Ep 72: Puppy Culture 101 with Jane Messineo Lindquist: Raising Confident, Resilient Doodles from Day One

Want to raise a confident, resilient Doodle from the very start? In this first half of my conversation with Jane Messineo Lindquist, creator of Puppy Culture, we dive into the protocols that set puppies—and their people—up for success from day one.

Jane shares the origin story of Puppy Culture, why genetics are only part of the picture, and the enrichment and communication tools that create confident, optimistic dogs. We unpack what “manding” really means (and why it’s not just “sit for petting”), explore active vs. passive enrichment, and take a hard look at the ENS buzzword versus simulated maternal stimulation.

💡 What You’ll Learn in Part 1:
✔️ How Puppy Culture began and why it’s become a global movement
✔️ The difference between active and passive enrichment—and why both matter
✔️ How manding builds communication and reduces frustration in dogs of any age
✔️ ENS vs. simulated maternal stimulation (SMS) and what the science really says
✔️ The key protocols to look for when choosing a responsible Doodle breeder

📘 Want more support raising your puppy? Jane also shares insights inside my book, Your Doodle’s Daily Schedule Blueprint → Get at DoodleBlueprint.com

🎧 Catch Part Two in Episode 73 → where we break down the #1 socialization myth, what every breeder should do before puppies go home, and how even rescue and adult dogs can benefit.

Resources & Links:

• Puppy Culture website
• Jane’s book: When Pigs Fly! Training Success with Impossible Dogs
• Article: “Rethinking ENS” on Madcap University
• The Doodle Pro® Podcast on Apple Podcasts

🐾 Want to know what kind of DOODLE parent you are?
 Take my quick 2-minute quiz to discover your Doodle parenting superpowers — and get your personalized Parent Playbook with tips made just for you and your pup.

👉 Start here: thedoodlepro.com/quiz

Transcript

Puppy Culture 101 with Jane Lindquist: Raising Confident, Resilient Doodles

Introduction

Corinne Gearhart, The Doodle Pro®:
Today’s guest is a true trailblazer in the world of dog training and puppy rearing. And while she’s best known for her work with Bull Terriers, her impact has rippled through every breed and mix, including our beloved Doodles.

Jane Messineo Lindquist is the brilliant mind behind Puppy Culture, the groundbreaking film and program that’s changed how an entire generation of breeders and pet parents raise their puppies. She’s also the author of the cult favorite book, When Pigs Fly! Training Success with Impossible Dogs, which offers hope and real results for those of us with strong-willed pups.

Jane has been in the dog world for over 40 years—breeding, showing, judging, and presenting seminars all over the globe. Her kennel, Madcap Bull Terriers, has produced over 100 conformation and performance titles, proving that even the most independent breeds can shine in both the show ring and performance arenas.

As an AKC judge, the Bull Terrier Club of America’s AKC Delegate, and a passionate advocate for early socialization and enrichment, Jane’s work has united trainers, breeders, rescues, and pet parents around one shared goal: giving puppies their very best start. She has helped over 80,000 Puppy Culture fans around the world, and today she’s here to share her wisdom with The Doodle Pro® community.

The Origin of Puppy Culture

Corinne:
I brought home my Doodle Cavapoo, Nestlé, in March of 2020. Even though I had worked with hundreds of Doodles professionally, I still felt at a loss for how to socialize this pup when the world was shut down. Jane, you offered a program—complimentary—just to help puppy parents in the same situation. It helped my dog and me so much, especially practicing manding and the box game. You are just an incredible resource.

Jane Lindquist:
I’m so excited to be here. Thank you so much for having me.

Corinne:
For listeners who are brand new to Puppy Culture, can you share more about what it is and how you created it?

Jane:
It was, in many ways, an accident. I was a professional dog trainer and had written When Pigs Fly!. That book came about because I had two passions—Bull Terriers and dog agility—which are almost contradictory. People kept asking how I managed to succeed in agility with such an independent breed, and eventually, I was encouraged to write it down.

As I was making a movie version of the book, we happened to have a litter on the ground. I decided to make a 20-minute film about developmental periods in puppies. That snowballed into a massive four-year project that became the five-hour Puppy Culture film.

Why Early Puppy Protocols Matter

Jane:
As a breeder, trainer, and performance sport enthusiast, I started connecting dots. Many “behavior problems” are actually the result of errors or omissions in early puppyhood—things like incomplete or incorrect socialization. About 80% of the issues trainers face could be avoided with the right early protocols. That’s what Puppy Culture is all about.

Corinne:
It’s such a gift. Breeding with intention is important, but taking that next step is an incredible opportunity.

Jane:
Genetics set the “box of possibilities.” You want that box to be as good as possible, but where your puppy lands inside it is up to you—and the early experiences you provide.

Active vs. Passive Enrichment

Jane:
Puppy Culture focuses on raising behaviorally sound puppies. It’s less about performance training and more about emotional resilience—handing over a “blank slate” to the owner.

We distinguish between passive enrichment (toys, enriched environments) and active enrichment (manding, anti-resource guarding, crate/confinement conditioning, early toilet training, and socialization). Passive enrichment looks impressive, but active enrichment is where the real behavioral magic happens.

Corinne:
I see such a difference in pups raised with this program—they’re optimistic, confident, and less demanding. House training and crate comfort have already been started before they even go home.

Manding: Communication for Puppies

Jane:
Manding comes from human psychology and is a way to teach nonverbal beings to ask for things. In Puppy Culture, we teach puppies to sit to “ask” for what they want. They don’t always get it, but the act of being heard reduces frustration and problem behaviors.

It’s not “sit for petting” or a gatekeeping behavior—it’s communication. I first taught it to rescue dogs to show them that seeking attention could be safe and rewarding.

Corinne:
It’s amazing to watch how dogs use manding spontaneously—like my own pup sitting politely during fetch to say, “Please throw it again.” It’s a polite alternative to jumping or barking.

ENS vs. Simulated Maternal Stimulation (SMS)

Jane:
Early Neurological Stimulation (ENS) was popularized for dogs from livestock studies. The research in dogs is mixed—some studies show benefits, others don’t. ENS seems helpful where there’s little human contact, like in large commercial kennels, but for hobby breeders already handling puppies daily, the benefits are negligible.

I prefer Simulated Maternal Stimulation (SMS)—gently brushing puppies to mimic maternal licking. Studies show that higher maternal licking leads to better stress resilience. SMS is especially helpful after C-sections, where dams may be slower to engage with their pups.

Choosing a Responsible Breeder

Jane:
Puppy Culture isn’t the only good early development program, but look for breeders who go beyond buzzwords. Are they teaching manding? Leash walking? Recalls? Crate training? Socializing puppies in varied environments, like stroller outings? These are the hallmarks of solid early puppy education.

Closing of Part 1

Corinne:
That’s the perfect place to pause for Part 1. Whether your Doodle is already at home or you’re still searching for your perfect puppy, these insights will help you build—or choose—a rock-solid foundation.

Next week, Jane and I will dive into how to safely socialize your puppy before all vaccinations are complete, tips for rescues and adult dogs, and the two breeder habits that make the biggest difference.

Resources & Links

• Puppy Culture Website
• Jane’s Book: When Pigs Fly! Training Success with Impossible Dogs
• Article: “Rethinking ENS” on Madcap University
• The Doodle Pro® Podcast on Apple Podcasts