Geek alert! You have been warned.

I spend a lot of time doing something I absolutely love…training dogs. And the more time I spend with them, the more fascinated I become with the deep, ancient bond between humans and mans best friend.

So how did this incredible partnership begin?
Go back 20,000 years to the last Ice Age. Landscapes were frozen, and humans and animals were forced to share tighter spaces to survive. For humans, there was nowhere for prey to hide making hunting easy, and this period a time of relative abundance. Our camps were full of leftover food. And wolves? Well, they noticed. Much like the modern day dog notices when you open up the cheese.

Instead of risking injury on the hunt, some wolves began hanging around human camps, scavenging scraps. Over time, a mutual understanding began to form. In exchange for leftovers, wolves offered protection by way of the historic equivalent to a burglar alarm. The makings of a partnership began.

As the Ice Age ended, humans faced new challenges. Dense vegetation made hunting harder. Spears and eyesight were no longer enough as tools for survival. At the same time, those early wolves had started to change too. Scavenging led to weaker jaws, making them less lethal hunters. But they could still track, chase, and corner prey. Together, humans and these early dogs formed a team that allowed both species to thrive. The dogs captured, we killed and we all consumed.

But the relationship evolution didn’t end there.

Fast forward to 14,000 years ago to Bonn, Germany where the evidence of what could be the first domesticated dog was discovered. Archaeologists found a grave containing a man, a woman, and their dog. One of the first signs of a truly emotional connection between us and our canine companions.

Even more striking? 8,000 years ago in Sweden, archaeologists discovered a dog buried with more “grave goods” (precious items for the afterlife) than any human in the same cemetery.

And today… well you know the story there, Dogs are more than companions. They are family.

So next time you’re out walking your dog, take a moment to appreciate that this isn’t just a modern thing. It’s a 20,000-year-old partnership built on mutual survival, loyalty, and love.

🐾 Let’s not forget our end of the deal. Fido deserves that extra walk or training session…and maybe a few extra treats too. 🦴