From an evolutionary perspective, the reasons humans are the way they are (smarter, less athletic than other animals) is because they started using tools. The best tool users could hunt the most and therefore thrive and pass on his skills.
from my personal perspective, we simply outsmarted our food. I live in the country, and it doesn't take much patience, maybe an hour or two, to wait out a bird or reptile that is easy to catch with my own hands. I also believe that early humans had a connection to dogs that earned their trust and demanded their respect as alpha, and they worked together to hunt, sharing the bounty.
just the other day I was walking my dog and we stumbled upon two adolescent mag pies, learning how to fly. Surely if I had the dedication to pursue chasing one out into the field, my dog and I could've captured him and my dog is so loyal we would share it. I had other things to do that day so I called him off and we went home.
Now you may argue he's a domestic dog and early dogs wouldn't be that trained or early man couldnt communicate to the dog that clearly, But I contend that the reason dogs became domesticated was for mutual benefit of survival, not just companionship. Wolves have the herding instinct, surrounding bison and taking them down. Humans have almost always had communication, even if just slightly verbal or even kinetic, which dogs understand best.
