Thoughts of A Dog Man

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...

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 recog...

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...

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 M...

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 drea...

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:...

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 co...

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...

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 fro...

In Episode 1, I talked about how I ended up owning the A.L.C.B.A. In Episode 2, I broke down the history, the split within the breed, and why it still matters today. Now we talk about the future. This episode is about where the Leopard breed stands right now, what I believe is hurting it, and what can still be done to help preserve what makes these dogs special. I talk about the importance of peop...

A lot of people know the letters  A.L.C.B.A.  — but not many know what it actually is, why it matters, or how much history is tied to it. In this episode, I break down the  American Leopard Cur Breeders Association , what a breed-specific registry can really do, and why Leopards have always been a unique breed with their own lane. I also talk about the major shift that happened in 2008, how the br...

This wasn’t something I planned… In this episode, I talk about how I ended up taking over the A.L.C.B.A. (American Leopard Cur Breeders Association), how it all came together, and what this opportunity really means to me. What started as conversations, building relationships, and mutual respect turned into something much bigger than I expected. This isn’t just about owning a registry or paperwork—...

If you’re thinking about using training scent to start a young dog… this episode is for you. Training scent can be a useful tool—but it’s also one of the most misunderstood parts of starting a hunting dog. A lot of beginners are told to use it, but very few are told how, when, or how long. In this episode, I break down what training scent actually is, why people use it, where it can help, and wher...

In this episode of  Thoughts of a Dog Man , I reflect on one full year of podcasting, training dogs, and sharing the journey. When I started, I didn’t have a big plan—I just wanted to help new and beginner handlers make sense of things and avoid some of the mistakes I’ve seen and made myself. Over the past year, I’ve learned a lot—not just about dogs, but about consistency, mindset, and what it re...

In this episode of  Thoughts of a Dog Man , we’re breaking down something that confuses a lot of new and beginner handlers — how weather actually affects your dog’s ability to track and run game. A lot of times, people are quick to judge their dog when things don’t go right… but the reality is, conditions play a bigger role than most realize. We talk through how moisture, temperature, wind, and ev...

Leopard Curs are a unique breed, and understanding them takes time, experience, and the right perspective. In this episode of  Thoughts of a Dog Man , I sit down with  Scott Gordon , who has spent over 20 years working with American Leopard Curs. Mr. Scott shares his insight into the breed, what makes Leopards different, and some of the training approaches that can be overlooked by those new to Le...

The Reality of Raising Hunting Dog Puppies Spring is the time of year when a lot of hunting dog crosses are made and litters start hitting the ground. It’s also the time when many people who had a good season start talking about wanting a pup out of a certain dog. But raising a litter of puppies comes with a lot more reality than most people realize. In this episode of  Thoughts of a Dog Man , I t...

Every hunting season teaches you something — if you're willing to step back and pay attention. As the season winds down and the off-season begins, it's a good time for every dog man to take an honest look at their dogs, their pack, and their approach going forward. In this episode of  Thoughts of a Dog Man , I introduce a simple framework called the  P.A.C.K. Method  to help reflect on the...

Every dog man and dog woman has a beginning. There’s always a moment — a hunt, a dog, a mentor, or a memory — that pulls someone into the world of hunting dogs and never quite lets go. In this episode of  Thoughts of a Dog Man , I talk about the different situations that can trigger someone into becoming a dog man. From the people who introduce us to the sport, to the first dog that changes everyt...

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 anyo...

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 wor...

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...

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 a...

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...

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....