The Akita is a 'pack dog' ie has an Alpha male etc ......

I have a Dog and a Bitch and in the future intend (or want to) keep another Dog.

I have been led to believe that I would have major problems with the 2 males at an older age fighting to assert their dominance and become the Alpha male.

My argument is - as my male will be approx 4 years old when and if I do get another, will the new male pup not grow up KNOWING that my current male is the Alpha? And no danger that way.....

Views please....

Thanks in advance

Hi A.L. :)

Adding a male to an existing household with a resident male and female can be tricky and a lot depends on the temperament of each.  If your existing dog and bitch are both entire, then there is a higher chance of future problems regardless of breed, but more so with such a dominant and strong willed breed as the Akita.  I have friends who own two males and a speyed bitch - they don't have any problems but to be honest they appear to have been fortunate going by what others with the breed have told them, despite the fact the bitch was speyed before the first male was even around.

>will the new male pup not grow up KNOWING that my current male is the Alpha? And no danger that way.....

That is not a foregone conclusion with any breed unfortunately :(  regards, Teri

There's always the equal possibility that a new pup will challenge the older one when he reaches maturity ... 'pack leaders' are there to be toppled ...

Thanks you two

How's your nervous bitch getting on?

Hello.

It's gruelling to be honest but now she is no longer nervous of people who enter the house that she will go somewhere else....as she used to she just sort of accepts a stroke and stares as if to say : 'go away now'

and recently she has started to actually greet people who enter.

She's fine on the lead now and loves going out - no loud noises scare he no more. The one thing which worrys her is being places she is not normally - with people around her - ie on the stairs - if she's on the stairs and I approach she just wants to get down/up asap.

Her confidence now tho, the way she has been, seems just like down right cheek haha. Like barking at the window when people knock/walk past. Barking at other dogs, playfighting with my male, she's even started to jump up onto the bed now when we're asleep ..... or lies on the couch when we're watching tele!!!!!!

previously unheard of......

Thanks for asking