Knallhart Kennels & Training Academy

Knallhart Kennels & Training Academy exclusively offers boarding and training services for puppy training, basic and advanced obedience, behavior modification, and emotional support, therapy, and service dog certification and training. They do not offer group or private lessons to clients who have not first completed a boarding and training program.

The boarding and training program is offered on a limited basis, with a maximum of 10 dogs per month. Clients are advised to book in advance and may expect a 1-2 month wait before their dog can begin. The benefits of their Board and Train programs include saving owners time, ensuring quality training by professionals, achieving efficiency through immersive progress, maintaining consistency in a controlled environment, and providing customization with individualized strategies.

Their balanced training program encourages dogs to obey and respect their handler by teaching clear expectations, correcting undesirable behaviors, and positively rewarding desired tasks. During their stay, dogs are loved, well cared for, fed, watered, exercised, and provided a clean environment. Visits are allowed on a scheduled basis during their “Visit and Train” class on Fridays, but unscheduled visits are not accommodated. Clients receive daily report cards, photos, and videos to stay updated on their dog’s progress. Owners are required to send plenty of dog food; other items are allowed but not guaranteed to be returned.

For dogs who have completed their program, Knallhart offers a “Lifelong Guarantee – Group Class,” providing continued work via weekly group classes at no additional charge. This applies to owners who complete all homework assignments prior to their dog’s return, work hard during their dog’s transition, and follow the recommendations for balanced training methods. These clients also receive 5 free 1-on-1 lessons each calendar year, though restrictions may apply.

Pricing Summary

Knallhart Kennels & Training Academy exclusively offers boarding and training services, with programs ranging from 4 to 16 weeks. Invoices for boarding and training must be paid in full at the time of booking to reserve a spot, though payment plans may be available upon inquiry during the phone consultation.

Prices include boarding and training, along with lifelong support group classes. Additional tools for home training (leash, e-collar, Herm Sprenger collar), professional grooming during the stay, and any extra house blend food are charged separately.

Specific program pricing includes:
* Knallhart’s “Jump Start Puppy Program” (8-16 weeks): 6 Weeks for $6,900 plus Iowa Sales Tax ($7,314.00 total).
* Knallhart’s “Puppy Program” (16 weeks-6 months, no major behavioral issues): 4 Weeks for $4,000 plus Iowa Sales Tax ($4,240.00 total).
* Knallhart’s “Basic or Intermediate Obedience / Basic or Intermediate Behavior Modification Program”: 6 Weeks for $5,900 plus Iowa Sales Tax ($6,254.00 total).
* Knallhart’s “Advance Obedience / Advance Behavior Modification Program” (for reactivity, bite risk, insecure behaviors): 8 Weeks for $6,900 plus Iowa Sales Tax ($7,314.00 total).
For extreme cases, 10, 12, or 16-week behavior modification programs may be suggested, with pricing varying. Working Dog Programs (Certified Therapy Dog, Basic Service Dog, Advanced Certified Service Dog) also have variable pricing based on the dog’s previous training and age; clients should text Chelsey for pricing.

Policies

Knallhart Kennels & Training Academy does not offer monetary refunds of any kind. If a dog is unenrolled from a program, either prior to or during attendance, no refund will be given, as the spot could have been used by another client.

The success of their training programs relies on a partnership between the client, their dog, and the training team, with the owner’s follow-up on homework and strategies being crucial. For dogs who have completed their program, Knallhart offers a “Lifelong Guarantee – Group Class.” This means they will continue to work with owners via weekly group classes at no additional charge, provided the owners complete all homework assignments, work hard during their dog’s transition, and follow the recommendations for balanced training methods. These clients are also offered 5 free 1-on-1 lessons each calendar year, though restrictions may apply.

Knallhart Kennels & Training Academy is owned and led by Chelsey Montgomery-Gusta, specializing in personalized and elite dog training in the Midwest. Their unique program combines positive reinforcement and corrective training, focusing on teaching clients dog psychology.

Chelsey has successfully resolved hundreds of behavior modification cases, including aggression, leash pulling, and excessive barking. The academy also offers training and certification for service dogs and therapy dogs, with dogs actively working in various community settings.

Knallhart also operates as an ethical preservation breeder of purebred Newfoundlands and German Shepherd Dogs, adhering to AKC standards and health testing. They offer boarding and training services and aim to help owners create a balanced relationship with their canine companions.

Accomplishments

Chelsey Montgomery-Gusta is the owner and lead trainer of Knallhart Kennels & Training Academy, recognized for providing elite dog training in the Midwest. She has successfully resolved hundreds of behavior modification cases, including aggression, leash pulling, and excessive barking, both at Knallhart and during her prior work at other training facilities.

Chelsey has extensive experience training and certifying service dogs and therapy dogs for the disabled. She volunteers her time in the community, using her dogs to assist those with disabilities, and has trained and placed multiple dogs that are actively working in school districts, retirement homes, funeral homes, and hospitals.

She actively participates in AKC obedience and conformation events with her personal kennel of German Shepherd Dogs and Newfoundlands. Chelsey has trained, competed, and titled multiple dogs, achieving a top rank in the Companion Dog Excellence class (CDX), which is AKC’s second-highest competition level. She has also been invited to compete at the National AKC obedience competition in Orlando, Florida, for multiple consecutive years. Additionally, Chelsey is committed to ethical breeding and breed preservation.

How to Get Started!

New clients interested in the boarding and training program are required to schedule a phone consultation first. To do so, clients should text Chelsey at +1-319-573-2133.

When texting, clients should include their dog’s name, breed, age, and the program that most interests them. Clients should allow 2-3 days for a reply. To reserve a spot in a program, invoices for the boarding and training must be paid in full at the time of booking.