When you’re working with a young tree dog, it can be easy to focus on one question:

Is he treeing yet?

But there’s a whole lot more I’m watching before I ever decide what I think that young dog might become.

In this episode of Thoughts of a Dog Man, we talk about some of the things I look for while a young tree dog is developing—hunt and desire, how they use their nose, whether they seem more track-minded or tree-minded, problem-solving ability, independence, confidence, and how they respond when things don’t go perfectly.

Treeing is exciting, but it doesn’t tell you the whole story.

How did the dog get there? What did he do when the track got tough? Can he correct his own mistakes? Is he making his own decisions, or depending on another dog or the handler to do everything for him?

And maybe most importantly, are we judging that young dog off one exciting moment—or are we paying attention to the patterns he continues to show us over time?

Especially for beginners, I think there’s a lot you can learn about a young tree dog long before everything completely comes together.

Hopefully this episode gives you a few more things to watch for the next time you’re in the woods with a young dog.

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Don’t get so caught up asking whether that young dog is treeing yet that you miss everything he’s showing you before he ever gets to the tree.

Practice what you preach.

Recently, Bawlin Out Kennels crossed 10,000 followers on Facebook. It’s a milestone I’m proud of, but it also made me think about the process it took to get there and how similar that process is to developing a young dog.

There were times when 10,000 followers felt a long way away. Times when growth was slow, things didn’t work, negativity showed up, and I questioned whether I was even headed in the right direction.

Sound familiar?

Because we go through the exact same thing with our dogs.

You start with a young pup and have an idea of what you hope he’ll become. You put the work in, see little glimpses of progress, hit plateaus, have setbacks, and sometimes wonder if that dog is ever going to put it all together.

In this episode of Thoughts of a Dog Man, we talk about continuing to show up before the results are obvious, dealing with plateaus and outside opinions, knowing when to adjust without abandoning the process, and paying attention when those breakthroughs finally happen.

Because a breakthrough isn’t just something to celebrate; it’s something to study.

I spend a lot of time telling new handlers to be patient, trust the process, stop comparing their dogs to everybody else’s, and give that young dog time to develop.

Sometimes I have to remind myself to practice what I preach!

Thank you to everybody who has followed, listened, shared, commented, and supported Bawlin Out Kennels along the way. 10K is a milestone, but we’re nowhere close to finished.

📘 PRODUCING A FUTURE RABBIT DOG — BOOK + 3 BONUS AUDIOS:

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Whatever you’re working toward, whether it’s developing a dog, building something of your own, or improving yourself, don’t mistake slow progress for no progress.

Keep showing up!

Are you helping your young dog too much?

In this episode of Thoughts of a Dog Man, we talk about something that can be easy to overlook when training a young dog: sometimes the best thing you can do is step in—and sometimes the best thing you can do is get out of the way.

We get into the difference between teaching a dog and doing the work for him, why a little struggle can actually help build problem-solving ability, and how constantly directing a young dog can create one that starts waiting on you for every decision.

I also talk about knowing when help is actually needed, recognizing when your help may have become a crutch, and why different dogs need varying amounts of support depending on their confidence, maturity, and personality.

One question I think every handler should ask from time to time is:

Did the dog actually learn it… or did I just make it happen?

Especially with young tree dogs, the goal isn’t to manufacture every success. The goal is to help them understand the job, build confidence, and eventually be able to go do it without needing us to walk them through every step.

Hopefully this episode gives you something to think about the next time you’re working with a young dog.

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What’s one situation where you’ve learned to step back and let your dog figure it out?

Do you actually know what motivates your dog?

A lot of us have a certain way we like to train dogs, but one thing I've learned is that the same approach doesn't necessarily work the same way on every dog.

In this episode of Thoughts of a Dog Man, we're talking about learning the individual dog in front of you. Is that dog motivated by food? Praise? Play? Chase? Does pressure make him work harder, or does it cause him to shut down? And are the things we think are rewards actually rewarding to that particular dog?

We also get into rewarding effort versus only rewarding success, accidentally teaching behaviors we didn't intend to teach, knowing when a training method isn't working, and why sometimes the handler has to adjust before we blame the dog.

Because at the end of the day, dog training isn't only about teaching a dog what you want.

It's also about figuring out what makes that particular dog want to give it to you.

Hopefully this one gives new and experienced handlers alike something to think about the next time you're working with a young dog.

📘 PRODUCING A FUTURE RABBIT DOG — BOOK + 3 BONUS AUDIOS:

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What have you found motivates YOUR dog the most?

Have you ever wondered what happens after the puppies are weaned?

Most people spend all their time talking about raising the puppies—but very few talk about helping the mama dog recover. In this episode of Thoughts of a Dog Man, we’re discussing the weaning process from both sides: preparing the puppies for independence while safely helping the female transition out of nursing.

We’ll cover:
• Preparing a female before breeding
• Deworming before, during, and after pregnancy
• When to begin the weaning process
• My step-by-step approach to gradually separating mom and puppies
• Helping reduce the risk of mastitis and other health concerns
• Preparing puppies to confidently eat on their own
• Why recovery for the female is just as important as raising the litter

Whether you’re raising your first litter or your fifteenth, this episode is full of practical experience and a few things that are easy to overlook.

Something to think about… breeding doesn’t end when the puppies are born. A successful litter also means making sure the female has the opportunity to recover the right way.

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If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to follow the podcast, leave a rating and review, and share it with another dog man who’s getting ready to raise a litter.

If everyone wants a good rabbit dog... why don't we all want the same kind of rabbit dog?

In this episode of Thoughts of a Dog Man, I answer several listener-submitted questions about rabbit dogs and the different preferences hunters have. We discuss the kind of rabbit dog I personally enjoy running, why different styles of dogs fit different people, how I decide how many dogs to run at one time, and how I choose the people and dogs I hunt with.

One thing I've learned over the years is that there isn't one perfect rabbit dog for everyone. The best dog for you depends on your goals, your hunting style, your terrain, and what you enjoy most about being in the woods.

Whether you're just getting started or you've been hunting for years, I hope this episode gives you something to think about as you continue developing both your dogs and your own hunting style.

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I'd love to hear your thoughts.

What kind of rabbit dog do you enjoy running, and why?

Where does the ALCBA stand today, and how can owners begin registering their American Leopard Curs moving forward?

In this episode of Thoughts of a Dog Man, I share an update on the American Leopard Cur Breeders Association and the new registration process launching August 1. We discuss how registration was handled in the past, how the new online system will work, and the different registration pathways available for current ALCBA dogs, litters, historical bloodlines, rebuild situations, and single registration.

I also talk about what to do if your dogs trace back to ALCBA stock but there is a break somewhere in the registration history. If that's your situation, don't assume it's too late. Every dog and pedigree is different, and we'd be happy to help determine the best registration pathway.

Beyond registration, I share the larger vision for the association: preserving the American Leopard Cur, improving recordkeeping, reconnecting owners and breeders, encouraging youth involvement, and eventually organizing hunts and gatherings that bring people together to enjoy the breed and the friendships that come with it.

Registration opens August 1st

To access the online registration forms and application instructions, visit:

https://forms.gle/ZzTbuJkBXsf6Rec97

If you have questions or need help determining which registration pathway applies to your dog, feel free to reach out through Facebook Messenger or visit:

https://bawlinoutkennels.com

The goal is simple: preserve the American Leopard Cur, document its history, and build a strong community for current and future generations of Leopard Cur owners.

📘 Producing a Future Rabbit Dog — Book + 3 Bonus Audios:

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Your puppy finally opened up and ran with the dogs—but does that automatically mean your puppy is started?

The word “started” can mean several different things depending on who you ask. For one person, it may mean a puppy showed interest or joined a race. For another, it may mean the dog can recognize the track, contribute to moving the rabbit, work through a check, or even jump and circle its own rabbit.

In this episode of Thoughts of a Dog Man, we talk about what “started” can mean, what your puppy may have actually demonstrated, and where the work goes from there. We also discuss the difference between one exciting day and repeatable progress, why a started puppy should not suddenly be treated like a finished dog, and how continued experience can help you begin learning what kind of rabbit dog you truly have.

Your puppy starting is exciting—but it may be the beginning of the process rather than the end.

📘 Producing a Future Rabbit Dog — Book + 3 Bonus Audios:

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You finally brought home a started dog. Now what?

For many new handlers, the excitement of getting a new dog leads to one of the biggest mistakes they can make—taking that dog hunting before it's had time to settle into its new home.

In this episode of Thoughts of a Dog Man Podcast, we discuss why the first few days and weeks after bringing home a started dog are so important. From building trust and learning the dog's language to transitioning dog food, managing expectations, and using electronic collars responsibly, we'll explore how a little patience on the front end can lead to a much better hunting partner down the road.

• Giving a started dog time to settle in

• Building trust before asking the dog to perform

• Why dog food transitions matter

• Learning the dog's commands and language

• Common e-collar mistakes with new dogs

• Managing expectations during the transition

• Why patience often leads to better results

Sometimes the best hunt you'll have with a new started dog... begins by not hunting it right away.

🎙️ Thoughts of a Dog Man Podcast

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In this episode of Thoughts of a Dog Man Podcast, I'm answering eight of the most common questions I hear from new and beginner hunting dog handlers. From choosing a puppy and understanding bloodlines to knowing when to hunt a young dog and avoiding common mistakes, this episode is designed to give you practical advice and a better way to think about your dogs.

Topics include:

• How to recognize potential in a puppy

• When to start hunting a young dog

• Puppy vs. started dog

• What makes a good bloodline?

• The biggest mistakes beginners make

• How long to give a dog before making a decision

• Do you need a big kennel?

• One piece of advice for every new handler

Whether you're just getting started or looking for a different perspective, I hope these answers help point you in the right direction.

🎙️ Thoughts of a Dog Man Podcast

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