What is the earliest possible time for something similar to the Siberia Fox Experiments to happen?

For those who don't know, the Siberia Fox experiments is a long-running Russian science experiment to domesticate foxes.

Each generation, the friendliest foxes were bred so that by several generations later, foxes were born wanting human companionship - several have now even been sold as pets. Some argue that they're not done yet, others argue they've domesticated the fox.

What is the earliest period time in human history, while maintaining plausibility, that somebody could run a (successful on the level it is today) similar experiment?
 
As soon as there was a surplus of resources to feed them and care for them, whenever that was. Perhaps after the start of agriculture. Or do you need the modern scientific method to be involved?

When dogs were domesticated, it has been suggested that they domesticated themselves first, becoming village dogs feeding on waste, and then became objects for socialising with humans.
 
For those who don't know, the Siberia Fox experiments is a long-running Russian science experiment to domesticate foxes.

Each generation, the friendliest foxes were bred so that by several generations later, foxes were born wanting human companionship - several have now even been sold as pets. Some argue that they're not done yet, others argue they've domesticated the fox.

What is the earliest period time in human history, while maintaining plausibility, that somebody could run a (successful on the level it is today) similar experiment?

I think that it's really not a question of technology beyond general understanding of heredity, as much as resources and motivation. Dogs meant for eating (as in Mexico) are one example of premodern American states doing extensive selection, for example. If there's a strong demand for fox fur or fox meat and not enough wild foxes available, there's no real limitation to how early after the discovery of the concept of a domesticated animal this could happen.
 
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It could be a vanity project for pretty much anyone with wealth after the idea of selective breeding - even in its crudest form - is intellectually grasped.
 
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