Available Dogs
Available - Gus
Basic Info:
Location: Indiana
Age: 4 years
Color: Blue Merle (fluff)
Altered: Yes
Leash Trained: Yes
Crate Trained: Yes
House Trained: Yes
Kids: Yes
Other dogs: Yes
Other cats or animals: Yes
Project Gus
Gus is a rewarding project dog with a solid foundation and tremendous upside for the right handler.
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What You're Working With
Gus is potty trained, kennel trained, and knows several commands — he just needs a refresher and consistent practice to sharpen his response time. He's food motivated, which makes him highly trainable and gives you a built-in reward system. He's bombproof with loud noises like thunder and fireworks, great for grooming, and a perfect gentleman in public settings when paired with a confident handler. He rides beautifully in the car, handles store outings well, and has even been ponied off a horse. Importantly, Gus has never offered to bite, even in high-stress moments — he communicates his discomfort but has a soft mouth and good bite inhibition.
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The Project Work
Gus thrives with structure and a calm, confident leader. He's a sensitive, intuitive dog who mirrors his handler's energy, so he needs someone who can set the tone in social situations. He takes a little time to warm up to new people, especially men, but gets there — he does best when new friends skip the hand-offer and just give him gentle pets. He has some barrier reactivity (barking behind fences), resource guarding with high-value items around other dogs, and a prey drive that makes off-leash freedom situational. Leash manners are a work in progress but respond well to a slip lead. Dog introductions should be managed — he doesn't tolerate rude or pushy dogs initially but settles in once he's comfortable. His food motivation also means counter surfing and trash raiding are real, so secure your snacks.
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His Ideal Setup
Gus' dream home is active — think walks, hikes, trail rides, and regular outings to pet-friendly stores. He has a background in scent work and real potential to excel in the sport with a dedicated handler. He bonds deeply and will choose "his person," making him an incredibly loyal companion. He's good with dog-savvy cats, well-mannered dogs, and horses. While he's content to chill at home with his family, he truly lights up with adventure and activity.
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If you are interested in Gus, please submit your application to Heidi Kilgore at cwcnrtrephkilgore@gmail.com.
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