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 where it can start holding your dog back. I also walk through how I’ve used it myself, what I’ve seen in young dogs, and how to transition from setup training to real game.

The goal isn’t to tell you not to use it—the goal is to help you understand it, so you can make better decisions and give your dog the best chance to succeed.

If you’re just getting started, or even if you’ve been doing this a while and want a different perspective, this one should help you think a little deeper about how you’re starting your dogs.

If this episode helped you, share it with someone getting started!

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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 really takes to build something over time.

We talk about:

• Why most people quit early
• What I’ve learned from working with dogs over time
• What I’ve seen new handlers struggle with
• Why clarity matters more than complexity
• And where this is all going moving forward

If you’ve been following along, I appreciate you. And if you’re new, this is a good place to start.

We’re just getting started.

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):

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Join Dog Man Insider (Membership):

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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):

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