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 | Livestock Guardian Dogs, *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 Integration, Prancing Pony Puppy Program, Puppy Care, Puppy Training & Socialization |
Aug 28, 2025 | *Maremma Breeding Program, *Starting With Maremmas, All About Maremmas, All About Puppies, Bringing Home Your Maremma, Finding Your Maremma, Livestock Guardian Dogs, Prancing Pony Maremmas News, Prancing Pony Puppy Program |
Hi Reader, This week reminded me why I’m so passionate about helping you succeed with your livestock guardian dog journey—and why planning ahead is one of the most important steps you can take. When “I’ll Reserve Soon” Meets Reality Several...
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...
Aug 2, 2025 | Book Reviews, Dog Health & Wellness, Grooming Dogs, Livestock Guardian Dogs, Product Reviews |
When I first started breeding Maremma Sheepdogs years ago, I quickly realized that new livestock guardian dog owners faced a unique challenge: how do you properly groom a 100+ pound working dog with a thick double coat who’s designed to be independent and...
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 | Livestock Guardian Dogs, *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, 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 24, 2025 | *Client Stories & Testimonials, *Maremma Breeding Program, *Starting With Maremmas, All About Maremmas, All About Puppies, Finding Your Maremma, Livestock Guardian Dogs, Prancing Pony Maremmas News, Prancing Pony Puppy Program |
Hi Reader, It’s been an incredible week watching our Maremma families take the next step in their journeys toward livestock protection, family companionship, and peace of mind. Six precious dogs have gone to their new homes, and the updates we’re already...
Jul 17, 2025 | *Client Stories & Testimonials, *Maremma Breeding Program, *Starting With Maremmas, All About Maremmas, All About Puppies, Bringing Home Your Maremma, Finding Your Maremma, Livestock Guardian Dogs, Prancing Pony Maremmas News, Prancing Pony Puppy Program |
Hi Reader, I’m writing this Thursday afternoon instead of my usual Wednesday night schedule (to be in your inbox Thursday morning). Why you might ask. Because honestly, sometimes farm life has other plans for us. This week has been one of those reminders...
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...
Jul 3, 2025 | *Client Stories & Testimonials, *Maremma Breeding Program, *Starting With Maremmas, All About Maremmas, Bringing Home Your Maremma, Dog Health & Wellness, Finding Your Maremma, Livestock Guardian Dogs, Prancing Pony Maremmas News, Prancing Pony Puppy Program, Puppy Care |
At the Sign of the Prancing Pony The Prancing Pony Farm Newsletter Hi Reader, Yesterday, I said goodbye to one-year-old Maremma pups, Romeo and Pele, as they loaded into their airline crates for the flight to their new home in the Bay Area. As I watched them go, I...
Jul 3, 2025 | *Client Stories & Testimonials, *Maremma Breeding Program, *Smart Planning, *Starting With Maremmas, *Top Posts, Available Maremmas, Bringing Home Your Maremma, Livestock Guardian Dogs, Prancing Pony Puppy Program |
The difference between getting any dog and getting YOUR dog lies in one thing: planning ahead. This week, I watched Noelle load Romeo and Pele into airline crates for their flight home to the Bay Area. These weren’t just any dogs—they were the perfect match for...
Jun 19, 2025 | *Client Stories & Testimonials, *Maremma Breeding Program, *Starting With Maremmas, Finding Your Maremma, Livestock Guardian Dogs, Prancing Pony Maremmas News, Prancing Pony Puppy Program |
Dear Reader, This week marks a very special milestone – the first birthday of our wonderful June 2024 litter! 🎂 A year ago, six beautiful Maremma puppies entered the world in our Puppy Parlor, and today I’m thrilled to share how these incredible guardians have...
Jun 19, 2025 | *Client Stories & Testimonials, *Maremma Breeding Program, Livestock Guardian Dogs, Prancing Pony Maremmas News, Prancing Pony Puppy Program |
This week marks a milestone that fills my heart with pride and joy – the first birthday of our June 2024 Maremma Sheepdog litter. One year ago, six beautiful puppies took their first breaths in our Puppy Parlor, marking the beginning of a journey that would...
Jun 19, 2025 | *Maremma Breeding Program, *Starting With Maremmas, All About Maremmas, Dog Health & Wellness, Finding Your Maremma, Livestock Guardian Dogs, Prancing Pony Maremmas News, Prancing Pony Puppy Program |
Your Maremma’s first birthday represents far more than just marking time—it’s a celebration of an incredible transformation from the puppy you first brought home to the developing livestock guardian dog or family companion they’ve become. At Prancing...
Jun 12, 2025 | *Client Stories & Testimonials, *Maremma Breeding Program, *Starting With Maremmas, Bringing Home Your Maremma, Dog Health & Wellness, Livestock Guardian Dogs, Prancing Pony Maremmas News |
Hi Reader, I’m writing this email from our puppy parlor, where Pele—one of our year-old Maremmas—is recovering from surgery that could very well save her life someday. Here’s what happened: Romeo and Pele are littermates heading to their new farm up...
Jun 5, 2025 | *Maremma Breeding Program, *Starting With Maremmas, All About Maremmas, All About Puppies, Finding Your Maremma, Livestock Guardian Dogs, Prancing Pony Maremmas News, Prancing Pony Puppy Program |
Hi Reader, “I hate your business.” Those are the words I often hear from my husband whenever I face challenges in my Maremma Sheepdog breeding business. (And my goat business.) He sees the stress, the late nights, the financial investment, and the...
Jun 5, 2025 | *Ethical Breeding, *Maremma Breeding Program, *Starting With Maremmas, *Top Posts, All About Maremmas, All About Puppies, Available Maremmas, Bringing Home Your Maremma, Finding Your Maremma, Livestock Guardian Dogs, Prancing Pony Puppy Program, Puppy Training & Socialization |
When Passion Meets Resistance: Reflections on Ethical LGD Breeding “I hate your business.” Those are the words I hear from my husband whenever challenges arise in my Maremma Sheepdog breeding business. He sees the stress, the late nights, the financial...
May 6, 2025 | *Maremma Breeding Program, All About Maremmas, All About Puppies, Clicker Training, 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 Hi Reader, I’m bursting with excitement to share some incredible news with you today! After a year and a half of intense study, practice, video submissions, and assessments, I’ve...
May 4, 2025 | *Maremma Breeding Program, *Starting With Maremmas, *Top Posts, All About Maremmas, All About Puppies, Dog Behavior & Training, Finding Your Maremma, Karen Pryor Academy, Livestock Guardian Dogs, Prancing Pony Maremmas News, Prancing Pony Puppy Program, Puppy Training & Socialization |
I’m beyond thrilled to share some exciting news with all of you today. After a year and a half-long journey of countless hours of study, practice, video submissions, and assessments, I’ve officially completed the Karen Pryor Academy Dog Trainer...
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...
May 1, 2025 | *Client Stories & Testimonials, *Maremma Breeding Program, *Starting With Maremmas, All About Maremmas, All About Puppies, Bringing Home Your Maremma, 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 Hi Reader, Happy May 1st! April has been quite a whirlwind here at the farm, and this past week especially has kept me on my toes. Usually, I’d share a detailed blog post with you, but after my 4...
Apr 24, 2025 | *Client Stories & Testimonials, *Maremma Breeding Program, *Starting With Maremmas, All About Maremmas, All About Puppies, Available Maremmas, Bringing Home Your Maremma, 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 Hi Reader, I recently received a video that perfectly captures why I do what I do, despite the challenges of ethical LGD breeding. The video came from Dave in Texas. It shows Bear and Chief—two...
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 17, 2025 | *Maremma Breeding Program, *Starting With Maremmas, All About Maremmas, All About Puppies, Available Maremmas, Bringing Home Your Maremma, Finding Your Maremma, Livestock Guardian Dogs, Prancing Pony Maremmas News, Prancing Pony Puppy Program |
Hi Reader, I wanted to send a quick update following last week’s email about our Maremma Sheepdog breeding program and reservation process. The response has been incredible! In just one week, we’ve received four new reservations for our future litters...
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...
Apr 14, 2025 | *Maremma Breeding Program, *Starting With Maremmas, Available Maremmas, Finding Your Maremma, Livestock Guardian Dogs |
Born: July 26, 2024 | Female | Current Weight: 70 lbs | Expected Adult Weight: 70-80 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...
Apr 14, 2025 | *Maremma Breeding Program, Available Maremmas, Finding Your Maremma, Livestock Guardian Dogs |
Born: June 20, 2024 | Female | Current Weight: 70 lbs | Expected Adult Weight: 80-90 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...
Apr 14, 2025 | *Maremma Breeding Program, Available Maremmas, Finding Your Maremma, Livestock Guardian Dogs |
Born: July 26, 2024 | Female | Current Weight: 70-80 lbs | Expected Adult Weight: 80-100 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...
Apr 14, 2025 | *Maremma Breeding Program, Available Maremmas, Finding Your Maremma, Livestock Guardian Dogs |
Born: July 26, 2024 | Female | Current Weight: 80 lbs | Expected Adult Weight: 90-110 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...
Apr 10, 2025 | *Maremma Breeding Program, *Starting With Maremmas, All About Maremmas, All About Puppies, Available Maremmas, Bringing Home Your Maremma, Finding Your Maremma, Livestock Guardian Dogs, Prancing Pony Maremmas News, Prancing Pony Puppy Program |
Hi Reader, I hope you’re having a great week. We are in the thick of kidding season and had our first vet emergency last night due to a stuck kid. Luckily, my vet lives literally within viewing distance from my house, so she was there within minutes. We lost...
Apr 10, 2025 | *Maremma Breeding Program, *Planning Ahead, *Starting With Maremmas, All About Maremmas, All About Puppies, Available Maremmas, Bringing Home Your Maremma, Finding Your Maremma, Livestock Guardian Dogs, Prancing Pony Puppy Program |
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...
Mar 28, 2025 | *Maremma Breeding Program, Available Maremmas, Finding Your Maremma, Livestock Guardian Dogs |
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 | *Maremma Breeding Program, Available Maremmas, Finding Your Maremma, Livestock Guardian Dogs |
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 6, 2025 | *Maremma Breeding Program, All About Maremmas, Livestock Guardian Dogs, 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 20, 2025 | Prancing Pony Maremmas News, *Starting With Maremmas, All About Maremmas, Dog Behavior & Training, Livestock Guardian Dogs, Prancing Pony Puppy Program, Puppy Training & Socialization |
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...
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, *Starting With Maremmas, *Top Posts, *Top Training, 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, 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....
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, *Maremma Breeding Program, *Starting With Maremmas, All About Maremmas, All About Puppies, Finding Your Maremma, Livestock Guardian Dogs, Prancing Pony Maremmas News, Prancing Pony Puppy Program |
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 | 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 12, 2024 | *Maremma Breeding Program, *Starting With Maremmas, All About Maremmas, All About Puppies, 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 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 | *Maremma Breeding Program, *Starting With Maremmas, *Top Posts, All About Maremmas, All About Puppies, Finding Your Maremma, Livestock Guardian Dogs, 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, All About Maremmas, Livestock Guardian Dogs, 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, All About Maremmas, 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 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 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 | *Client Stories & Testimonials, *Maremma Breeding Program, *Starting With Maremmas, All About Maremmas, All About Puppies, Bringing Home Your Maremma, 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 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... 
