What is the right way to use a coarse cut carpenter saw?

I bought one because I needed to cut some dowel rods and found it difficult to start the cut, keep it going back and forth, and cut straight. Got the job done crudely but well enough for my purposes. Basically had to pull the saw back most of the time. I have 0 carpentry experience or ambition for that matter, but I'm just curious about the proper technique. Does the fact that it was treated wood, and/or round in shape, factor into my difficulty in using this type of saw?