Evolution in Dogs

Recent studies comparing wolves and dogs show that evolution has played a substantial role in developing their temperaments. Dogs were bred for obedience and dependency. In other words, domestic dogs are waiting on orders. Animal behaviorist Monique Udell conducted an experiment that underscores this notion. She presented 20 adult dogs with sealed containers of sausage. Each animal was given two minutes to open its container. No dog succeeded and most didn’t even try. Ten captive wolves were given the same opportunity, and eight of the them opened their containers in less than two minutes. Dog puppies, when faced with the same task, quickly opened the containers, and Udell concluded that as a dog grows and becomes more dependent on its human, its independent behavior is inhibited. Going back to the adult dogs, they could open the containers after all – once their owners told them to do so! (Source: Science, Aug., 2014).