We Grew Up Together

Dogs and humans have evolved together for at least 28,000 years. While dogs don't understand human language, they can instinctively discern much about humans (including our emotional state and intent) from our voice, our touch, and our body language or posture and movement. They can associate sounds or movements with behaviors, and they can use those behaviors to earn rewards and be in relationship with us.

Dogs are highly social, and with a few notable exceptions, they typically use innate behavior --- essentially a genetically endowed set of rituals -- to communicate politely and show good manners and respect. For example, properly socialized dogs do not approach one another directly, rather they approach in a "C" shape path, they avert their gaze, they use posture and body language to communicate intent, they use timing, affiliation and appeasement gestures, and of course smell to introduce themselves. Play is also ritualized, with a little practice it is easy to tell when dogs are being playful or serious.