Hello Reader,
I hope you’re having a great week. I have been super busy working on the last unit of the Karen Pryor Academy Dog Trainer Professional program. The in-person workshop is in April, so much is left to do to prepare. Honestly, I was feeling stuck and had some problems with my training earlier this week, and I thought I might not make it through. 😩 But I emailed my instructor, and she said that almost everyone goes through these worries and doubts towards the end. Today, I had a Zoom meeting with her, and she got me back on track. So, full steam ahead! 🚂
Look what I found in the barn today…
I wanted to share a cute video of something I found when I went outside to feed the animals today. As I’ve mentioned, I decided not to have a kidding season this year because of the dog training program I’m in. 🦮 Well, imagine my surprise when I heard the distinct sound of baby goats in the Puppy Parlor pasture! 😳 I peeked out to find Anna, one of our Mini Nubian does, with three little bucklings toddling happily around her! 💜🐐 Apparently, Anna didn’t get the memo about skipping kidding season this year! 😆 (Anna is my son’s goat, of course. He always picks the rebels!)
Even more surprising is that two adolescent pups (along with an adult mentor) were in that pasture, and they didn’t bother the babies. And because the kids were completely dry and walking very well, they must have been there for a while, maybe even since the night before. I’m unsurprised that the female was calm with the babies because she is a bit older, but the male, Kieran, is only 13 months old. I would never have knowingly put a young dog with babies, but he did great. What good pups they are! And as my son, Noah, said (a quote from Jurassic Park), “Life finds a way!”
So, if you’re looking for adorable baby goats, visit our website to reserve these cuties before they are gone!
Baby Goat Guardians in Training
Great dogs come to those who wait. The perfect clients come to breeders who have faith.
Just over a week ago, two more of our Maremma puppies went to their new home. I have to admit that 2023 was a really tough year for breeding dogs and goats. So many people got pets during Covid and decided to start homesteads and become breeders. Then, once things opened up and people went back to life as usual (and the ability to vacation and do fun things again), we were left with a glut of unwanted animals on the market. People are busy doing other things and there are plenty of cheap, inferior quality animals available from breeders who care more about fast money than putting time and effort into their animals or their clients.
Those of us who are dedicated to breeding the best quality animals possible and giving the best customer service available had two choices: drop our prices to compete with the “affordable puppy” (or goat) breeders. Or hold onto our precious charges until the right buyer came along. I know what I put into my animals and the lifetime support I give my clients. I know how much people love the Maremmas and goats I breed and I would rather wait for the right people to come along than sell “affordable” dogs and goats. Especially since selling cheap often means people won’t value the animals they are buying, or give them the care they need. This commitment was not easy as my dog food bill was pretty scary for a while there and there wasn’t a lot of money coming in. But I held on to what I knew was right and waited.
So 16 months after they were born, Cassius and Bryn (now Athena), two pups from our October 2022 litter, went to an absolutely perfect new home. Not only that but I also gave them three of my dairy goat does that I wanted to retire. The pups were much happier in their new home with goats they already knew, there was no need to acclimate the pups to new livestock. And Lotte, Siren and Ruby are getting lots of love and attention from their new family. (Spoiled as they deserve!)
I have had so many people show interest in these two pups over the last 16 months. Some who inquired weren’t a good match for different reasons. Many didn’t like the price. They only wanted cheap and didn’t even take the time to ask why my dogs are worth more. To them I say “Thank you and goodbye.” And good luck.
But as soon as I began discussing the pups with the family they are now with I knew they were a match made in heaven. First because they are friends with one of my amazing puppy clients who I am in regular contact with – so cool! Everything they said was just right and I knew right away which pups would be best for them. And once I met the family in person and continued to communicate with them after the pups went home I knew that these two pups stayed with me all this time because they were meant to be with THIS family and only this family.
I want to write an entire blog post about this topic but for now I’ll just say that I know that there is a perfect family out there for each of my pups, and I have a perfect dog for anyone who is willing to put their faith in me, as a breeder, and I will not worry about unsold pups any more. I’ll take the time it takes to match each pup with the best family for them.
Here’s what Cassius and Athena’s new owner had to say about them a week after they went home:
We still have a few pups available and as you can see in the words of Cassius and Athena’s new owner, I know how to match my pups (and goats) to the perfect families for them. 💜 If you’re looking for the absolute best Maremma Sheepdog available and unmatched breeder and trainer support go to my website and fill out the contact form. And since I am trying to reduce my goat herd I may be able to throw in a few free already-Maremma-trained goats! (While supplies last.) 🦮💜🐐
I love hearing from my subscribers. Let me know if you have any questions about Maremma Sheepdogs or dairy goats or if you have anything you’d like to share.
Just hit reply to this e-mail and say hello!
Kim
