Down and Dirty Dog Training

Story by Katrice Williams  |  Photography by Leidy Lester

It’s always about quality over quantity for me. These dogs are members of a family—a family’s best friend,” Kirk Brennaman says. Kirk is the founder and owner of Down and Dirty Dog Training LLC, which opened its doors in September 2021. Kirk, a former law enforcement professional, decided to follow his passion for dog training after serving in the field as a canine handler.

“I fell in love with working with dogs. When I had gotten out of law enforcement, I knew that all I wanted to do was work with dogs,” he says.

Kirk’s passion for dogs stems even further back than that; he has loved them as long as he can remember.

“I’ve had dogs since the minute I was born. The only time I did not have any dogs was when I was in the barracks in the military, only because they were not allowed,” he says.

After getting out of law enforcement, Kirk obtained all his trainer licenses and insurance, and he began building kennels in his garage.

“Things just took off from there,” he states.

Mission

Kirk’s goal as a trainer has been to help ensure that the relationship between dog and family is a healthy, happy one.

“I want to help give people the ability to understand their dog and for their dog to understand them. When a person and their dog are on the same wavelength, it allows for cohesiveness. That clear communication allows for less stress for the family and for the dog,” he states.

Training

Kirk mentions four essential elements of training to help obtain desirable results from a dog: consistency, communication, structure and accountability.

“Those four things have to be part of a dog's life for success. Training is creating that nice, clear association in communication between dog and trainer,” he says.

Down and Dirty Dog Training offers various types of training (on-leash or off-leash), including: private lessons or group lessons, board and train, along with therapy dog training for certain service dogs.

Private lessons take place once per week. Kirk travels to a client’s home to train their dog. He gives each client a bit of homework after the training—all those areas they should work on with their dog until the next session.

“Private lessons put more responsibility on the client’s shoulders; they have to keep up with that training every day,” he says.

Group lessons are typically done upon request. Trainers train their dogs alongside other trainers and their dogs; this allows each trainer and dog to work together in an uncontrolled public atmosphere.

Board and train is an on-leash or off-leash obedience training. It tends to be the most common training, as it is very convenient for clients. Kirk
picks up the client’s dog and keeps it for a minimum of four weeks.

“It gives me all day, seven days a week, to focus on behaviors. When the dog goes home, all we have to do is get their dog to respond to them the same way it responds to me,” he states.

Kirk offers complimentary lessons after the board and train to help each family create that beneficial training structure.

“It’s easier for them to keep up with that foundation that has already been laid,” he adds.

Throughout the board and train, dogs are taught to follow such essential commands as “Sit,” “Down,” “Stay,” “Recall” and “Place.” Normally, dogs are able to learn some good house manners and the ability to walk on a loose leash in public. The dogs are also trained to have better impulse control.

“Every time the dog comes out of the kennel to play, to potty or to train, it is all created with structure; they have to sit or stay for their kennel doors to be opened. It’s essential to teach the dog that stability equals reward,” Kirk states.

The exact duration for each dog’s training depends on a variety of factors: the age of the dog, the breed, the dog’s drive and confidence level, current behavioral issues and the end goal that the client desires.

“No two dogs really learn at the same rate,” Kirk comments.

That said, Kirk is no respecter of dogs. He enjoys working with them all. Though there are certain breeds that are genetically inclined to become productive at a faster rate than others, Kirk looks upon each dog as having a world of unleashed potential. Whether training Chihuahuas, Doodles, Hounds, Retrievers or Shepherds, Kirk admits that he will work with almost any dog capable of being trained.

“Dog training is definitely a dance; there are a lot of little parts that go into making it work properly,” he says.

If there are questions regarding a dog’s trainability, Kirk will often take the dog through a series of evaluatory drills to ensure that it is trainable.

“I’ve found that most dogs can learn some aspect of training. People would actually be surprised how capable their dogs are,” he says.

Doing More

In October 2022, Kirk began the Paw-sitive Changes Prison Program (a prison work release program). During this time, he began volunteering at the Effingham County Animal Shelter. Alongside the shelter, Kirk teaches inmates from the Effingham County State Prison how to train the shelter dogs. If the inmates properly achieve the task of instilling basic obedience skills within the dogs, they receive a 40-hour certificate of completion from his business.

“As long as they’re doing right by the dogs and giving it their all, that’s all that matters to me,” Kirk says.

The program has been a success for both the inmates and the animals. The inmates have helped to develop some good manners and obedience in some
of the dogs.

“It’s been wonderful. It’s giving the inmates an opportunity to open up and express their personality. They’re doing a selfless service. Being able to create that bond with the animal is very therapeutic in my opinion. It’s a judgment-free zone where they can open up, handle the dog, train the dog and play with the dog,” Kirk says.

When the dogs have basic obedience, it is more likely that a good family will adopt them.

“It’s therapeutic for the dogs as well. The dogs are getting the engagement they’ve lacked or have been deprived of. They’re getting that structure. It’s a really good give and take,” he says.

In addition, Kirk has been helping to train therapy dogs for the Effingham County School System alongside a company he contracts with. The first cohort of trainers and their therapy dogs are prepared to begin servicing the school district this upcoming school year. Several dogs are in line to take their Pet Partners Test which must be successfully completed prior to servicing the district.

Kirk knows the difference the dogs can make in a young person’s life, especially those experiencing various challenges. That interaction with that kind, furry friend is quite impactful.

“I think we have recently only touched the surface of the therapeutic benefits people get from dogs,” he says.

Service

Kirk served in the U.S. Army’s Infantry Division for several years.

“I guarantee that I wouldn’t be the person I am today if I wasn’t part of the military--—gaining that exposure and discipline that allowed for selfless service was fundamental to my current success. It taught me about who I am as a man and what I’m capable of; it created the drive that I currently have,” he states.

Kirk has enjoyed training service dogs—dogs that thrive from structure and having a purpose. He knows the extraordinary impact the dogs have made on countless servicemen, especially those enduring mental health concerns.

“The bond a man has with his dog is something that you truly don’t see elsewhere. Having that comforting touch, or just having a dog in the same room, helps people calm down immensely. They’re more willing to open up about things. A dog gives you their undying love no matter what is going on,” he says.

Moreover, Kirk’s time serving as a canine handler was one of his biggest inspirations for becoming a trainer.

“If it wasn’t for law enforcement–them sending me to canine school–I wouldn’t have the background, knowledge and understanding that I have to be able to do what I’m doing today,” he says.

On the Horizon

Kirk is looking forward to opening a new training venue—a full training and kenneling facility to service Effingham and the surrounding area.

“It will allow me to service more people. I will be able to offer more services, specifically more boarding services. People will have a place to take their dogs where they’re confident they will be taken care of properly,” he says. Kirk is excited about what is on the horizon for him and his four-legged friends.  ■

For more information about Down and Dirty Dog Training, call 912.677.7410 or visit www,downanddirtyk-9.com.