Part 2: Debunking Puppy Socialization Myths with Expert Techniques for Doodles

Welcome back to The Doodle Pro™ Podcast! In this follow-up to last week’s episode (#53), we continue our conversation with the authors who literally wrote the book on puppy and dog socialization. Whether you’re bringing home a new puppy or spending extra time with your older Doodle during the holidays, this episode is packed with actionable advice you won’t want to miss.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• How to build a “bank account” of positive experiences for your Doodle
• Why quality socialization is more important than quantity
• How to avoid common socialization mistakes that lead to fear or anxiety
• Techniques to confidently introduce your puppy or older dog to new experiences

Plus, we’ll tackle some of the toughest questions Doodle parents face, like balancing socialization with health risks and what to do if you missed the critical socialization window.

Don’t forget to download my free Doodle Socialization Checklist to help you stay on track as you fill your Doodle’s “bank account” with confidence-building experiences! Grab it at thedoodlepro.com/socialization.

If you haven’t already, catch up on episode #53 for the first half of this conversation. Let’s help your Doodle become the confident and happy companion they’re meant to be!

Mentioned in this Episode:

• Puppy Socialization: What It Is and How to Do It (Book by today’s guests)
• PuppySocialization.com – Resources & free articles

Follow me on Instagram: @TheDoodlePro for adorable Doodles and behind-the-scenes peeks!

Searching for the perfect gift for yourself or a Doodle lover? 🎁🐾 The Relaxation Protocol for Distractable Doodles™ brings peace to pet parents and their energetic pups! This audio course adapts Dr. Karen Overall’s proven protocol just for Doodles, helping them settle and thrive. Treat yourself or surprise a Doodle parent with the gift of calm and a happier pup. Transform chaos into calm today!

Support The Doodle Pro® Podcast and help me book the most fabulous guests out there by... adding a rating an review for our show in your player! THANK YOU!

Transcript

Corinne (The Doodle Pro™):
Welcome back to The Doodle Pro™ Podcast! This week, we're diving into part two of my conversation with the incredible professionals who literally wrote the book on puppy and dog socialization. If you missed last week's episode (#53), I highly recommend giving it a listen first, as it sets the stage for everything we're exploring today.

As the holidays approach, many of you are bringing home new puppies or spending extra time with your teen or older Doodles. It's the perfect opportunity to work on socialization! In this episode, we'll debunk common myths, address mistakes, and share practical techniques to help your Doodle grow into a confident and comfortable companion for life.

You'll hear actionable tips you can start using today, including:

• How to create a “bank account” of positive experiences
• Why quality trumps quantity when it comes to socialization
• How to avoid common pitfalls that can lead to fear or anxiety in your Doodle

Catch up on episode #53 if you'd like even more insights from the first half of our interview.

Also, don’t forget to grab my free Doodle Socialization Checklist to help you track all the sights, sounds, textures, people, and places your Doodle needs to experience positively. You can find it at thedoodlepro.com/socialization.

Let’s get started—your Doodle deserves this!

Corinne (The Doodle Pro™):
Doodle breed dogs are easy to love but can be challenging to parent. I'm Doodle expert Corinne Gearhart, also known as The Doodle Pro™, and I’m here to help Doodle parents have a more fulfilling and rewarding experience with their Doodles.

No one has worked professionally with as many different Doodle breeds or has more experience with Doodles than I have. I love to share my expertise in a fun, compassionate, and nonjudgmental way. Through my years of work and education in the pet care and dog training industry, I’ve built an incredible network of skilled trainers, groomers, and veterinary professionals. Together, we’re here to give you the Doodle-specific answers you’re looking for.

I hope you enjoy today’s episode as I help you parent your Doodle like a pro!

Guest Speaker:
When you talk about using a can and rewarding your puppy as they explore new things, it reminds me of Puppy Culture’s box game. In the game, anytime the puppy approaches the box or puts a paw on it, they get rewarded. This encourages them to try all sorts of things they can think of.

I see this as creating an optimistic nature in your Doodle—where trying new things means rewards will come, as opposed to a fear of punishment, like receiving a zap or a verbal “Uh-uh.” Instead, this approach encourages exploration and curiosity in the world around them.

Marge Rogers:
That’s such a fabulous point, Corinne! Another key piece of this is that dog training is a mechanical skill, much like learning tennis or golf. I could give you a book on how to serve an ace in tennis, and you might intellectually understand it. You might even visualize it in your head.

But if you’ve never played tennis before, you’d be lucky to even hit the ball the first time you try. Serving an ace would be almost impossible. The same is true for dog training. You might say, “Oh, Corinne, I totally get this! We’re going to use treats and positive reinforcement.” But when you start doing it, it can feel awkward—just like learning to play tennis or golf.

The more you practice, the easier it gets. I’ll let you in on a little secret: 30 years ago, there was no positive reinforcement training. We used to jerk the leash and say “heel” a lot. We’d blame the dog for not learning—saying they were “dominant,” “stubborn,” or “blowing us off.” We never considered that our timing or methods might be the problem.

With puppies, we need to remember two things:

1. We’re learning alongside them.
2. They’re tiny, baby animals of an entirely different species who need to be taught how to live in our world.

When they bite you, steal something, or run away to play chase, they’re not being “dominant” or “stubborn”—they’re just being puppies. It’s our job to teach them human ways, not their job to figure it out on their own.

Corinne (The Doodle Pro™):
Absolutely! And this brings us back to why we need to give both our puppies and ourselves some grace. Learning these skills can feel awkward at first, but it gets easier with practice.

Let’s discuss something that might seem silly to some people—introducing your puppy to something as simple as a can of soup.

Guest Speaker:
Exactly! Even the simplest things, like a can of soup, can help build confidence in your puppy. For example, you might have a Roomba or a loud vacuum cleaner at home. Instead of turning it on right away and startling your puppy, bring it out and let them explore it while it’s stationary. Reward them with treats or play when they engage with it.

You can gradually increase the intensity, like turning the Roomba on to beep, and then eventually letting it move. By setting the situation up thoughtfully, your puppy will associate these new experiences with positive outcomes rather than fear.

Marge Rogers:
When we talk about introducing puppies to new things, I like to use the analogy of creating a "bank account" for positive experiences. Every time a puppy has a good interaction with something new—like a child, a vacuum, or even nail trims—we make a deposit into their "bank account" for that experience.

For example, let’s say there’s a neighbor’s 8-year-old boy. If every interaction between the puppy and that child involves treats, play, and positivity, we’re building a strong bank account. Then, if the child accidentally trips or startles the puppy one day, it’s like making a small withdrawal. But because the account is full of positive experiences, the puppy is more likely to recover quickly and remain confident.

This idea applies to all kinds of scenarios, like going to the vet, meeting other dogs, or experiencing grooming sessions. Real life happens, and we can’t prevent every single stressor, but we can make sure our puppies have enough positive deposits in their accounts to handle occasional withdrawals.

Corinne (The Doodle Pro®):
I love this analogy, Marge! It also emphasizes why the quality of the experience is so important. We’re not just aiming for neutral exposures—we want every interaction to add something truly positive to that “bank account.”

Eileen Anderson:
Exactly! And as you gain experience, you’ll also become better at anticipating what might startle or worry your puppy. For example, if you’re introducing them to a Roomba or a blender, you can prepare by breaking the interaction into smaller, positive steps.

Another thing that often surprises new puppy parents is how seasonal changes, like bringing out winter boots or an overcoat, can be a new and startling experience for a summer puppy. It’s all about thinking ahead and pairing these new experiences with rewards.

Corinne (The Doodle Pro®):
It sounds like this all ties into the idea of reading your puppy’s body language and making sure their interactions are comfortable. Marge, can you explain your “three-second rule” for greetings?

Marge Rogers:
Of course! When my puppy meets someone new, it’s always their choice to approach or not. If they do, I count to three in my head—“one banana, two banana, three banana”—and then call them back to me.

This serves a few purposes:

1. It teaches the puppy they can always return to me for safety and rewards.
2. It helps keep arousal levels low.
3. It ensures the interaction stays brief, so the person doesn’t start leaning over, scooping up the puppy, or doing something that might overwhelm them.

If the puppy wants to go back and say hello again, they’re welcome to! But if they decide not to return to the person, that’s their way of saying, “I’ve had enough.” It’s all about giving them choice and control over their interactions.

Corinne (The Doodle Pro®):
That’s such a great approach. It’s about teaching puppies confidence and respect for their space while ensuring they’re having positive, quality experiences.

Eileen Anderson:
Yes, and it’s also about understanding what’s really happening when puppies show certain behaviors. For example, when a puppy rolls over on their back during a greeting, many people assume they’re asking for a belly rub.

But in many cases, this isn’t true. A confident puppy doesn’t typically run up to someone and immediately show their belly. That posture is more likely saying, “I’m not a threat.” It can be a response to someone leaning over their space bubble or being too intense.

Corinne (The Doodle Pro®):
Exactly! This misunderstanding often extends to how we greet puppies, especially when they’re tiny. Most people don’t think about how looming over them or picking them up can be overwhelming.

Marge Rogers:
Absolutely. It’s important to remember that puppies are tiny, vulnerable animals. When we or others rush up to them, scoop them up, or lean into their space, they can feel overwhelmed. This is why it’s so critical to observe their body language and give them choices during interactions.

It’s also why we should model calm greetings ourselves. If we greet our puppies every day with lots of excitement, high-pitched voices, and chaos, we’re teaching them that greetings are supposed to be frenzied events. That might be cute when they’re little, but when they grow into a 50- or 60-pound dog jumping all over you or your guests, it’s a much bigger problem.

Corinne (The Doodle Pro®):
That’s such an important point—what we model in those early days shapes how they behave as adults. Let’s talk about adolescent dogs and rescue Doodles. Many parents worry that if they missed the early socialization window, it’s too late. Is that true?

Marge Rogers:
Great question, and the answer is no, it’s not too late! Behavior is fluid, and even if your Doodle missed the critical socialization window, you can still help them become more confident.

The same principles we use with puppies apply to older dogs—it’s just a slower process. For instance, an adolescent dog might express their discomfort more vocally, like barking, growling, or lunging. These behaviors are meant to increase distance, not invite interaction. They’re saying, “Please stay away.”

The key is to recognize these signs, thank your dog for growling (because it’s a warning), and remove them from the situation. This helps build trust and ensures they feel safe.

Corinne (The Doodle Pro®):
That’s so reassuring to hear. It’s also important for parents to remember that socialization doesn’t end at 16 weeks. It’s an ongoing process, right?

Eileen Anderson:
Absolutely! We recommend continuing socialization through the first year of your puppy’s life and beyond. Even with older dogs, you can use their daily meals or playtime to reinforce positive associations with new experiences.

For example, instead of assuming your dog will “get used to” nail trims or grooming, take time to teach them that these are positive, stress-free experiences.

Marge Rogers:
That’s right. Dogs don’t naturally “get used to” things—they need our help. And when we take the time to pair new experiences with positive reinforcement, it strengthens our bond with them.

It’s also worth mentioning that while some dogs tolerate stress silently, it can still take a toll. For example, we fostered a Doodle who would get stress colitis after trips to the groomer. By helping dogs associate grooming with positive experiences, we can prevent that kind of stress altogether.

Corinne (The Doodle Pro®):
I love how this approach builds trust and respect between you and your dog. Let’s address one of the biggest concerns I hear from puppy parents—the conflict between the risks of parvovirus and the importance of early socialization. What advice do you have for navigating that?

Eileen Anderson:
First, we’re not vets, and we always encourage you to follow your veterinarian’s advice. That said, it’s important to know that major veterinary organizations agree the risks of behavioral problems due to lack of socialization outweigh the risks of disease—if you take precautions.

During the sensitive period for socialization, find safe ways to expose your puppy to the world. For example, you can put down a clean blanket for them to explore new places or carry them in your arms in low-risk areas. Avoid high-risk environments like dog parks but find opportunities for positive exposures.

Marge Rogers:
Exactly. It’s not an all-or-nothing decision. There are plenty of safe ways to socialize your puppy while minimizing health risks. For example, even something as simple as a car ride can help your puppy experience new sights and sounds without exposure to other dogs.

Keeping your puppy completely isolated at home is not a viable option. Puppies who don’t experience the world during this critical period are much more likely to develop fear-based behavioral problems later in life.

Corinne (The Doodle Pro®):
That’s such an important reminder. I’ve seen the fallout from well-meaning parents who kept their puppies isolated to protect them from disease. The lifelong fear those dogs develop can be heartbreaking.

Marge Rogers:
It is heartbreaking, and it’s why we need to find that balance. With a thoughtful approach, we can ensure puppies grow into confident, happy dogs.

Corinne (The Doodle Pro®):
Thank you both so much for sharing your insights. This conversation has been packed with valuable advice, but there’s so much more in your book. How can listeners find your book and continue learning?

Eileen Anderson:
You can find our book and additional resources at puppysocialization.com. The book is also available on platforms like Clean Run, Dogwise, Amazon, and Barnes & Noble.

We also have free articles and downloadable resources on our website to help guide pet parents through the socialization process.

Corinne (The Doodle Pro®):
I’ll include links in the show notes for easy access. Thank you again for being here and sharing your expertise. I know my Doodle-loving audience will find this conversation incredibly helpful!