I don't consider honing to be rocket science, but a learned art that requires practice.
My grandfather taught me how to hone starting around age 7 with how to refresh a pocket knife. Later it was how to set/change the bevel on a knife. Then it was how to hone out a chipped edge. He taught me the techniques for doing the same with chisels, plane irons, carving knives, axes, and eventually how to do a razor.
As a teenager I used to think he would give me that stuff to do just to keep me busy and out of his way. Somewhere over the years I finally realized he was very lovingly trying to teach me an important skill. Although, I could have possibly done with a few less of "great job, now bread knife it and do it again."

I'd suggest getting a beater from whipped dog. It will be shave ready when it arrives so refresh it. Once you are sure you can refresh then reset the bevel. Keep practicing until you know the feel and sound of the steel on the stone.