The Doodle Pro®: Positive Dog Training for Calm Doodles

Winter storms are hitting across the U.S., and I’m releasing this episode a little early because the cold fronts are hitting hard right now.
When extreme cold rolls in, I know many Doodle parents start wondering the same things:
 Is it too cold to walk?
 How long is too long outside?
 Should my Doodle still potty outdoors?
 And how do I protect paws from ice and salt?
In this special winter episode of The Doodle Pro® Podcast, I walk you through how cold is actually too cold for Doodles, what veterinarians generally recommend for winter potty breaks, how to protect your Doodle’s paws from winter damage, and what to do inside when outdoor time is limited.
I’ll cover:
Why wind chill, ice, and surface conditions matter more than the number on the thermometer
How Doodle and Poodle coats affect cold tolerance and where they don’t
How long potty breaks should last during extreme cold
Simple paw protection strategies including balm, booties, rinsing, and ice prevention
How to prevent matting during wet, snowy weather
Why indoor enrichment matters more than long walks during winter storms
How to support calm, regulated behavior when winter changes your routine
This episode is especially helpful if this is your Doodle’s first cold winter, if you live in a warmer climate and are suddenly dealing with extreme cold, or if your Doodle is lifting paws, hesitating, or rushing potty trips.
Shorter walks, quicker potty breaks, and more indoor enrichment are not failures. They’re smart, seasonal adjustments.
🎁 Grab my complimentary Winter Paw Protection Guide:
https://thedoodlepro.com/winter

It includes my favorite paw protection products plus a simple DIY option to make winter easier on paws and on you.
If you’re new here, I’m Corinne, a professional dog trainer who specializes in Doodles and helps Doodle parents navigate training, behavior, and real life with confidence and compassion.
And as always, remember: Doodles are different, wonderfully so.
 ❄️🐾 Winter paw care can make a big difference in your Doodle’s comfort during cold, wet, or icy weather. I’ve created a Winter Paw Protection Guide to help Doodle parents protect paws from ice, salt, and winter surfaces while keeping routines calm and realistic.
You can grab it complimentary at https://thedoodlepro.com/winter
.

If your Doodle gets wild at the same time every day, barking out the window, stealing socks, or melting down over nothing, you’re not imagining it. In this episode of The Doodle Pro®: Positive Dog Training Tips for a Calm & Well-Behaved Doodle, I break down why these predictable behavior challenges show up on a schedule and what they actually mean about your Doodle’s day.
I’m Corinne Gearhart, certified dog trainer and Doodle expert, and I see this pattern constantly. Many Doodle parents assume daily chaos is about excess energy, lack of training, or even grooming and exercise routines. But in reality, these behaviors are often caused by predictable gaps in a dog’s schedule, inconsistent enrichment rotation, and unclear household structure.
In this episode, I explain why a Doodle’s wild behavior often peaks at the same time each day and why this isn’t misbehavior at all. It’s a sign your Doodle is responding to unmet expectations and a lack of structure. When dogs don’t know what they’re supposed to be doing during certain parts of the day, they create their own jobs, and those jobs usually involve barking, grabbing, or pacing.
You’ll learn how to:
Identify the exact time your Doodle’s daily chaos begins
Look 30 to 60 minutes earlier to find where calm starts to unravel
Understand why more exercise or more training cues don’t always fix the issue
Use simple household management and schedule shifts to support calmer behavior
This episode is designed to give you a clear, actionable takeaway you can use immediately, without overwhelm or blame. It’s especially helpful if you’re navigating common pet behavior challenges at home and want solutions rooted in positive, practical dog training.
I also share how this concept fits into the broader framework I teach in Your Doodle’s Daily Schedule Blueprint™, where understanding structure and timing helps Doodle parents create calmer, more predictable days.
Whether you’re raising a puppy or living with an adult Doodle, this episode will help you better understand your dog’s behavior, strengthen your bond, and build a daily routine that actually supports calm.
🎧 Coming next: The one schedule mistake that keeps calm from sticking, even when you’re trying really hard.
 ❄️🐾 Winter paw care can make a big difference in your Doodle’s comfort during cold, wet, or icy weather. I’ve created a Winter Paw Protection Guide to help Doodle parents protect paws from ice, salt, and winter surfaces while keeping routines calm and realistic.
You can grab it complimentary at https://thedoodlepro.com/winter
.

If your Doodle has ever growled and left you feeling worried, confused, or embarrassed, this episode will change how you hear that sound forever.
Growling is not bad behavior. It is communication. And when we listen instead of punish, we keep dogs and people safer.
This episode is being re-aired in celebration of its recognition as a two-time finalist in the 2025 Dog Writers Association of America Writing Competition, earning honors in both:
Spoken Word: Behavior, Training or Sports
Captain William Lewis Judy Award
In this conversation, I’m joined by parenting and training expert Michelle Stern, founder of Pooch Parenting, to unpack what growling actually means and how Doodle parents can respond in ways that reduce stress rather than escalate it.
In this episode, we cover:
Why dogs growl and what they are trying to communicate
Whether growling always signals aggression
When correcting a growl makes behavior worse
How to respond if your dog growls at adults, kids, or guests
What growling during play really means
How emotional safety reduces the need for growling in the first place
Prevent growling by reducing daily stress
Many growling moments are not about “bad behavior” at all. They are about dogs being overtired, overstimulated, or pushed past their coping threshold.
My book, Your Doodle’s Daily Schedule Blueprint, helps Doodle parents build predictable daily rhythms with built-in downtime so dogs are less reactive, less testy, and better able to cope with everyday life.
You can grab your copy here:
 👉 thedoodlepro.com/book
Free resource from Michelle Stern
Michelle is generously sharing her guide The ABCs of Growling, which helps you decode growling clearly and calmly so you know what your dog needs in the moment.
Download it here:
 👉 poochparenting.net/abcs-of-growling
Connect with Michelle
Website: poochparenting.net
Instagram: @poochparenting
Facebook: Pooch Parenting
Want help with socialization and body language?
Keeping track of all the sights, sounds, textures, places, and people your Doodle needs positive exposure to can feel overwhelming.
You can download my Doodle Puppy Socialization Checklist here:
👉 https://thedoodlepro.com/socialization

Test your Doodle body language knowledge with my Body Language Quiz:
👉 https://thedoodlepro.com/body

If this episode helped you hear your dog differently, subscribing and leaving a review on Apple Podcasts helps other Doodle parents find science-based, compassionate guidance when they need it most.
 ❄️🐾 Winter paw care can make a big difference in your Doodle’s comfort during cold, wet, or icy weather. I’ve created a Winter Paw Protection Guide to help Doodle parents protect paws from ice, salt, and winter surfaces while keeping routines calm and realistic.
You can grab it complimentary at https://thedoodlepro.com/winter
.

This listener-favorite episode is back because it answers the grooming questions every Doodle parent has but doesn’t always know how to ask. I’m joined by grooming industry expert River Lee, and together we shine a gentle light on what’s really happening behind the grooming table — the challenges, the pressure, the heart, and the deep desire groomers have to do right by your dog.
This conversation is all about teamwork, understanding, and helping your Doodle feel safe, confident, and cared for.
💡 You’ll learn:
• Why grooming costs are rising and why salons are booked solid
 • What’s behind the nationwide grooming shortage
 • How often your Doodle actually needs a full groom
 • Why groomers sometimes must shave a severely matted coat
• How to prepare your Doodle for calmer, easier grooming days
• The well-meaning habits that unintentionally make grooming harder
• The simple at-home routines that help your groomer say “yes!” instead of “I had to shave”
If you’ve ever left the groomer confused, frustrated, or unsure what happened… this episode will bring clarity, compassion, and real solutions.
✨ For brushing help before your next appointment
Catch Episode #6: How to Brush Your Doodle the Right Way for step-by-step guidance designed specifically for Doodle coats.
🎁 Complimentary Resources for Doodle Parents
• Doodle Coat Must-Haves Cheat Sheet
The go-to list of the exact brushing tools I recommend to all Doodle parents.
Download: https://thedoodlepro.com/musthaves/

• Brushing Guide: What Groomers Wish You Knew
Your inside scoop on avoiding painful matting and making grooming a kinder experience.
Download: https://thedoodlepro.com/brushing

🐾 Stay Connected
Behind-the-scenes tips, reels, and Doodle joy:
 Instagram.com/thedoodlepro
Facebook.com/thedoodlepro
Grooming expert River Lee:
 Instagram.com/thesavvygroomer
 YouTube.com/c/SavvyGroomer
 ❄️🐾 Winter paw care can make a big difference in your Doodle’s comfort during cold, wet, or icy weather. I’ve created a Winter Paw Protection Guide to help Doodle parents protect paws from ice, salt, and winter surfaces while keeping routines calm and realistic.
You can grab it complimentary at https://thedoodlepro.com/winter
.

Helping Your Doodle Through Daylight Saving Time — Without the Chaos
🎁 Grab your complimentary Doodle Morning Flow™ Blueprint:
👉 thedoodlepro.com/morningflow
I created this free guide to help you gently reset your Doodle’s morning routine after daylight saving time. Inside, you’ll find a printable plan and the same 3-day, step-by-step schedule I walk through in today’s episode.
When the clocks change, our Doodles don’t get the memo. Suddenly breakfast feels late, bedtime feels early, and those peaceful mornings can turn into mayhem.
In this episode, I’m sharing science-based, real-world strategies for helping your Doodle smoothly adjust to daylight saving time—and other routine shakeups like travel, back-to-school transitions, or holiday chaos.
These tips come straight from my bestselling book, Your Doodle’s Daily Schedule Blueprint™, especially the section on Adapting to Life and Seasonal Changes. You’ll learn how to shift your Doodle’s routine without stress, why anchor cues matter more than the clock, and how to bring calm back lickity-split.
🎧 You’ll learn:
Why Doodles struggle with daylight saving and time changes
How to use a 3-day, 15-minute shift plan to realign routines
The role of calm enrichment vs. overexercising
Why consistency and predictability reduce stress
📘 Mentioned in this episode:
Your Doodle’s Daily Schedule Blueprint™ — available now on Amazon
Doodle Morning Flow™ Blueprint — Download it here

 ❄️🐾 Winter paw care can make a big difference in your Doodle’s comfort during cold, wet, or icy weather. I’ve created a Winter Paw Protection Guide to help Doodle parents protect paws from ice, salt, and winter surfaces while keeping routines calm and realistic.
You can grab it complimentary at https://thedoodlepro.com/winter
.