Last Updated on January 8, 2026 by Kim Crawmer, KPA CTP, LFDM
It’s that time of year again – Karen Pryor Academy’s annual January sale is happening right now, and I wanted to make sure you didn’t miss it.
This is one of only TWO times per year (January and September) that KPA offers 20% off their entire catalog of dog training courses, videos, books, and training gear. If you’ve been thinking about investing in quality dog training education for your livestock guardian dog, there’s no better time than right now.
Why I’m So Passionate About KPA
As a Karen Pryor Academy Certified Training Partner, I can tell you firsthand that these courses are the foundation of how I approach training – whether I’m working with Maremma Sheepdogs, other livestock guardian dogs, or any dog at all.
KPA courses are:
- Science-based – grounded in the latest research on how dogs actually learn
- Force-free – no intimidation, no dominance theory, no outdated methods
- Practical – you get real skills you can apply immediately
- Professional quality – whether you’re a pet owner or aspiring trainer
I don’t recommend products I don’t believe in. I’ve personally taken multiple KPA courses, and I recommend them to literally every single person who gets a puppy from me.
The Course I Recommend Most: Dog Trainer Foundations
The Dog Trainer Foundations course is normally $249, but during the January sale, it’s just $199. This is the one I recommend to everyone – LGD owners, first-time dog owners, experienced handlers who want to learn positive reinforcement methods, everyone.
This course teaches you the fundamentals of clicker training and positive reinforcement, giving you practical skills to train any behavior you want. It’s comprehensive, well-structured, and genuinely transformative for how you’ll interact with your dog.
I wrote an entire blog post about why I think this course is so important: The One Thing Most Livestock Guardian Dog Owners Skip, But Shouldn’t.
REAL RESULTS: A PUPPY OWNER’S STORY
One of my puppy families, Violet, had two livestock guardian dogs – but very different experiences with each.
Her first dog, Marshmallow, developed what she called “emergency itch” – every time she asked him to do something, he’d suddenly need to scratch, then yawn, then reluctantly comply in slow motion. She tried YouTube videos, basic classes, and collecting tips wherever she could find them.
Before bringing home her second dog, Cotton Candy (CC), from me, Violet took the Dog Trainer Foundations course.
The difference? CC has never had “emergency itch.” She’s polite, relaxed, and happy. And Marshmallow’s stress behaviors improved, too, once Violet understood what she was actually doing.
Violet’s words: “With 2 happy, relaxed dogs, my life has gotten easier. And we’ll just end the story here and live happily ever after.”
👉 Read Violet’s full story: A Tale of Two White Dogs
Real Results: A Puppy Owner’s Experience
Another one of my puppy owners – Sarah, who took home Caia the Maremma to Hawaii as a companion dog – was so impressed with what she learned from KPA courses that she also wrote a guest post for me about her experience.
Sarah took the Dog Trainer Foundations course AND the Better Veterinary Visits course (which teaches cooperative care skills – another one I highly recommend and have taken myself). She breaks down what she learned and how these courses have helped her relationship with Caia.
You can read her full story here: [Coming soon – Sarah’s guest post about her KPA experience].
Important Details You Need to Know
The Sale Runs All Month
You have until January 31st to take advantage of these prices, but don’t procrastinate – January goes fast!
Not Ready to Start Yet? You Can Put Courses on Hold
Here’s a pro tip: If you want to buy during the sale but aren’t ready to start immediately, you can purchase the course and then email KPA to put it on hold. The clock won’t start ticking until you tell them you’re ready to begin.
This is a great option if you’re in the middle of a busy season or waiting to bring home your Prancing Pony Maremma puppy, but don’t want to miss out on the sale pricing.
IMPORTANT: Make sure you actually request the hold! I’ve learned this the hard way. KPA courses have expiration dates that vary by course – some are a few months, others are six months to a year. If you forget to put it on hold, you could lose access before you get around to taking it.
Always check the course description for the specific timeframe, and if you need more time, send that email requesting a hold right after purchase.
What Else Is On Sale
It’s not just courses! The entire KPA catalog is 20% off, including:
- Training videos
- Books on dog training and behavior
- Clickers and training gear
- Treat pouches and leashes
- And more
If you need to stock up on training supplies, this is the perfect time.
My Top Course Recommendations
Beyond Dog Trainer Foundations, here are a few other KPA courses I love:
Better Veterinary Visits – This course teaches cooperative care skills that make vet visits, nail trims, grooming, and handling so much easier. As someone who breeds dogs, I can’t emphasize enough how valuable these skills are. Start teaching them when your dog is young, and you’ll thank yourself for years to come.
Browse the full course catalog – KPA has courses on everything from puppy raising to advanced training skills. There’s truly something for every dog owner.
Don’t Miss This Opportunity
Remember: This sale only happens twice a year – January and September. These are the absolute best prices you’ll find on KPA courses all year long.
Whether you have a Maremma from me, another livestock guardian dog, or any dog at all, investing in quality training education is one of the best things you can do for your relationship and success with your dog.
Ready to shop the sale?
➡️ Dog Trainer Foundations Course
➡️ All Foundation Courses
➡️ Complete January Sale Collection
Have questions about which course might be right for you? Send me a message or leave a comment below. I’m happy to point you in the right direction.
Here’s to starting 2026 with better training skills and stronger relationships with our dogs!
Related Reading:
- The One Thing Most Livestock Guardian Dog Owners Skip, But Shouldn’t – Why I recommend Dog Trainer Foundations to all my puppy families
- How to Successfully Train Your LGD – all my top training recommendations for LGDs
- A Professional Journey and Dream Come True: I’m Now a Karen Pryor Academy Certified Training Partner – why and how I went from livestock guardian dog breeder to professional dog trainer
- A Tale of Two White Dogs – a guest post by our client Violet, who owns CC, a Maremma we bred, and her experiences with KPA Foundations
- [Sarah’s KPA Course Review – Coming Soon!] – A real puppy owner’s experience with multiple KPA and other dog training courses
