Training

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When you become a part of The GUSTO Pack, we're always here to help. While our local owners are often attending our free socialization and training events, non-local owners are encouraged to join our exclusive GUSTO German Shepherds Facebook Group to get tips and ask questions at any time. 

For every GUSTO GSD, training is required. All of our dogs must successfully complete the 10 identified behaviors of the Canine Good Citizen (CGC) test and receive a certificate of title by the age of 1 year. While only a CGC is required, many of our owners fall in love with training their GSD further, entering them in AKC obedience, performance, and conformation events. 

All GUSTO German Shepherd Dogs (GSDs) in our breeding program must complete OFA hips and elbows testing with passing grades prior to breeding. For more information on hip dysplasia, or to review our dogs' test results, visit OFA.org. GUSTO GSDs are also either tested for Degenerative Myelopathy (DM), or are clear of the disease by parentage, to ensure our puppies and dogs are not affected by this deadly, debilitating disease.

GUSTO GSD puppies are dewormed at 2, 4, 6, and 8 weeks of age. They receive their first Nobivac Canine DAPPv vaccination at 8 weeks, with our recommendation to owners that their puppy be vaccinated again at 12 and 16 weeks. It is also recommended that GUSTO GSD puppies receive a rabies vaccination in accordance with the owner's state laws.

Owners can breath easy knowing that each puppy comes with a GUSTO health guarantee.

One of the three pillars of  GUSTO's breeding program is structure. Structure is highly important in all dog breeds, but even more so in large breeds like the German Shepherd Dog. We breed for correct structure in agreement with the German Shepherd Dog Club of America (GSDCA) Breed Standard. This ensures your dog will not only have a happy, but also a long and healthy life - right by your side.

I met the founder of Puppy Culture, Jane Messineo Lindquist (Killion), at the 2018 AKC Detection Dog Task Force Conference in North Carolina where she was a presenter. I had previously become acquainted with Dr. Carmen Battaglia, an AKC Board of Director, GSDCA Board of Director, and AKC Chair of the Detection Dog Task force. I had implemented his published paper on Early Neurological Stimulation, and other information from his website, Breeding Better Dogs.com, into my breeding program. In addition, I also used the Volhard Puppy Aptitude Test. These protocols are included in the Puppy Culture program. But I was blown away by Puppy Culture's full and complete approach to puppies. I never dreamed puppies could be set up for success at such an early age through a variety of protocols! This is the gold standard for breeders. Thank you, Jane!

THE PROOF IS IN THE PUPPIES!