Last Updated on April 18, 2026 by Kim Crawmer, KPA CTP, LFDM
Congratulations on Reserving Your Prancing Pony Maremma!
This page contains everything you need to prepare for your new livestock guardian dog and make their transition to your family and animals as smooth as possible. We’ve organized all the important information—from payment methods to health records, shipping arrangements to feeding guidelines—so you can find what you need quickly.
If you have questions that aren’t addressed here, just reach out. We’re here to support you every step of the way!
🛍️ Need puppy supplies? Check out my complete Puppy Essentials Guide with curated recommendations and shopping links.
💳 Making Your Final Payment
All payments are processed securely through our website. Reservation fees, final balances, and full payments for older dogs each have their own checkout. See our full payment policy for amounts, processing fees, timing, and what’s refundable.
Access Your Puppy Contract, Health Guarantee and Medical Records
🚨 Your contract must be signed before pickup or shipping can be scheduled.
You’ll receive it via Breeder Cloud Pro within 48–72 hours of your final payment.
Your puppy cannot be released until your contract is signed. This protects both you and your new family member.
Your puppy’s medical records are accessible through the same portal.
Need help accessing your contract or records? We have a step-by-step guide and a video tutorial on the page below. You can also see sample contracts on that page:
Travel Arrangements for Your Maremma
For our California customers, we are centrally located near Highway 41 and less than a day’s drive from most locations, so picking up your puppy in person is easy. Out-of-state customers also sometimes drive out to pick their puppies up, and we welcome you to do so if that’s your wish. You may also choose to have your puppy shipped commercially. You will need to make the arrangements yourself. We will work with the shipper of your choice. We have some helpful information and recommendations below.
Picking up Your Puppy in Person
Click the button below to learn what you need to know if you will be picking up your puppy yourself.
Shipping Your Puppy Commercially
Click the button below to learn what you need to know if you will be shipping your puppy commercially.
Board and training Services
Need Extra Time for Pickup or Shipping? We understand that coordinating travel and shipping can sometimes take longer than expected. If you need additional time beyond your 2-week grace period, we offer professional boarding services for all Prancing Pony Farm dogs. Visit our Board and training services page for complete details on rates and what’s included.
Prepare for Your Puppy Before They Come Home
If you’ve reserved a Prancing Pony puppy, you already have access to the DIAL Method® — a short, four-module video program designed to be completed before your dog arrives. You’ll also have a personal consultation with me to help you apply it to your specific dog and household. That’s a $150 value, included with every reservation. Check your email for your access link. If you haven’t received it, reach out and I’ll get it to you right away.
The DIAL Method® teaches you four skills that directly shape how well your dog settles in: how to see your dog as an individual, how to guide them with clear boundaries, how to get your whole household on the same page, and how to build the consistent patterns dogs need to thrive. It works for all your dogs, not just your Maremma.
It’s under 40 minutes. Start it now.
The Dial Method is not a dog training course. It’s what you need to know before you train your dog. It’s a framework for understanding your dog and for getting yourself and your “team” (spouse, kids, employees, etc) ready to work together. Don’t skip this vital step!
Already Have a Livestock Guardian Dog from Another Source?
This page is written with Prancing Pony families in mind, but the fundamentals of success with livestock guardian dogs are the same regardless of where your puppy comes from.
If you want the same structured preparation I give my own families, the DIAL Method® is available to purchase directly. It’s the program I include with every reservation because I believe it’s that important — and that doesn’t change based on where your dog came from.
🦮 Essential: Harness & Leash
Your Maremma has been trained with a harness since birth — not a collar. You’ll need one ready for the car ride home. We use and recommend the Blue-9 Balance Harness, available directly from us or online.
🍖 Nutrition Matters for Your Growing Livestock Guardian Dog
Your Maremma’s diet during the first year impacts bone development, immune function, and future working ability.
✓ See exactly what we feed and why
✓ Learn quality guidelines for choosing your own food
✓ Understand what’s normal vs. concerning during diet transitions
Everything You Need to Know About Feeding Your Maremma Puppy →
🏠 Shelter & Housing for Your Maremma
Before your dog comes home, you’ll want to have their introduction area ready. This is one of the questions we hear most often — and the answer is simpler than most people expect.
✓ What to have set up during the introduction phase ✓ How shelter needs change once your dog integrates with livestock ✓ Climate-specific guidance for your region ✓ Why you can skip the doghouse
Our Maremma Puppy Vaccination and Parasite Control Protocols
💉 Vaccinations & Parasite Control Your puppy leaves with age-appropriate vaccinations and parasite treatment on board. Your vet will continue from there. Our evidence-based protocols for both are documented in detail so you know exactly what’s been done and what’s next.
🐾 Pet Insurance — Don’t Skip This
We’ve partnered with Trupanion to offer Prancing Pony Farm families 30 days of free coverage, activated on pickup day using our breeder code. No upfront cost, waiting periods waived. Your puppy is most vulnerable during transit and the first weeks home — this is worth doing.
Protect Your Valuable Livestock Guardian Dog: Why Insurance Can’t Wait
You’ve done everything right—researched reputable breeders, invested in health-tested parents, and brought home a beautiful livestock guardian dog with a comprehensive health guarantee. Yet despite all your careful planning, there’s still one crucial protection you might be overlooking.
Even the most responsible breeding practices cannot eliminate every health threat your LGD might face. Debilitating conditions like hip dysplasia can still occur in puppies from parents with excellent genetic testing, and livestock guardian dogs face unique risks that suburban pets never encounter: environmental dangers from farm equipment and fencing, gastrointestinal issues from outdoor living conditions, potential confrontations with predators, and greater exposure to diseases.
The statistics are sobering—puppies are significantly more likely to experience health problems than adult dogs, with the first year being the highest-risk period. Parvovirus alone affects more than 330,000 puppies annually, with treatment costs ranging from $2,000 to $10,000. Emergency surgeries for broken bones, bloat, or foreign body removal can easily cost $3,000-$8,000.
This is where pet insurance becomes invaluable. Even with a comprehensive health guarantee from your breeder, you could face thousands in veterinary bills that exceed the original purchase price of your dog. Pet insurance provides the financial safety net that allows you to focus on getting your dog the best possible care without hesitation.
Learn about the top insurance options for LGD owners, including exclusive breeder discount codes, and discover why protecting your livestock guardian dog investment is one of the smartest decisions you can make for your farm’s security and your peace of mind.
The One Thing Most Livestock Guardian Dog Owners Skip (But Shouldn’t)
There’s one simple step that can make or break your livestock guardian dog’s success — and many owners overlook it. Learn what it is, why it matters, and how adding this habit will build a calmer, more reliable LGD.
🛒 NEW! YOUR COMPLETE PUPPY SUPPLY GUIDE
Not sure what supplies you need before your puppy arrives? I’ve created a complete essentials guide with everything organized by priority—so you know exactly what to buy first.
✓ Must-have items before pickup day
✓ Products I personally use and recommend
✓ What you can skip (save your money!)
✓ Direct links for easy shopping
Still deciding between a puppy, adolescent, or adult? Our free quiz can help. → Find Your Match
Ready to Protect Your Homestead Dreams?
Join scores of happy families who sleep peacefully knowing their beloved animals are protected by reliable Prancing Pony Farm Maremmas.
✅ Health-tested bloodlines ✅ Proven working genetics ✅ Lifetime support included
Join Our Email List!
Sign up for our email newsletter, and we’ll keep you posted on upcoming litters and available dogs! Our email list members are always the first to know and get first dibs on available dogs. We also send out helpful Maremma Sheepdog care and training articles and links to useful resources.
