Dog was too smart to trade his independence for a handout and an occasional kick in the ribs. This is what I think happened:
Early Man stumbled upon Dog's nest when his parents were out hunting for food themselves, leaving the litter behind. Man grabbed a couple of pups and took them back to the cave intending to use them later in a stew.
But Man didn't count on Little Woman or the Children. Once they saw how cuddly and cute Pups were, how they followed them around the cave, how they warmed their hands, and how they licked their faces... a bond began to grow between Pups and Man's better half and his heirs. Dogs belonged. The deal was clinched.
Later, when Man came with his knife to claim the pups for the stew pot, Woman and Children set up such a fracas it made him angry, but just at that moment, both pups growled and stared beyond the fire at the mouth of the cave. Man looked too, and there, approaching, was danger -- a snake -- a bad snake -- one that could cause death after a great deal of pain and suffering. Man, warned, took up his club and dispatched the would-be intruder. For supper that night, they had fricassee of Snake instead of Puppy stew, with a fancy snake pelt hide to trade at the coming jamboree to boot.
And so they became more at ease with one another; Dog would edge closer to the Children, keeping them warm at night with his body heat. Man began to notice, too, that when he went hunting, Dog followed him and made it easier; they would stop and dog would stare at anything that was edible. Man would look in that direction, too, and could identify his prey sooner, return home quicker, than times before Dog when he would return home empty-handed.... it was cold out there and he appreciated the assistance.
The extra time that Man gained enabled him to make better tools, too, and make himself useful to the family in ways that he had not had time for before. Dog also foraged, digging up edible roots which Man tried, and liked. Before Dog learned better, he also would bring home small game, but after Man invariably confiscated the prey, Dog learned to satisfy his own needs first. Still, there was enough brought home to keep him valuable.
Sometimes, there were also other Men who were indeed hunting for the Man. Strangers. The Dog alerted the Master about them, too, saving him and the children from ambush. Pups had proven their worth. The word spread. Dog prospered, as did Man.
The first step had been taken that would produce a new dimension in Man's life, and not always (but for some fortunate ones) a better life for Dog.
There are places in this world where dogs are still used for food. These places still must be in the Stone Age, regardless of the fact that most of the things we buy may come from there. That's another story.
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