Thoughts of A Dog Man

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...

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 t...

Leopard Dogs are by far my favorite tree dog. There is nothing I would rather hunt! Leopards are not only capable coons dogs but also great partners. Each Leopard dog can be unique, but those who have the good ones will be very slow to get another breed. In this episode, I list several things a new Leopard owner should know. The leopard breed is so small. Here is my list of things I believe will h...

On this episode, we discuss a few ways to get your young dog started. There are tons of ways to start a tree dog pup! Over the last 10 years, I have used these techniques to start all of my tree dog pups!

On this episode, I share a story I hope new and beginners can learn from, and that is about being safe while hunting in these winter conditions. On a freezing February night, I decided to go coon hunting in single-digit temperatures, putting myself and my Leopard Dog Bama to the test. Little did I know things would take a turn, and I would leave the woods with a whole new outlook on the importance...

Most of us have been driving for quite a bit of time and have experienced that tailgater at some point or another. The frustration, the worry, danger and all of the above that comes when someone is just riding your bumper trying to get you to speed up and do what they want you to do! Think about how this makes you feel and maybe even angry! Now with that in mind. Are you tailgating your pup to get...

On today’s episode of  Thoughts of a Dog Man , I break down a mindset shift that every new and beginner hunting dog handler needs to understand: Winners quit. Quitters don’t always win. It sounds backwards, but when you’re working dogs, building good habits, and trying to grow as a handler, quitting is part of the process —  as long as you’re quitting the right things. In this episode, we get into...

On this episode, we talk about situations that bring out the fire and passion to pass along what it means to be a dog man or woman. There will be situations in life that require a fork in the road, and the decision will either further motivate or stop it in its tracks. Here are a few things that have motivated me to bring forth the Dog Man Inside- Official Bawlin Out Kennel Community. We can all w...

In this episode, I get real about something most dog men never talk about — the mindset behind handling frustration, learning from your dogs, and becoming the kind of handler they can trust. This isn’t a training tips episode… this is about the  man behind the dog. We break down eight hard-hitting truths that every hunter, handler, and dog man eventually learns the real way — through experience, t...

So you think you want to get into coon hunting, huh? Before you grab a light and a dog box, let’s talk about what you’re really signing up for. In this episode, I break down what it takes to get started the right way — from picking the right dog and gear, to understanding how a night in the woods actually goes. This one’s for the folks who are new, curious, or just trying to figure out where to st...

In this episode of  Thoughts of a Dog Man , I sit down with my good friend  Ryan Elson  to talk all things  beagles  — from starting young pups to the lessons we’ve learned along the way. We get into what makes a good rabbit dog, the challenges that come with training, and the mindset it takes to bring out a pup’s full potential. Whether you’re just getting started or have been running dogs for ye...

In this episode, I’m answering some of the most common questions I’ve been getting about hunting and training young tree dogs. We’re talking about dogs that tree but leave, pups that won’t leave your feet, when it’s the right time to take that young dog to the woods, when to start shooting game to them, and a few more things new and beginning handlers run into. These are real questions from real h...

In this episode of  Thoughts of a Dog Man , I answer real questions sent in from real hunters running beagles! From young dogs that just want to play, to solo runners that won’t pack, I break down what’s really going on and options on how to correct the issues in my opinion! This one’s all about practical, no-fluff advice for everyday handlers trying to build better rabbit dogs. Here’s what we cov...

We’ve all hunted with  that guy  — you know, the one who can’t help himself. In this episode of  Thoughts of a Dog Man , I break down the “Don’t Be That Guy” list — the hunters we all love to joke about (and sometimes have been ourselves). From the  Spot-Stealer  who hits your honey hole without you, to the  Know-It-All  who’s been hunting six months but swears he’s an expert, and the  “Let Me See...

When the hunt starts, safety has to come first — because one mistake in the field can change everything. In this episode, we’re talking real talk about  hunter safety and awareness : handling your firearm the right way, keeping control when the excitement hits, and making sure everyone — dogs and people — make it home safe. We’ll cover why every hunter should have a  first aid kit and tourniquet  ...

https://bawlinoutkennels.com/ On this episode, I discuss the brutal truths. Everyone loves the pictures of barking beagles, treed hounds, and bird dogs locked on point — but that’s not the full story. Behind every great hunt are hard lessons that most people don’t talk about. In this episode, I pull back the curtain and give you the  brutal truths  about hunting with dogs: Why most dogs will never...

In this episode, I discuss some of the mistakes I made as a new tree dog trainer. These are mistakes, I believe, that a new and beginning handler can avoid, which will help you speed up the process in your training. I know not everyone has a mentor to turn to to ask questions. At Bawlin Out Kennels, we aim to help new and beginning handlers with options on training and mindset that can help them o...

Thinking about buying a new hunting dog before the season starts—or maybe picking up a pup that someone else has already started? Before you make that decision, there are some key things every handler should consider. In this episode of  Thoughts of a Dog Man , I break down my personal checklist for evaluating a new dog. We’ll cover: Understanding  why  you’re buying—whether it’s for hunting, futu...

Here is a short episode where I share some thoughts on the mistakes I made when I first started rabbit hunting! With a focus on new and beginning handlers, I want to share these mistakes to help you avoid them and get started on the right track. The benefit of having someone share mistakes they have made with you is that it saves you time, energy, and a headache. I hope these resources help you as...

In this episode, I sit down with Chris Johnson, a member of the Iowa Blood Tracker Association, and we talk about tracking wounded deer with dogs. At Bawlin Out Kennels, we strive to share information with new and beginning handlers on the topic of tracking with dogs. This was fascinating to me, which allowed me to learn something new. Chris has been around dogs for a long time and has been workin...

In this episode, we discuss having a young dog that might not stay on the tree when it gets treed. I have a question sent to me on Facebook about how a dog sometimes can mill around the tree and not quite be belly up or even leave the tree when the owner is walking in. I have dealt with this before and share something I did that seemed to help my dog when he would tree for a bit and start to leave...

On this episode, we discuss how most hunting dog people relate their love for hunting dogs to an incurable disease of the healthiest kind. The love we share for hunting dogs goes so much further than just harvesting game, but becomes about the dogs, the love of being in the woods or timber, and creating memories with others who love hunting with dogs. We keep this episode light-hearted and fun as...

In this episode, we discuss culling dogs as a new and beginning handler. We define culling and outline some key considerations before deciding whether to cull. Culling a dog is something you, as the owner and handler, have to determine is right or not for you. We discuss key considerations when deciding whether to cull a dog. Making sure you, as a new handler, have some sort of standard or metric...

In this episode, I discuss some lessons I have learned along the way on my dog man journey. I believe in staying open-minded and willing to evaluate and adjust through life. Dealing with dogs is no different; learning to adjust and be honest with yourself will go a long way. Some of these lessons include Getting out, what you put in, Not Quitting before your breakthrough, Being your own competitio...

On this episode, I sit down with a huge advocate for youth and women hunting here in Iowa! Who also covers Missouri. Steph Lane is a connector who strives to help youth and women expand their experiences in the world of hunting! Steph not only sets the youth and women up for success, but is also an avid hunter herself, with bird dogs. Steph shares some of her thoughts on bird dog training and the...