We get to see dogs arrive with a variety of foundation, backgrounds, and physical condition.  The dogs that struggle early on are typically overweight, lacking proper nutrition, been over-pressured to start tracking, and/or are under acclimated/exposed to the outdoor conditions, people, and environments. 

The dogs that have the quickest start are:

-Fed quality feed and appropriate amount (if free-feeding switch to 1-2x per day)

-At an appropriate weight and given physical exercise

-Given healthy exposure to the outdoors/woods

-Given healthy exposure to the elements 

-Given healthy exposure to being touched/handled

-At least somewhat used to a crate or kennel

-Given positive, playful, and low-stress, associations with animal parts/odors

It depends. 

I've heard that the average person spends more time researching dishwashers than they do researching breeds & breeders......after training poorly-bred dogs and well-bred dogs, I believe it. 

If you're getting a puppy:

There is a wide range of quality even within individual breeds. Just choosing a "Catahoula" or "Lab" or "Bloodhound",  etc. may not result in a dog that is truly working quality. 

The breeder matters more than most think.  Look for a breeder with an enormous amount of "proof" (photo & video evidence from multiple owners doing some type of hunting).  This doesn't just mean "both parents track or hunt". It means the breeder's approach has produced many dogs that do the type of work that will translate to hunting with their nose.  

Much advice on the internet on breed selection involves "choose a breed that fits your lifestyle", and while I agree to an extent, there is the caveat that if you choose an easy dog to live with, it may not have the same potential as a working dog. If you want to prioritize having a quality working dog, you will want to strongly consider the lifestyle required to provide that dog with a quality fulfilling life.  

I encourage you to visit with a trainer that has been able to experience working with a multitude of breeds from many different breeders.  They can likely connect you with quality breeders that will help decide if their dogs may be a good fit. Good breeders likely ask more questions about you, your expectations, and lifestyle.

We feed our dogs Extreme Dog Fuel Elite Nutrition

The specific formula is dependent on the individual dog's needs.

For more information: https://extremedogfuel.com/

For our Trailing Essentials and Family Dog That Tracks programs, we prefer dogs to be at least six months old.  We will accept some dogs younger, as it varies.

At this age, dogs are typically physically mature enough to handle a reasonable training load and mentally and emotionally prepared to stay engaged with longer, more complex trailing work.

For younger dogs, we recommend HUNT PUP (8 weeks– 5 months). This program is designed to give dogs a strong head start without rushing formal training. The focus is on exposure, socialization, and working alongside the handler rather than structured trailing.

By the time these dogs are ready to begin formal trailing work, they are comfortable, more confident, and better prepared to engage with new environments, people, and situations—setting the stage for productive training rather than overwhelming them early.

Support doesn’t end when your dog goes home. Our program is a Handler-Centric one, built around long-term success, not a handoff at pickup.

Every client receives a comprehensive Handler Guide outlining how to maintain skills, protect your working relationship, and continue developing your dog at home.

You’ll also have access to our online community, where handlers share experience, ask questions, and stay connected to the program.

Graduates are supported through HUNT DIY, providing structured education, deeper understanding of trailing, and ongoing guidance as your dog matures. 

In addition, we offer follow-up lessons for the life of the dog, along with in-person and online events designed to keep skills sharp and judgment sound.

Clients who participate in handler workshops and Members Weekend are eligible for a Two-Week Tune-Up, giving you a scheduled opportunity to address any issues, run night tracks, and reinforce key obedience and conditioning before the season.

For those who want to stay closely connected to real-world work, ride-along opportunities are also available, allowing you to observe recoveries, decision-making, and handling in live situations.

The result is a partnership that continues to grow—supported, refined, and backed by a system long after your dog returns home.

You won’t be sent home without a plan. Every client receives a detailed Handler Guide that outlines exactly how to maintain your working relationship and keep skills sharp between the Go Home Workshop and hunting season.

In addition, handlers who complete the in-person workshops while their dog is in training—and who attend Members Weekend—are eligible for a free Two-Week Tune-Up at the conclusion of Members Weekend. This tune-up is designed to address any emerging issues, reinforce key behaviors, and build confidence through focused work including night tracks, relevant obedience, and exercise and conditioning.

The goal is continuity. You’re not left hoping things hold together—you’re given clear guidance and a scheduled opportunity to reinforce and fine-tune your dog’s work before the season starts. 

That concern is valid—and it’s one we share. Poorly applied obedience can absolutely suppress drive, shorten range, and create hesitation in working dogs. That’s not what we do.

Our approach emphasizes clarity of task and contextual judgment, not constant control. Dogs are taught when engagement with the handler is required and when independent work is expected. Just as importantly, they learn why those contexts are different.

In the field, your dog is encouraged to range out, make decisions, and stay committed to the work without micromanagement. Obedience exists to support that independence—helping prevent confusion, conflict, or over-handling—not to restrict drive or initiative.

The result is a dog that can turn it on fully when it’s time to work and turn it off when the job is done. Drive isn’t dulled or capped; it’s channeled. We want your dog to be the monster they were bred to be—confident, decisive, and effective—while still able to operate cleanly alongside a handler when the situation calls for it.

During tracking season, we primarily work our own dogs. This allows us to manage pressure, decision-making, and hunter outcomes responsibly.

That said, we welcome and encourage ride-along opportunities. Ride-alongs allow you to observe real recoveries, handler decision-making, and a wide range of scenarios without placing your dog—or your relationship with them—under unnecessary pressure.

If you’re interested in a ride-along, simply contact your trainer to coordinate.. 

We do not.