Altruism towards other species may have helped humans thrive, study finds

How toddlers interact with dogs helps explain how humans came to domesticate animals, scientists say

Dog ‘experimenters’ Fiona (left), Henry (centre) and Seymour (right): Children as young as two years old went out of their way to help dogs get toys and tasty treats that were placed beyond their reach, despite never having met the animals before, scientists found 

The human urge to lend a hand extends to animals from the earliest years of life, according to researchers who observed toddlers interacting with friendly dogs.

Children as young as two years old went out of their way to help dogs get toys and tasty treats that were placed beyond their reach, despite never having met the animals before, scientists found.