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.
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.
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.
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.
If you are interested in Gus, please submit your application to Heidi Kilgore at cwcnrtrephkilgore@gmail.com.