by Alicia Kryklywyj

Created on: April 16, 2008

Humans and Dogs go thousands of years back. We needed the dog, and they needed us. This is how we started. Gradually man got smarter and built ways in which to live a lazier laid back life without so much work. The dog/wolf in turn was still needed but now for different purposes; enter selective breeding.

We started experimenting. We would breed based on temperaments. We wanted dogs that where not as aggressive as their wolf ancestors, and in turn we picked the more submissive ones and breed only them. We breed and breed and breed, and started to change the way the wolf looked. We did this same selective breeding with Foxes, Coyotes, Dingo's, you name it. We selectively breed then mixed and matched till suddenly we created what the dog is today. We have many breeds in which to pick from. Dogs have truly evolved from what they once where. For these reasons I ask this question: why has our thinking not evolved?

We have changed the dogs habitat greatly. We have changed their biological make-up. They are no longer what they once where. They have adapted to living with us. They have learned how to read us and work with us. Is it fair that we start to banish them to the backyard now because we do not have the same use for them as we once did?

We created the dog to be a companion to man, not a lawn ornament for mans backyard. From the moment a puppy is born it is surrounded by other dogs and people. When you take that same puppy home you have become it's new pack member. When you banish that puppy to the backyard he does not understand why. If you are keeping your dog outside because you believe that is the how they should be kept, think again. Your dog is lonely being cooped up in the backyard all alone. He has nothing to do, and no one to interact with. Does he bark? Dig? Chew up things? Scratch at the door? All signs of boredom due to being isolated from his pack.

If you keep your dog outside because you are worried about getting the house dirty or having things wrecked, then maybe you should not have a dog if you are not ready to take on that kind of responsibility.

Your dog should be with you, learning how to appropriately interact with people and everyday happenings of life. This makes for a well rounded and happy dog. He learns manners, such as no jumping. He learns patience, companionship, and kindness. He forms a deeper bond to you. Being banished to the outside where you only play with the dog when you remember him will not enable you to enjoy him to his full extent. You will never truly know your dog because when you are around he does not know how to relax. Do you have problems with your dog constantly jumping on you when you go outside to see him? That is because he is so happy to see you and can't control himself. He can't believe he is actually getting some attention and wants to get all the interaction he can from you right now, because who knows when the next time that will be. Then you turn and go back in as you can play with him due to his constant jumping on you. Now you know why. This is all the more reason to start brining him inside and getting that relationship on the right track. You will have a happier and calmer dog for it. Owning a dog is a privilege and should be seen as such.

We no longer sleep in caves on the floor as we once did thousands of years ago, so why should our evolved dogs have to continue to do so?

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