Do dogs work together to survive?

Dogs, often referred to as "man's best friend," exhibit a wide range of social behaviors, including cooperative and collaborative tendencies. Although dogs are not known to form highly organized, interdependent societies like some other species, such as wolves or ants, they do demonstrate cooperative behaviors in certain contexts. Here are a few examples:

- Hunting: Packs of dogs, like African wild dogs or dingoes, may engage in cooperative hunting strategies. Different pack members play specific roles, such as flushing out prey, chasing, or cornering, to increase their chances of success.

- Defense: Dogs living in groups or families might work together to defend their territory or resources against perceived threats. They may bark in unison, display aggressive body language, or even physically confront outsiders to protect their shared space or food.

- Caring for young: In dog societies, there have been instances where non-biological "aunt" dogs assist a mother dog in caring for puppies. They may help provide milk by nursing, protect the litter from predators, and participate in training or socializing the young dogs.

While domestic dogs have evolved to rely on humans for many aspects of their survival, cooperation may emerge spontaneously or be encouraged through training in particular tasks such as herding livestock or performing search and rescue operations.

Overall, cooperative behaviors in dogs serve an adaptive purpose. Collaboration enhances success in hunting, defense, or raising offspring, increasing the group's chance of survival and overall fitness. Dogs are intelligent and adaptable creatures that can thrive both as social beings and as cooperative individuals within various group dynamics.