Meet a Fully Trained Kentucky Pup Before They’re All Adopted

If you’ve never heard of Kentucky’s Paws Behind Bars program, you’re in for a surprise. This initiative feels like a godsend: training your rescue dog before you adopt them, transforming homeless dogs into dreamy companions. Here, inmates train adoptable dogs, while the dogs provide them rehab through unconditional love. Read on to meet four adoptable pups and learn more about this unique project.

In this program, anyone who works with the pups must meet strict qualifications. For instance, the inmate handlers must have at least two years of good conduct and can’t be convicted of any abuse towards children or animals. Meanwhile, the dogs who arrive from rural shelters where they faced euthanasia are chosen by Adopt Me! Bluegrass Pet Rescue for their trainability.

The inmates train the pups while being monitored by a professional dog trainer. Here are some of the important things the dogs learn:

• Social skills

• Manners

• Cues (such as “sit,” “down,” “stay,” “come,” and “place”) 

• Crate-training

• House-training

• Leash-training 

The pups become available for adoption after they graduate from this program. So if this seems like a win-win, that’s because it is. Below are merely a few of the model Paws Behind Bars students who are currently up for adoption.

Lulu

All about Lulu: Do you like having fun? Well then, you already have so much in common with the friendly Lulu who bubbles with energy. This good girl not only radiates sunshine but also aced her obedience training in Paws Behind Bars. Lulu’s secret power is her adaptability: This clever kiddo can fit right in wherever she goes.

Lulu craves a good amount of physical and mental exercise. So she would be her best self in an active family, which can include other dogs (especially male) and children over 12 — just no cats, because she gets a little too excited around them. 

She’d be a great fit for experienced pet parents who understand the physical and mental needs of high-energy working breeds, and have a fenced-in yard. Lulu is smart and eager to please, so they should certainly continue to train her, which comes oh-so-easily to her. She’s already spayed, microchipped, fully vaccinated, and totally ready for her next adventure.

Traits: Lulu is a Belgian Shepherd mix. She still embodies the playfulness of a puppy, despite being one year and two months of age. This medium-sized female dog (aka up to 60 pounds, once fully grown) has the classic tan, yellow, fawn coat of her parent breeds.

How to meet Lulu: Visit her adoption page for more information. Fun fact: Lulu’s adoption fee has already been covered by a sponsor. If Lulu has been adopted (no surprise here — she’s a total prize), check out Adopt Me! Bluegrass Pet Rescue for many more goofy pups waiting to meet you.

Karly

All about Karly: This floppy-eared charmer has her Paws Behind Bars obedience training down pat. And she’s just as sweet as she is smart. Everyone’s a future friend to her: humans, dogs who are not-too-small (think 30 pounds and up), and older kids. However, the rescue warns that she finds cats too “intriguing,” which means it’s best to keep her away from felines. 

She’s quite athletic and happy and comes with reserves of energy, making a fenced yard a must. Karly is still young at heart, so you can expect lots of cute (and sometimes a little mischievous) puppy behavior. To rein in her liveliness, offer her plenty of exercise and play, distract her with physical and mental challenges (including more training, which she’ll love), and indulge her social nature. 

Karly comes spayed, microchipped, vaccinated, and ready to party — so encouraging her to get silly with other pups shouldn’t pose a problem at all.

Traits: Karly is a black-with-tan German Shepherd mix who’s a tender one-year-old. The medium-size female pup is 50 pounds, but despite her size, you’ll be delighted to learn that she’s very much a puppy. 

How to meet Karly: For more details, check out her adoption page. If it turns out that this exceptional pup has been adopted, head to Adopt Me! Bluegrass Pet Rescue’s page for the many other perfectly adorable pups looking for forever homes like yours.

Lennox

All about Lennox: Another superstar pupil, Lennox not only successfully made her way through Paws Behind Bars, but left smiles on the faces of everyone who met her. This joyous pup, who does best without any other dogs or cats in the home, loves to love and be loved. Pet parents looking for a companion who will truly appreciate all the affection and attention they have to give will adore her.

Lennox is a healthy girl who comes spayed, microchipped, and up-to-date on all the important vaccines. (She also takes the medication Proin each day, to prevent minor incontinence.) In fact, she’s so active that she could use a fenced-in yard to burn off some energy. Meanwhile, she thrives on learning additional obedience skills and tricks, which will bond her even closer to her pet parents.

Traits: Lennox is a two-year-old female Cattle Dog mix, weighing a svelte 39 pounds. She’s black, white, and — move over, Dalmations! — spotted all over. This here’s a proper Cattle Dog, ready for a bandana and a frontier to explore.

How to meet Lennox: To visit Lennox, head to her adoption page. If she’s already been spoken for, don’t despair, Adopt Me! Bluegrass Pet Rescue has many other well-trained pups you can meet.

Still looking for your dream dog?

The right dog for you will have a personality that fits your lifestyle. It always helps to properly research the pup, ask yourself if you can meet their needs, then see them in person. Sometimes, searching for your furry soulmate may require perseverance, so try not to be discouraged if you don’t find them immediately. The easiest way to do this is by signing up for Adopt a Pet’s New Pet Alerts, which will show you all the available pups near you.