If you live in North Carolina and are looking to enroll your dog in a hunting training program, look no further.
We’ve compiled a list of the most highly-recommended dog trainers in the state.
1. Shorthairs & Shotguns
Shorthairs & Shotguns is owned by long time animal lover Emily Shirey. They are located in Winston-Salem, North Carolina and serve the Greensboro area.
They focus on gun dog training that starts at home, so that dogs are well-behaved in and out of the field. Clients work with the trainer to achieve bird dog training, field manners, and retrieving. Basic obedience training is also a core tenet of the program.
Owner trainer Emily Shirey has traveled to 13 states to expand her knowledge of hunting dog training. She works with both pointing and flushing/retrieving breeds. Emily is an active member of the North American Versatile Hunting Dog Association, and has prepared several dogs for the Natural Ability Test.
Shorthairs & Shotguns has some excellent hunting dog training videos. If you have a bird dog, you’ll enjoy this video about introducing hunting dogs to guns and birds.
Learn more about Shorthairs & Shotgun’s bird dog programs.
2. S&S Outdoors
S&S Outdoors is owned by expert bird dog trainer Sloan Williams. They are located in Cleveland, North Carolina and serve the Charlotte Greensboro area.
They offer gun dog training, deer dog training (including tracking and shed dog training), as well as event and obedience training.
Owner trainer Sloan Williams has been training hunting dogs for over 18 years. She specializes in training retrievers to bird hunt. They offer a 56 run state of the art facility and provide indoor and outdoor boarding services to the public.
Learn more about S&S Outdoors’ gun and deer dog training programs.
3. Avery Creek Retrievers
Avery Creek Retrievers is owned by lifelong hunter and dog owner Billy Mosley. They are located in Boiling Springs, North Carolina and serve the Charlotte Asheville area.
This dog trainer offers a comprehensive on-site bird dog training program for retrievers. They conduct training at their facility and on hundreds of acres of nearby ponds and fields.
Owner trainer Billy Mosley has experience training both hounds and retrievers. He has trained gun dogs at all levels of HRC and AKC hunt tests throughout his years as a trainer.
Check out Avery Creek Retrievers’ gun dog programs.4. Lost Highway Gun Dog Kennels
Lost Highway Gun Dog Kennels is owned by long time dog trainer Grayson Guyer. They are located in Winston-Salem, North Carolina and serve the Greensboro area.
This dog trainer offers three different types of hunting dog training programs: companion gun dog training, pointing dog training, and retriever training. Each dog receives an individualized two-week evaluation at the beginning of their program.
Owner trainer Grayson Guyer has been training dogs for over 20 years. He began working with military dogs while serving as a US Navy Corpsman. He is a board member of the national French Brittany Spaniel club (the CEB-US) and competes in pointing dog and retriever hunt tests.
Listen to trainer Grayson Guyer and co-host Emily Shirey’s podcast, “The Companion Gundog Podcast,” for information and tips on bird dog training.
Check out Lost Highway Gun Dog Kennels’ hunting dog programs.
5. West End Retrievers
West End Retrievers is owned by dog trainers Scott Durkin and Curtis King. They are located in West End, North Carolina and serve the Fayetteville area.
This dog trainer offers several gun dog training programs, including: foundation gun dog program, beginner gun dog program, intermediate gun dog program, and advanced gun dog program. Completing the advanced program will earn your dog the title of Master Hunter.
Trainers Scott Durkin and Curtis King specialize in gun dog training for retrievers. They also prepare dogs for AKC Hunt Tests and Field Trail Tests.
Find out more about West End Retrievers’ gun dog programs.
6. Moss Bend Retrievers
Moss Bend Retrievers is owned by long time dog trainer Ashly Kite. They are located in Grimesland, North Carolina and serve the Raleigh area.
Their facility provides full-service retriever bird dog training. They also provide obedience training for large breeds (forty pounds and above).
This dog trainer specializes in training retrievers for competition and “Gentleman Gun Dogs.” Moss Bend Retrievers conducts training on their hundreds of acres of property in North Carolina. They also breed Labrador Retrievers.
Check out Moss Bend Retrievers’ retriever training programs.
7. Briarwood Gun Dogs
Briarwood Gun Dogs is owned by hunting dog trainer Chris Phillips. They are located in Goldsboro, North Carolina and serve the Raleigh Fayetteville area.
They provide a comprehensive list of hunting dog training programs, including versatile dog training and test prep, retrieving, introduction to guns and games, blood tracking, and more.
This dog trainer specializes in breeding and training versatile European hunting breeds like the German Wirehair and Hunting Terrier. Owner trainer Chris Phillips has traveled to and competed with his dogs in Europe.
Learn more about Briarwood Gun Dogs’ versatile and single-task hunting dog programs.
8. Dog Train Inc
Dog Train Inc is owned by professional dog handler and trainer Diane Gallagher. They are located in Wilmington, North Carolina.
This experienced dog trainer works with locals to train their bird hunting dogs without the owners having to send their dogs away for months of in-house training. She also coaches dogs to compete in AKC Hunt Tests and provides basic obedience training.
Owner trainer Diane Gallagher has been working with dogs for over 50 years. She competes in AKC Hunt Tests and earned the Master Hunter Title in 2018.
Check out Dog Train Inc’s retriever training programs.
9. River Ridge Kennels
River Ridge Kennels is owned by gun dog trainer Bill Mattes. They are located in Richlands, North Carolina and serve the Wilmington area.
They offer basic and advanced gun dog training on over 2,000 acres of land.
This dog trainer specializes in training retrievers to quail and duck hunt. They also breed Labrador Retrievers for the home and field.
Learn more about River Ridge Kennel’s bird dog programs.
10. Swamplife Retrievers
Swamplife Retrievers is owned by long time dog trainer Jeremy Horne. They are located in Salemburg, North Carolina and serve the Fayetteville area.
Their training program focuses on teaching retrievers to become the best gun dogs possible. They also provide basic obedience training for family pets.
Owner trainer Jeremy Horne has over 15 years of experience training bird dogs. His specialty is training retrievers to bird hunt. He also breeds AKC registered Labrador Retrievers.
Unfortunately, we cannot link to their website since it lacks a security certificate, but a quick Google search will lead you to their website or you can call Swamplife Retrievers at 910-990-5954.
Hunting Dog Trainers in North Carolina Summary
As you can see, there are many well qualified hunting dog trainers throughout the state of North Carolina. We hope that you’ll find the right trainer to take your dog to their full birding, pointing, or retrieving potential.
