Meet the Gusta Family

Chelsey Montgomery-Gusta is the owner and lead trainer of Knallhart Kennels & Training Academy, specializing in providing the most personalized and elite dog training in the Midwest. She is committed to helping all owners and their canines reach their goals as efficiently as possible. Her unique program is formulated with both positive reinforcement and corrective training and structured to ensure that her clients understand the dog psychology behind all the training that is taking place. Chelsey's methods have had proven results. Her goal is to ensure all her clients to feel as though they can handle, train and live alongside their canine with ease!

Chelsey has solved hundreds of behavior modification cases (aggression, leash pulling, excessive barking, etc.) in the last several years and hundreds more prior while working for other training facilities. She is willing to take on nearly any case confidently, and always takes the time to ensure that she trains her human clients so that they feel comfortable and understand the dog psychology and processes behind all the training that she does. She strives to be honest and transparent about the training that your dog needs. Chelsey is definitely a jack of all trades when it comes to canines. 

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

Chelsey actively participates in AKC obedience and conformation with her personal prestigious kennel of German Shepherd Dogs and Newfoundlands. She has trained, competed and titled multiple dogs, even placing with a top rank in the Companion Dog Excellence class (CDX, AKC’s second highest competition level) and has also been invited to compete at the National AKC obedience competition in Orlando, Florida multiple consecutive years . She is also committed to ethical breeding and breed preservation. A couple times a year show quality puppies are available.

Along with successfully running Knallhart Chelsey is also a devoted wife and mother.  Calvin is at the kennel with Chelsey every day and attends all lessons and send home transition sessions. He rides his infant carrier and usually doesn't make a peep, but Chelsey is always appreciative of her clients patience as she navigates lessons during COVID and being a new mother.  You likely will see her husband, Dillon, and son Calvin, sometime during your service! They are both sure to put a smile on your face.

If you are looking for a fun, experienced trainer to help you and your dog achieve success, contact Chelsey today!