Siblings

As a mom of four I see how each of our pups interact with one another and they do act as sibling in more ways than you would think. I came from a family of 5 girls and all of us are different  in our own ways (which is a great thing) and it's like that with every family. No child is 100% identical to their sibling even with twins seeing their personalities, actions and even their way of thinking is different. While raising each of ours we have tried to instill what any mom and dad would, sharing, playing nicely, respecting space, etc. 

All of our dogs know that a car ride is a wonderful experience. I've seen owners have to crate their dogs individually during car rides to avoid  fighting, seat chewing or even unwanted presence in the front area while in motion. All of ours have been trained to respect each others space and to remain seated during the duration of a car ride. A few times when this was a new concept we had to stop the car and nip unwanted behavior in the butt but as time has past, even to this day, if one acts up the others will correct them and the ride goes on. 

 Like most sibling, they love to play, or in a dogs case play fight. The girls love to mouth each other, punch and wrestle and like with any sibling it can go a little too far. That's when we have to step in and remind them to keep it playful. 

Some dogs will not nap in the same room as their sibling to avoid unwanted playing while snoozing, getting stepped on etc but ours love to nap together!

Heck, our boys even nap face to face!

Here's Nanook and Kodak enjoying some brotherly wrestling time!

From a young age we have encouraged building a relationship between each of the dogs. Dogs can be very territorial with their space especially when it comes to food, toys and their beds. Here Nanook has just met his new sibling and has allowed her to share the bed with him while keeping her close for comfort. He learned how to nurture from a young age. 

The biggest thing we've instilled in the pups was equality of love. We love all of our dogs equally and with this they do not feel the need to fight for attention.

Here's August and Kodak sharing a hug. 

Sharing toys was a big obstacle to overcome. Especially since August is the Alpha. To this day I only buy one of a each type of toy that way they have to learn how to share if they want a turn. If they choose not to share then the toys is removed and there are not three more out on the floor to snatch up.  

Laying on each other is a step above laying NEXT to each other. (notice how tolerable Nanook is of Kodak's ginormous head on his back)

Licking wounds, cleaning each others ears and over all caring for each other is a heart warming thing to see. Instead of inflicting pain on each other they tend to make sure everyone is happy and healthy.

Mouth wars are the best! Dogs fight a lot with their mouths and to have these two just playfully have a mouth war is hilarious to watch! The noises that come out of their mouths during this is priceless!

Here a picture of August laying on Dublin. Dublin and August struggle between each other for the Alpha role and here you see Dublin submitting to her older sibling and allowing the pressure of her head to rest on her while sleeping. 

August hugging Dublin. This was too funny. 

Sharing a window in the car is always fun to do with your sisters and brothers.

Sharing a cage is even more personal especially since they each have their own cage. This is Kodak's. You know how when there are multiple siblings in a home there is always that one bedroom they all like to go hang out in and play? That room is Kodak's cage in our house. Each will lay with him and spend time together out of free will. Some dogs see a cage as a bad place of punishment or for getting locked up when their owners are gone. Ours don't!

Sharing a chair for a snooze.

Dublin is straight up sitting on top of Kodak and he has not a care in the world about it. That's love.

This is one of the biggest things I've witnessed as the siblings develop relationships. These two don't always get along but at the end of the day they will always be together and love on each other. 

When you throw two or more dogs together you don't always have the behavior you expect and more times than less there is some sort of tension or fighting between the two when not properly introduced or trained. We don't have those problems with our dogs. We have 4 siblings who love each other dearly and it makes me feel like Travis and I are good parents when I see Dublin licking and cleaning Nanook's ears during our Sunday morning family time or Kodak sharing a bone with August so that each can chew on an end together.  We have some great furry kids and I think they love each other dearly.