Dogs & us - The secrets of an unbreakable friendship | DW Documentary

This paragraph explores the deep emotional connection humans have with dogs, tracing back thousands of years. It highlights dogs' evolution and their perfect adaptation to human needs, emphasizing their phenomenal senses and ability to detect diseases in early stages. The story of Bjorn Klower, who emigrated to northern Norway and set up a husky farm, is shared. His experiences with Greenland dogs, who are descendants of ancient wolves, showcase their importance in extreme expeditions and their role in human survival in the Arctic. The paragraph also delves into the trust and communication between humans and dogs, particularly sled dogs, and how this bond has been crucial in both modern and historical contexts.

This paragraph discusses the historical significance of dogs in the lives of nomads in Siberia, Inuits, and Greenlanders. It explains how dogs were essential for hunting, transportation, and trade, expanding trade routes in harsh ice and snow landscapes. The paragraph also touches on the sociable nature of dogs and their unique ability to work without being pressured, highlighting their intrinsic motivation. The relationship between humans and dogs is described as remarkable, with dogs being able to respond to human gestures and speech. The intelligence of dogs, particularly border collies, is showcased through their herding abilities, and the importance of communication in this relationship is emphasized.

This paragraph focuses on the working roles of dogs, particularly sheepdogs and their herding skills. It introduces Lynn, a border collie, and her handler Derek, who demonstrates how these dogs balance obedience with their own initiative. The paragraph explains how dogs' extensive field of vision and heightened awareness make them masters of herding. It also delves into the history of border collies and their indispensable role in shepherding. The training and trust between shepherds and their dogs are highlighted, showing how dogs have been an integral part of overcoming challenges in vast landscapes.

This paragraph explores the extraordinary olfactory abilities of dogs, particularly in the context of medical detection. It tells the story of Franz Huggle, whose dogs Rocky and Lucy detected his prostate cancer in its early stages. The paragraph introduces Wolfgang, who trains cancer detection dogs, explaining how these dogs are trained to recognize odors released by tumor cells. The accuracy of these dogs in detecting cancer is discussed, along with their potential role in direct human cancer tests. The paragraph also touches on the training of dogs like Bagheera the Labrador for skin cancer detection, emphasizing the complexity of the canine sense of smell.

This paragraph discusses the role of dogs in forensic investigations, focusing on Layla, a golden retriever trained to detect human remains. It describes how Layla's keen sense of smell allows her to identify decomposition odors in various environments. The training and work of Layla and her handler Lisa Briggs are highlighted, showing how they work together to find important clues in police investigations. The emotional impact of their work on the handlers is also touched upon, emphasizing the empathy and bond between dogs and their human partners.

This paragraph introduces Pina, an Australian Shepherd dog trained to assist her owner Carlotta Kama, who has Asperger's syndrome. It describes how Pina helps Carlotta in her daily life, providing emotional support and enabling her to cope with social situations. The paragraph explores the empathy and perceptiveness of dogs, showing how they can read human emotions and provide care. The transformative effect of Pina on Carlotta's life is emphasized, highlighting the importance of service dogs in enhancing the quality of life for individuals with special needs.

This paragraph delves into the cognitive abilities of dogs, focusing on Chaser, a border collie, and her owner John Pilley, a retired psychology professor. It describes how Chaser learned to recognize and remember the names of over a thousand objects, demonstrating an understanding of syntax and semantics. The paragraph highlights the scientific research conducted by Pilley, which has shown that dogs are more intelligent than previously thought. The bond between Chaser and Pilley is showcased, illustrating the potential of dogs to learn and communicate with humans.

This paragraph explores the emotional bond between humans and dogs, explaining the hormonal responses triggered by interactions with dogs. It discusses the 'cuddle hormone' oxytocin and the 'happiness hormone' dopamine, which are activated when humans and dogs gaze into each other's eyes. The paragraph also introduces a unique program at Gwenet County Jail in Atlanta, Georgia, where prisoners train dogs from shelters. The impact of this program on both the dogs and the prisoners is highlighted, showing how the dogs provide companionship and emotional support, helping the prisoners to reflect on their actions and prepare for reintegration into society.

This final paragraph summarizes the unique and enduring friendship between humans and dogs. It emphasizes the positivity, trust, and loyalty that form the foundation of this relationship. The paragraph reveals that dogs' brains respond to humans with the same feelings in the same brain areas as humans respond to dogs, confirming that dogs truly love their owners. The paragraph concludes by reinforcing the idea that dogs are not just pets but companions who provide emotional support and unconditional love.