The attached article quickly describes the amazing connection of wolf with man. It was said that the aggressive, wild animal was one of the first to see the advantage of connecting with humans for self preservation. It is also recorded that the wolves “wildness” physically changed in time to the more mellow “dog” expressions today.

Indian and wolf connection.
Of course, the American Indian’s respect and connection to nature itself helped the “human” see the benefits of having a canine companion as important, too. Such respect probably contributed to the folklore of imaging themselves becoming and “shifting” into wolves.