Supporting Both Ends of the Lead Supporting Both Ends of the Lead

In this episode Caroline and Linda debate another intriguing topic:

What is altruism, and what is its purpose?

Is altruism only evident in humans, or can dogs behave altruistically?

Linda begins by defining altruism. She goes on to explain how scientists discovered the reason for altruistic behaviour—which, it turns out, is to maximise the chance that a species as a whole will survive and thrive. She also lists the many ‘side benefits’ of altruism, including better health, greater happiness, even increased longevity.

But can other species—in our case of course, dogs—also behave altruistically? Caroline explains, and adds a cross-species benefit: having a dog in the family can teach children to behave more responsibly and altruistically. 

But with altruism, like so many other good qualities, Linda emphasises the importance of balance. Altruism to the exclusion of self-care, she warns, creates a victim mentality, which helps neither helper nor the helped.

Caroline closes this episode—the last in the first series—by encouraging listeners to extend kindness to their dog, and to behave altruistically rather than competitively towards other pet parents.

Finally, while waiting for the next series of podcasts, everyone is encouraged to send Caroline and Linda examples from their own experience and to offer suggestions for further podcasts, so they can make the next series as relevant to as many listeners as possible.

 

What's inside this episode?

00:00 Introduction, including a definition of altruism.

02:06 Why altruistic behaviour exists and continues.

04:26 The ‘side benefits’ of altruism.

05:05 Altruistic behaviour of dog to dog is often seen. Altruistic behaviour of dog to humans is more complex.

09:53 The importance of observing animals to help us better understand humans.

11:05 The neurochemical rewards when humans and dogs behave altruistically.

12:07 How having a family pet can encourage altruistic behaviour in young children.

14:48 The importance of maintaining a balance between behaving altruistically towards others and caring for oneself.

18:27 The importance of balancing online social interactions with face to face encounters.

22:26 A reminder to try to be more altruistic than competitive towards other pet parents.

23:56 Encouraging altruism towards your dog.

25:10 Just one thing: ‘Get out there and give!’

26:00 Caroline and Linda close this episode, explaining it’s the end of the first series of Supporting Both Ends of the Lead. Listeners are encouraged to send in experiences and suggestions about what they’d like to hear in the next series.



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Your Hosts

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.

We live in a world where it’s now easier than ever to obtain what we want straight away, without having to wait long if at all. 

Linda argues that missing out on anticipation means we’re missing out on a major source of enjoyment in life—that delicious sense of knowing something good is going to happen and imagining what it will be like when it does. She draws on research looking at holiday planning to illustrate her argument.

Caroline explains how we can use anticipation when training our dogs. She introduces the ‘Ready Steady Go’ technique (view the training video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e34KeUnPCCQ) and explains how it can be used to decrease dogs’ anxiety and increase their joy. She also reminds us to take into consideration our dog’s breed as well as their own unique characteristics when deciding the best ways to use anticipation when we work with our dogs.

At the end of the podcast, Linda and Caroline encourage listeners to think about ways to build more anticipation into their own and their dog’s lives.



What's inside this episode?

00:00 Introduction. May as the month of holidays this year, and the joy that can be had anticipating holidays and free time.

04:12 We spend less time in anticipation in today’s world, and why this could be contributing to the decrease in reported happiness.

05:17 Are dogs capable of anticipation?

06:40 How to ensure human anticipation can be as joyful as possible.

07:55 The importance of and value in prioritising our dogs’ needs when we go on holiday.

09:17 Using anticipation and reward when training our dogs.

10:54 The Ready Steady Go technique explained.

15:18 How creating anticipation might enhance our dogs’ digestion.

19:40 Taking into consideration a dog’s breed and unique characteristics when using anticipation as a training aid.

21:40 The joy that can be had when anticipating a future desirable event, and a call for us to enjoy it more often.

24:36 Linda's "Just One Thing"

25:05 Caroline's "Just One Thing"



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Your Hosts

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.

In this episode, Linda and Caroline provide those listeners in the UK with some advice to help enhance their experience of the unique run of long weekends we have during the Spring of 2023. If you’re outside of the UK, this episode still provides some important tips to help navigate changes that may occur during any special holiday periods you are lucky enough to celebrate. 

Linda discusses how important it is to allow ourselves to enjoy rest and not feel the pressure to ‘do’ the whole time. She invites you to do these celebrations YOUR way. She also provides some great advice on what to do when you’re feeling especially tired during longer periods of celebration.

Caroline supports the dogs by talking through the importance of rest and balance - how quiet time is needed amongst all the celebrations and excitement. She also shares how music can help support our dogs when loud activities are happening near to home. Finally, she discusses the importance of some small elements of fluidity in our dog’s routines year-round, so that they find it easier to cope with these sorts of changes.



What's inside this episode?

00:00 Introduction

00:45 The stress of BIG occasions.

01:18 The advantage of good weather that allows us to socialise outside.

03:43 How special this run of time is.

05:00 Give yourself permission to rest.

06:00 The importance of balance for your dogs.

08:12 How much sleep does a dog need?

10:00 Fluidity in routine for our dogs.

11:45 The importance of bedtime routine to help us ease into sleep.

12:50 The cues we provide to our dogs that help them to predict what’s happening next.

14:50 Why giving children time to rest is important too.

15:50 Dogs need breaks for effective learning.

16:30 The sad news that a lie-in doesn’t help us feel more rested as adults.

17:56 Power naps over lie-ins.

19:11 Helping your dog through unique celebrations such as street parties for the King’s Coronation.

21:10 Sounds that can help ourselves and our dogs to block out unwanted noise.

23:05 Why familiarity in music can be more relaxing for humans.

25:32 Caroline's "Just One Thing"

25:50 Linda's "Just One Thing"



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Your Hosts

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.

In this episode, Caroline and Linda ask listeners to join them in considering a challenging question for dog lovers everywhere: 

Should we own dogs?

The question has arisen because of a Guardian piece published on 4 February. In this challenging article, environmental historian Troy Vettese argues that if we are truly to have empathy for animals, we should think seriously about having pets. Humans, claims Vettese, have chosen to dominate animals for our own benefit, despite at times the cost to the animals themselves.

Caroline counters this argument when we consider dogs specifically, because a look at the history of the human-canine relationship suggests we have chosen one another, and that both species benefit from the relationship. She and Linda agree that, given the world we live in now, simply ‘letting our dogs go free’ is neither practical nor kind. 

Rather, they conclude, it’s the way we treat our dogs that’s key. 

We need to consider their natural behaviours and offer them the opportunity to express those behaviours when safe to do so, and - as Vettese also argue - to see them as autonomous beings with their own lives and desires that should, whenever possible, be respected. Caroline and Linda also stress the importance of encouraging the ethical breeding of dogs; and Linda has now decided that going forward, she will choose to adopt rescue dogs.

Listeners are encouraged to discuss this podcast with their loved ones, and to let Caroline and Linda know their thoughts on this important and challenging question. Connect via: https://www.instagram.com/supportingbothendsofthelead



What's inside this episode?

00:00 Introduction: Is it ethical to have pets?

02:26 Overview of the history of human-canine relationship.

03:27 The parallels between parenting children and parenting our dogs.

04:30 Why the answer isn’t a simple one.

05:09 A paraphrase of this question, taking into account the need to offer the best quality of life to our dogs.

06:14 The day this podcast is recorded is National Puppy Day, spotlighting the need to fight for the rights of puppies and breed bitches.

08:22 A choice of terms to describe people who own dogs.

09:40 Similarities in aims for parents of humans and of dogs.

10:10 Authoritative parenting defined.

10:48 The need to give dogs an outlet for natural breed specific behaviours.

12:12 Widening the possibilities when it comes to keeping pets.

13:55 Pet acquisition during the pandemic, and the consequences.

14:40 Our responsibilities if we take a dog into our lives.

16:30 The importance of positive parenting.

17:25 The perils of using punishment to try to change behaviour.

19:12 Caroline’s 'Just One Thing'.

19:36 'Linda’s Just One Thing'.

20:19 Call for listeners’ opinions on this important issue.



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Your Hosts

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.

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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Your Hosts

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.

Just before the clocks ‘spring forward’ at the end of March, Linda and Caroline talk about the impact this time shift has on us humans and on our dogs - why it’s stressful, and what you can do to ease that stress.

Linda starts by giving reasons why, for humans, the Spring time change is more challenging than the Autumn shift. She explains how you can ‘flow’ into the new time and experience less discomfort, creating small time shifts over a week rather than making the change all in one night, and creating reasons to look forward to getting up earlier.  She also offers listeners some useful techniques if they’re finding it difficult to fall asleep when they start going to bed earlier.

Caroline counters Linda’s explanation by pointing out that for our dogs - unlike for us - the Spring shift is probably easier to adjust to than is the Autumn time change. She encourages you to put more positivity into your (now lighter) evening walk, and to spice up those walks with novelty, including walking in new places and creating a ‘sniffari’.

Listeners are also encouraged to send in their own suggestions for coping with the time change, so Linda and Caroline can share them with everyone in future podcasts.

What's inside this episode?

00:00 Introduction, and why the Spring time change is more stressful for humans than the Autumn shift.

01:58 How to ‘flow’ into the time change with minimal stress.

03:20 Taking the change in small steps, focusing on when you go to bed.

04:24 How to use your extra morning time joyfully while waiting for the actual time change. Introducing Morning by Alan Jenkins.

05:14 How to prepare your dog for the Spring time change, and why this is easier for dogs than the Autumn shift—the opposite of what humans find.

07:42 Why it’s so important to be kind to yourself and to make waking up a time to love.

09:39 How to make your evening walk, now in light, novel and entertaining for both you and your dog.

10:32 Why strolls are better than strenuous walks in the evening.

11:10 Introducing the 'Sniffari'.

13:52 The importance of stories to help you get off to sleep when youtry going to bed earlier.

15:17 How to make use of Andrew Weil’s 4-7-8 sleep technique.

16:30 Making the 4-7-8 more interesting.

17:45 Caroline’s ‘Just One Thing’.

17:58 Linda’s ‘Just One Thing’.

Sign Up for our FREE SubStack Newsletter

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Your Hosts

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.