Articles on pet training/care by expert Andrea Arden. http://www.andreaarden.com Thu, 19 Aug 2010 14:21:56 -0700 Wed, 18 Aug 2010 00:00:00 -0700 One of the great joys of sharing your life with a dog is the fact that they have the potential to act as ambassadors for making new friends and acquaintances. People are far more likely to strike up a conversation with you when you are with a dog. On the down side, people are also likely to make comments and offer advice without solicitation.I recently had a third lesson with a lovely woman who had adopted a five-month-old Newfoundland puppy from a rescue group. A few minutes into the lesson, I realized that her eyes were welling up with tears. She explained that she was feeling terrible guilt about her puppy. It seems that someone had stopped her on the street to let her know how horrible they thought it was that she had such a large dog in the city. I assured her that her puppy was lucky to have been adopted by her. Not only was she being diligent about his education and socialization but, she had carefully chosen a pup with a low-key nature whose activity level was relatively low, especially compared to many smaller dogs. It seemed this pup was superbly suited to apartment and city life.She had also chosen to adopt a special needs puppy that, due to a medical condition, would need to have a carefully controlled and somewhat limited exercise routine for the next 6-12 months. The rescue group was surely thrilled to have found a woman who was a stay-at-home writer, with loads of time to provide for this dog's special needs care. They also rightly assumed that this dog would do well in a city environment. I assured her that she had nothing to feel guilty about.Contrary to what some people suggest, large dogs can be superb apartment dwellers. In fact, in many cases, more so than some smaller dogs who may be highly active and vocal. While the size of your living quarters is of some concern, it is far more important to be sure you can provide a particular dog with the exercise, training and socialization required. With that said, spending time (ideally over the course of a number of visits on different days) with an individual dog will give you some idea of their activity level and suitability for your family. http://www.andreaarden.com/article.php?id=235 Wed, 11 Aug 2010 00:00:00 -0700 Once you have your general list of what you think would be the makings of a good canine match for your family started on paper, plan to visit local dog training schools to make a more specific assessment of types of dogs that you might consider most suitable for your family. This is a great place to meet loads of puppies and adult dogs, and to learn a bit more about training and socialization prior to bringing home a new pup. You can also stop by local dog parks and dog events so you have the opportunity to become familiar with lots of dogs of different temperaments, shapes, and sizes.A shelter or rescue group is one of the best places to find a canine companion. These pups were abandoned by someone, but that is no fault of their own. Puppies are surrendered due to the fact that people are often unprepared for the effort it takes to raise them or because people are negligent in regards to spaying and neutering their dogs which results in unwanted litters. But, with love and guidance a formerly abandoned puppy can become your best friend.Local shelters have hundreds of mixed and purebred puppies waiting to be found by their new family. If you have your heart set on a particular breed, even the most rare has groups that focus on finding new homes for that specific type of dog. If you decide to choose a pup from a breeder, find someone whose top priority is to produce dogs with good physical health and temperaments, above their looks. Puppies should be raised in the home, their living quarters should be clean, and they should have had plenty of handling and socialization with the family and visitors by the time they are 8 weeks-old. Ask the breeder about any potential health issues the breed may be prone to (they should do genetic testing when available), and meet as many adult dogs from their line as possible (they should be friendly and well-mannered). Genetics plays a large part in behavior. So, getting to know one or both of the parents will give you an indication of the general temperament of this canine family. Also, carefully observe all the pups in the litter to get a sense of the range of personalities. Of course, the final decision is based on spending plenty of time with an individual puppy. Carefully observe how a puppy interacts with you and the environment. All puppies are cute, but beauty is as beauty does. That is, their temperament and personality are of paramount importance. Consider how the pup reacts to the following:When you enter the room.When you attempt to engage them in play.When you attempt to engage them in play with a toy.Being held and handled all over his or her body.Being brought into a new area of the house or yard.Unexpected, loud noises.Interacting with other animals (especially a dog you already have).A puppy temperament test will not result in any absolutes in regards to the dog's future behavior. However, genetics is at the core of a dog's personality and behavioral tendencies and the temperament of a puppy will remain with him or her throughout their lifetime. This is the foundation of who they will become as an adult dog.In addition, the environment a puppy is exposed to will have a great impact on future behavior. For example, the difference between a Golden Retriever that is raised in a loving family that focuses on socialization and motivational training and a Golden Retriever who was allowed to sit idol through puppyhood and adolescence with little or no regard for training or socialization is likely to be dramatic.Young puppies are usually remarkably flexible in regards to their behavior. However, inadequate socialization and training mixed with a temperament that is not a good match for a family can quickly lead to normal dog behaviors becoming serious problems that put the canine/human relationship at great risk. With that said, one of the most important parts of your search is to find a modern, reward-based trainer to assist you in providing your dog with an education based on fun for all. Take a look at the trainer search page at www.APDT.com to get started.The search for a puppy can seem as daunting as finding a suitable partner in life. But, once you have found your puppy, your heart will be filled with love and you are sure to enjoy many years of the joys that come from having a canine companion by your side. http://www.andreaarden.com/article.php?id=234 Fri, 16 Jul 2010 00:00:00 -0700 Anyone who has spent a Summer in New York City can understand why most urban dwellers anxiously await the coveted invitation to visit a friend in the country for a weekend. While the drive out of the city is sure to be a test of mental stamina for even the most experienced city driver, the destination brings with it the peace and quiet that is so highly sought after and scarce in the lives of most city folk. I recently spent one such weekend at a friend's beautiful cabin in upstate New York. Things started off as any dog loving city escapee would hope for. My dogs and I were welcomed with open arms and a dog biscuit or two and our host assured me that the dogs could run freely and safely in the fenced in yard. She even gave the A-OK for the dogs to lounge on the furniture! I pulled my dogs aside for a puppy pow-wow and explained that they must be on their absolute best behavior as a repeat invitation to this rural heaven was on the line. Saturday started off swimmingly, both literally and figuratively. After breakfast we all headed down the road to a neighbor's property for a dip in their pond. While we floated on rafts the dogs bounced around the edge of the pond in a futile attempt to catch a frog or an insect. It was the start of a superbly lovely, lazy Summer holiday. After a couple of hours we headed back to the house for a picnic lunch. Once finished, we lay about reading and talking as the dogs investigated the yard. Then it happened. http://www.andreaarden.com/article.php?id=233 Thu, 15 Jul 2010 00:00:00 -0700 Bringing home a puppy is a lifetime commitment that comes with many responsibilities to consider including the time and monetary expense.  http://www.andreaarden.com/article.php?id=232 Wed, 14 Jul 2010 00:00:00 -0700 A few years ago, a friend of mine who is a well-known animal photographer asked me to assist her with handling dogs on a shoot she was doing for a pet food company. The photos were to be used for the packaging and advertisements for this new brand. http://www.andreaarden.com/article.php?id=231 Thu, 01 Jul 2010 00:00:00 -0700 Most people respond to a fireworks display with delighted "Oohs" and "Ahhs." Unfortunately, what most Americans consider the ultimate way of celebrating the Fourth of July may cause their dog to wish they could hide under the covers until it is all over. The dog's highly sensitive hearing paired with the over the top stimulus of the low-frequency, thundering, prolonged, booming sounds of fireworks, and the fact that it is an experience that happens only once a year for most dogs (which means it is unfamiliar) can result in an extremely jarring and stressful experience for your canine companion. As a result, the dog may shake, drool excessively, whine, and even the most normally well-behaved and friendly dog may become unpredictable and destructive.Helping your dog cope with fireworks is a process that should ideally begin in puppyhood. Many dogs will startle at loud noises (just like people), but can bounce back quickly, especially if they have been raised in a home that focuses on early and ongoing habituation to a variety of sounds and other stimuli. If you are raising a young puppy, consider that while fireworks have some unique sound qualities (i.e. the volume, duration, frequency) you can help a young, impressionable puppy to develop the ability to better cope with loud sounds in general which may help them cope with the specific sounds of fireworks. If your dog is currently suffering from stress due to fireworks, consider that helping them to develop the skills to better cope during this experience can be a lengthy process which needs to also be paired with management techniques on the day of. Some of the following tips should help your dog make it through the day with as little stress as possible. http://www.andreaarden.com/article.php?id=230 Tue, 22 Jun 2010 00:00:00 -0700 Friday, June 25th 2010 is Take Your Dog to Work Day. This special day was created by Pet Sitters International to celebrate our canine companions and to encourage employers to allow people to experience the value of well-mannered dogs in the workplace. In addition to tail wags and fun, studies show that dogs can help to boost morale and productivity and may even improve employee relations. Perhaps most importantly, this is a day to show off our well-socialized and mannerly dogs in an effort to encourage people to adopt a dog from a shelter and have a loving canine companion of their own. http://www.andreaarden.com/article.php?id=229 Fri, 04 Jun 2010 00:00:00 -0700 Most people have walked into their home at least once and found their dog waiting for them with a look they interpret as guilty for some not yet discovered doggie misdeed. Did she eliminate on the carpet, chew up a favorite shoe, bark all day and disturb the neighbors? It could be. Or maybe, just like an innocent person sitting in front of a jury in a courtroom, the dog is worried about the situation and exhibiting body language that is meant to say something along the lines of "I'm happy you're home, but nervous you're going to punish me for something because you have in the past," rather than "I am feeling so guilty for what I did." If dogs had lawyers, they would surely advise them that a jury might be more likely to convict you if they think you look guilty, so hold your head up high, wag that tail and gosh darn it...look happy!Bernie, a rescued 5 year-old English Cocker Spaniel, has been wrongly convicted on a number of occasions, so I decided to step in as her advocate during a recent lesson with her family. They insisted that when they walk in the door, if Bernie averts her eyes and her head, ears and tail are held lower than usual, she is feeling guilty. I explained that while there are certainly some similarities between human and animal behavior, there is also a tendency to take a superficial similarity and apply it in broad and inaccurate ways. With that said, while they may express a look that reminds us of what a person might look like when feeling guilty, guilt is not part of their emotional repertoire. A dog might certainly exhibit this sort of body language if she is in a situation where she believes punishment (or something else unpleasant) is imminent. But, rather than being a display of guilty feelings it is the dog's way of showing they are no threat and more importantly hope to decrease the possibility that you might be one to them. They were a tough jury, so I decided to employ some of the tactics I had seen on TV court shows. I would provide a demonstration to argue my case. As Bernie and I had a lovely, trusting relationship with no history of me reprimanding her I thought for expediency it might be best to enlist the help of one of the family members to prove my point. I asked them to walk out the front door and re-enter after 5 minutes, then to walk up to Bernie with their hands on their hips and a stern look on their face. Lo and behold, Bernie's ears dropped lower than usual (and that is pretty low, considering she is an English Cocker Spaniel), and she not only averted her gaze, but turned her head completely away. If there had been a pile of sand nearby, I suspect she would have tried to imitate an Ostrich and hide her head in it. I scanned the jury and was confident that I was headed towards triumph. I had clearly instilled reasonable doubt in the minds of everyone. Maybe her 'guilty' look was a pretty measly amount of evidence to make a conviction? Maybe she wasn't feeling guilty after all? Maybe she was just a bit, dare we say it, scared? It seemed very likely that Bernie's look of 'guilt' was a response to people's body language and not necessarily an indication that she was making an association with any potential misdeed. Odds are, the family had at some point come home to find that Bernie had done something inappropriate. She may have been reprimanded and as a result become more sensitive about the family's arrivals home, their body language or tone of voice. As a result, when they walk in the door, if they look or sound even a bit like they did when they reprimanded her in the past, she is more likely to display the 'guilty' look her family now saw for what it really was. http://www.andreaarden.com/article.php?id=228 Mon, 31 May 2010 00:00:00 -0700 One of our apprentice trainers, Mike Lustig, asked me last week if I have a preference for teaching private lessons or group classes. This was one of the many good questions on his list that day and an example of how working with apprentice trainers is a wonderful way for an established trainer to continue to reflect on their profession in an effort to improve. Of course, most importantly, it is also a great way to help spread the word about dog-friendly training by teaching others how to teach dog/handler teams as well.My first response to Mike was something along the lines of "Well, I really like both." But, I could see by the look on his face he wanted a bit more detail. As with everything in life, there are potential pros and cons to group classes and private lessons. And of course, we each have personal preferences. I know plenty of trainers who don't offer group classes because they have such a strong preference for private lessons, and vice versa. I continued by explaining that the dynamic of a group class can be exhilarating. I love the variety of students all in one place and the challenge of helping each dog/handler team. I also find that students can greatly benefit from each other's presence (as a source of encouragement, enthusiasm, support, and just a pinch of good natured competition). There are many times when the mix of a group class is so wonderful that at the end of the six week course we all (myself, the students and the apprentice) are truly sad to say goodbye. Luckily, we see many students in ongoing education classes (such as level two obedience, tricks and agility). I am most pleased when students cheer each other on at graduation as each team heads up to show off a new skill before receiving their diploma. Talk about positive reinforcement training! Who wouldn't continue to play the training game with their dog after being applauded for success?Of course, teaching group classes can at times be more challenging than some private lessons. There may be an especially vocal dog in class, or a person who is already beyond frustrated once they arrive at the first class and on the brink of giving up. These situations require special attention that is balanced with providing equal time to each other student. It requires the ability to temporarily veer off from a set curriculum and then get back to it so that everyone in class benefits as much as possible. While some might see these sorts of situations as distractions, I believe that even if some of the students are not dealing with a particular issue (such as a dog who barks excessively) they will benefit from hearing how to handle it. Behavior is a constantly changing thing and I always remind students that there is a first time for everything. For example, their dog may begin to develop a barking issue, and if they had the opportunity to observe someone else working on this issue in a class it may very well help them in the future. In general, group classes are especially advisable for puppies as they provide an invaluable opportunity for the pups to learn in the presence of other dogs. This means they develop the skill to focus on their owners and play with other dogs when allowed to. Trainer moderated puppy play in group classes is a valuable part of a pup's education. Private lessons are a whole other kettle of fish. Maybe in this case a new saying is in order? They are a whole other bag of kibble! Walking into someone's home means you are teaching in a new environment for each lesson, and it is someone else's domain rather than your own classroom. This can be disconcerting for some. But, in the 15 years or so that I have been offering private lessons, I have found that most students do their best to welcome you in and within a few moments their living room has morphed into a mini-classroom. Private lessons can be a terrific way to help someone get started with training, especially when there is a need for concentrated work on specific issues such as separation anxiety, fear, or aggression. But, even for new puppy parents, we often suggest a private lesson or two prior to enrolling in a puppy kindergarten class. This way they can get started with effective management, handling exercises and teaching manners asap. One of the positives of private lessons, working in a fairly non-distracting environment, may eventually become a bit of a drawback. Once the dog/handler team has developed a good training foundation, working in a classroom setting around other dogs and their people can be a superb way to begin to practice around a variety of distractions that are still somewhat controlled. In some cases, semi-private lessons with two dogs are a good, gradual step towards group classes. Also, while private lessons may be more convenient for some people (as they can schedule them at their leisure), people sometimes wait too long in between private lessons. This can inhibit efficient progress. In this way, group classes may act as a good incentive to be diligent about the commitment to training for six consecutive weeks.In most cases, private lessons and group classes complement each other. Offering both allows keeps things interesting and allows for students to have two valuable options. But, it is important to make sure you help people choose which might be best for them at a particular stage in their training plan. After all, there are three main ingredients in regards to a successful recipe for training; the owner, the dog, and the trainer. All three are most likely to have the best possible experience when the right training environment is chosen. http://www.andreaarden.com/article.php?id=227 Thu, 27 May 2010 00:00:00 -0700 Moderating puppy play groups is definitely one of the highlights of my job. After all, there are few things that are cuter than baby animals frolicking and playing. Hence the popularity of Animal Planet's Puppy Bowl. But, for a trainer who is required to moderate these groups there is a lot more that is required than just sitting back and watching the fun. Careful observation, focus and management is required to ensure the best possible experience for all.Play is an important component of a puppy's educational curriculum. Not only does it provide them with an outlet for their abundant puppy energy, but it is also one of the cornerstones of developing an adult dog who can best handle social interactions with other dogs. Being able to interact and play with other dogs throughout their lifetime can be a wonderful form of enrichment and should ideally be part of a plan to maintain a dog's overall well-being. That is not to say that all adult dogs will be interested in or suitable for play with all other dogs. In fact, it is quite normal as a dog develops into adolescence and adulthood that they become more particular about who they play with. Sounds a lot like people. But, the goal is to make the most of a dog's unique temperament so that they have the best possible chance of trotting through their life with their family without serious incidents with other dogs.Even if a dog grows into an adult who is not exceptionally fond of playing with other dogs, early and consistent interactions with other dogs during puppyhood provides them with valuable information in regards to bite inhibition. That is, how to control or inhibit the frequency, and most importantly the force with which they use their mouths with other dogs. An adult dog may growl, snap or even nip at another dog at some point in their life. But, early and ongoing socialization with other dogs bodes well for any interactions of this sort to end with both dogs walking away without injury. It is somewhat like people getting into an occasional verbal scuffle with someone else. This is something that even the most even-tempered person might experience. But, we should all be able to walk away from these situations with nothing more than a momentary bit of annoyance. Allowing dogs the opportunity to play with other dogs during their crucial development period (prior to 26 weeks-old) is one of the easiest and most effective ways to help set a foundation for safe and enriching encounters with other dogs throughout their lifetime.Puppies are programmed to play as a way of practicing behaviors that will serve them well throughout their lives. During puppy play groups you are likely to observe a whole host of natural and normal behaviors. Some of these can be a bit disconcerting and even alarming to those who are unfamiliar with normal puppy play. There is likely to be lots of running, chasing, and mouthing, as well as some barking and even the occasional mounting. There are also likely to be moments when one or more of the pups chooses to opt out of play. The social structure of dogs is one that is flexible and constantly changing depending on the environment and other specifics of the situation. So, while I observe the puppies as they enter the room for each play date, in order to get a sense of what they are about, I know that once they are playing with each other, the interactions can vary greatly and change from moment to moment. As I watch pet parents head in the door, usually with obvious expressions of enthusiastic anticipation for the fun their pup is about to have, I begin to assess each dog/handler team so as to best manage the hour ahead.A few weeks ago there was a 3 month-old Shepherd mix who came bounding in with his family a few feet behind at the end of the leash. From the looks of things it was immediately clear that shy, reserved, and cautious are strangers to him. He gave a few quick glances and sniffs en route, but wanted to be on the fast track to getting to were he wanted to go. This was only his second visit to this puppy play group, but he seemed to know full well what was through the door. As our school is located in New York City, we see loads of smaller dogs. On this particular night, a scrumptious tri-colored Cavalier King Charles Spaniel almost tip-toed into the space. She was cautious of each step and stood at the doorway for a full minute before crossing the threshold. Next on the lineup was a Boston Terrier who, like the Shepherd mix puppy, was surely wishing his humans could understand that he was trying to say "Please, unsnap my leash already! I want to run, and play, and sniff!" If only he could speak human. All two pounds of a Chihuahua puppy pranced in with little head and tail held high. If that body posture doesn't scream "I may be small, but watch out world!" I don't know what does. A low-key Bernese Mountain Dog rolled up to the door, followed by two very cute fluffballs (a Havanese and a Shih Tzu). All three seemed to be from the same tribe; mild-mannered and taking each step in stride. The lineup that followed included a little terrier mix, a Pekingese mix and two bouncy Labrador mixes who were adopted from Animal Haven Shelter. Pulling up the rear was a beautiful Vizsla who crept in with her head held low and her tail tucked all the way under her belly. She was clearly worried, but her people seemed even more so. They looked distraught and immediately asked if maybe it would be best if they just took her home.It can take courage to expose your new puppy to situations for which it may take them time to adjust. While it is certainly understandable that some pet parents are reluctant and concerned when faced with a situation such as this, (this is especially common and understandable for people with very small, and presumably more fragile dogs), avoiding exposure to the world at large (in this case, to other dogs) means that you are simply delaying the inevitable and most probably making it that much more difficult for your dog to develop the confidence to handle those things which he or she will be exposed to throughout their life. That is not to say that the pups response to experiences should not be considered. In fact, quite the opposite. I explained to the family with the Vizsla that while all the pups there would benefit in many ways from attending puppy play groups, their dog was sending out a high alert message that socialization was a top priority for them. I also assured them that we would take steps to help her adjust gradually to the situation and that odds were she would be romping and playing very soon. While it takes some puppies a few weeks to come out of their shell and gain the confidence to playfully interact with other puppies, most get the hang of things in one or two sessions.Just as the social structure of dogs is flexible, so must be a person moderating a puppy play group or puppy kindergarten class. On this particular night, I sectioned off the room so that one side was for the more confident pups and the other for those who would benefit most from a more gradual introduction to other puppies. The separation was also based in part on the vast discrepancy in size. While the goal is to have all the pups learn to be in the presence of other dogs of varying sizes, interact safely (whether on leash or off), and feel confident and secure in their ability to handle these social situations, at this point it seemed there were some pups in the room who had not yet developed the impulse control necessary to interact safely with dogs that are much smaller. I had the Vizlsa, the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, the Havanese, Shih Tzu, the little terrier mix, Chihuahua and the Boston Terrier in one half of the room and sectioned them off from the other area with two exercise pens stretched across the room. The Shepherd mix, Bernese Mountain Dog and the Labrador mixes where on the other side.We started by allowing the Vizsla and the Cavalier off leash while everyone else gently held their pups. This way, the two pups who seemed most concerned had some time to adjust to the space prior to meeting the other puppies. The pups being held were getting a valuable opportunity to practice remaining calm when restrained, even in a stimulating environment. Food stuffed chew toys were passed around to those people holding their pups, to be used as behavioral pacifiers to ensure that being held and restricted from play was associated with something pleasant. This sort of simple exercise is an added bonus during play sessions and will serve the pups and their families well in the future when they need to be restrained in a similarly stimulating situation (i.e. at a vet's office or dog run).The Vizsla and the Cavalier gently padded about the room in ever widening circles until their two little faces were just inches apart. Both pups sniffed the ground, looked and turned away and then back until a beautiful moment when the Cavalier placed her front end on the ground and stretched into a full out play bow. The Vizsla paused and then flopped to the ground. The two of them stared in each others eyes for a moment and then the Vizsla was up and running with the little tri-colored pup doing her best to catch up. There were giggles all around the room and sighs of relief from the parents of these pups. I asked the others to let their pups down one at a time, pointing to each to indicate when it was their turn. As each pup entered the mix, the Vizsla and Cavalier became more cautious for a moment or two, but as each pup made an introduction to the others, by sniffing and circling about, the room became filled with wonderful displays of soft, inviting puppy body language.On the other side of the space, the four larger pups bounded around the room, chasing and being chased. The Bernese flopped to the ground after about ten minutes and the other pups followed suit. Lots of mouthing about the neck and rolling on the floor fun were had by all. I asked a number of people to pick their pups up for momentary time outs from play for the purpose of keeping the energy at a controllable level and to help the pups regain some composure when necessary. As a puppy play group moderator I am looking for pups to develop the ability to interact with each other with soft, bouncy body language. Consistent stiff posturing is usually an indication that a time out might be in order. But, in most cases this type of posturing subsides after a few moments. Sometimes when two pups are engaged in rigorous, wrestling type play, one or the other pet parent might express concern that their dog is not having fun. In this case I might suggest to do a quick restraining hold on the other pup a foot or two away. If the pup whose parents were concerned comes back to play, it is a clear indication that while the pet parent might not have thought their pup was having fun, they were! This is a technique for guaging interest in play that is best suited for young puppies, not adult dogs.In most cases, puppy play groups are great time for all. But, at times what is fun for one pup may not be so much so for another. I heard one pet parent whisper that they thought the Boston Terrier was being dominant. I prefer to look at it in a way that allows more room for understanding. The Boston Terrier was, in this particular environment anyway, feeling more confident, and in the mood to play in a rambunctious manner than some of the pups. He was also especially interested in the Cavalier (she is a very pretty girl). At this stage in the Boston's social development he was not yet skilled at picking up on this other dogs clear signals that she was not interested in playing this way. If the Boston backed off a but it might be that the Cavalier would gradually gain the confidence to play. But, as he was very insistent, I had the parents rotate which pup was down playing and which was being held. By two weeks later, the Cavalier had become confident enough to interact with the Boston Terrier, who had himself started to become much more polite in regards to backing off when other pups gave clear signals that they were uncomfortable. These signs may include a lowering of their head and/or tail, averting their gaze, lip licking, or yawning.The Shepherd mix puppy won the award for most time-outs for the evening, but I assured his people that while he was definitely a supremely confident and energetic boy, the time outs where not an indication that anything was wrong with him. Just that in this particular group it would benefit him and the other pups to let him take frequent breaks. As it turns out, when he came back the next week, there were two new puppies who were even more confident than him. At this session he had just a few time-outs, but they each had quite a few more. Yet another example that social groups are fluid and a dog's behavior will change according to many variables.Mounting is one of the behaviors that tends to be of greatest concern to new pet parents. Mounting can mean many things, including acting as an invitation or encouragement to play. In most cases, when a puppy mounts another they will do so for a very brief bit of time and then stop of their own accord or as a result of the other pup sitting, lying down or turning around to play. However, if this behavior becomes excessive a time out from play is in order. This is not only to help prevent this behavior from become excessive, but also to relieve concerns that pet parents on both sides of the equation may have.Each puppy play group is in some ways like a little episode of a sitcom with a cast of characters who entertain themselves and you throughout the hour. But, the ultimate purpose of a puppy play group is far more important than just entertainment. It is to set the stage for a well-socialized adult dog. If you have a new puppy or are planning on welcoming one into your family soon, be sure to make a plan for providing your pup with as many of these valuable opportunities to interact with other pups as possible. Some options are: http://www.andreaarden.com/article.php?id=226