human beings ‘best friend’ from the way they interact with humans. Their symbiotic relationships explain why both depend on each other—dogs’ ability to understand human being’s emotions and respond to them appropriately. History and science have proven that for years, human beings and dogs have continued to depend on each other for survival. Therefore, their relationship is balanced, as it is reciprocal and neutral.
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