gun dog training in South Georgia
Your Dog. Your Goals. Our Experience.
Dirt Road Dog Company is a family-run team that has bred, raised and hunted Field Bred English Cocker Spaniels and Small Munsterlanders for more than 15 years. We train on over 100 acres of our own private property in Climax, Georgia. Our team works in the quail woods every season, so our training is built around what a dog actually needs to do in the field, behind real hunters, on real birds.
Whether you want a polished gun dog, a NAVHDA test contender, or a well-mannered companion at home, our team will build a plan around your goals and your dog.
What we train
Hunt Training: Bird work, quartering, retrieving, and steadiness for upland and waterfowl hunting.
Basic Obedience: The manners every dog needs, at home and in the field.
NAVHDA Hunt Test Training: Preparation for NAVHDA testing, the standard for versatile hunting breeds like the Small Munsterlander.
Training programs Built for Your Breed
English Cocker Spaniel Training
English Cockers are flushing dogs, and they need to hunt close, stay in gun range, and handle the moment of the flush with control. We train spaniels to quarter in front of the gun, flush with confidence, sit to flush and shot, and deliver retrieves to hand. We've bred and hunted Field Bred English Cockers for more than 15 years, so we know this breed's drive and how to shape it.
Small Munsterlander Training
The Small Munsterlander is a versatile hunting dog: it points, tracks, swims and retrieves. Training a versatile dog takes a broader plan than training a spaniel. We work on pointing, tracking, water work and retrieving, with the goal of a dog that can handle upland birds and waterfowl alike.
Other Breeds
We also train other sporting breeds. Tell us about your dog and your goals, and we'll let you know if we're the right fit.
TWO WAYS TO TRAIN
Board and Train
You drop off your dog and leave them with us. During the first few days, we assess where your dog is and build a goals list based on what you want to accomplish. Most dogs stay one to three months, depending on your goals and your dog's progress. A polished gun dog takes a different time commitment than a well-behaved house dog, and we'll be upfront about what yours will need.
One-on-One Sessions
Prefer to be part of the process? You and your dog spend an hour with us. We'll evaluate your dog's obedience, show you how to handle them, and send you home with homework. About four weeks later, you come back for the next session so we can build on that progress. It's a great fit for owners who want to learn to train their own dog.
WHEN TO START
Puppies (8 weeks to 6 months)
Start at home with the basics: name, recall, crate, and early bird and water exposure. DRDCo puppy owners get guidance on what to practice. One-on-one sessions are a great fit at this stage.
Young Dogs (6 to 12 months)
A good age for board and train, when focus and drive are ready for structured hunt training.
Older and Experienced Dogs
Tune-ups before hunting season, or work on specific problems like steadiness and range.
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW - GET STARTED
How It Works
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Tell us about your dog and your goals using our training inquiry form.
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We'll reach out to talk through the right program and reserve your spot.
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Send your vaccination and vet records before drop-off.
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For board and train, we assess your dog during the first few days and set a plan of action.
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We train toward your goals list and keep you updated on progress.
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At pickup, we show you how to handle your dog so the training carries over at home.
Before Your Dog Arrives
To keep every dog in our kennel healthy, we require:
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Updated vaccination records from your vet, including yearly shots and Bordetella
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A clear vet record for intestinal parasites (such as hookworms and Giardia), dated within one month of arrival
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A completed intake form, which we'll send you as a quick online form
client testimonials
"We bought our English Cocker as a puppy from Dirt Road Dog Company, and their support didn't stop when we took her home. While she was growing up, they gave us things to practice at home so she'd be ready when the time came. When she was old enough, we sent her back for training and let DRDC do their thing. Now we have a finished dog that's incredible in the field and just as good at home. We couldn't have asked for a better start to finish experience."
"Our Small Munsterlander had the natural ability, but we needed help getting her ready for her NAVHDA test. We left her with Dirt Road Dog Company for focused training, and it made all the difference. She went into test day confident and focused, and we went in knowing exactly what to expect. You can tell this team knows versatile dogs and NAVHDA standards inside and out."
TRAINING INQUIRY FORM
Spots are limited, especially heading into hunting season. Fill out the form below and tell us about your dog. We'll be in touch to talk through the right plan.
Once you complete this form, someone from our team will reach out within 48 hours.
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