If you spend any time around rabbit dog handlers, you’ll hear it over and over:

“Solo the dog.”

But is that really the best approach for young beagles?

In this episode of Thoughts of a Dog Man, I talk about why I don’t usually solo young dogs under a year old, what pups really need early on, and how pack experience can shape a better rabbit dog in the long run.

This isn’t about arguing with anyone — it’s about helping new and beginner handlers understand the why behind different training methods so they can make better decisions for their dogs.

In this episode, we talk about:

• Why beginners are often told to solo young dogs

• What soloing is supposed to accomplish

• Why young beagles need experience before isolation

• How pack learning mirrors how dogs naturally develop

• Problems that can happen when soloing too early

• When soloing does make sense

• What I focus on instead to build confident rabbit dogs

Some dogs will benefit from solo work later.

But early on, more opportunity, more experience, and more confidence usually matter more than isolation.

If you’re working with young beagle pups or just getting into rabbit dog training, this episode will help you think clearly about your approach and avoid unnecessary frustration.

📘 Rabbit Dog Starter Bundle + 3 Bonus Audios

https://bawlinoutkennels.com/products/rabbit-dog-starter-bundle-book-3-bonus-audios

👥 Dog Man Insider Community (Beginner-Friendly, No Ego)

https://www.facebook.com/groups/1562828264897293

💳 Dog Man Insider Membership

https://buy.stripe.com/7sYcMYdym52b4Sq8Aj7bW02

This episode was special, featuring a conversation with one of my best friends! These types of conversations happen often between him and me, and we thought it was time to share them with others. This one is the first of many we hope to share along the journey of our friendship. Andrew holds nothing back with an honest love for coon hunting and Leopard Curs. These Leopard Curs have brought two worlds together, and nothing is more powerful than sharing a common interest and goal with another person. We discuss what matters in coon hunting, the Leopard Breed, and other topics that came up along the way. We believe this one will be enjoyed; it is not every day you get to create a podcast with your best friend! What you hear is a natural form of friendship; the laughs are genuine, and the passion is evident! Give it a listen and tap into the minds of two Curs guys as they share a conversation about the things we love!

Coon dog paralysis is something many handlers have heard about — but few truly understand until it hits close to home.

In this episode of Thoughts of a Dog Man, I break down what coon dog paralysis is, what it does to a dog, why the onset can take time, and the hard lessons that come with it.

This isn’t a scare tactic episode.

It’s an understanding episode.

We talk about:

• What coon dog paralysis actually is
• Why symptoms don’t always show up immediately
• How it affects a dog’s nervous system and mobility
• Why some common practices can increase risk
• The difficult reality that there is no guaranteed cure
• Prevention, awareness, and perspective for new handlers

There are things in this sport that are avoidable — and things that aren’t. The goal of this episode is to help new and beginner handlers think critically, protect their dogs, and avoid putting them in unnecessary risk situations.

Sometimes experience teaches hard lessons.

If this episode helps even one handler make a better decision, it’s worth it.

📘 Rabbit Dog Starter Bundle + 3 Bonus Audios

https://bawlinoutkennels.com/products/rabbit-dog-starter-bundle-book-3-bonus-audios

👥 Dog Man Insider Community (Beginner-Friendly, No Ego)

https://www.facebook.com/groups/1562828264897293

💳 Dog Man Insider Membership

https://buy.stripe.com/7sYcMYdym52b4Sq8Aj7bW02

Coon hunting didn’t used to feel this complicated.

Somewhere along the way, pressure replaced enjoyment, titles replaced memories, and a lot of people — especially new handlers — started to feel like they were doing something wrong just for wanting to enjoy the dogs.

In this episode of Thoughts of a Dog Man, I break down 15 ways to make coon hunting fun again, with a focus on protecting new and beginner handlers from unnecessary pressure, unrealistic expectations, and burnout.

This episode isn’t anti–competition hunting.

It’s about reminding people that coon hunting is bigger than titles, scorecards, or trends — and that enjoying the sport still matters.

In this episode, we talk about:

• How pressure quietly drains the fun out of coon hunting
• Why young dogs get rushed and over-corrected
• How chasing a “winning” dog can ruin honest dogs
• Why pleasure hunting still matters
• How to redefine success so you and your dogs can enjoy the process
• Why beginners deserve space to learn without judgment

If you’re new to coon hunting — or you’ve been around long enough to feel burned out — this episode is a reminder that coon hunting was never supposed to feel stressful.

Your dog is allowed to learn.

You’re allowed to enjoy the hunt.

And success doesn’t have to look the same for everyone.

📘 Rabbit Dog Starter Bundle + 3 Bonus Audios

https://bawlinoutkennels.com/products/rabbit-dog-starter-bundle-book-3-bonus-audios

👥 Dog Man Insider Community (Beginner-Friendly, No Ego)

https://www.facebook.com/groups/1562828264897293

💳 Dog Man Insider Membership

https://buy.stripe.com/7sYcMYdym52b4Sq8Aj7bW02

Cold weather changes everything for dogs — not just how they perform, but how they eat, drink, rest, and stay healthy.

In this episode of Thoughts of a Dog Man, I break down cold weather dog care in a practical, no-nonsense way that applies to all outdoor and working dogs, not just hunting dogs.

Too many problems in winter come from good intentions paired with bad information. This episode is about helping dog owners understand what actually matters when temperatures drop — so dogs stay healthy, comfortable, and protected.

In this episode, we cover:

• Why not all dogs handle the cold the same (age, coat, and breed matter)
• Why hydration is critical in winter, even when dogs don’t feel thirsty
• How cold weather affects calorie needs and why fat matters for heat production
• Feeding strategies for winter, including higher-fat blends like 28/28 and 30/30
• Why bedding choice matters more than people realize
• Straw vs pine vs cedar vs heated pads
• Kennel setup tips that reduce cold stress, wind exposure, and ice-related injuries
• Why wind protection and south-facing kennels can make a big difference

This episode isn’t about being soft — it’s about being responsible.

Dogs will push through discomfort without complaint. That means it’s on us to notice problems before they turn into health issues.

If you keep dogs outside during the winter or work dogs in cold weather, this episode will help you make better decisions that protect them long-term.

📘 Rabbit Dog Starter Bundle + 3 Bonus Audios (Video + Book)

https://bawlinoutkennels.com/products/rabbit-dog-starter-bundle-book-3-bonus-audios

👥 Dog Man Insider Community (Facebook Group)

https://www.facebook.com/groups/1562828264897293

💳 Dog Man Insider Membership

https://buy.stripe.com/7sYcMYdym52b4Sq8Aj7bW02

The number one secret to being successful with hunting dogs isn’t a tool, a method, or a bloodline.

It’s a...., Check out the episode to learn what it is!

In this episode of Thoughts of a Dog Man, Stevie breaks down why this secret is the foundation of long-term success with hunting dogs — and why most new handlers struggle not because they lack effort, but because they’ve never fully committed.

This secret doesn’t mean “I’ll try and see how it goes.”

It means committing to a result and cutting yourself off from the option to quit, bounce methods, or constantly start over.

In this episode, we walk through a simple 3-step framework:

• What you’re focusing on — choosing one priority instead of chasing everything at once
• What things mean to you — how the meaning you give setbacks determines whether you quit or grow
• What you’re willing to do — the standards, consistency, and patience required to create real results

This episode is for new and beginner handlers who feel overwhelmed, frustrated, or stuck — and need direction more than more information.

Success with dogs isn’t complicated.

It’s demanding of simple things done over time.

And it starts with this ONE clear secret!

📘 Rabbit Dog Starter Bundle + 3 Bonus Audios

https://bawlinoutkennels.com/products/rabbit-dog-starter-bundle-book-3-bonus-audios

👥 Dog Man Insider Community (Facebook Group)

https://www.facebook.com/groups/1562828264897293

💳 Dog Man Insider Membership

https://buy.stripe.com/7sYcMYdym52b4Sq8Aj7bW02

This spring, I’m in the process of restarting and rebuilding my kennel.

A lot of the dogs I’ve run for years are getting older, which means it’s time to slow down, evaluate what I have, and be intentional about how I add new dogs to the pack. In this episode of Thoughts of a Dog Man, I break down the six things I personally focus on when rebuilding a kennel, picking puppies, and planning the future of my pack.

This isn’t about chasing hype, papers, or quick fixes. It’s about clarity, purpose, and long-term thinking, especially for new and beginner handlers who want to build something solid from the start.

In this episode, I cover:

• Honest evaluation — being clear about your current dogs’ strengths and weaknesses
• Bloodlines matter, but paper doesn’t — why chasing ancestors and patterns matters more than titles
• Where you hunt — how terrain and conditions should influence the dogs you choose
• The litter’s purpose — understanding what the breeder is trying to gain from the cross
• Doing the legwork — why taking time to talk to people and research crosses pays off
• The “starting five” approach — structuring a pack like a basketball team, where each dog has a role and purpose

If you’re new to hunting dogs, thinking about adding puppies this year, or trying to improve your kennel instead of just adding numbers, this episode is meant to help you slow down, think clearly, and make better decisions that pay off in the long run.

📘 Rabbit Dog Starter Bundle + 3 Bonus Audios

https://bawlinoutkennels.com/products/rabbit-dog-starter-bundle-book-3-bonus-audios

👥 Dog Man Insider Community (Facebook Group)

https://www.facebook.com/groups/1562828264897293

💳 Dog Man Insider Membership

https://buy.stripe.com/7sYcMYdym52b4Sq8Aj7bW02

#HuntingDogs

#KennelBuilding

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#BloodlinesMatter

#NewHuntingDogHandlers

#DogManMindset

#WorkingDogs

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If 2026 is the year you’ve decided to get into hunting dogs, this episode is for you.

In this episode of Thoughts of a Dog Man, Stevie breaks down the expectations that matter most for new and beginner hunting dog handlers—the ones that decide whether you enjoy the journey or burn out early.

Too many handlers don’t quit because they lack effort, but because they expect too much, too fast, or the wrong things altogether. This episode is about setting realistic, healthy expectations that help you stay patient, consistent, and confident as you and your dog grow together.

We talk about:

• Why dogs become what you repeatedly show them
• Building a team with your dog instead of trying to control one
• What to expect from young dogs, starting pens, and early mistakes
• Why small wins matter more than big moments
• How to filter advice without getting overwhelmed

This is not about shortcuts or expert flexing. It’s about clarity, mindset, and direction—so you can have your best year yet with your hunting dog.

If this is your year to get started, let’s set expectations that help you win in 2026.