September 9, 2026, 3:04 pm | Read time: 11 minutes

Just Before Ozzy’s Arrival, My Doubts Grow

I take a deep breath. Today is the last Friday that Elvis will be the only dog in our household. When did he become so clingy and cuddly? This week, I notice it more than usual. My guilty conscience towards him kicks in. If only he knew that in just a few days, a puppy will be moving in… 

On our walk, I imagine having Elvis on the leash and pushing Ozzy in a stroller when his little puppy legs get tired. The dog stroller belonged to my Pomeranian, Samy. After his death, a second dog seemed unthinkable to me at first. The last months with my nearly 20-year-old senior had been exhausting–his death even more so. 

It was only about a year later that the idea of a second dog felt possible. I was certain it should be another Australian Shepherd. But this time, the situation is different. 

When my Australian Shepherd Hailey moved in at eight weeks old, Samy was five years old. The little Pomeranian prince found the newcomer quite annoying. However, there was never any danger to the puppy: Samy was a small male, Hailey a female–and later the boss anyway. Just like in real life. 

With Elvis and Ozzy, it’s different. Elvis is almost 3.5 years old, unneutered, and a late bloomer. Ozzy is joining us at eight weeks. Two Australian Shepherd males who will share their daily lives, their home, and especially our attention. How Elvis will react, no one knows. 

There are many reasons to believe it could go well. Elvis wants to approach almost every dog with friendly intentions and generally has the potential to live with other dogs. But “generally” is a dangerous word. There are also dogs he reacts very negatively to. And Elvis especially doesn’t like to share one thing: our attention.  

When other people hug my partner Volker and me or we pet a strange dog, he pushes in between. What does that mean when a puppy doesn’t leave after five minutes? 

Also interesting: Column “Our Puppy Elvis”: “Now I’m really excited and stop”

I Was Looking for a Second Elvis 

“There won’t be a second dog.” That was Volker’s stance for a long time. Normally, I seek harmony. But only until I set my mind on something. Then I’m like a terrier and see it through relentlessly. Volker’s last argument: “What about our vacation home in Denmark? It’s only rented with one dog.” No matter. We’ll just take a tour of Denmark in a motorhome. Staying in one place is boring anyway. At that moment, Volker also knew: It’s pointless. The decision is made. “But I don’t want a black dog! I want a Red Merle Australian Shepherd.”  

He knew I had put myself on a breeder’s waiting list and was involved from the start. At the same time, he probably hoped that in the end, there wouldn’t be a suitable puppy for us. 

His reservations didn’t come out of nowhere. When Elvis moved in and Volker, working from home, spent a lot of time with him, he eventually said, “Getting the dog was a mistake.” The argument grew into a relationship crisis back then. Of course, I fear that this story will repeat itself if life with two dogs becomes more challenging than expected. 

Still, I searched. I looked at countless pairings online, compared them, and even considered an Australian Shepherd from abroad. But the risk was too great for me. I wanted to experience the upbringing myself, meet the mother dog, and know how the puppies were socialized. 

The new dog should be friendly, have a moderate temperament, and most importantly, fit with Elvis. I also had a clear image in mind: Blue Merle or Red Merle, a full white collar, symmetrical facial markings, a strong build, and lots of fur. Basically, I was looking for a replica of Elvis. Instead, I met Ozzy. 

My Heart Had Long Since Chosen 

Ozzy was my favorite from the first photo taken shortly after birth. I don’t even know why, as he doesn’t fit my usual type at all. He has so little Merle that he almost looks like a Black Tri. A black dog, then. “He’s ugly. I don’t want him,” was Volker’s immediate reaction when he saw the picture of Ozzy. No full white collar, no striking Merle markings, no little second Elvis. And then also black and not a Red Merle Aussie.  

When I was allowed to visit the litter for the first time at four weeks old, Ozzy was sleeping apart from his siblings. I saw him lying there and felt like I had hearts in my eyes. For me, that was Ozzy. In his pedigree, he’s called “Mind Over Matter Joker Deals At Midnight.” Pretty cool, right?

“Mind Over Matter” is the registered name of the breeding kennel of Martina, Marc, and Celine Naffien. “Joker Deals At Midnight” is his official name. In everyday life, it’s simply Ozzy. Such pedigree names can be quite imaginative and therefore quite long; they are mainly used for official registration, breeding, and shows. The FCI maintains kennel names in an international register to ensure they are uniquely assigned and protected.  

The breeder family knows me, they know my taste, and they know Elvis. That’s why they suggested another blue-merle male that matched my original ideas and was better suited for my hobby–dog shows. Martina and Marc Naffien are experienced exhibitors themselves, and Marc is also an international FCI judge. I knew I could trust their choice, and they were probably right that the other blue-merle male had the better gait.  

Also interesting: Are there really character differences between female and male dogs?

This started the conflict in my head. Ozzy was the puppy I wanted from the first picture. But what if I later regretted this decision because he didn’t fit my actual type at all? Should I really go against the recommendation of the experienced breeder family? And against Volker, who explicitly didn’t want a black dog?  

At the same time, I thought: Another classic Blue Merle is somehow boring too. Finally, supposed reason prevailed. In a phone call, I agreed: Then I’ll take the puppy you selected for me. “Are you sure?” the breeder asked, surprised, “I was just about to tell you that you should take Ozzy because your heart is set on him.” I stuck with it anyway. But as soon as I hung up, the decision felt wrong. 

That evening, I lay in bed and thought: Then I’d rather not have a puppy at all. The other male was beautiful and objectively perhaps the more obvious choice. But he wasn’t Ozzy. I missed that feeling that had been there from the start. 

I sought advice from my friend Isabel. She had noticed over weeks that I kept talking about Ozzy. For her, it was long obvious which puppy I wanted. She encouraged me to trust my feelings. So I withdrew my agreement and went to see the puppies again. 

Was Ozzy Really the Right One? 

During this visit, I realized that it wasn’t just Ozzy’s unusual appearance that made the difference. His behavior was different too. He could play with his siblings but also be alone and entertain himself. He did many things at his own pace, seemed independent, and remained friendly to people and puppies. A little free spirit.  

Of course, no one can definitively predict how a few-week-old puppy will develop. But I had to ask myself what was really more important to me: a dog that matched my external ideal as closely as possible–or the puppy I already felt a special connection to. Once I decided that Ozzy would move in, I was relieved. 

In terms of appearance, I deviated from my ideal, if you will. In the things that matter more to me, I didn’t. The parent dogs are health-checked, and their temperament convinced me. During my visits, I was able to experience not only the mother dog but also her sister, the puppies’ grandmother, and another aunt in the pack. The puppies grew up clean, varied, and right among the adult dogs. These were exactly the insights I was looking for. 

Then Ozzy Chose Volker 

Volker didn’t come with me to my first visit to the four-week-old puppies. When the decision was due, I had to make it without him. At seven weeks, he finally met Ozzy. The puppy immediately went straight to him–and in no time, he had him wrapped around his paw!  

When Volker picked him up, Ozzy playfully bit his nose and gave kisses. After that, he almost exclusively lay under Volker’s chair. I noticed it first–and Volker was delighted. Later he said, “I would have chosen him too because he looks so interesting.” 

Elvis had quickly chosen Volker back then. Now, apparently, Ozzy has done the same. Who would have thought? Because now Volker and I agree: Ozzy belongs with us. Does Elvis see it that way too?

More on the topic

Experience Report Elvis Goes Wild on the Leash! How TV Dog Trainer André Vogt Helped Us

Experience Report Dog Owner: “How We Were Misled by a ‘Firework-Free’ Vacation Park”

Is Elvis Really Jealous? 

To ensure we don’t leave the first meeting entirely to our gut feeling, I asked dog trainer Jörg Ziemer from Ziemer & Falke for support as part of this column. He will accompany us during the move-in and the first time together. 

In the preparatory conversation, he assessed Elvis’ behavior more nuancedly. The label “jealousy” is too simplistic. Jörg spoke of a jealousy-like behavior complex. Depending on the situation, insecurity could also play a role for Elvis. His pushing in between is therefore not automatically a claim to power. 

For our daily life, this means: When Ozzy comes to us, Elvis gets a dog treat. This way, he can gradually learn that it’s a good thing for him when the puppy joins. If Elvis pushes between Ozzy and us, we calmly and kindly set boundaries and resolve the situation. Volker and I decide which dog is up next. 

As a preparatory exercise, Jörg also recommended an active break. Elvis should gradually learn that my attention is temporarily unavailable–and that it reliably returns afterward. 

In the first few days together, we want to create as clear conditions as possible. Toys and especially valuable resources will initially be put away. Both dogs will have their own resting places with enough distance, and feeding will be supervised. If Elvis growls, it won’t be punished. It’s a warning signal and shows us that the situation needs more distance or a different structure. 

There’s No More Plan 

The first meeting should take place outside on neutral ground before going home to the garden. There is still no minute-by-minute plan. Jörg deliberately didn’t give us a rigid schedule. Instead, decisions will be made step by step about what the two dogs need in each situation. That’s probably the hardest part for me. I’ve spent months searching, comparing, and weighing options. I wanted the right breeder, the right pairing, the right puppy–and preferably the certainty beforehand that everything would work out. 

With Ozzy, I had to learn to trust my feelings. With Elvis, I’ll have no choice but to watch closely and not anticipate every reaction. Volker has now accepted Ozzy. After a rollercoaster ride, I’ve finally chosen the puppy I had in mind from the first photo.

Ozzy will soon come home. Then we’ll see if Elvis is ready to turn our well-rehearsed daily life into a life of four. 

PETBOOK will follow the development of Elvis and Ozzy with a monthly column. Additionally, regular Instagram insights are planned.