Old School Dog Talk With My Mentor Mike

Your Puppy Started... Now What? Or Is It?

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: https://bawlinoutkennels.com/products/rabbit-dog-starter-bundle-book-3-bonus-audios [https://bawlinoutkennels.com/products/rabbit-dog-starter-bundle-book-3-bonus-audios] 🐾 Join the Dog Man Insider Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1562828264897293 [https://www.facebook.com/groups/1562828264897293] 🎧 Book buyers can start their 14-day Dog Man Insider trial here: https://buy.stripe.com/7sYcMYdym52b4Sq8Aj7bW02 [https://buy.stripe.com/7sYcMYdym52b4Sq8Aj7bW02]

Before You Hunt That Started Dog: 7 Tips for A Smooth Transition

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. IN THIS EPISODE: • 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 📘 Rabbit Dog Starter Bundle + 3 Bonus Audios: https://bawlinoutkennels.com/products/rabbit-dog-starter-bundle-book-3-bonus-audios [https://bawlinoutkennels.com/products/rabbit-dog-starter-bundle-book-3-bonus-audios] 🐾 Dog Man Insider Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1562828264897293 [https://www.facebook.com/groups/1562828264897293] 💳 Join Dog Man Insider: https://buy.stripe.com/7sYcMYdym52b4Sq8Aj7bW02 [https://buy.stripe.com/7sYcMYdym52b4Sq8Aj7bW02]

Questions From Beginning Handlers

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 📘 Rabbit Dog Starter Bundle + 3 Bonus Audios: https://bawlinoutkennels.com/products/rabbit-dog-starter-bundle-book-3-bonus-audios [https://bawlinoutkennels.com/products/rabbit-dog-starter-bundle-book-3-bonus-audios] 🐾 Join the Dog Man Insider Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1562828264897293 [https://www.facebook.com/groups/1562828264897293] 💳 Become a Dog Man Insider: https://buy.stripe.com/7sYcMYdym52b4Sq8Aj7bW02 [https://buy.stripe.com/7sYcMYdym52b4Sq8Aj7bW02] #ThoughtsOfADogMan #BawlinOutKennels #Beagles #RabbitDogs #HuntingDogs #DogTraining #DogPodcast

The Hardest Part of Dogs Is...

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 📘 Rabbit Dog Starter Bundle + 3 Bonus Audios: https://bawlinoutkennels.com/products/rabbit-dog-starter-bundle-book-3-bonus-audios [https://bawlinoutkennels.com/products/rabbit-dog-starter-bundle-book-3-bonus-audios] 🐾 Dog Man Insider Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1562828264897293 [https://www.facebook.com/groups/1562828264897293] 💳 Join Dog Man Insider: https://buy.stripe.com/7sYcMYdym52b4Sq8Aj7bW02 [https://buy.stripe.com/7sYcMYdym52b4Sq8Aj7bW02] #ThoughtsOfADogMan #BawlinOutKennels #Beagles #RabbitDogs #HuntingDogs #DogTraining #DogPodcast #WorkingDogs #DogMan

What Makes Someone A Dog Man?

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 📘 Rabbit Dog Starter Bundle: https://bawlinoutkennels.com/products/rabbit-dog-starter-bundle-book-3-bonus-audios [https://bawlinoutkennels.com/products/rabbit-dog-starter-bundle-book-3-bonus-audios] 🐾 Dog Man Insider Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1562828264897293 [https://www.facebook.com/groups/1562828264897293] 💳 Join Dog Man Insider: https://buy.stripe.com/7sYcMYdym52b4Sq8Aj7bW02 [https://buy.stripe.com/7sYcMYdym52b4Sq8Aj7bW02] #ThoughtsOfADogMan #BawlinOutKennels #DogMan #Beagles #RabbitDogs #HuntingDogs #DogTraining #WorkingDogs #HoundDogs #DogPodcast