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.

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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.

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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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What's the hardest part of dogs?

Most people might say training, breeding, finding good dogs, or dealing with setbacks. But the more I've thought about it, the more I've started to wonder if the hardest part might be something else entirely.

In this episode of Thoughts of a Dog Man Podcast, I explore the role patience plays in every stage of the journey—from puppies and development to training, breeding decisions, and long-term goals. We discuss the challenges of waiting for dogs to mature, waiting for results, and knowing when patience is helping versus when action is needed.

Topics include:

• Waiting on puppies to develop

• Early starters vs late bloomers

• Training and delayed results

• Breeding decisions and long-term outcomes

• The dangers of impatience

• Knowing when to wait and when to act

• Lessons dogs teach us about patience and life

Sometimes the work isn't the hardest part. Sometimes it's having the patience to let the work actually work.

🎙 Thoughts of a Dog Man Podcast

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What actually makes someone a Dog Man?

Is it the number of dogs they've owned? The years they've spent hunting? The trophies on the shelf? Or is it something deeper than that?

In this episode of Thoughts of a Dog Man Podcast, I explore a question that every dog person may answer a little differently. I share some of the things that, in my opinion, don't necessarily make someone a Dog Man, along with the traits and characteristics I believe often do.

We discuss:

• Why years alone don't always equal wisdom

• The importance of honesty when evaluating dogs

• Learning to read and understand individual dogs

• Why responsibility matters

• The role of mentorship and relationships

• Studying the craft and remaining teachable

• Separating dogs from ego

• Leaving things better than you found them

This isn't meant to be the definitive answer. It's simply my perspective and an opportunity to start a conversation about what being a Dog Man really means.

🎙 Thoughts of a Dog Man Podcast

Presented by Bawlin Out Kennels

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What are you REALLY buying when you buy a puppy?

Most people would probably say they're buying a dog. But the more I thought about it, the more I realized a puppy represents much more than that.

In this episode of Thoughts of a Dog Man Podcast, I explore the different things people are actually investing in when they bring home a new puppy. From potential and genetics to relationships and dreams, we discuss why expectations, responsibility, and reality play such a major role in a puppy's future.

We talk about:

• Buying potential versus certainty

• Why genetics matter—but aren't guarantees

• The relationship we hope to build with a dog

• The dream most people have when selecting a puppy

• How reality eventually meets expectations

• The trap many new puppy owners fall into

• Why responsibility matters more than most people realize

Whether you're picking out your first puppy or evaluating your next one, this episode is designed to make you think a little deeper about what you're really bringing home.

🎙 Thoughts of a Dog Man Podcast

Presented by Bawlin Out Kennels

📘 Rabbit Dog Starter Bundle:

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Are you REALLY prepared for a great dog?

Everybody says they want one. A dog with more talent, more drive, more ability, and more potential. But what happens when a truly exceptional dog finally shows up?

In this episode of Thoughts of a Dog Man Podcast, I explore a question that most dog handlers never stop to ask themselves: Are you actually prepared for what comes with a great dog?

We discuss:

• Why great dogs challenge training methods
• How exceptional dogs expose weaknesses in handlers
• The pressure and responsibility that come with talent
• Why some great dogs can be frustrating
• How one dog can change the standards of an entire kennel
• The role ego plays when handling exceptional dogs
• Why great dogs force people to grow

A truly great dog doesn't just reveal itself—it reveals everything around it.

🎙 Thoughts of a Dog Man Podcast

Presented by Bawlin Out Kennels

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This episode takes it back to some real dog talk with my mentor Mike! Taking you guys back to one of the first long-form podcasts I had done!

Before the audio was polished and everything was dialed in, we sat down and talked about rabbit dogs, tree dogs, hunting stories, dogs from the past that left an impression on us, and lessons learned over the years in the woods.

There’s a lot of wisdom in conversations like these, and I’m thankful to have crossed paths with people willing to share their knowledge and experiences. Sure, you have come a long way, but the information is still top-notch!

🎙 Thoughts of a Dog Man Podcast

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In this episode of Thoughts of a Dog Man Podcast, I talk with Mr. Robert Paris for a conversation about dogs, pedigrees, mentorship, and what it really takes to improve quickly as a newer dog handler.

Even though Mr. Robert has only been involved with dogs for a short amount of time, he has already developed a deep interest in bloodlines, pedigrees, and understanding why dogs are the way they are through their ancestry.

We talk about:

• how he got started with dogs
• the importance of mentorship
• studying pedigrees and bloodlines
• understanding inherited traits
• learning intentionally as a beginner
• and why growth comes from effort and curiosity

This episode is a reminder that time alone does not create knowledge — focused learning and being willing to study the craft matters too.

🎙 Thoughts of a Dog Man Podcast

Presented by Bawlin Out Kennels

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Most people think growing a better kennel means adding more dogs, more crosses, more pups, and more chaos.

I don’t believe that.

In this episode of Thoughts of a Dog Man, we break down the idea from Dr. Benjamin Hardy’s book 10X Is Easier Than 2X and apply it directly to hunting dogs, kennel management, breeding programs, and producing better results.

Sometimes the biggest jump forward comes from cutting the bottom 80% and doubling down on what actually works.

We talk about:

• Why adding more dogs usually creates worse results
• The difference between 2X thinking and 10X thinking
• Why elite kennels are often smaller and more intentional
• Dogs that earn feed vs dogs taking up space
• Resetting a kennel before it crashes
• Breeding with purpose instead of emotion
• Focus, standards, and building a real program

This episode isn’t about tearing people down.

It’s about challenging dog men to think differently if they truly want exceptional results.

🎙 Thoughts of a Dog Man Podcast

Presented by Bawlin’ Out Kennels

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