Thinking about buying a new hunting dog before the season starts—or maybe picking up a pup that someone else has already started? Before you make that decision, there are some key things every handler should consider.

In this episode of Thoughts of a Dog Man, I break down my personal checklist for evaluating a new dog. We’ll cover:

Understanding why you’re buying—whether it’s for hunting, future breeding stock, or resale. The importance of honestly matching your goals with the dog’s background. Key signs of a healthy dog that will save you time, money, and heartache later. The mindset you need when giving a dog that hasn’t been hunted in a while a fair shot.

If you’re serious about setting yourself up for success this season, this episode will give you the clarity to make the right move when evaluating your next dog.

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/thoughts-of-a-dog-man/exclusive-content

Here is a short episode where I share some thoughts on the mistakes I made when I first started rabbit hunting! With a focus on new and beginning handlers, I want to share these mistakes to help you avoid them and get started on the right track. The benefit of having someone share mistakes they have made with you is that it saves you time, energy, and a headache. I hope these resources help you as you get started on your rabbit hunting and dog training journey.

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/thoughts-of-a-dog-man/exclusive-content

In this episode, I sit down with Chris Johnson, a member of the Iowa Blood Tracker Association, and we talk about tracking wounded deer with dogs. At Bawlin Out Kennels, we strive to share information with new and beginning handlers on the topic of tracking with dogs. This was fascinating to me, which allowed me to learn something new. Chris has been around dogs for a long time and has been working with deer-tracking dogs for a few years, in addition to running rabbits with beagles. Give it a listen as Chris talks more about how tracking wounded deer with dogs works, ways you can get involved, and how to go about getting help if you need a deer tracked!

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/thoughts-of-a-dog-man/exclusive-content

In this episode, we discuss having a young dog that might not stay on the tree when it gets treed. I have a question sent to me on Facebook about how a dog sometimes can mill around the tree and not quite be belly up or even leave the tree when the owner is walking in. I have dealt with this before and share something I did that seemed to help my dog when he would tree for a bit and start to leave the tree. WE discuss being slow to correct in these situations to make sure the dog is actually leaving trees with game in them and not just double-checking to make sure they are right. With most things involving training hunting dogs, there are many ways to accomplish the same goal, and the hope is to give a new handler options they can fall back on when encountering different scenarios!

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/thoughts-of-a-dog-man/exclusive-content

On this episode, we discuss how most hunting dog people relate their love for hunting dogs to an incurable disease of the healthiest kind. The love we share for hunting dogs goes so much further than just harvesting game, but becomes about the dogs, the love of being in the woods or timber, and creating memories with others who love hunting with dogs. We keep this episode light-hearted and fun as I share some comparisons in my mind between the love for dogs and the incurable disease of being thankful for the dogs and friends I have made over the years.

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/thoughts-of-a-dog-man/exclusive-content

In this episode, we discuss culling dogs as a new and beginning handler. We define culling and outline some key considerations before deciding whether to cull. Culling a dog is something you, as the owner and handler, have to determine is right or not for you. We discuss key considerations when deciding whether to cull a dog. Making sure you, as a new handler, have some sort of standard or metric in your mind to make sure you are giving the dog the best chance possible to become the best dog they can be. Not everyone agrees on culling and whether or not to do it, but coming up with an idea in your mind on what meeting the culling standard will help you along your hunting dog journey, and make a sound decision when the time comes.

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/thoughts-of-a-dog-man/exclusive-content

In this episode, I discuss some lessons I have learned along the way on my dog man journey. I believe in staying open-minded and willing to evaluate and adjust through life. Dealing with dogs is no different; learning to adjust and be honest with yourself will go a long way. Some of these lessons include Getting out, what you put in, Not Quitting before your breakthrough, Being your own competition, and many more. Start how you want to finish how you want to, and control what you can, which is your attitude and effort.

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/thoughts-of-a-dog-man/exclusive-content

On this episode, I sit down with a huge advocate for youth and women hunting here in Iowa! Who also covers Missouri. Steph Lane is a connector who strives to help youth and women expand their experiences in the world of hunting! Steph not only sets the youth and women up for success, but is also an avid hunter herself, with bird dogs. Steph shares some of her thoughts on bird dog training and the future projects to look forward to. If you are a landowner looking to participate in these projects, or someone new to hunting and seeking ways to get started, consider contacting Steph to get you pointed in the right direction.

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/thoughts-of-a-dog-man/exclusive-content

In this episode, we discuss some ways to set your pup up for success this coming season. With a lot of pups and people getting prepared for the upcoming rabbit season, squirrel season, pheasant season, or coon season, along with many others, I want to make sure you, as a new handler, have done all the prep work at the house before taking your pup or young dog into their first season. I discuss eight key points to consider when preparing a pup or young dog for the season. These are straightforward things to do and can be worked on each day, but they require consistency and patience to set the foundation for your dog's future career.

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/thoughts-of-a-dog-man/exclusive-content

In this episode, I discuss what I believe to be one of the most important aspects of working with dogs at a high level. For beginners, starting how you want to finish is crucial, and it all begins with Mindset. Having the proper mindset and approach will take you as far as your heart desires with hunting dogs. There will be plenty of times of frustration naturally, and sometimes confusion, but with the proper mindset, you can persevere through all of it and continue to develop your skills and dogs to be the best they can be. I share 10 approaches or ways to look at things I've learned over the years, which can help you get the result of a champion-caliber mindset.

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/thoughts-of-a-dog-man/exclusive-content