How Dogs Became Man's Best Friend Video

The National Geographic News ^ | 1-25-07

[afraidfortherepublic]

http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2007/01/070125-dogs-video.html

RELATED Video: Working Dogs Go Beyond "Man's Best Friend" Video: Dog Whisperer Tackles Pit Bull Terror Dogs: Photos, Video, Audio, and More

January 25, 2007—Though they come in many different sizes and temperaments, all domesticated dogs living today are descended from just a few wild wolves that roamed Asia some 15,000 years ago.

But why, out of all of the animals that humans have domesticated, have dogs become so close to their owners?

Join an anthropologist as he conducts experiments on both wild dogs and down-home pups to figure out why dogs are so good at communicating with humans.

Video by "Wild Chronicles," airing on PBS, made possible by National Geographic Mission Programs and WWF and presented by WLIW New York

[afraidfortherepublic]

Click on the the link in red under the title for the video.

Doggie Ping?

[flashbunny]

[tet68]

The only reason we exist is that paws can't open cans.

[RedStateRocker]

"But why, out of all of the animals that humans have domesticated, have dogs become so close to their owners? "

Can't view videos at work, but the answer is pretty darned simple: Both are hierarchical pack animals. A dog is perfectly happy with a human as pack leader. The most a cat, horse, or cow will do is to accept a human as another member of the same species, albeit a strange looking one.

[divine_moment_of_facts]

This is our dogs great, great, great, great Uncle... Ulysses "Ben" Grant! Hehe...

[word_warrior_bob]

Yup and the more you show them you're the pack leader, the more they respect AND love you.

This little guy is going to be very happy.

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/1773155/posts

[higgmeister]

But you haven't lived until you've experianced a cow licking sweetfeed from your palm. Brings a smile to my face every time!

[Deaf Smith]

Then while you are preoccupied, another cow comes up behind you and blows snot on the back of your shirt/coat/jeans.

[Calpernia]

Working dogs are my favorite. But I LOVE watching this video

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mu7R4NtpgyM

[oldenuff2no]

The dogie whisperer is a joke. He is an OK trainer but his knowledge is limited to certain situations.
He has no knowledge of working dogs and how they react or are trained in working situations. As long as he is in central park talking to some over zealous PETA pet Nazi who baby talks and wipes their pits butt he is fine. Put him in the real world with military working dogs, coon hound, bear hounds, or cat hounds on the run and this guy will look like th idiot he is. A good working border collie would demonstrate their superior intelligence. I know several dogs who are smarter about people than he is about dogs.

[ConservativeMan55]

bttt

[passionfruit]

"The only reason we exist is that paws can't open cans."

There's more to it than that. My truck has a manual transmission and the dog can only drive an automatic.

[river rat]

AMEN!

I've known LOTS of dogs - that are more intelligent, self sufficient, hard working, reliable, trustworthy and capable of surviving by their own wits --- than most of the folks here in Kalifornicate -- and almost every politician and lawyer.

Also - when I heard that Islamists regard dogs as "unclean" and unwelcome in their homes ---- that sealed the deal as their's being a lunatic and backward cult...

Semper Fi

[Dog]

I can to open cans...

[PzLdr]

Dogs share your life. Cats share space.

[HairOfTheDog]

Put him in the real world with military working dogs, coon hound, bear hounds, or cat hounds on the run and this guy will look like th idiot he is.

That's a little harsh. Those aren't the real world, those are specialties. I'd argue that the real world is the one he does his show in, where most pets are spoiled and most owners don't know how to fix it. While I'm skeptical that some of those dogs and owners are really fixed when he leaves, I certainly am impressed that he himself is a Dog God. I've known one other Dog God in real life, and he trained police dogs. Some people just have a way.

[HairOfTheDog]

Ping!

Other articles with keyword "DOGGIEPING" since 12/29/04

[solosmoke]

He himself says he doesn't train dogs. He trains idiot owners so they can train their dogs. He simply shows them how to be boss, and how to react in the way a dog will understand. This is not a quick fix. The only way the dogs he sees will continue behaving is if their owners continue consistent training.

[goodnesswins]

Ha....kinda like raising good children.