My customers recently seem to be asking quite a bit if you can teach an old dog new tricks. In this video I used a totally green 11 yr old and proved it.

  Adam Madore 
professional dog trainer with Artisan dog training
 Lexington / Nicholasville

When I first started training it took me very little time to find out that puppies can be destructive and dogs are hard on toys. I also found out that the better nutrition I fed my high end puppies the better they could progress.

I really like any toy that can withstand a Belgian Malinois puppy. Most of my toys come from Bluegrass Barkery they also sell Taste of the wild dog food, you can find them at  http://www.bluegrassbarkery.com/HOME.html .

If you like to order your things online my favorite place from a dog training point of view is  http://www.indestructibledog.com/ and their dog beds are fantastic, also if you sign up for their email they will have you try out the products they are reviewing. My favorite dog and puppy foods can be found at  http://www.tasteofthewildpetfood.com/  and  http://www.diamondpet.com/ if you have any suggestions let me know and I'll post them and try them. 
        

    Adam Madore 
professional dog trainer with Artisan dog training
 Lexington / Nicholasville

At Artisan dog training we use crates to train our puppies and dogs when they are needed. In my posts about puppies and dogs I usually advocate a pen over a crate but both have their uses and reasons. I addressed the reasons for a pen before and now I will cover crates. 

When you choose a crate it should be sufficient for your dog to stand turn around and lay down in. If you are buying a crate for traveling the airline has various restrictions which you will have to consider separately. Your pet will need to be introduced to a crate slowly and over a few hours although it can vary wildly. 

Start out by placing a treat near the crate. Then in the door of the crate then, if the dog takes it with no trouble in the middle of the crate. Each time she gets it praise her and be patient don't push him. After a few of these then place it in the back of the crate and swing the door shut a little. 

Gradually work until your able to shut the door without him getting nervous and finally latch it. Continue stepping up the amount of time she is latched until your able to leave the room without incident. Be sure to place his favorite toy and a little bed in there with him and he will eventually be good to go overnight. 

Good luck and as always feel free to send me any questions.

      

 Adam Madore 
professional dog trainer with Artisan dog training
 Lexington / Nicholasville

The most important thing to remember when you socialize a puppy is that everything is new. You have to start with the least amount of stress and build on it.

 If you are expecting your dog to compete or hunt you should take them out around these environments just like anything else. I usually start with myself and my car since these are my puppies first interactions with me.

 I start in a quiet room when I pick them up and have treats on hand,I patiently let the puppy check me out or just roam around a little while I wait. After they are comfortable with my presence I will make sure the puppy follows me well and head outside. I let them go potty and take them to the car. If she is not interested in it I open the door and shut it a few times so the sound isn't so startling. I put him inside and let him roam around before placing him in the crate.If I have a long way to go I stop frequently to check on the puppy and let them out a little.
 
The first car ride is a good example for you to see how an everyday occurrence needs to be broken down. This will be the same for your yard, house, other dogs, and,cats. If the puppy seems frightened and you don't see a reason for it (ie pulling on a leash and crying loudly when they first see an automatic door) just wait for a minute and  take off the slack. Don't pick them up or try to reassure them it will only hurt their growth.
 When introducing a puppy to a new dog  you must have control of the situation and trust in the other dog. If the other dog shows aggression just pull your puppy away quietly, no fuss. Generally puppies can handle their own with puppies their size but be sure to break up any spat without coddling. I'm going to leave off here because I could write a chapter on this but if you have any questions don't hesitate to write me an e-mail or call.
         

    Adam Madore 
professional dog trainer with Artisan dog training
 Lexington / Nicholasville

I said in my last Artisan blog post that I would talk about potty training and now the wait is over! Potty training should be thought of as a heavy chore. 
When you begin potty training you will need to take the puppy out directly after food or water and every hour. Directly after food and water because your puppy will act like a vessel and when you put some in some will come out.

 You should allow your puppy access to water every hour and food three times a day once, every time you would normally eat. You will also need to get up three times a night and take them out to try. 
No water or food two hours before bed is a good rule of thumb. Your puppy may cry very loudly her first night but you shouldn't immediately go to them because they need the time apart. This will result in some accidents but if you reward the puppy for going outside they will soon get it. 

When you are playing with your puppy or sitting with them and they decide to go potty grab him up and use a negative re-inforcer verbally while you sprint outside. The moment you reach the door you go quite and walk to your puppy spot and wait, they go tinkle and you reward. You will soon notice that she doesn't go every time and you can back off on the trips little by little. This method can also be paired with a crate if you prefer. Next I will be addressing socialization so stay tuned!

    Adam Madore 
professional dog trainer with Artisan dog training
 Lexington / Nicholasville

I visited a big box store yesterday to talk to some people about my volunteer work and help out a little. I saw a few people with new puppies and I talked to them about how to prepare for their new little friend. I think the first thing you should think about is potty training and food. One of your most immediate problems though will be control.
     
  To control your puppy you have to be able to see him or know that he is contained when you are not directly watching them. I like to achieve this with a puppy pen rather than a crate, because they do not grow out of puppy pens which means you wont have to buy a bunch of different sizes.

 Place your puppy pen on a tile or non carpeted surface. Be certain your puppy has water,a toy , and a bed. If the area you place your dog in is a little chilly just put a little heater near them on the outside of the pen but not near any of their things. When they start crying stick to your schedule of potty breaks. She will need to get used to sitting alone. Make sure to start your potty training from the first moment you walk in the door. Socialization will have to be paid attention to also. More coming on all these subjects later.

    Adam Madore 
professional dog trainer with Artisan dog training
 Lexington / Nicholasville

One of the most common questions I get is about food and feeding. There are many foods out with different nutritional values. Does your dog have a special need? Some kind of food allergy or issue? 

True food allergies in the dog world are rare but they do happen. Dog foods of any kinds can be found on the internet and some local stores will order for you and keep it in stock. As a general rule I like Diamond and Taste of the wild for my dogs but these are for high energy dogs with high protein quotients.
 When you choose a dog food you should always check your labels. See if meat is the first ingredient? Does it have a large amount on grain? Always keep in mind that dogs should have a large amount of protein in their food because they are carnivores. 

    Adam Madore 
professional dog trainer with Artisan dog training
 Lexington / Nicholasville