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 talk about some of the lessons and situations that come with breeding hunting dogs and raising puppies. From people who say they want a pup but disappear when it’s time to pick one up, to the responsibility that comes with producing a litter.

We talk about:

• The difference between excitement and real commitment when people say they want a puppy

• Why breeders should be prepared to keep every pup in a litter

• The shift that happens when you start breeding dogs for your own program instead of other people

• The reality that sometimes not every puppy survives after birth

• The question many breeders wrestle with — should you charge for pups or not?

Breeding dogs isn’t just about producing puppies. It’s about responsibility, honesty, and thinking about the future of the dogs you’re putting into the world.

Whether you’re thinking about making a cross, buying a puppy, or just curious about the realities behind raising a litter, this episode offers some perspective from the dog man side of things.

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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 season and think clearly about the off-season. Whether you're running rabbit dogs, tree dogs, bird dogs, or any kind of hunting dog, the lessons from a season in the woods always reveal something.

The P.A.C.K. Method stands for:

P – Performance Review

Taking an honest look at how your dogs performed this season.

A – Adjust Expectations

Understanding that dogs develop at different speeds and one season doesn’t define a dog.

C – Correct Weaknesses

Using the off-season to work on areas that need improvement.

K – Keep Building the Pack

Thinking long-term about the future of your kennel and how your dogs fit together as a team.

Throughout the episode I share examples from running beagles, tree dogs, and bird dogs to show how these ideas apply across different types of hunting dogs.

The end of the season isn’t really the end — it’s the beginning of preparing for the next one.

If you hunt dogs, this is the time to reflect, adjust, and keep building.

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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 everything, to the moments in the woods that stick with us forever.

This episode isn’t about training techniques or competition hunting. It’s about the experiences that shape people and connect them to dogs for life.

We talk about:

• The moments that pull people into hunting dogs

• The role mentors and experienced dog men play

• How one dog can change everything

• Why certain memories stay with us forever

• Situations that create dog men and women

• And a few things that don’t actually create dog men

Every handler has a story about how they got started.

So the real question is:

What moment hooked you?

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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