Thoughts of A Dog Man

Steven Thomas
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Thoughts of A Dog Man is the ultimate podcast for new hunters who want to unlock the full potential of their four-legged partners. If you are starting your journey with hunting dogs, on the fence about getting started, or even a seasoned vet, this show dives deep into training techniques, proven strategies, and real-world experiences to help you and your dog succeed in the field. The podcast focuses on Hunting Beagles, Treeing Dogs, and Pointing Dogs. Join me as I share useful, practical, and knowledgeable advice, personal stories, and hard-earned lessons to guide new hunters in the right direction. You're in the right place if you’re passionate about hunting and the incredible bond between man and dog!

  1. Why Some Days Your Dog Can't Smell (And It's Not Their Fault)

    APR 1

    Why Some Days Your Dog Can't Smell (And It's Not Their Fault)

    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 even barometric pressure can either help your dog or make things a whole lot tougher. More importantly, this episode is about helping you understand when it’s the dog… and when it’s just the day. If you’ve ever had a hunt where your dog didn’t look like itself, this will help you make sense of it and keep you from getting frustrated too early in the process. Learn to read the conditions, not just the dog. Rabbit Dog Starter Bundle (Book + 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 Join Dog Man Insider (Membership): https://buy.stripe.com/7sYcMYdym52b4Sq8Aj7bW02

    33 min
  2. Leopard Curs, Experience, and the Future of the A.L.C.B.A. (with Scott Gordon)

    MAR 25

    Leopard Curs, Experience, and the Future of the A.L.C.B.A. (with Scott Gordon)

    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 Leopard Curs. We talk about: • What makes Leopard Curs unique as a hunting dog • Lessons learned from over 20 years with the breed • Training approaches that may be misunderstood or overlooked • Perspective on improving and maintaining the breed • Advice for new and beginner Leopard Cur handlers Mr. Scott is also the current owner of the American Leopard Cur Breeders Association (A.L.C.B.A.), and in this episode, there is a special announcement involving the transfer and continuation of the history of the A.L.C.B.A. This conversation is about more than just dogs — it’s about experience, responsibility, and preserving the future of a breed. Whether you’re new to Leopard Curs or have been around them for years, this episode offers insight you can take with you into the woods. Resources📘 Rabbit Dog Starter Bundle + 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 💳 Dog Man Insider Membership https://buy.stripe.com/7sYcMYdym52b4Sq8Aj7bW02

    1h 28m
  3. Puppy Pitfalls: What They Don’t Tell You About Raising A Hunting Dog Litter

    MAR 18

    Puppy Pitfalls: What They Don’t Tell You About Raising A Hunting Dog Litter

    The Reality of Raising Hunting Dog PuppiesSpring 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. Resources📘 Rabbit Dog Starter Bundle + 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 💳 Dog Man Insider Membership https://buy.stripe.com/7sYcMYdym52b4Sq8Aj7bW02

    38 min
  4. The P.A.C.K. Method: How to Evaluate Your Hunting Dogs After the Season

    MAR 11

    The P.A.C.K. Method: How to Evaluate Your Hunting Dogs After the Season

    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. Resources📘 Rabbit Dog Starter Bundle + 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 💳 Dog Man Insider Membership https://buy.stripe.com/7sYcMYdym52b4Sq8Aj7bW02

    39 min
  5. When Did You Know You Were Hooked?

    MAR 4

    When Did You Know You Were Hooked?

    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? Resources📘 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

    34 min
  6. You DO NOT Need To Solo A Beagle; To Maximize Results

    FEB 25

    You DO NOT Need To Solo A Beagle; To Maximize Results

    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. 🔗 Resources📘 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

    48 min
  7. It's Complicated...But Not That Hard, Featuring Andrew Bray

    FEB 18

    It's Complicated...But Not That Hard, Featuring Andrew Bray

    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!

    1h 48m
  8. Coon Dog Paralysis Explained for Beginners: Causes, Risks, and Prevention

    FEB 11

    Coon Dog Paralysis Explained for Beginners: Causes, Risks, and Prevention

    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 isWhy symptoms don’t always show up immediatelyHow it affects a dog’s nervous system and mobilityWhy some common practices can increase riskThe difficult reality that there is no guaranteed curePrevention, awareness, and perspective for new handlersThere 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. Resources📘 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

    46 min
See All (52)

5
out of 5
10 Ratings

About

Thoughts of A Dog Man is the ultimate podcast for new hunters who want to unlock the full potential of their four-legged partners. If you are starting your journey with hunting dogs, on the fence about getting started, or even a seasoned vet, this show dives deep into training techniques, proven strategies, and real-world experiences to help you and your dog succeed in the field. The podcast focuses on Hunting Beagles, Treeing Dogs, and Pointing Dogs. Join me as I share useful, practical, and knowledgeable advice, personal stories, and hard-earned lessons to guide new hunters in the right direction. You're in the right place if you’re passionate about hunting and the incredible bond between man and dog!

Information

  • Creator
    Steven Thomas
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    52
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © All rights reserved.
  • Show Website
    Thoughts of A Dog Man

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