* No one knows for sure when dogs were domesticated. While estimates range from 15,000 to 40,000 years ago, the exact time and location are still debated.
* Early humans likely didn't use specific words for animals in the way we do today. Language evolved alongside the development of civilization and agriculture. Prehistoric humans probably had simpler, more general terms for animals based on their appearance or behavior.
* We can't directly ask prehistoric humans what they called dogs. Our understanding of the past comes from archaeological evidence and the analysis of ancient languages.
However, we can make some educated guesses based on what we know about:
* The evolutionary history of the dog: Dogs descended from wolves. Early humans may have referred to them using terms similar to how they referred to wolves.
* The development of language: Early words for animals were likely based on simple sounds or descriptions. The word for "dog" may have evolved from sounds like "woof" or "bark" or descriptions like "four-legged hunter" or "pack animal."
* Modern languages: Some languages still retain ancient words for dogs that reflect their wild ancestor. For example, in Latin, the word for "dog" is "canis," which is also the root for the word "canine."
Ultimately, we can't know for sure what prehistoric humans called dogs. It's a fascinating question, though, that reminds us of the long and complex history of our relationship with these amazing animals.