Apr 10, 2025 | *Planning Ahead, Available Maremmas, Bringing Home Your LGD, Livestock Guardian Dogs, Maremma Breeding Program, Starting With LGDs |
Planning Ahead: Why Timing Matters When Adding a Livestock Guardian Dog to Your Farm Unlike bringing home a pet dog – where you might only need a few days off work to help a puppy settle in – adding a Livestock Guardian Dog to your farm requires careful...
Apr 4, 2025 | Prancing Pony Maremmas News |
Hi Reader, I’m sorry I’m late with my weekly email. You can blame it on the kids..the goat kids, that is! 💜🐐, It’s kidding season, and the place is hopping with cute baby goats. 💞We are up to around 40 kids and aren’t done yet! Kidding...
Mar 28, 2025 | Available Maremmas, Livestock Guardian Dogs, Maremma Breeding Program |
Born: June 20, 2024 | Male | Current Weight: 90 lbs | Expected Adult Weight: 120-130+ lbs At Prancing Pony Farm, we believe the source of your livestock guardian dog is the single most important decision determining whether your experience will be a blessing or a...
Mar 25, 2025 | Available Maremmas, Livestock Guardian Dogs, Maremma Breeding Program |
Born: July 26, 2024 | Male | Current Weight: 80 lbs | Expected Adult Weight: 120-130+ lbs At Prancing Pony Farm, we believe the source of your livestock guardian dog is the single most important decision determining whether your experience will be a blessing or a...
Mar 24, 2025 | Prancing Pony Maremmas News |
Make Your Homestead Dreams Come True This Spring! Spring is in the air at Prancing Pony Farm, and with it comes the pitter-patter of tiny hooves! We’re thrilled to announce the beginning of our 2025 kidding season and this year; we want to make someone’s...
Mar 20, 2025 | Available Maremmas, Maremma Breeding Program, Prancing Pony Maremmas News |
At the Sign of the Prancing Pony The Prancing Pony Farm Newsletter Hi Reader, I hope your week is going well. My week has been a bit rough. My husband was sick last week with some kind of cold/flu bug, and I thought I had dodged the bullet until Saturday night when...
Mar 13, 2025 | Available Maremmas, Maremma Breeding Program, Prancing Pony Maremmas News |
At the Sign of the Prancing Pony The Prancing Pony Farm Newsletter Hi Reader, I hope you’re doing great this week. I wanted to share this cute photo I got of one of my 7-month-old Maremma puppies on Wednesday. Kidding season is due to begin any day now, so...
Mar 6, 2025 | All About Maremmas, Livestock Guardian Dogs, Maremma Breeding Program, Prancing Pony Maremmas News |
At the Sign of the Prancing Pony The Prancing Pony Farm Newsletter Hi Reader, It is with a heavy heart that I write to you this week. Our beloved 9-year-old Maremma, Olaf, died Tuesday night. Many of you who have followed our journey for a while know that Olaf was...
Feb 27, 2025 | Prancing Pony Maremmas News |
At the Sign of the Prancing Pony The Prancing Pony Farm Newsletter Hi Reader, I hope your week is going well. Spring has already come to Central California, so we are making the best of it. Last week, my new farm helper (Kiley) and I took six Maremma puppies on...
Feb 24, 2025 | Maremma Breeding Program, Prancing Pony Maremmas News |
Prancing Pony Farm Maremma Sheepdogs Mini Nubians & Nigerian Dwarfs Livestock Guardian Dog Training Dear [FIRST_DOG_NAME GOES HERE] [SECOND_DOG_NAME GOES HERE] Here’s wishing you a very happy birthday filled with all your favorite treats and lots of hugs...
Feb 20, 2025 | Prancing Pony Maremmas News |
At the Sign of the Prancing Pony The Prancing Pony Farm Newsletter Hi Reader, Have you ever taken your livestock guardian dog for a walk? I’ve often heard the advice that you shouldn’t walk your LGD, or they will learn that there is an interesting world...
Feb 13, 2025 | Prancing Pony Maremmas News |
At the Sign of the Prancing Pony The Prancing Pony Farm Newsletter Hi Reader, How’s your week going? We had the craziest “adventure” here on the farm last Saturday. I have this old mobile office trailer in my barnyard that I use as a dog grooming...
Feb 6, 2025 | Prancing Pony Maremmas News |
At the Sign of the Prancing Pony The Prancing Pony Farm Newsletter Hi Reader, I hope your week is going well. I have been working on a big project for a long time and am finally ready to announce it. I’ve created a free membership site for LGD and dairy goat...
Feb 6, 2025 | Livestock Guardian Dogs, Prancing Pony Maremmas News |
At Prancing Pony Farm, we’ve always believed that successful livestock guardian dogs and thriving dairy goat herds are built on a foundation of knowledge, support, and community. Today, we’re excited to announce a new chapter in our journey – the...
Jan 23, 2025 | Prancing Pony Maremmas News, Starting With LGDs |
At the Sign of the Prancing Pony The Prancing Pony Farm Newsletter Hi Reader, I hope you’re having a great week. I have two exciting bits of news to share. First up, I hired a new farm hand! 🎉🎉🎉 Her name is Kiley. She will come out a few days a week to help me...
Jan 23, 2025 | Livestock Guardian Dogs, *Top Posts, Family Dog Mediation, LGD Training & Behavior |
Livestock guardian dog owners, this is the game-changing resource you’ve been waiting for. Kim Brophy’s “The Dog’s Truth” offers a revolutionary approach to understanding dogs that goes far beyond anything you may have heard. It is...
Jan 18, 2025 | Livestock Guardian Dogs, *Top Posts, Book Reviews, Bringing Home Your LGD, Karen Pryor Academy, LGD Training & Behavior, Starting With LGDs |
There are three key components that are required in order to produce an outstanding Livestock Guardian Dog. The first two – genetics and early training and socialization (or Nature and Nurture) – are the responsibility of the breeder. If you’ve...
Jan 18, 2025 | *How Many LGDS, *Top Posts, Bringing Home Your LGD, Livestock Guardian Dogs, Starting With LGDs |
Ask this question of dog breeders, livestock owners and even pet dog owners and you will get a lot of different opinions, some of them very strong. New puppy buyers are trying to do their research so they can the best thing for their dogs and their stock....
Jan 16, 2025 | Prancing Pony Maremmas News |
At the Sign of the Prancing Pony The Prancing Pony Farm Newsletter Hi Reader, I hope you and your dogs are having a great week! I wanted you to be among the first to know about an exciting new opportunity I’ve come up with for fellow dog lovers like you to...
Jan 16, 2025 | Livestock Guardian Dogs |
As a dedicated Maremma Sheepdog breeder and positive reinforcement trainer specializing in livestock guardian dogs (LGDs), I’ve always believed in the power of community. Today, I’m thrilled to announce a program that will strengthen our connections while...
Jan 9, 2025 | Client Stories & Testimonials, Livestock Guardian Dogs, Maremma Breeding Program, Prancing Pony Maremmas News, Starting With LGDs |
Prancing Pony Maremmas We Make Livestock Guardian Dog and Dairy Goat Ownership Joyful and Stress-free ABOUT US WHY US? OUR PUPPY PROCESS AVAILABLE PUPS BLOG Hi Reader, When I wake up each day, one of the first things I do is check my phone to see if I missed any...
Jan 2, 2025 | Prancing Pony Maremmas News |
At the Sign of the Prancing Pony The Prancing Pony Farm Newsletter Hi Reader, Happy New Year! Can you believe that it’s already 2025? I can’t. Where did 2024 even go? It zoomed by so fast. It was a busy year but so different from past years. Here’s a...
Jan 2, 2025 | Livestock Guardian Dogs, Maremma Breeding Program, Prancing Pony Maremmas News |
It's a New Year It’s hard to believe that 2025 is finally here. Where did the time go? Looking Back at 2024 Electra had three lovely pups in February. Lucy is now guarding chickens in Massachusetts and Levi and Jocelyn are guarding goats in Texas. Completion...
Dec 25, 2024 | Prancing Pony Maremmas News |
At the Sign of the Prancing Pony The Prancing Pony Farm Newsletter Hi Reader, I won’t keep you because I know you’re busy on this wonderful day, but I’m just popping in to say Merry Christmas to and your loved ones from me, my family and all the dogs, goats and...
Dec 20, 2024 | Prancing Pony Maremmas News |
Prancing Pony Farm Maremma Sheepdogs Mini Nubians & Nigerian Dwarfs Livestock Guardian Dog Training Dear [FIRST_DOG_NAME GOES HERE] [SECOND_DOG_NAME GOES HERE] Here’s wishing you a very happy birthday filled with all your favorite treats and lots of hugs...
Dec 20, 2024 | Prancing Pony Maremmas News |
At the Sign of the Prancing Pony The Prancing Pony Farm Newsletter Hi Reader, Christmas is almost here! Are you ready? I’m not, which is why I am late sending this email. 😂 I had planned to write it yesterday, but I needed to finish my Christmas shopping, so I...
Dec 12, 2024 | All About Maremmas, Maremma Breeding Program, Prancing Pony Maremmas News |
At the Sign of the Prancing Pony The Prancing Pony Farm Newsletter Hi Reader, I have something very exciting to share with you today! I was interviewed on The Honest Dog Breeder podcast. If you haven’t heard of this amazing podcast, it’s by Julie Swan, who...
Dec 12, 2024 | *Top Posts, Livestock Guardian Dogs, Maremma Breeding Program, Prancing Pony Puppy Program |
Invest in Your Education as a Breeder and Trainer It’s no secret that I am an avid reader and researcher, with one of my favorite topics being dog training and behavior. To be your best at anything, you should always seek to improve yourself through education. ...
Dec 5, 2024 | Client Stories & Testimonials, Maremma Breeding Program, Prancing Pony Maremmas News |
At the Sign of the Prancing Pony The Prancing Pony Farm Newsletter Hi Reader, Today, I want to share a video that makes me smile whenever I watch it. Meet Oliver, the excellent chicken guardian. Oliver is a dog from our first Maremma litter, born in 2017. When...
Dec 5, 2024 | Client Stories & Testimonials, Livestock Guardian Dogs |
Meet Oliver, the excellent chicken guardian. Oliver is a dog from our first Maremma litter, born in 2017. When Oliver’s owners came to me for an LGD, they had never bought a dog from a breeder because they strongly believed in rescuing dogs. However, they needed...
Nov 28, 2024 | Prancing Pony Maremmas News |
At the Sign of the Prancing Pony The Prancing Pony Farm Newsletter Hi Reader, I’ll keep this short and sweet because I know today is a busy day. I hope you have a very happy Thanksgiving! This time last year, my granddaughter Penelope was in the hospital with...
Nov 26, 2024 | Dog Health & Wellness, Livestock Guardian Dogs, Product Reviews |
🦃🐾 Thanksgiving Safety Tips for Livestock Guardian Dogs 🐾🦃 Thanksgiving is a season of joy, gratitude, and indulgent feasting. It’s a time when we gather with family and friends to celebrate the abundance of life. But while you’re enjoying pumpkin pie and...
Nov 22, 2024 | *Puppy Parasite Control, Dog Health & Wellness, Prancing Pony Puppy Program, Puppy Care & Training |
Why Parasite Prevention Is Critical for Your Livestock Guardian Dog Puppy As a livestock owner investing in a livestock guardian dog, you understand that losing animals to predators is devastating. But what many people don’t realize is that parasites pose an...
Nov 21, 2024 | LGD Training & Behavior, Prancing Pony Maremmas News |
At the Sign of the Prancing Pony The Prancing Pony Farm Newsletter Hi Reader, I hope you’re having a great week. It’s crazy to think it’s almost Thanksgiving! Christmas will be here before you know it! Question: are you one of those people who...
Nov 20, 2024 | LGD Training & Behavior, Livestock Guardian Dogs |
This post was inspired by a question asked by a member of my Living and Working With Maremma Sheepdogs Facebook group. This was her question. My reply is below! Question “Hello! I’m new to the group and looking for all the info I can on breed-specific...
Nov 14, 2024 | Prancing Pony Maremmas News |
At the Sign of the Prancing Pony The Prancing Pony Farm Newsletter Hi Reader, I hope you are having a good week. My week is going good, but oh boy, did it ever get off to a crazy start! I was sitting at my desk working on office work Sunday afternoon when I heard a...
Nov 7, 2024 | Bringing Home Your LGD, Client Stories & Testimonials, Maremma Breeding Program, Prancing Pony Maremmas News |
At the Sign of the Prancing Pony The Prancing Pony Farm Newsletter Hi Reader, I hope your week is going well. Here it’s puppy go-home time! 💜🐶 Earlier this year, my client Amy lost one of her Great Pyrenees, Alexei, leaving her other LGD, Rosie, grieving and...
Nov 7, 2024 | Book Reviews, LGD Training & Behavior, Product Reviews |
What are calming signals in livestock guardian dogs? Understanding calming signals in livestock guardian dogs is essential for anyone who owns these remarkable animals. These dogs are not just protectors of livestock and beloved companions; they are also complex...
Nov 6, 2024 | Livestock Guardian Dogs, *Top Posts, Bringing Home Your LGD, LGD Training & Behavior, Livestock Integration, Starting With LGDs |
Ensuring harmony between livestock and Livestock Guardian Dogs is essential for the safety and well-being of all animals involved, and the peace of mind of their owners. In this post I will walk you through a crucial aspect of farm life – safely acclimating...
Oct 31, 2024 | Prancing Pony Maremmas News |
At the Sign of the Prancing Pony The Prancing Pony Farm Newsletter Hello Reader, I hope you’re having a good week! Twice this week, I was asked about toys and activities for Livestock Guardian Dog puppies.💜🐶 The first was a member of my Living and Working with...
Oct 31, 2024 | LGD Training & Behavior, Product Reviews, Puppy Care & Training |
Are you wondering how to keep your Livestock Guardian Dog (LGD) puppy happy and active? LGD breeds like Maremma Sheepdogs, Great Pyrenees, and Anatolian Shepherds need appropriate play outlets to prevent boredom, which can lead to rowdy behavior around livestock and...
Oct 24, 2024 | Client Stories & Testimonials, Livestock Guardian Dogs, Maremma Breeding Program, Prancing Pony Maremmas News |
At the Sign of the Prancing Pony The Prancing Pony Farm Newsletter Hello Reader, Wow, it’s hard to believe it’s almost November! Soon, it will be Christmas! Where has 2024 gone?! It’s also hard to believe that the Maremma puppies who were born in...
Oct 23, 2024 | Livestock Guardian Dogs |
Last Updated on October 25, 2025 by Kim Crawmer, KPA CTP, LFDM Hello, and welcome to my brand-new website and blog! For those who don’t know me, my name is Kim Crawmer, and I am a breeder and trainer of MSCA-registered Maremma Sheepdogs. I also breed Mini Nubian...
Oct 17, 2024 | Prancing Pony Maremmas News |
At the Sign of the Prancing Pony The Prancing Pony Farm Newsletter Hi Reader, I started this email list to help as many LGD and livestock owners as possible. Not everyone can own one of my Maremma puppies or goats, but I knew the free content I share via this list...
Oct 10, 2024 | LGD Training & Behavior, Puppy Care & Training |
At the Sign of the Prancing Pony The Prancing Pony Farm Newsletter Hello Reader, I hope you’re having a good week. First up, I have exciting news to share. I have a new WordPress website just for the Maremmas and dog training! I have wanted to build this for...
Oct 3, 2024 | Prancing Pony Maremmas News |
At the Sign of the Prancing Pony The Prancing Pony Farm Newsletter Hi Reader, Well after a week in Virginia visiting family Steve (my husband) and I are heading home to California. Hopefully this trip will go better than the trip out here. I have come down with some...
Sep 26, 2024 | Prancing Pony Maremmas News |
At the Sign of the Prancing Pony The Prancing Pony Farm Newsletter Hello Reader, I usually schedule my weeekly emails to go out on Thursdays at 7 am, but this one is running a bit late. Why am I running late, you ask? Because I attempted to go on a mini...
Sep 19, 2024 | Prancing Pony Maremmas News |
At the Sign of the Prancing Pony The Prancing Pony Farm Newsletter Hi Reader, I can’t believe this day has come, but I am writing this email in a sweater! It’s finally sweater weather in California! Or at least it is at night. 😆 I’m sure we will...
Sep 12, 2024 | Livestock Guardian Dogs, Prancing Pony Maremmas News |
At the Sign of the Prancing Pony The Prancing Pony Farm Newsletter Hi Reader, If you’re anything like me, you probably have a soft spot in your heart for your “naughty” animals. You know, the ones who are sweethearts deep down but have an...
Sep 5, 2024 | Livestock Guardian Dogs, Maremma Breeding Program, Prancing Pony Maremmas News |
At the Sign of the Prancing Pony The Prancing Pony Farm Newsletter Hi Reader, I hope your week is going well. Mine is good now, but wow, did it ever start out bad! I have had Maremmas on this farm for nine years, and though a few of my Maremmas are escape artists... 
