Actually, in making them companions we simply are emphasizing something that is inherent in their natures, the "pack" mindset, with the alteration that the humans become the alphas rather than other dogs. You can see a reversion to the Pack, sadly, when people ignorantly release unwanted pets into the country and they form packs of their own, suspicious of humans. That is, assuming that they survive before this happens, but that's for another thread.
Yup, and the people who can't control their dogs are the ones who are unwilling or unable to assume the alpha role. When I worked as a pool and spa technician, we had a lot of customers with dogs, most of whom I was on very good terms with (the dogs, not the customers). Later as the service manager, I still assigned myself a full day of service calls, both because I was the second best mechanic and because I hated being in the office. One cutomer in particular, who lived way out in the middle of nowhere, at least 15 miles from East Jesus, had this beast that was half husky and half wolf (or so he claimed), and the rule was that either this snarling monster had to be inside when we got there, or somebody had to be home to bring him in. I got there to start the pool up for the season, and the dog was out, raising holy hell with me from inside the 6' stockade fence, and nobody was home.
Being the service manager, I knew nobody was going to be anywhere near the place for weeks, and even though it was their fault for leaving the hound of the Baskervilles out, I really wanted to get their pool started up on that trip. I knew he was just ornery and not attack trained, so I figured, what the hell, let’s take a shot at this bear. I got my tool belt, walked up to the gate, and in my best “take no prisoners” voice, I said,
“SIT!!” His ass hit the ground in about a half second, but he looked conflicted,sort of like, “I don’t recognize the voice or the scent, but this sumbitch means business. I know. I’ll scoot forward a little bit and see if he notices...”
“STAY!!”
“Shit, he noticed...guess i’ll stay.”
So I walked in the gate like I owned the place, and ignored the dog until I got to the filter system, set my tool belt down, faced the dog, who was still sitting, but looking over his shoulder at me , bent over slightly, slapped my hands on my knees, and said, “You wanna play?” The dog immediately dropped into the “play” stance: down almost on his elbows, front paws splayed, butt in the air, tail wagging. All mine. I said, “Come on up and say hi!” And the monster came bounding up like a puppy, and my new best friend in the world EVER. We had a great time. We played ball, stick, plastic shovel, 3/4” box wrench...WTF? How the hell did you get that? C’mon pup, give me the wrench back. That’s my toy, not yours. Drop it. Good dog. Oh, I know this game...when I reach for it, you’re gonna snatch it up again. Well, aren’t we clever? Got news for you pup. Homey don’t play that. I’m not going to risk getting my hand on that wrench a half-second before your jaws clamp down on both, and...LOOK! A flying turtle! (don’t laugh...it works on my dad too..ask Froggie or apple about that)
He whirled and looked where I was pointing “WHERE? WHERE?”
Thinking, “sucker” I snatched up the wrench before he could turn around again, and
Oh, no...
Doggie slobber...
All over my wrench...
a 1/8” thick coating, with the viscosity of a 60/40 mixture of Pennzoil 10W30 and snot...
Aarrgh....is it even water soluble? Barely.
Remember two things: 1) be the alpha, and 2) wear gloves.
