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...
Mar 5, 2026 | *Client Stories & Testimonials, *Maremma Breeding Program, *Starting With Maremmas, All About Maremmas, All About Puppies, Available Maremmas, Dog Behavior & Training, Finding Your Maremma, LGD Training, Livestock Guardian Dogs, Prancing Pony Maremmas News, Prancing Pony Puppy Program, Puppy Training & Socialization |
Hi Reader, I’m writing this from inside Cameo’s whelping box. Eight puppies are piled up around me — most of them asleep, a couple of them deciding my voice is very interesting. This is actually part of the job: sitting with them, talking, being a normal...
Mar 5, 2026 | *Client Stories & Testimonials, *Maremma Breeding Program, *Starting With Maremmas, All About Maremmas, All About Puppies, Available Maremmas, Bringing Home Your Maremma, Dog Behavior & Training, Finding Your Maremma, LGD Training, Livestock Guardian Dogs, Prancing Pony Maremmas News, Prancing Pony Puppy Program, Puppy Training & Socialization |
February Farm Recap: New Puppies, New Homes & Big Changes at Prancing Pony Farm February felt like it lasted about forty-five minutes. Between a new litter arriving, puppies heading to their forever homes, phone consultations, construction crews, and a few goat...
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 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, *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, Puppy Training & Socialization |
Prancing Pony Farm Ethically bred, professionally trained livestock guardian dogs and family companions Livestock Guadian Dog Consulting Hi Reader, Over the past 12 weeks, you’ve watched this litter transform from helpless newborns into confident young livestock...
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, *Starting With Maremmas, All About Maremmas, All About Puppies, Bringing Home Your Maremma, 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, On Sunday, my 7-year-old granddaughter Penelope insisted on walking Lyria, a 60-70 pound, 6-month-old Maremma...
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 16, 2025 | *Maremma Breeding Program, *Puppy Socialization Series, *Starting With Maremmas, *Top Posts, All About Maremmas, All About Puppies, Bringing Home Your Maremma, Dog Health & Wellness, Finding Your Maremma, Livestock Guardian Dogs, Prancing Pony Puppy Program, Puppy Care, Puppy Training & Socialization |
Why proper vaccination and parasite prevention during weeks 6–8 sets the foundation for a lifetime of health. At six weeks old, our current Maremma Sheepdog litter reached a critical milestone in their livestock guardian dog health journey—their first Neo-par...
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, *Starting With Maremmas, All About Maremmas, All About Puppies, Dog Health & Wellness, 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 Hi Reader, This week, as I watched our 3-week-old future livestock guardian dogs confidently exploring their world in perfect...
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 8, 2025 | *Maremma Breeding Program, *Puppy Vaccination, *Starting With Maremmas, All About Maremmas, All About Puppies, Dog Health & Wellness, Finding Your Maremma, Livestock Guardian Dogs, Prancing Pony Puppy Program, Puppy Care, Puppy Training & Socialization |
As a livestock owner, you understand the devastating impact of losing animals you’ve invested your heart, time, and resources into. When it comes to protecting your new Maremma Sheepdog puppy—your future livestock guardian—making informed decisions about...
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...
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...
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 29, 2025 | *Maremma Breeding Program, All About Puppies, Clicker Training, Dog Behavior & Training, Finding Your Maremma, Prancing Pony Maremmas News, Prancing Pony Puppy Program, Puppy Training & Socialization |
Hi Reader, What a whirlwind these past few weeks have been! As I sit down to write this email, my youngest daughter and her family have arrived home in North Carolina, my middle son and his new wife are off on their honeymoon, and the house has that...
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...
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 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....
Nov 22, 2024 | *Puppy Parasite Control, Dog Health & Wellness, Prancing Pony Puppy Program, Puppy Training & Socialization |
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...
Oct 31, 2024 | All About Puppies, Prancing Pony Maremmas News, Product Reviews, Puppy Training & Socialization |
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 | All About Puppies, Dog Behavior & Training, Product Reviews, Puppy Training & Socialization |
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 10, 2024 | *Maremma Breeding Program, *Starting With Maremmas, All About Maremmas, All About Puppies, Clicker Training, Dog Behavior & Training, Finding Your Maremma, LGD Training, 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 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...
Aug 8, 2024 | *Maremma Breeding Program, All About Puppies, Dog Behavior & Training, Dog Health & Wellness, Finding Your Maremma, Grooming Dogs, Livestock Guardian Dogs, Prancing Pony Maremmas News, Prancing Pony Puppy Program, Puppy Care, Puppy Training & Socialization |
At the Sign of the Prancing Pony The Prancing Pony Farm Newsletter Hi Reader, I had grand plans to write an awesome blog post for you this week. A few days ago, someone emailed to ask if Maremmas can be kept as pets. She said there was a lot of conflicting... 
