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When did dogs become our best friends?

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Re: When did dogs become our best friends?

#91

Post by bee_rider »

CalRobert wrote: post #79
prmoustache wrote: post #59

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Lots of stray dogs around here in south of Spain. Also when I used to be a 12y old cycling in rural france that was pretty much the same, I was always prepared for a sprint whenever I would reach a farm. In a sense it probably made me stronger but I can't say I build a friendship and a mutual sense of confidence with dogs.

Perhaps this is in order https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Velo-dog

> For the more humane, there were cartridges loaded with cayenne pepper or dust,

Could probably go for pepper spray nowadays.

Re: When did dogs become our best friends?

#92

Post by schwartzworld »

nervousvarun wrote: post #66
hasty_pudding wrote: post #50

Earlier quoted context omitted.

The founding fathers would think that allowing the government to have a database on ANYTHING is a bad idea. Plus dog poop is ecologically good for the environment and fertilizes nature.

Apparently, dog poop is not an effective fertilizer and is considered harmful for grass? Was news to me as a dog owner who allows our dog to do her business in the back yard (but would never allow it on a public walkway/area). https://lawnlove.com/blog/is-dog-poop-bad-for-grass/

That blows my mind. I had two dogs as a kid, and if we didn't pick up the poop fast it destroyed the grass underneath. Their corner of the yard was all dead grass.

Re: When did dogs become our best friends?

#93

Post by sdwr »

magicalhippo wrote: post #89

Reminded me of the experiment to domesticate silver foxes[1]. Apparently they got quite tame foxes in just 30 generations. Interestingly, while they were selected purely for lack of aggression towards humans they started to develop dog-like physical traits. Hasn't been replicated yet, and doubtfully will, but interesting. [1]: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Domesticated_silver_fox

Really fascinating, I love the implication that domestication is tied to juvenile characteristics (getting along in a group means acting more like a kid than an adult protecting your territory / breeding rights).

> "Are we domesticated in the sense of dogs? No. But I am comfortable saying that the first thing that has to happen to get a human from an apelike ancestor is a substantial increase in tolerance toward one another."

Re: When did dogs become our best friends?

#94

Post by 8338550bff96 »

lenerdenator wrote: post #39

Likely twice as old as written language. https://www.livescience.com/stone-age-dog-burial.html Abuse of a dog or cat is a crime against civilization itself.

I've made this argument many times and it always raises eyebrows and induces shrugs. We as a species co-evolved with some animals and not others. Our partnership with extends deep into the mists of pre-history. We and they have co-evolved to an extent to be better companions. Eating a dog is a profound betrayal unlike that of eating a horse. Come at me

Re: When did dogs become our best friends?

#95

Post by ethanbond »

xandrius wrote: post #38
ethanbond wrote: post #5

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Also necessary in NYC which I don’t really feel is low-trust in general.

NYC and US are definitely low-trust. Interesting comparison: https://jacknicastro.substack.com/p/vienna-and-new-york-high...

I don't think a single parameter like that makes it "definitely" low-trust.

In Austria, people are required to deposit money to borrow a grocery cart while shopping for food. Not so anywhere I've been in the US -- ergo Austria is low-trust and US is high-trust? I think not.

https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/travelbuzz/2004272-euro-coin...

Re: When did dogs become our best friends?

#96

Post by HarHarVeryFunny »

sph wrote: post #22
lordnacho wrote: post #6

[flagged]

Your funny comment actually has some deep insight I'd like to see researched more. We know by now how we turned the grey wolf into the dog, but do we know what the relationship has done for us ? What have wolves taught humans? Some hypotheses to get you started: they might've taught us the power of collaboration. The power of social hierarchy. The empathy towards other life forms. Anthropomorphism (maybe that's why w…

Here's an idle thought - have we evolved to be pet lovers? Pets increase happiness and lower stress, which are going to have all sorts of relationship and career benefits.

Re: When did dogs become our best friends?

#97

Post by doubled112 »

extr wrote: post #85
navigate8310 wrote: post #76

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I wonder what makes them hunt cyclists and some cars that pass by.

My dogs bark at people on bike/motorcycles/scooters. I think they code as a big animal to them. Once we get up close and it's clear that it's a person on a machine they stop barking.

As a counter point to hunting, my dog seems to be afraid of almost anything on wheels. Even a skateboard without rider is a hard nope, and will send her tail tucked behind me.

She's a 90 lbs Mastiff/St Bernard/Lab cross. It's not like she's worried about being crushed or eaten. She could probably eat me.

Or maybe she doesn't realize she's big. I don't know.

Re: When did dogs become our best friends?

#98

Post by bigbillheck »

8338550bff96 wrote: post #94
lenerdenator wrote: post #39

Likely twice as old as written language. https://www.livescience.com/stone-age-dog-burial.html Abuse of a dog or cat is a crime against civilization itself.

I've made this argument many times and it always raises eyebrows and induces shrugs. We as a species co-evolved with some animals and not others. Our partnership with extends deep into the mists of pre-history. We and they have co-evolved to an extent to be better companions. Eating a dog is a profound betrayal unlike that of eating a horse. Come at me

We've got a pretty long-standing partnership with horses too.

Re: When did dogs become our best friends?

#99

Post by klyrs »

alistairSH wrote: post #87
prmoustache wrote: post #51

As a cyclist, I can't say dogs are my best friends. OTOH I have had great bonds with some cats.

Cycling in rural Virginia/West Virginia has this risk as well. 99% of pooches just want to run along and make noise, but 1/100 wants flesh. The solution - never be the slowest in the group!

When in Rome... open/constitutional carry, stand your ground?

Re: When did dogs become our best friends?

#100

Post by Unfrozen0688 »

prmoustache wrote: post #59
Unfrozen0688 wrote: post #56

Earlier quoted context omitted.

You have stray dogs where you live or what? Cant say cycling has affected my views on dogs.

Lots of stray dogs around here in south of Spain. Also when I used to be a 12y old cycling in rural france that was pretty much the same, I was always prepared for a sprint whenever I would reach a farm. In a sense it probably made me stronger but I can't say I build a friendship and a mutual sense of confidence with dogs.

ah okay thats not a thing here in Sweden.

So its not cycling then its a stray dog thing :)

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