Ep 73: Puppy Socialization Before Vaccines? The Shocking Truth with Jane Messineo Lindquist (Puppy Culture® Part 2)

Think you need to keep your puppy home until all their shots are done? Think again!

In Ep 73, Puppy Culture founder Jane Messineo Lindquist busts the biggest puppy socialization myth, shares the #1 thing breeders should do before puppies go home, and gives hope for rescue and adult dogs too. This episode could change your puppy’s future.

💡 You’ll Learn:
 ✔️ How to safely socialize your puppy before all vaccines are complete
 ✔️ The #1 thing Jane wishes every breeder would do before sending a puppy home
 ✔️ Why adult and rescue dogs can still make big strides
 ✔️ How socialization impacts your Doodle’s confidence, health & behavior long-term

📘 Special Note: Jane contributed to my bestselling book Your Doodle’s Daily Schedule Blueprint. Inside, you’ll also find my exclusive day-by-day Socialization Schedule to guide you through this critical period. Get your copy at DoodleBlueprint.com.

Resources & Links Mentioned in This Episode:

• 🐾Doodle Pro Socialization Checklist
• 📘 Your Doodle’s Daily Schedule Blueprint (with Jane as a contributor!) → Get it here
• 🐾 Puppy Culture programs & products → Explore here
• AVSAB Humane Training Statement
• 📖 Jane’s book When Pigs Fly: Training Success with Impossible Dogs → Grab it here
• 📖 Jean Donaldson’s book Mine! (resource guarding “bible”) → Check it out
• 🎧 Jane’s podcast Madcap Radio → Listen here
  
  

🐾 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 Part 2 with Jane Messineo Lindquist

In this episode of The Doodle Pro® Podcast, I continue my conversation with Jane Messineo Lindquist, founder of Puppy Culture, author of When Pigs Fly, and one of the most influential voices in modern dog breeding and training.

We dive into:

• The truth about puppy socialization before vaccines
• Why crate and confinement training is the #1 thing breeders should do before sending puppies home
• How adult and rescue dogs can still thrive with Puppy Culture methods
• Why positive experiences matter more than checklists

I’m especially honored because Jane is also a contributor to my book Your Doodle’s Daily Schedule Blueprint.

Transcript

Jane Messineo Lindquist: [00:00:00] It’s a no-brainer. I do not understand. It’s shocking to me that some veterinarians and breeders still recommend this because…the American Veterinary Association, international Veterinary Associations, they’re all on accord on this. But there it is.

It still has to be said.

Corinne Gearhart, 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®. I help Doodle parents have a more fulfilling and rewarding experience with their dogs. No one has professionally worked with as many different Doodle breeds, or has more experience with Doodles than I have, and I love to share my expertise in a fun, compassionate, and non-judgmental 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. I hope you enjoy today’s episode as I help you parent your Doodle like a pro.

Welcome back to The Doodle Pro® Podcast. This is part two of my conversation with Jane Messineo Lindquist, the brilliant mind behind Puppy Culture, author of When Pigs Fly, and a trailblazer in how we raise confident, resilient dogs. If you missed part one, go back to Episode 72 where we unpacked the origins of Puppy Culture and why early-life protocols can change a dog’s entire trajectory.

Today, Jane and I dive even deeper — from safe socialization before all the vaccines are done, to the differences she sees in rescues and adult dogs, and the single thing she wishes every breeder would do before sending a puppy home.

And I’m especially honored because Jane is also a contributor to my book Your Doodle’s Daily Schedule Blueprint, where I dive deeper into socializing your Doodle. You’re not just hearing from me today — you’re hearing directly from one of the voices who helped shape this resource for Doodle parents everywhere.

Let’s jump in.

Corinne Gearhart, The Doodle Pro®: A common concern I hear from new puppy parents is, “I can’t take my dog out yet because they haven’t gotten all their vaccinations.” And right — that would be dangerous. But you keep talking about the socialization window, this opportune time that ends right when the vaccinations would be finished. What would you say to someone who’s anxious about early socialization before their pup is fully vaccinated?

Jane Messineo Lindquist: We have to divide this into two parts: very early socialization before vaccination, and socialization after one vaccine.

UC Davis did a study — and it was a really well-designed one. They looked at puppies across the United States, at least eight weeks old, who started puppy class a week after their first vaccine. Out of roughly 5,000 puppies, not one got parvo. Not one got sick.

Nothing in life is guaranteed, but when you do the risk-benefit analysis: the chance of your puppy developing a behavior problem by delaying socialization past the critical period is enormous. The risk of your puppy getting parvo or another disease after one vaccine and waiting a week? Statistically zero.

So it’s a no-brainer.

Corinne Gearhart, The Doodle Pro®: The American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior formally released their statement saying your dog is more likely to die from behavioral euthanasia under the age of three than from diseases we keep them “safe” from by not letting their paws touch the ground.

And we’re saying this out of love — it’s not cavalier. I’m sure you’ve also seen the fallout when dogs haven’t had positive, intentional socialization until after 16 weeks.

Jane Messineo Lindquist: Absolutely. I would say literally 95% of the problems we see come down to one of two things: the breeder told the person not to socialize, or the breeder didn’t do crate and confinement training.

Corinne Gearhart, The Doodle Pro®: And if you’re anxious, it doesn’t have to be all-or-nothing. I wouldn’t take an eight- or nine-week-old puppy to a dog park, but you can use a stroller, a sling, or even sit in the trunk of your car with your pup watching bikes and trucks go by. That’s positive exposure, too.

Jane Messineo Lindquist: Exactly. Places like dog parks or pet stores aren’t safe because of unknown vaccination status. But banks, garden centers, or outdoor restaurants where your puppy can relax and meet people? Perfect.

Corinne Gearhart, The Doodle Pro®: When we look at the fallout of missing socialization, what do you see long-term in Puppy Culture puppies compared to those without it?

Jane Messineo Lindquist: You’re not handing over a “behavioral project.” These puppies are stable, optimistic, and novelty-seekers instead of neophobic. The breeder has done the groundwork, so the owner gets to do the fun work — socializing, training, building confidence.

Corinne Gearhart, The Doodle Pro®: What about people with rescue dogs who didn’t get this start?

Jane Messineo Lindquist: It’s not all lost. With rescues, I start with recalls, loose-leash walking, and Jean Donaldson’s full resource-guarding protocol in Mine!. You may not get as far as with a perfectly raised puppy, but you can change the trajectory of that dog’s life.

Corinne Gearhart, The Doodle Pro®: If you could pass one message to every breeder and puppy parent, what would it be?

Jane Messineo Lindquist: For breeders: for the love of all that is holy, do crate and confinement conditioning before puppies go home. Not full crate training, but enough that they can nap in a crate or pen. And give them a recall. If you give owners those two gifts, you’ve set them up for success.

For puppy parents: every experience must be positive. It’s not enough to check boxes. Watch your puppy’s reactions and use tools like my free Puppy Socialization Checklist to make positive “deposits” in their confidence bank account.

Corinne Gearhart, The Doodle Pro®: That’s exactly why I love thinking of socialization as deposits — because life will bring unavoidable withdrawals. The more positive deposits early on, the more resilient our pups will be.

Jane Messineo Lindquist: Yes. In the sensitive period, one exposure can imprint a lasting association — good or bad. Which is why choosing a positive trainer and curating experiences matters so much.

Corinne Gearhart, The Doodle Pro®: For breeders, Jane offers From Newborn to New Home. For puppy owners, she created With Open Arms and a Level Head. Both are available through Puppy Culture.

Jane also contributes her wisdom in my book Your Doodle’s Daily Schedule Blueprint, and hosts her own podcast Madcap Radio.

Thank you so much, Jane — and thank you for joining me for part two of this conversation.

Resources Mentioned

• 📘 Your Doodle’s Daily Schedule Blueprint
• 🐾 Puppy Culture Programs & Courses
• 📖 When Pigs Fly by Jane Messineo Lindquist
• 📖 Mine! by Jean Donaldson
• 📑 Puppy Socialization Checklist
• 📑 AVSAB Position on Humane Dog Training
• 🎧 Madcap Radio Podcast