Mar 19, 2026 | *Maremma Breeding Program, *Starting With Maremmas, All About Puppies, Dog Behavior, Dog Behavior & Training, Finding Your Maremma, LGD Training, Livestock Guardian Dogs, Livestock Integration, Prancing Pony Maremmas News, Prancing Pony Puppy Program, Puppy Training & Socialization |
Hi Reader, I want to tell you about something I saw last weekend that kind of made my whole day. We had a full landscaping crew on the property from sunup — mowing every single pasture before foxtail season hits. It was loud. Diesel engines, weed whackers, the...
Mar 19, 2026 | Livestock Guardian Dogs, *Maremma Breeding Program, *Starting With Maremmas, *Top Posts, Available Maremmas, Bringing Home Your Maremma, Dog Behavior, Dog Behavior & Training, Finding Your Maremma, LGD Training, Livestock Integration, Prancing Pony Puppy Program, Puppy Training & Socialization |
They Watched the Chaos All Day — And Didn’t React What This Moment Reveals About LGD Puppy Socialization What a single afternoon on the farm reveals about the difference between a truly socialized LGD puppy and every other kind. It was almost 5 pm, and Prancing Pony...
Nov 20, 2025 | *Client Stories & Testimonials, *Maremma Breeding Program, *Starting With Maremmas, All About Maremmas, All About Puppies, Bringing Home Your Maremma, Dog Behavior, Dog Behavior & Training, Dog Health & Wellness, Finding Your Maremma, Livestock Guardian Dogs, Prancing Pony Maremmas News, Prancing Pony Puppy Program, Puppy Training & Socialization |
Prancing Pony Farm We Make Livestock Guardian Dog Ownership Joyful and Stress-free Hi Reader, I want to tell you about a client who did something last weekend that honestly filled me with so much respect and admiration. Amy brought home two puppies. Now, that might...
Nov 20, 2025 | *Client Stories & Testimonials, *How Many LGDS, *Maremma Breeding Program, *Starting With Maremmas, *Top Posts, All About Maremmas, All About Puppies, Available Maremmas, Bringing Home Your Maremma, Dog Behavior, Dog Behavior & Training, Dog Health & Wellness, Finding Your Maremma, Livestock Guardian Dogs, Prancing Pony Puppy Program |
Why This Client Got Two Puppies Twice—And Why You Should Too Almost two years ago, Amy made a decision that many people struggle with. She decided to bring home not one, but two Maremma Sheepdog puppies. Then last weekend, she did it again. Let me tell you why...
Nov 12, 2025 | *Client Stories & Testimonials, *Maremma Breeding Program, *Starting With Maremmas, All About Maremmas, All About Puppies, Available Maremmas, Bringing Home Your Maremma, Dog Behavior, Dog Behavior & Training, Dog Health & Wellness, Finding Your Maremma, LGD Training, Livestock Guardian Dogs, Prancing Pony Maremmas News, Puppy Training & Socialization |
Prancing Pony Farm Ethically bred, professionally trained livestock guardian dogs and family companions Livestock Guadian Dog Consulting Hi Reader, Quick farm update from Prancing Pony Farm—lots happening here, and I wanted to share what we’ve been up to....
Nov 6, 2025 | *Maremma Breeding Program, *Puppy Socialization Series, *Starting With Maremmas, *Top Posts, All About Maremmas, All About Puppies, Bringing Home Your Maremma, Dog Behavior, Dog Behavior & Training, Finding Your Maremma, Livestock Guardian Dogs, Prancing Pony Puppy Program, Puppy Training & Socialization |
I’ve given your puppy an exceptional start. Now it’s your turn to finish what we’ve begun. Over the past 12 weeks, you’ve followed this litter’s journey from helpless newborns to confident young livestock guardian dogs. You’ve seen...
Oct 30, 2025 | *Maremma Breeding Program, *Starting With Maremmas, All About Maremmas, All About Puppies, Dog Behavior, Dog Behavior & Training, Finding Your Maremma, Livestock Guardian Dogs, Prancing Pony Maremmas News, Prancing Pony Puppy Program, Puppy Training & Socialization |
Prancing Pony Farm Ethically bred, professionally trained livestock guardian dogs and family companions Livestock Guadian Dog Consulting Hi Reader, There’s a dog on my farm whose contribution to my breeding program is so valuable that I consider her role second...
Oct 30, 2025 | *Maremma Breeding Program, *Puppy Socialization Series, *Starting With Maremmas, *Top Posts, All About Maremmas, All About Puppies, Dog Behavior, Dog Behavior & Training, Finding Your Maremma, Livestock Guardian Dogs, Prancing Pony Puppy Program, Puppy Training & Socialization |
The Mentor Dog Who Shapes Every Puppy’s Journey At our farm, there’s a dog whose contribution to my breeding program is so valuable that I consider her role second only to the mother dogs themselves. Meet Genevieve—or as we call her, “Auntie Genny.”...
Oct 23, 2025 | *Maremma Breeding Program, *Puppy Socialization Series, *Starting With Maremmas, *Top Posts, All About Maremmas, All About Puppies, Bringing Home Your Maremma, Dog Behavior, Dog Behavior & Training, Finding Your Maremma, Livestock Guardian Dogs, Prancing Pony Puppy Program, Puppy Training & Socialization |
The overlooked element of LGD development that determines whether your dog can safely coexist with farm families. Last week, I received a photo that perfectly illustrated why child socialization isn’t optional for livestock guardian dogs—it’s essential....
Oct 16, 2025 | *Maremma Breeding Program, *Starting With Maremmas, All About Maremmas, All About Puppies, Bringing Home Your Maremma, Dog Behavior, Dog Behavior & Training, Dog Health & Wellness, Finding Your Maremma, Livestock Guardian Dogs, Prancing Pony Puppy Program, Puppy Care, Puppy Training & Socialization |
Prancing Pony Farm Ethically bred, professionally trained livestock guardian dogs and family companions Livestock Guadian Dog Consulting Hi Reader, Our Maremma litter turned 8 weeks old this week and reached a crucial health milestone: their first 5-way vaccine. This...
Oct 9, 2025 | *Caia, *Client Stories & Testimonials, *Maremma Breeding Program, *Starting With Maremmas, *Top Posts, All About Maremmas, All About Puppies, Bringing Home Your Maremma, Companion Maremmas, Dog Behavior, Dog Behavior & Training, Finding Your Maremma, Prancing Pony Maremmas News, Prancing Pony Puppy Program, Puppy Training & Socialization |
Prancing Pony Farm Ethically bred, professionally trained livestock guardian dogs and family companions Livestock Guadian Dog Consulting Hi Reader, I know I promised a multi-week puppy socialization series—and I promise your next puppy socialization email is coming...
Oct 2, 2025 | *Maremma Breeding Program, *Starting With Maremmas, All About Maremmas, All About Puppies, Dog Behavior, Dog Behavior & Training, Finding Your Maremma, Livestock Guardian Dogs, Livestock Integration, Prancing Pony Maremmas News, Prancing Pony Puppy Program, Puppy Training & Socialization |
Prancing Pony Farm Ethically bred, professionally trained livestock guardian dogs and family companions Livestock Guadian Dog Consulting Hi Reader, This week marked a milestone I’ve been eagerly anticipating: our 5-week-old future livestock guardians are now...
Oct 2, 2025 | *Maremma Breeding Program, *Puppy Socialization Series, *Starting With Maremmas, *Top Posts, All About Puppies, Dog Behavior, Dog Behavior & Training, Finding Your Maremma, LGD Training, Livestock Guardian Dogs, Livestock Integration, Prancing Pony Puppy Program, Puppy Training & Socialization |
The critical weeks when puppies learn the “language” of livestock – and why choosing the right teachers matters more than you think. At 5 weeks old, our current litter has reached one of the most exciting milestones in livestock guardian development:...
Sep 25, 2025 | *Maremma Breeding Program, *Puppy Socialization Series, *Starting With Maremmas, *Top Posts, All About Maremmas, All About Puppies, Dog Behavior, Dog Behavior & Training, Finding Your Maremma, LGD Training, Livestock Guardian Dogs, Livestock Integration, Prancing Pony Puppy Program, Puppy Training & Socialization |
Why Puppy Socialization Matters for LGDs There’s a critical difference between dogs that work confidently with their families and those that become fearful liabilities. One of the most damaging myths in the livestock guardian dog (LGD) world is that puppy...
Sep 18, 2025 | *Maremma Breeding Program, *Puppy Socialization Series, *Starting With Maremmas, *Top Posts, All About Maremmas, All About Puppies, Dog Behavior, Dog Behavior & Training, Finding Your Maremma, LGD Training, Livestock Guardian Dogs, Livestock Integration, Prancing Pony Puppy Program, Puppy Training & Socialization |
Most breeders focus on genetics. We’ve engineered an entire system that turns great genetics into exceptional livestock guardian dogs. When livestock owners ask me what makes Prancing Pony Farm puppies different, they expect me to talk about bloodlines, health...
Sep 11, 2025 | *Maremma Breeding Program, *Starting With Maremmas, All About Maremmas, All About Puppies, Dog Behavior, Dog Behavior & Training, Finding Your Maremma, Livestock Guardian Dogs, Prancing Pony Maremmas News, Prancing Pony Puppy Program, Puppy Care, Puppy Training & Socialization |
Prancing Pony Farm Ethically bred, professionally trained livestock guardian dogs and family companions Livestock Guadian Dog Consulting Mini Dairy Goats Hi Reader, At 3 weeks old, our newest litter of future livestock guardian dogs is now deep in the most critical...
Sep 11, 2025 | *Maremma Breeding Program, *Puppy Socialization Series, *Starting With Maremmas, *Top Posts, All About Puppies, Dog Behavior, Dog Behavior & Training, Finding Your Maremma, LGD Training, Livestock Guardian Dogs, Livestock Integration, Prancing Pony Puppy Program, Puppy Care, Puppy Training & Socialization |
In just 84 days, blind, helpless newborns transform into confident young livestock guardian dogs. Here’s the week-by-week science behind this incredible metamorphosis. If you’ve ever wondered how a 2-ounce newborn Maremma Sheepdog puppy becomes a 100-pound...
Sep 4, 2025 | *Maremma Breeding Program, *Starting With Maremmas, All About Maremmas, All About Puppies, Dog Behavior, Dog Behavior & Training, Finding Your Maremma, LGD Training, Livestock Guardian Dogs, Prancing Pony Maremmas News, Prancing Pony Puppy Program, Puppy Care, Puppy Training & Socialization |
Hi Reader, Two weeks ago, our newest litter of future livestock guardian dogs entered the world. Today, as they snuggle close to their mama and toddle around on wobbly legs, something remarkable is already happening. Their brains are preparing for the most critical...
Sep 4, 2025 | *Maremma Breeding Program, *Puppy Socialization Series, *Starting With Maremmas, *Top Posts, All About Maremmas, All About Puppies, Dog Behavior, Dog Behavior & Training, Finding Your Maremma, LGD Training, Livestock Guardian Dogs, Livestock Integration, Prancing Pony Puppy Program, Puppy Care, Puppy Training & Socialization |
The difference between a reliable livestock guardian dog and a costly mistake happens in just 84 days. When livestock owners invest in a livestock guardian dog, they’re not just buying a puppy—they’re investing in peace of mind. The ability to sleep...
Aug 5, 2025 | Book Reviews, Dog Behavior, Dog Behavior & Training, Dog Health & Wellness, Grooming Dogs, Livestock Guardian Dogs, Product Reviews |
A Game-Changer for Dog Grooming and Care As someone who began grooming dogs at age 14 and has spent decades working with animals, I can honestly say that Terrie Hayward, Jay Andors, and Anne Francis’s “Grooming Without Stress” represents a...
Jul 31, 2025 | Prancing Pony Maremmas News, *Maremma Breeding Program, *Starting With Maremmas, All About Maremmas, All About Puppies, Bringing Home Your Maremma, Dog Behavior, Dog Behavior & Training, Karen Pryor Academy, Livestock Guardian Dogs, Prancing Pony Puppy Program, Product Reviews, Puppy Training & Socialization |
Hi Reader, The journey to success with a Livestock Guardian Dog begins with selecting a well-bred, properly socialized puppy from an ethical breeder – that’s step one, and it’s absolutely crucial. But over years of breeding and training Maremmas,...
Jul 31, 2025 | *One Thing, *Starting With Maremmas, *Top Posts, All About Maremmas, All About Puppies, Bringing Home Your Maremma, Dog Behavior, Dog Behavior & Training, Family Dog Mediation, Karen Pryor Academy, LGD Training, Livestock Guardian Dogs, Prancing Pony Puppy Program, Product Reviews, Puppy Training & Socialization |
As a Maremma Sheepdog breeder and trainer with years of experience, I’ve noticed a pattern among Livestock Guardian Dog owners. There’s a crucial step that separates those who struggle with their dogs from those who truly thrive – and surprisingly,...
Jul 10, 2025 | *Client Stories & Testimonials, *Maremma Breeding Program, *Starting With Maremmas, All About Maremmas, All About Puppies, Bringing Home Your Maremma, Dog Behavior, Dog Behavior & Training, Dog Health & Wellness, Finding Your Maremma, Livestock Guardian Dogs, Prancing Pony Maremmas News, Prancing Pony Puppy Program, Puppy Training & Socialization |
At the Sign of the Prancing Pony The Prancing Pony Farm Newsletter Hi Reader, This week has been both exciting and bittersweet as our 12-week-old Maremma puppies prepare to head to their new homes next week. Watching these little livestock guardians head off to...
May 3, 2025 | Dog Behavior & Training, Dog Aggression, Dog Behavior, LGD Training, Livestock Guardian Dogs |
Livestock Guardian Dogs are incredibly devoted protectors who take their job seriously. But sometimes, they can display behaviors that might seem concerning, like barking aggressively at something on the other side of a fence, yet being perfectly calm when that...
Apr 24, 2025 | *Client Stories & Testimonials, *Maremma Breeding Program, *Starting With Maremmas, All About Maremmas, All About Puppies, Available Maremmas, Bringing Home Your Maremma, Dog Behavior, Dog Behavior & Training, Finding Your Maremma, Livestock Guardian Dogs, Prancing Pony Puppy Program |
Why Older Puppies Often Make the Best Livestock Guardian Dogs One of the most persistent myths in the Livestock Guardian Dog community is that puppies must be acquired at the youngest possible age to bond with their new owners and livestock properly. As the owner of...
Apr 14, 2025 | Dog Aggression, Dog Behavior, Dog Behavior & Training, Prancing Pony Maremmas News |
Hi Reader, I’m sending my weekly email early to share a very important topic with you. This week (April 13th-19th) marks National Dog Bite Prevention Week, which offers us an excellent opportunity to discuss safety considerations specific to Livestock Guardian...
Apr 14, 2025 | Livestock Guardian Dogs, Dog Aggression, Dog Behavior, Dog Behavior & Training |
National Dog Bite Prevention Week (April 13th-19th) is the perfect time to discuss safety around all dogs, including our beloved Livestock Guardian Dogs. At Prancing Pony Farm, we’re committed to breeding well-socialized, stable Maremma Sheepdogs that excel as...
Jan 23, 2025 | Prancing Pony Maremmas News, Dog Behavior, Dog Behavior & Training, Family Dog Mediation |
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, Dog Behavior, Dog Behavior & Training, Family Dog Mediation |
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, *Maremma Breeding Program, *One Thing, *Starting With Maremmas, *Top Posts, All About Maremmas, All About Puppies, Book Reviews, Bringing Home Your Maremma, Clicker Training, Dog Behavior, Dog Behavior & Training, Finding Your Maremma, Karen Pryor Academy, LGD Training, Prancing Pony Puppy Program, Puppy Training & Socialization |
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, *Starting With Maremmas, *Top Posts, All About Maremmas, All About Puppies, Bringing Home Your Maremma, Dog Behavior, Dog Behavior & Training, Finding Your Maremma, LGD Training, Livestock Guardian Dogs, Livestock Integration, Prancing Pony Puppy Program, Puppy Training & Socialization |
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....
Dec 5, 2024 | *Client Stories & Testimonials, *Maremma Breeding Program, *Starting With Maremmas, All About Maremmas, Dog Behavior, Dog Behavior & Training, Finding Your Maremma, Livestock Guardian Dogs, Livestock Integration, Prancing Pony Maremmas News, Prancing Pony Puppy Program |
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, *Maremma Breeding Program, *Starting With Maremmas, All About Maremmas, Dog Behavior, Dog Behavior & Training, Finding Your Maremma, 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 21, 2024 | Dog Aggression, Dog Behavior, Dog Behavior & Training, Livestock Guardian Dogs, 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 | Dog Aggression, Dog Behavior, Dog Behavior & Training, 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 7, 2024 | *Top Posts, Book Reviews, Bringing Home Your Maremma, Dog Aggression, Dog Behavior, Dog Behavior & Training, Livestock Guardian Dogs, 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, *Starting With Maremmas, *Top Posts, All About Maremmas, All About Puppies, Bringing Home Your Maremma, Dog Behavior, Dog Behavior & Training, Finding Your Maremma, LGD Training, Livestock Integration, Prancing Pony Puppy Program |
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...
Aug 1, 2024 | *Starting With Maremmas, All About Maremmas, All About Puppies, Bringing Home Your Maremma, Dog Aggression, Dog Behavior, Dog Behavior & Training, Finding Your Maremma, LGD Training, Livestock Guardian Dogs, Livestock Integration, Prancing Pony Maremmas News, Puppy Training & Socialization |
At the Sign of the Prancing Pony The Prancing Pony Farm Newsletter Hi Reader, Guess what I have been doing all night? Writing the first in a new series of blog posts inspired by my readers! Why have I been at this all night, you ask? See, I have two problems. I am a...
Jul 25, 2024 | *Maremma Breeding Program, *Starting With Maremmas, All About Maremmas, All About Puppies, Clicker Training, Dog Aggression, Dog Behavior, Dog Behavior & Training, Finding Your Maremma, Livestock Guardian Dogs, Prancing Pony Maremmas News, Prancing Pony Puppy Program |
At the Sign of the Prancing Pony The Prancing Pony Farm Newsletter Hello Reader, I hope you’re having a great week. It’s been a busy week for me, so I am just dropping in to say a quick “hello” and share a new page I made on my website with...
Jul 9, 2024 | *Starting With Maremmas, Dog Behavior, Dog Behavior & Training, Finding Your Maremma, LGD Training, Livestock Guardian Dogs, Livestock Integration, Prancing Pony Maremmas News |
At the Sign of the Prancing Pony The Prancing Pony Farm Newsletter Hello Reader, I hope you had an awesome Fourth of July! Mine was great, other than a scare when my husband texted me while I was at the fireworks show to say he thought he saw one of my Maremmas run...
Jul 2, 2024 | *Maremma Breeding Program, *Starting With Maremmas, All About Maremmas, All About Puppies, Bringing Home Your Maremma, Dog Behavior, Dog Behavior & Training, Finding Your Maremma, LGD Training, Livestock Guardian Dogs, Livestock Integration, Prancing Pony Maremmas News, Prancing Pony Puppy Program, Puppy Training & Socialization |
At the Sign of the Prancing Pony The Prancing Pony Farm Newsletter Hello Reader, I am sooooo excited about what I have to share with you this week! Probably the number one question I get from EVERYONE – my Maremma puppy clients, my email list, my social media...
Nov 9, 2023 | *Maremma Breeding Program, *Starting With Maremmas, All About Maremmas, All About Puppies, Bringing Home Your Maremma, Clicker Training, Dog Behavior, Dog Behavior & Training, Finding Your Maremma, Karen Pryor Academy, LGD Training, Livestock Guardian Dogs, Livestock Integration, Prancing Pony Maremmas News, Prancing Pony Puppy Program |
At the Sign of the Prancing Pony The Prancing Pony Farm Newsletter Hello Reader, How is your week going? Mine is going great! I am in the second unit of the Karen Pryor Professional Program and learning so much. I am so glad I made the leap and enrolled in this...
Oct 13, 2023 | *Maremma Breeding Program, *Starting With Maremmas, Clicker Training, Dog Behavior, Dog Behavior & Training, Finding Your Maremma, Karen Pryor Academy, LGD Training, Livestock Guardian Dogs, Prancing Pony Maremmas News, Prancing Pony Puppy Program |
At the Sign of the Prancing Pony The Prancing Pony Farm Newsletter Hello Reader, How is your week going? Mine is busy but great! After a few months of anticipation, I finally started the Karen Pryor Academy Dog Trainer Professional program this week! If you... 
