go on to ukcdog.com and go on their forums and post that your looking for help getting a dog started. There are a ton of people in your area that should be able to help you get started. The best thing to do is find someone with good broke dog and just let your dog out with it and learn from the old dog. The reward is at the end when the coon drops. Too many caged coons will wreck a dog in a quick hurry!!!