Building Immunity: The Livestock Guardian Dog Health Protocols That Protect Your Investment

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 vaccination and the start of our carefully designed puppy parasite prevention protocol.

This might sound like routine veterinary care, but the timing, products, and environment we use are the result of years of refining what truly works for LGD puppies. After experiencing both successes and heartbreaking losses, I’ve learned that early, prevention-focused care is the foundation of lifelong health and working success.

Because even the best-trained livestock guardian dog can’t do their job if they’re not healthy enough to thrive.

The Evolution of My Puppy Health Protocols

I’ll be honest—my current health management approach looks nothing like what I did ten years ago.

From Barn Setups to the Puppy Parlor

In my barn-raising days, I was constantly fighting parasite battles: aggressive deworming every two weeks starting at two weeks old, reactive treatments when puppies showed symptoms, thousands spent on veterinary interventions, and the heartbreak of losing puppies despite doing “everything right.”

Then came the Puppy Parlor, and everything changed—not just for socialization, but for health management.

How Environment Shapes Health Outcomes

Then (Barn Setup):

• Deworming at 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12 weeks

• Constant parasite pressure from dirt floors and standing water

• Reactive crisis management

• Aggressive medication protocols stressing developing systems

Now (Puppy Parlor System):

• Skip 2 & 4 week deworming entirely (no roundworm issues in our climate)

• Proactive prevention through environmental design

• Gentler protocols with better results

• Focus on building natural immunity

The difference? A clean, controlled environment that prevents problems rather than just treating them.

Puppy Vaccination Schedule: Neo-par and Beyond

Why Neo-par at Six Weeks Matters

At six weeks, every puppy in our current litter receives their Neo-par vaccine.

Neo-par protects against canine parvovirus, one of the most devastating diseases affecting young puppies. Unlike the standard 5-way vaccine given at eight weeks, Neo-par can be administered as early as three weeks (but we choose six weeks) because it’s specifically designed to work even when maternal antibodies are still present.

Why this matters: Puppies receive temporary immunity from their mother’s milk, but this protection usually fades somewhere between six and twelve weeks—creating a dangerous vulnerability window right when they’re most active and exposed to potential pathogens.

Our LGD Vaccination Timeline

• 6 weeks: Neo-par (parvo protection during vulnerable window)

• 8 weeks: First 5-way (distemper, adenovirus 1  & 2, parainfluenza, parvovirus)

• 12 weeks: Second 5-way booster

• 16 weeks: Final 5-way booster (for puppies still here)

This protocol ensures continuous protection as maternal antibodies fade and the puppy’s own immune system takes over.

Puppy Parasite Prevention Protocol

Cocci Guard: Natural Coccidiosis Prevention

Starting at three weeks, when puppies begin eating solid food, I mix Cocci Guard into their puppy mush.

Cocci Guard is a coccidiosis preventive (cocciodiostat) used with goats and sheep. Since implementing this simple addition:

• Zero cases of coccidiosis in puppies

• No need for aggressive medication protocols like toltrazuril

• Healthier gut development during the critical weaning period

This is prevention, not treatment—and it works beautifully. (If a puppy does contract coccidiosis I would still treat with Toltrazuril, but I have had zero cases of coccidiosis since building the Puppy Parlor and implementing the Cocciguard protocol.)

The 5-Day Safeguard Program for Giardia

At six weeks, puppies begin a five-day course of Safeguard (fenbendazole) for giardia prevention.

This protocol generally repeats at eight, ten, and twelve weeks—the critical window when giardia tends to emerge in young dogs.

Why Safeguard specifically?

• Effective against giardia and common intestinal parasites

• Well-researched safety profile

• Proven results in our environment

Why skip the early dewormings?
Since building the Puppy Parlor with its clean surfaces and controlled environment, we simply haven’t seen roundworm issues. (We never had roundworm issues in the barn, but did have giardia and coccidiosis.) The California climate and our management system don’t create the conditions where early roundworm treatment is necessary. (My goats rarely need to be dewormed, either.)

This is science-based adaptation—using what actually works in our specific situation rather than blindly following generic protocols.

The Environmental Advantage

Why Clean Design Beats Constant Medication

Here’s what most breeders don’t understand: environment impacts health as much as genetics or medical care.

High-Risk Environments:

• Dirt floors that harbor parasite eggs

• Standing water (troughs, puddles)

• Outdoor exposure to wildlife feces

• Poor drainage and moisture retention

• High-density livestock proximity

Our Puppy Parlor Design:

• Easy-clean surfaces that don’t harbor parasites

• Excellent drainage systems

• Climate control reducing moisture

• Controlled livestock exposure

• Regular sanitation protocols

The result? A 95% reduction in parasite issues compared to barn raising, allowing gentler treatment protocols with better outcomes.

Why the 6–8 Week Window Is Critical

What’s Happening Inside the Puppy

• Maternal antibodies fading

• Puppy’s own immune system activating

• Weaning stress on digestive system

• Increased environmental exposure

• Rapid physical growth demanding resources

Our Protection Goals

• Bridge the immunity gap with Neo-par

• Support gut health during weaning transition

• Prevent parasite interference with development

• Build natural resilience through controlled exposure

• Avoid overwhelming developing systems

Get this wrong, and you compromise everything else you’ve done right in socialization and development.

The Livestock Connection: Lessons from the Farm

My integrated farm approach gives me advantages most dog breeders don’t have.

Years of managing livestock health taught me:

• Prevention beats treatment every time

• Environment determines parasite pressure

• Natural approaches work when systems support them

• Individual animals respond differently to protocols

• Observation catches problems before crisis

Using Cocciguard in puppies came directly from my goat management experience. The same prevention-focused mindset that keeps my dairy herd healthy protects my Maremma puppies.

This is one more way my working farm background creates better outcomes than hobby breeders or kennel operations.

Professional Organization: The System Behind the Protocols

Proper health management requires more than just knowledge—it requires meticulous record-keeping and organization.

After years of tracking puppy health records on paper, calendars, and spreadsheets, I finally invested in professional breeding management software that transformed how I manage every aspect of puppy health and client communication.

I use Breeder Cloud Pro to manage my entire breeding program, including:

• Complete litter tracking from heat cycles to pregnancy through placement
• Individual puppy health records (vaccinations, dewormings, vet visits)
• Automated protocol scheduling so nothing gets missed
• Client management and contract delivery
• Digital health record access for new owners

How It Works for Health Protocols

When a litter is born, I create their health protocol in the system:

• Neo-par at 6 weeks
• 5-day Safeguard protocol at 6, 8, 10, 12 weeks
• 5-way vaccines at 8, 12, 16 weeks
• Any additional treatments or vet visits

As I complete each milestone, I check it off in the system. No more wondering “Did I deworm them Tuesday or was that last week?” No more lost paper records or forgotten calendar reminders.

Everything is tracked digitally, accurately, and permanently.

The Pet Portal: Digital Records for Life

When families pick up their puppies, they receive access to the Pet Portal—a secure online system where they can:

• Download complete health records anytime
• View vaccination history and schedules
• View and sign their puppy contract
• Access and print their signed contract
• See upcoming health care recommendations
• Keep everything organized in one digital location

No more lost paper records. No more calling me asking, “When was the last vaccine?” No more scrambling to remember dates when they visit their veterinarian.

Everything is right there, downloadable and printable whenever they need it.

I’ve even created a tutorial video showing new puppy families exactly how to access and download their records, because having the system is only useful if people know how to use it.

Professional Standards Cost Money

Full transparency: This software isn’t free or cheap. I pay over $100 annually for Breeder Cloud Pro, plus $30 for the goat software add-on, and it’s worth every single penny.

I use a second software, Dog Breeder Pro, for tracking other aspects of my breeding program. That one is a bit more expensive but has features that Breeder Cloud Pro doesn’t. (Like pedigree and health record tracking, for making breeding decisions.) They complement each other nicely and ensure nothing slips through the cracks.

This is one more way professional, organized breeders distinguish themselves from people trying to do everything as cheaply as possible.

When you invest in proper tools, you get:

• Fewer mistakes and missed treatments
• Better health outcomes for puppies
• Professional presentation to clients
• Permanent, accessible records
• Peace of mind that nothing falls through the cracks

Hobby breeders working from handwritten notes and paper files might save money on software, but they’re gambling with puppy health and client satisfaction.

Professional breeders understand that organization is as important as knowledge. You can know exactly what puppies need—but if you can’t track, schedule, and document it reliably, that knowledge doesn’t translate into results.

What to Ask Any LGD Breeder About Health Protocols

Smart Buyer Questions

• What is your complete vaccination schedule?

• What parasite prevention protocols do you use?

• How has your environment affected health management?

• Can you show health records from multiple litters?

• What’s your track record with parvo, giardia, and coccidiosis?

• How do you adapt protocols based on results?

Red Flags to Watch For

• “I just do whatever the vet says” (no informed strategy)

• Frequent health crises or losses

• Reactive rather than preventive approach

• Can’t explain rationale behind protocols

• No environmental health management

• Generic protocols not adapted to their situation

Your puppy’s long-term health starts with the breeder’s prevention strategy.

The Complete Picture: Health as a System

Health protocols don’t exist in isolation—they’re integrated with everything else:

• Clean environment reduces parasite pressure

• Proper nutrition supports immune development

• Stress management prevents illness

• Genetic health testing prevents inherited disease

• Socialization protocols build behavioral resilience

Every element works together to create puppies that are healthy, confident, and ready to thrive in their working homes.

Coming Next:

As our puppies continue through their critical development period, I’ll introduce you to the adult dog who puts the finishing touches on their education.

You’ll meet my star puppy mentor and see exactly how positive canine guidance teaches young livestock guardians everything they need to know about being exceptional protectors.

🐶 FAQ: LGD Puppy Health Protocols

When should LGD puppies get their first vaccination?
At six weeks, we administer Neo-par to protect against parvovirus during the most vulnerable immune window.

How do you prevent coccidiosis naturally?
We use Cocci Guard starting at three weeks—no harsh treatments, no outbreaks, just steady prevention.

Why skip early dewormings?
Because our environment doesn’t require them. Clean, controlled spaces prevent roundworms naturally without overmedicating young puppies.

Further Reading & Resources

• Complete LGD Vaccination Protocol →

• Comprehensive Parasite Prevention Guide →

• Schedule a Maremma Discovery Call →

• Apply for Our Puppy Waiting List →