About Gold Star Dogs

Gold Star Dogs is located in Mercer County in Illinois.  The kennel is located on 5 acres with a lot of running room for the dogs.  I’m Diane Martin, owner and trainer.  I received my training certification at the National K-9 School for Dog Trainers in Columbus, Ohio and have been working with dogs all my life. 

The purpose and mission at Gold Star Dogs is to train and rehome dogs of good breeding and temperament for family homes.   I realize many dogs, purebred and hybrids, need new homes for a variety of reasons.  It has been my experience that  particularly large dogs  are surrendered to shelters or abandoned because the adorable puppy unknowing buyers purchased grew up without the proper  training and it is now an unruly, obnoxious adolescent.  My hope for Gold Star Dogs is to help those dogs make the transition from obnoxious to Gold Star behavior. 

While in my care dogs are kept in 5’ x 5’ kennels in a building that is heated in the winter and air conditioned in the summer.  If housebreaking is necessary, dogs will be kept in a crate and on a very strict schedule to eliminate this problem. 

A great deal of time is devoted to keeping the dogs active out of doors if weather permits, and allowing them to play with other dogs in supervised small play groups.   I have an obstacle course on the property for helping dogs build confidence.  There is a large 50’ x 125’ training corral for obedience sessions. 

Before a dog is allowed to go to a new home, a Gold Star Dog will:

• Have basic on leash training (heel, sit, stay, come, and down)
• Be housebroken
• Will be socialized with children and other pets
• Will be spayed or neutered
• Will be up-to-date on their shots and come with a health certificate

If you are interested in a Gold Star Dog, please fill out an application and tell me about yourself.  References will be checked.  For a full list of dogs in training and available soon, please email me at my email address.