Not too long ago, dogs were mainly valued for the work they did. They helped hunt for food, herded livestock and guarded homes. To do these jobs, dogs needed to have strong instincts to chase prey, a lot of energy, and a healthy suspicion of strangers. Just a few decades ago, many dogs were expected to bark at any noise, keeping watch over their owners and homes. Their instincts kept away squirrels from bird feeders and burned off some of their excess energy.

However, in just one generation, we’ve changed everything for our dogs. With more people moving to cities where space is limited, the wild, open places where children and dogs used to play have disappeared from many neighborhoods. Dogs have gone from working all day and sleeping outside to lounging on our couches and snuggling in our beds. They are now more like family members than ever before, sharing our homes and lifestyles. This shift means that many dogs need to adapt to a quieter life, fitting into our daily routines.

The Shift to Indoor Living

In the past, dogs were expected to be active and alert. Today, many owners want their dogs to be calm companions who can quietly sit under a desk while they work from home, greet guests politely, and get along with other pets, including cats. This new expectation has created a challenge for dogs, especially since they’ve undergone thousands of years of domestication.

Research conducted at Duke University on puppies training to be service dogs revealed something fascinating: these specially trained dogs have adapted remarkably well to modern life. Service dogs are not just pets; they are highly trained professionals. They help people with specific tasks, like turning on lights, loading laundry, or opening doors. Because of their training and socialization, service dogs fit into their owners’ lives in ways that many dog owners wish their pets could also do.

A Long History of Domestication

Dogs began to evolve alongside humans 40,000 to 14,000 years ago when our ancestors were foragers. They would leave behind scraps of food outside their camps, and wolves that scavenged these leftovers gradually grew closer to humans. Over generations, these wolves became friendlier and less fearful, adapting to life with people. This natural selection changed them physically, leading to traits like floppy ears and curly tails.

Fast forward to the Industrial Revolution, when a growing middle class began to want dogs that looked good and represented their wealth. This led to careful breeding based on appearance rather than working abilities. This is how most of the dog breeds we see today were created. Until the 1990s, many of these bred dogs were still suitable for suburban life. They roamed outdoors, chased cars, and occasionally went missing for a day or two.

The New Challenges of City Living

As more people moved into cities and started keeping pets in smaller spaces, some traditional dog behaviors became problematic. For instance, a dog that barks at every stranger can be hard to walk in a crowded neighborhood. As a result, many dogs ended up in shelters, struggling to find new homes.

Many owners believe that simply choosing the right breed will solve their problems. They might look for hypoallergenic dogs or breeds known to be good with children. However, breed alone does not guarantee a dog’s behavior or ability to adapt to family life.

Service Dogs: A New Standard

Service dogs are a unique solution to the challenges of modern pet ownership. They are trained to be calm and friendly, even in busy, stressful environments. A study from 2017 found that service dogs have higher levels of oxytocin, the hormone that promotes bonding, compared to typical pet dogs.

This could indicate that we are entering a new phase of dog domestication. If more dog lovers start prioritizing friendliness and social behavior in their pets, we may see significant changes in dog breeding over time. This concept is supported by experiments on foxes from the 1950s, where selecting for friendly traits led to noticeable physical and behavioral changes in just a few years.

Training for Success

As we look toward this new era in dog domestication, it’s crucial for dog owners to care for the pets they have now. Service dog organizations don’t just breed for friendliness; they also follow strict training protocols. They introduce puppies to different people and environments early on, crate-train them, and use positive reinforcement to encourage good behavior.

These methods can also be applied at home. However, it requires a lot of effort. If you’re not ready to put in the time and work needed to train a puppy, consider fostering an adult dog. Adult dogs already have established personalities, allowing you to see if they are a good fit for your family before making a long-term commitment.

Embracing Our Dogs’ True Nature

For those who already have puppies or dogs that don’t quite fit the ideal mold, patience is key. Some dogs may never be comfortable playing with strangers or giving up their instinct to guard their home. Instead of trying to force them to change, it’s essential to acknowledge that modern life demands more from dogs than their natural instincts prepared them for.

Focus on the timeless qualities that make dogs wonderful companions: their joyful greetings, unconditional love, and ability to brighten our days. By understanding and embracing these traits, we can create a happy life for our dogs in this new world.