It's coming up to National Siblings Day (10th April) so, to celebrate, this episode is focussed on multi-kid and multi-dog households. Caroline and Linda explore the pros and cons of having a sibling, whether it's a human or a doggy one!
For the humans, Linda discusses why being an only child - which surprisingly around 40% of us are now - can be preferable for emotional stability, but that having siblings helps you to learn empathy if rivalries are handled correctly by the parent.
Caroline explores when is the right time to add another dog into your home, why choosing littermates may not be the best route to take, and how important it is to ensure all the dogs in your home can feel confident when alone - at home or in the world.

Like what you're hearing? Join Caroline and Linda for a special webinar for parents of dogs who struggle to be left home alone: https://barketplace.uk/shop/the-stress-of-life-with-a-dog-you-cannot-leave/

What's inside this episode?
00:50 Why being an only child has its perks!
02:45 Should we have multi-dog households?
04:35 Are you ready for a second dog?
06:23 The luck of the draw when it comes to adding a sibling.
07:31 The parental learning achieved with child number 1.
09:44 The unique loss a firstborn child (or dog) can experience.
10:20 The opportunities a new baby provides for an older child.
12:40 Resolving sibling conflict.
14:24 How dogs can help our children to learn caregiving skills and respect for other species.
16:28 How therapy dogs can support our children.
18:45 How you can encourage your current dog's sociability, if you're not ready for a multi-dog household.
20:24 How closer age gaps between siblings cause more intense interactions.
21:22 Littermate syndrome.
24:02 Intense same-gender sibling interactions.
26:25 Multi-sibling or dog households.
27:35 Ensuring your dog is confident when solo, away from their canine siblings.
31:25 Caroline’s ‘Just One Thing’.
31:45 Linda’s ‘Just One Thing’.

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Caroline Wilkinson is a Certified Animal Behaviourist. She is a Full (assessed) Member of the APDT and INTODogs – as well as a Registered Training Instructor (ABTC). Caroline is also a Certified Real Dog Yoga Practitioner and an Applied Canine Zoopharmacognosist. Caroline writes for Pets Radar, as well as a number of trusted pet brands. She also speaks around the country – presenting workshops and webinars with a focus on living more mindfully alongside our canine companions.
Dr. Linda Blair is a Chartered Clinical Psychologist, Chartered Scientist, Associate Fellow of the British Psychological Society and registered as a Practitioner Psychologist in the Health and Care Professions Council. She trained at Harvard and the Institute of Psychiatry in London, and has offered cognitive behavioural and mindfulness-based psychotherapy for over 40 years in the NHS and privately. She has also taught various aspects of psychology at the University of Cambridge and the Open University.