Why Dogs?

Dogs are unique among animal groups for their interest in humans. Social psychology is the study of the behaviors of individuals within groups. Once rabies was eradicated in dogs through vaccines and indirectly through dog licenses, humans began to focus on new kinds of domestication. Over the past several decades, humans have focused on  training dogs to become companions and to help humans to search and rescue, to support emotionally distressed humans (in particular veterans), to apprehend criminals, to detect ovarian cancer and diabetes and seizures in humans. Leash laws were created to enforce canine-human etiquette. It is truly remarkable that dogs are the only animal group on Earth that enjoys extended and intimate relationships – true relationships – with humans. By studying these canine-human relationship we learn about human-human relationships.

2015 Experiences, Social Psychology: Canine Corner