64: Adult Doodle Socialization: Expert Tips & Q&A with Authors Marge Rogers & Eileen Anderson

Think it's too late to socialize your adult Doodle? Think again! In this episode of The Doodle Pro® Podcast, I sit down with two incredible experts—Marge Rogers and Eileen Anderson, authors of Puppy Socialization: What It Is and How to Do It—to discuss why socialization isn’t just for puppies and how to help your Doodle feel more confident in the world.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

✔️ Why socialization extends beyond puppyhood
 ✔️ The importance of reading your Doodle’s body language
✔️ How to create positive associations with new experiences
✔️ Why adolescent Doodles (2-3 years old) may become more selective with playmates
✔️ The 3-second rule for safe and polite greetings
✔️ How to manage over-excitement, fear, and threshold levels in socialization
✔️ Practical socialization exercises you can start today

Plus, we share step-by-step training strategies for common Doodle struggles like:

• Barking at bikes
• Fear of strangers
• Over-exuberant greetings

📖 Want to dive deeper? Check out Marge & Eileen’s book: Puppy Socialization: What It Is and How to Do It!

🎧 Listen now and learn how to help your Doodle feel safer, calmer, and happier!

🎉 Join the Doodle Insider Team & Get a Free Early Copy! 🎉

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✔ FREE early copy—no cost, just your feedback!
✔ Help shape the final version before launch.

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Transcript

Podcast Transcript: Adult Doodle Socialization & Private Book Club Q&A with Authors Marge Rogers & Eileen Anderson

Episode Title: Adult Doodle Socialization: Expert Insights & Book Club Q&A
Host:

Corinne Gearhart, The Doodle Pro®

Guests:

Marge Rogers & Eileen Anderson, Authors of Puppy Socialization: What It Is and How to Do It

Podcast Transcript

[00:00:00] Understanding Socialization Beyond Puppyhood

She got some bad advice. And she missed the two important pieces of effective socialization:

1. She hadn’t learned yet about canine body language and how to tell if her puppy was enjoying those interactions. She was holding them, so she couldn't read her body language anyway, even if she had.
2. She didn’t know to make sure that the puppy was having positive associations.

So exposure alone is not socialization.

[00:01:00] Welcome to The Doodle Pro® Podcast

Corinne:
Hello! I am thrilled to welcome back two of my favorite guests to The Doodle Pro® Podcast!

We've got Eileen Anderson and Marge Rogers—the authors of the phenomenal puppy socialization book, What It Is and How to Do It.

But today, we’re going broader than puppies and really tapping into their expertise on body language and socialization for Doodles of all ages.

[00:02:00] Understanding Doodle Behavior & Training Challenges

Corinne:
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 professionally worked with as many different Doodle breeds or has more experience with Doodles than I have. And I love sharing my expertise in a fun, compassionate, and nonjudgmental way.

From my years of work and education in the pet care and dog training industry, I have an incredible network of skilled training, grooming, and veterinary professionals to share their knowledge with you and give you the Doodle-specific answers you're looking for.

[00:02:30] Special Guests: Eileen Anderson & Marge Rogers

Corinne:
I am thrilled to welcome Eileen and Marge.

Eileen & Marge:
We’re delighted to be here!

[00:03:00] Why Continued Socialization is Crucial

Corinne:
I mentioned that the title of your book says Puppy Socialization, but I think it’s a must-read for pet parents of dogs of all ages.

You are as passionate about socialization as I am. Can you tell me why it's important for people to understand their Doodle's body language and why continued socialization beyond that early 16-week window is still crucial?

Marge Rogers:
The best thing we can do for our canine friends is to learn how they talk to us—and they talk to us through body language.

For example, I love my husband, but I don’t necessarily love everything that he does.

He may come in and give me a back rub in the middle of this podcast—and while I would enjoy the back rub, now is not the time!

So, it’s important to recognize body language in our dogs so we can understand if something in the environment or something we are doing makes them uncomfortable.

And that’s important to know because:

• Fearful dogs are more likely to bite.
• Dogs who are worried or anxious are more likely to bite.

We don’t want our dogs to have to "shout" to get our attention.

For example, a dog may think:

"Hey, I don’t like it when kids with shark fins on their bike helmets run up to me!"

So, how do we recognize that before it escalates?
By reading their body language.

[00:05:00] Exposure vs. Positive Socialization

Corinne:
That segues beautifully into exposure vs. positive socialization.

Eileen Anderson:
Yes! Marge and I were just talking about how we really could have named our book something like:

👉 Desensitization, Counter Conditioning, and Habituation for All Dogs.

That’s a bunch of big words, but what it really means is:
 ✔ Getting dogs used to things that are new for them
 ✔ Making good associations
✔ Ensuring exposure is positive

This is exactly what we discuss in the book.

00:07:00] Socialization Outside the Puppy Window

Eileen Anderson:
We concentrated on puppies in our book because they have this socialization window. Yes, puppies are the most open to new things.

But I can tell you from personal experience—if you get a dog who is outside that window and they have some challenges, you do exactly the same thing as we describe in the book.

✔ You learn your dog’s body language.
✔ You recognize what might bother them a little or a lot.
✔ You pair wonderful things with that trigger.
✔ You control the intensity of exposure to that trigger.

[00:09:00] A Personal Example of Adult Dog Socialization

Eileen Anderson:
When I first got my eight-month-old dog, he was right at the age where socialization is often questioned.

• He was outside his socialization period.
• He had a rough puppyhood.
• He lived for two months in a vet's office, so he didn’t get much exposure to the outside world.
• He was caged a lot.

Despite all that, he was a pretty secure, confident little guy.

However, he was definitely worried about certain things. So, I started his socialization by exposing him to my neighborhood.

💡 Key takeaway: Socialization isn't just for puppies—you can still help your dog adjust and feel comfortable with new experiences.

[00:12:00] Understanding Thresholds in Training

Corinne:
Many of our listeners have heard the term threshold—and the importance of keeping their dog at or under threshold when exposing them to new things.

Can you explain what that means?

Marge Rogers:
Absolutely!

A dog's threshold is the point at which they still feel comfortable in a situation. If they go "over threshold", they are too stressed to learn.

Two simple questions to ask:
✔ Can my dog take food?
✔ Can my dog play?

If your Doodle refuses food or stops engaging in play, they might be too close to a stressor.

Take a step back and work at a comfortable distance before moving forward.

[00:17:00] The Importance of Reading Your Dog's Body Language

Corinne:
We often think of socialization as just exposure—but it’s about ensuring those experiences are positive.

Marge Rogers:
Exactly! Some dogs can seem "fine" in a situation, but when you look closer at their body language, you realize:

• They’re not actually comfortable.
• They’re shutting down rather than engaging.
• They’re showing subtle stress signals.

✔ Dogs may stop playing before they stop eating.
✔ Dogs that love food may still eat, even when they are nervous.
✔ Some dogs take food harder or faster when stressed.

Knowing these signals helps you recognize your dog’s threshold.

[00:22:00] Common Socialization Mistakes & How to Avoid Them

Corinne:
One of our listeners, Kenzie’s owner, is struggling with her Doodle getting distracted in the backyard.

Kenzie is fine inside the house, but as soon as she steps outside, she’s too distracted.

What advice would you give to a Doodle parent in this situation?

Marge Rogers:
Great question!

This is a very common challenge for dogs who are environmentally distracted.

✅ Step 1: Assess the cause

• Is she just excited and overstimulated by new smells and sights?
• Or is she hyper-vigilant and a little worried about her environment?

✅ Step 2: Gradual Exposure

• Start at the back door with the door open.
• Play pattern games inside before stepping outside.
• Build up gradually so that the backyard doesn’t feel overwhelming.

[00:32:00] Why Dogs Change Socially Around Age 2-3

Corinne:
Many Doodle parents notice that their once super-social puppy starts becoming selective about who they want to play with around age 2-3.

What’s happening?

Marge Rogers:
This is completely normal!

Just like humans:

• Puppies are like young kids—they play with everyone.
• Adolescents start becoming more selective.
• Adults find their “tribe”—they prefer certain individuals over others.

Your dog isn’t broken—they are just maturing socially.

[00:42:00] How to Help a Doodle That Reacts to Bicycles

Corinne:
One of our Doodle Pro® Honor Society members, Liberty, reacts when she sees bicycles.

How can her owner help?

Marge Rogers:
The worst time to train is when the dog is already reacting.

Instead, break it down into small, manageable steps:
1️⃣ Start with a stationary bike at a distance. Reward calm behavior.
2️⃣ Gradually introduce movement—maybe rolling the bike slightly.
3️⃣ Slowly increase the difficulty over multiple sessions.

The goal is to create positive associations, not force an interaction.

[00:57:00] Final Thoughts: It’s Never Too Late to Socialize Your Doodle

Corinne:
Any last words of encouragement for our listeners?

Marge Rogers:
It’s never too late!

Socialization isn’t just for puppies. You can help your Doodle build confidence at any age.

Eileen Anderson:
Exactly! Even my 12-year-old dog is still learning and improving.

Take it slow, have fun, and be patient.

🎧 Listen now and help your Doodle feel safer, calmer, and more confident in the world!

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