Originally posted by DoggiesAreTheBest

Here are my concerns:
I feel like bringing in another dog will compromise Drake's only dog status. I worry about not paying them both equal amounts of attention and equal love. I couldn't handle being baised with them. I would also be worried about our constant moving situation. Drake gets settled in right away, what if the new pup isn't the same. A major concern is if Andrew gets deployed or sent somewhere where we all can't be with him. Will I be able to handle two large dogs that are my size?

First off, I commend you for analyzing the situation before leaping in head first. You are very wise to consider the possibilities of what will happen!

Now to address some of your concerns. I agree with your trainer that you need to bring in a pup instead of a full grown dog. I would also probably get a female. Knowing just a little of Drake's dominance issues (which by the way you have handled wonderfully and responsibly) you need to consider the possible dominance issues even a pup when grown will present. You do have more time to make the adjustment with the situation though by starting with a pup. The other advantage to getting the pup is you have time to shape the behavior to what you want before the pup becomes an adult.

Dogs naturally come from packs. They are use to being around other dogs from the start and if they are properly socialized do not have a problem being around other dogs when they get older. If you get the "right" pup and Drake learns to understand that it is what you want, he doesn't have a choice in the decision. He will adjust and my guess is will absolutely love it! I personally will never have an only dog ever again because it is so important for them to have one of their own around. It is actually easier having two than having an only child! They learn to entertain themselves to a degree and it helps them understand the human alpha status!

I do not think you will have an issue with having two dogs even if Andrew is not around because he gets stationed somewhere else. It sometimes becomes a balancing act when you have to take one and not the other but it is manageable. Exercising two vs. one is not an issue for me. I just take two leashes instead of one! I do the majority of the training and exercising of our dogs and it is just a common thing to see two dogs when you see me! I wonder how people do it with more than two though since I only have two arms! LOL

How quickly the pup gets use to moving will probably not be an issue with you either. You have a very active life style and are always stimulating the dogs senses with new adventures. This is key to how quickly a dog settles into a new place or routine. The one key ingredient in the pup adjusting to his surroundings will never change and that is YOU!

The one thing I confidently believe you would not do is play bias favorites. I realize the concern but it is no different than having two human kids. You love each personality and develope them as needed but you will wonder why you worried about this point after a few months. Dixie is my heart dog and I love her to pieces but Dusty is my pride and joy and gives me great joy too! Do I love one more than the other? Absolutely not! I love them each for what they contribute to my life and it is different but not more or less! I really hope I stated that so you can understand. I love them both and give them both love sometimes at the same time and sometimes separately. As the alpha I can pay attention to which one I want at any time and the other realizes that it is not slighting them because they are both secure in knowing I love them.

Even with Dusty being Dixie's puppy, when he was around 11 or 12 months old he challenged Dixie for Alpha status between the two of them. You may encounter that situation too and must be willing to accept how it turns out. You nuture the status of Drake being Alpha while the pup is small and you may not have that issue. I encoutered it for a short period of time in everything the two of them did. She put him in his place on things she wasn't willing to give up dominance over and let him have things that she didn't care about. Who is the dominant one now? Dixie in most things but Dusty in a couple. I needed to realize what they did and honor the way they worked it out. I never tolerated them going overboard in their assertion of issues though. They always understood I was the ultimate decision maker! I believe you are a strong enough personality to do the same!

I believe it is the right thing to do because you are the right one to do it! My advice would probably be different if I was talking to someone else but I feel you are just the person to handle the challenge! You will be rewarded in the long run! We will probably be having this conversation again in the future when you and Andrew decide to add human kids into the picture!!